CRICKET.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 16 December 1901, Page 4

CRICKET.

The First Teat Match.

[per PRESS ASSOCFATON —COPYRIGHT.]

Sydney, December 14.

The light drizzling rain, which fell during the night, did not interfere with the wicket, which was again playing perfectly. With six wickets for 272, Braund joined Lilley. The partnership was invaluable to the Englishmen. Noble and Jones opened the bowling. Braund, who is one of the soundest and elegant bats in the team, commenced with a will to get double figures quickly. A square cut to the fence, and a fine leg glance in the same direction off Jones bringing him up. The fast bowler was to his liking, but Noble sent down five maidens, both taking the Sydney man cautiously. Lilley had a narrow escape, making an uppi-h stroke, which Noble desperately tried to get under. Braund made Jones expensive through the slips, which caused Howell to spell him. Braund, with a single off Noble, put the third century on the board. The feat occupied 5 hours 10 minutes. Lilley scored freely. His hard drives at times were high, but out of danger, and he brought his half century up with a fine cut, the result of one hour 27 minutes. M‘Leod released Noble, while a dozen runs later Trumble relieved Howell. An appeal by the Yictorian against the Warwickshire player for leg before wicket was not sustained. The strength of the bowling division had now been tried to effect a separation, and iust on luncheon Trumper was tried instead of Trumble. The fielding was excellent, Gregory and Trumper converting many potential boundaries into singles.

After lunch Noble and Trumble took the ball. Lively play followed. Braund got several fours in succession which brought up his halt century in an hour and a half. Both batsmen had the bowling tied up.

Lillcy, when M‘Lcod came on lifted one to Laver at cover point and broke the splendid partnership. It was a fine display of 2 hours 24 minutes at the wickets. He hit 13 fourers, 7 wickets for 39G. Both obtained runs all round the wicker. The fourth century appeared for 400 min. play. Gunn, the Som.rs-t bowler, came next. Lilley quickly jumped out to M'Leod but failed to hit square, and the ball rose high to Jones who made a brilliant catch at deep mid off thus ending an attractive and and dashing innings. There was one difficult chance early in the innings which was otherwise faultless, and occupied two hours. He hit 10 fourers. E'ght wickets for 405. Barnes succeeded Gunn and made four boundaries, and gave a soft one back to Jones —9 wickets for 425. Blythe was the last man. Blythe after several lucky fours skied one high, but Laver failed to reach lit. Laver relieved M’Lcod. Blythe just touched the second ball, and Trumble snapped it in the slips. Barnes played very cautiously.—England total 464.

England’s Ist innings. Hayward, c Hill, h Trumble ... GO M'Laren, l.b.w. M'Leod ... ... 116 Tyldesley, c M‘Leod, b Laver ... 1 Quaife, b Howell ... ... ... 21 Jessop, b M'Leod ... ... ... 24 Jones, c Kelly, b Noble ... ... 2 Lilley, cLaaerb M‘Leod ... ... 84 Braund, c Jones b M'Leod ... 51 Gunn, c and b Jones 21 Barnes (not out) 26 Blythe, c Trumble b Laver ... 16 Sundries 15 Total 464 Bowling analysis—M'Leod, 4 for 84 ; Laver, 2 for S 9 ; Trumble, 1 for 85 , Trumper, 0 for 0 ; Howell, 1 for 62 | Nobles, 1 for 91 ; Jones, 1 for 98. There was an attendance of thirtythree thousand, the Governor-General being present. Gregory and Trumper commenced after tea, Barnes and Braund opening the attack. In a few minutes Trumper drove one back to Barnes—l wickes for three. Hill followed and then both men showed ingenuity between the wicket and got into double figures quickly. The fielding was so excellent that fourers were rare though they played with great confidence At forty seven Gunn relieved Braund and the half century appeared in 44 min. play. Mostly singles and three fourers were scored in that time. Gunn proved expensive and at 85 Blythe made his first experience in New South Wales as a bowler. Only one maiden was sent down in the first hour and a quarter. Gregory was playing freely when ho gave Braund a chance in the slips which was accepted—2 wickets for 89. Noble filled the vacancy but he scratched about freely. Blythe was taken off to give Braund a chance at him with leg breaks. The ruse proved successful. Noble rushed well out and Lilley took the bails 3 for 97. Howell played a few minutes to time. Hill p’aeed the bowling in a safe position and carried the score over the first century.

Australia’s Ist innings, Gregory, c Braund, b Blythe ... 48 Trumper, c and h Barnes 2 Hill (notout) ... 42 Noble, st Lilley b Braund 2 Howell (not out) 4 Sundries 5 Total for three wickets ... 103