CRICKET.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 341, 15 February 1902, Page 3

CRICKET.

ENGLAND v, AUSTRALIA.

THE FOURTH TEST MATCH.

ENGLISHMEN SIX WICKETS FOR 266.

PLAY DEADLY SLOW,

By telegraph—Frees Association —Copyright Sydney, Feb. 14. Great excitement is being taken in the fourth test match, special trains bringing crowds of country visitors, while there was a large contingent from the other States. A splendid wicket was provided, anu the match opened in glorious weather with a light, cold breeze. Maclaren’s luck was again in evidence, and, winning the toss, batted the usual opening partners, Maclaren and Hayward, who faced Noble and Saunders. After the former had sent down a maiden, Hayward set the score going with a single off the Victorian. Play was slow and cautious, Maclaren being fifteen minutes at the wickets before ho essayed a run. Saunders particularly gave the batsmen trouble. Indeed, right through Hayward s innings, he was never at home with him. Excellent fielding all round had an effect on run-getting, Noble being ma^, vellously smart at point. Hayward and Maclaren now had lb apiece, while each bowler had lb debited

to theta. When Maclaren had added anotner sovcn, ho had a Jife, driving ono hard back to Saunders, who failed to hold it. Fifty up appeared as the result of sixtysix minutes’ work. A double change was made of Howell and Trumblo in placo of Noble and Saunders at 58. The batsmen tediously brought the

game to the luncheon adjournment. On resuming, Saunders bowled from the southern end, and with a magnificent ball, the third of the over, dislodged Hayward s

bails. The Surrey professional had scored faster than his captain, including eight fourers.

, One wicket for 73. Tyldesley, the new-comer, sent Saunders’next ball to the boundary. In the next few minutes Maclaren brought his half century and the first century of the innings up. The task occupied just on a couple of hours. Tyldesley got into double figures, and then relapsed into dull play. At 122 Noble relieved Saunders, and Maclaren opened his shoulders to the Sydney bowler, bis fine drives and beautiful'leg strokes producing eight off the over. The outburst was only momentary, and the game again became deadly slow, Maclaren taking eighteon minutes to add a single, while Tyldesley emulated Quaife’s tactics.

Howell replaced Trumble at 144, Armstrong taking Noble’s end a little later. Tyldesley found the Victorian to his liking, and smote bis first over for 8. The tea adjournment intervened with the score at 174, tho product of three hours’ cricket.

After tea Maclaren brought his innings to an end. He made a bad stroke, lifting Saunders high to Duff at mid-off, who effected a splendid catch. Maclaren hit fifteen fourers, and was at the wickets three and a-quarter hours. Two wickets for 179.

Quaife filled the vacancy and Tyldesley became more aggressive, but Quaife, after adding four, touched Saunders into Kelly’s hands. Three for 188. Jessop, amidst cheerß, followed, and the field spread out, but there was manifest disappointment occasioned as the demon tried an off hit that went softly to Noble at point. Four for 188. Braund filled the vacanoy, and narrowly missed being stumped off Saunders, who bad obtained his last three wickets at a cost of six runs. Braund marked his escape by sending Saunders’ next ball to the fence. who was playing soundly, 'reached his half century, while the second century appeared for three hours and fifty - jhinutes’ play.

Tyldesley, by a magnificent flashing cut, raised the score rapidly, and made the hit of the day—a great high drive over the fence.

Trumble displaced Howell at 225, and Braund, who had not played Saunders comfortably, met his fate at Trumble’s hands. He tried to get the first ball round to leg, but got leg before. Five for 225. McGahey followed Tyldesley, who kept on scoring smartly.

McGahey scored eight, when he hit one hard to Hopkins, who dashed at it and got his left hand on the ball, but failed to hold it.

With the next ball Tyldesley’s useful innings terminated, he placing one from Noble, who had relieved Saunders, into Kelly’s hands, Tyldesley hit fourteen fourers, and was at the wickets two hours and fifty-four minutes. Six for 245. Lilley joined McGahey, and played out time. Following are the scores:— England —lst innings. Maclaren, c Duff, b Saunders ... 92 Hayward, b Saunders 41 Tyldesley, c Kelly, b Noble 79 Quaife, c Kelly, b Saunders 4 Jessop, c Noble, b Saunders ... ... 0 Braund, lbw, b Trumble 17 McGahey, not out 18 Lilley, not out 10 Extras 5 Total for 6 wickets 266