The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, DECEMBER 17, 1901.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 292, 17 December 1901, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, DECEMBER 17, 1901.

THE TEST MATCH. The result of the tost cricket match yesterday would come as a shock to Australians and as a great surprise to people generally. A good game and close finish wore anticipated, hut the match, which promised well at the outset, resulted in the overwhelming defeat of the Australians. 'The Englishmen, who began their tour so iuauspiciously, wore victorious by an innings and 124 runs! The graphic reports given iu our cablegrams show that the victory was not brought about by any poor play on the part of the colonials, but owing to the allround excellence of the Englishmen. Their fielding was apparently superior to that of the Australians, and few chances were missed. Maclaren’s generalship was one of the features of tho game, and contributed materially to the success. The fact that such a good wicket was maintained shows that the match was played on its merits. Australians, so proud of their prowess in the field of cricket, will now be in a state of wonderment as to how it all happened. Tho next test match will be anticipated with the keenest interest. It is to be hoped that it will ho played under equally as good conditions, and that the A ustralians, who are not used to boiug so badly beaten, will get their taste of the sweets of victory.