Cricket News.

Feilding Star, Volume XVI, Issue 207, 2 March 1895, Page 2

Cricket News.

THE FINAL TEST MATCH. (Per Press Association.) Melbourne, March 1. Considering it was an off day to-day the attendance for the final test match was highly satisfactory, over 13,000 people were present before lunch, and the attendance increased by fully thirteen thousand as the afternoon wore on. Over .£7OO was taken at the gates. The Australians were decided favorites, when it was known Giffen had won the toss, and the odds 7 to 5 were laid on them. Giffen elected to bat and sent in Bruce ancl H. Trott, while Stoddard entrusted the bowling to Richardson and Peel. Bruce opened vigorously and freely, but at 27 gave a possible chance to Ford in the slips which was not accepted, the ball glancing off Phillipson's hand. At 49 Bruce hit one from Peel sharply into slips, where McLaren took it with difficulty, Bruce's 22 included four fours and six singles. Giffen, who filled the vacancy, opened very cautiously, beiug content to allow Trott to do the scoring. At 45 Stoddart failed to cover the return to Peel, two runs resulting from an overthrow. At 65 Lockwood relieved Richardson . off whom 29 runs had been scored in ten overs, and at 72 Briggs replaced Peel. On resuming after luncheon the batsmen displayed the utmost caution. Giffen caused the centary to be hoisted shortly afterwards. The; Victorian played wildly at Briggs and had to pay the penalty. His 42 included five fours, one three, and four twos, and represented an hour aud forty-five minutes at the wickets. At 103 Giffen hit a loose ball from Lockwood to leg for four. At 113 Richardson again went on, and Lockwood who had bowled 15 overs at a cost of 21 runs retired at 115. Richardson bowled Ired ale with a shooter. With Gregory's advent Peel relieved Briggs. At 142 saw the dismissal of Giffen, who played Peel on to his wickets after making 57. He batted faultlessly during the two hours and a quarter he was at the wickets. Darling filled the vacancy and the pair began to score rapidly, and at 183 Briggs relieved Bell, Brockwell was tried in place of Richardson. Over thirteen was scored off Brockwell by Gregory and at 221 Lockwood went on in his place. At 223 Darling should have been run out, but Lockwood failed to take the ball from Ward. At 228 Peel relieved Briggs, who had obtaiued one wicket at the cost of 45 runs. At 243 Phillipson badly missed Darliag. At 262 Richardson went on instead of Lockwood, Ford taking Peel's place. These frequent changes, however, had no effect and the partnership remained unbroken when the stumps were drawn for the day. With one or two jexeptions the fielding of the Englishmen was splendid. The following are the scores : — Australians, lst inniners —

London, March 1. The Daily News says the chances c winning this test match seems to be i favour of the Australian team which i stronger in batting than it has been fo ten years past, and some of the member of the English team are not playing v to their Home form.

Bruce, c McLaren b Peel 22 H. Trott, b Briggs 42 Iredale, b Richardson 8 Giffen, b Peel 57 Gregory, not out ... ... ... 70 Darling, not out 72 Extras 11 Total for 4 wickets 282