THE ENGLISH CRICKETERS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XII, Issue 1074, 16 December 1903, Page 2

THE ENGLISH CRICKETERS.

THE FIRST TEST MATCH.

By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright Sydney, Deo. 15. Tho weather is fine but hot. The Herald says yesterday was aiftiiy of new recotds all along tho line, the mpn who piayed tho most important part therein appearing for a first time in a match England v. Australia. The Australians have an extraordinary task before them. It seems absurd to think on the face of it that they can win, though more evidently impossible things havo been accomplished. Tho howlers had the hardest task that was ever their lot in a test match, yet it cannot be said they did not bowl well. Two men registered 3SO, and theso woro tho only two who collared tho bowling. Howell bowled remarkably well, but the others were bowling against a man to whom tho ball acquired tho dimensions of a pumpkin, and a big one at that. Tho wholo team worked very hard in the field. Tho Daily Telegraph, summing up Foster’s record, says:—To begin with ho joined a small company of players who had scored centuries on their first appearances iu test cricket, and then beat Itanjitsinghi’s 175, hitherto tho biggest iuniugs for England in a match of tho kind. Later ho gave tho go-by to Gregory’s 201, ho highest seoro iu a test match in Australia. A few minutes afterwards Murdoch’s 211 was no longer a record innings for a representative fixture eithor in Australia or England. Going on, he played the biggest innings ever played by an Englishman Bgainst Australian bowling, and finally boat the Australian total oil his own bat. Throughout tho long outing the Australian fielding never became loose, and admirable work was dono by everybody without cx- : ceptiou, although the bowling got a littlo ' demoralised when Foster was hogging for his last hour. For tho most part it was good, however. It may be mentioned that yesterday established the fifth and last wicket test records.

SOME BIG SCORING,

TRUMPER (NOT OUT) 119.

WORST SCENE EVER EXPERIENCED ON GROUND.

By T clegraph — Press Association—Copyright Received 7.58 p.m., Dec. 15. Sydney, Dec. 15. A hard south-oastor blow all day, the weather boing cold but clear. The attendance was moderate. The wickot was good. Kelly and Gregory resumed batting, and Kelly had only added eight to his overnight score, when ho was boaton by a beautiful ball from Arnold. One for 36. Duff joined Gregory. Both played steadily, and tho score crept up, Duff going a bit lastor than hiß partnor, and getting in somo fine hard drives. When he had 23 to his credit ho mado an uppish stroke, but Warnor failed to get up to it. There was some smart work between tho wickets, and many runs resulted. Tho century was hoistod in 96 minutes, but at tho luncheon adjournment Grogoi’', put Rhodes into Lilloy’s' haudß. Two for 102. After lunch Hill joined Duff. Tho English bowling changes were rung on rapidly. Rhodes securod hiß wicket for a couple of runs. Tho batsmon were playing the bowling with freedom, and several instances of loose fielding helpod tho score. Duff was 64 minutes in reaching tho halfcentury, whilo Hill, with somo very fiuo strokes, was scoring faster than his partner. Both collared tho bowling, and runs came quickly, both Hirst and Bosanquet being expensive. At 184 Rolf came on in place of Bosanquet, making tho sixth bowler tried. Rhodes pitched one well up to Duff, who gave tho softest of catches, spooning it to Keif at mid-on. Three for 181. Trumpor succeeded, and at this time Rhodes had captured two wickets for 9 runs. Relf, bowling well, gave Hi>l some trouble, and tho play became slowi Two hundred was registered for 3 hours 19 minutes’ play. Trumpor was making somo fine, though unproductive strokes. Hill, ivko had scored freoly at the commencement, Blackened off considerably’, a result which was duo to tho excellent bowling of Rhodes and Relf, most of tho runs being obtained by singles. Tho fielding also had smartened up. Hirst relieved Khodeß at 206. The game livened up somewhat after tea, Trumper getting double figures. He had so far played with caution. Both players were making somo clover running between the wickets. Trumpor punished Hirst’s first over after tea to the extent of 9 runs. Hill attained his half-century in just unde); two hours. Both batsmon having scored merrily, hitting up 25 in 14 minutes. Rhodes replaced Hirst, and this . ad tho effect oi steadying the score a bit! Braund relioved Relf at tho other end, Trumper cutting his first two to tho boundary. Tho third ball went for four byes, Trumper cutting the fourth for another four, and his sixth ball Trumper drove hard. They ran four, and attempted a fifth run for the over-throw. Lilley knocked the wicket down. Hill did not seem to bo out, and thoro was a regrettable hostile demonstration against Crockett, the English umpiro, tho worst scene ever made on tho ground. Warner consulted with Noble, and tho gamo was stopped for a few minutes. Four for 254. Trumpor reached 50 in an hour, driving splondidly boundaries in quick succession off Braund, making 18 off his over. Arnold took his place, and Noble left tho scoring to Trumper. Tho deficit was wiped off it,.four hours, Tho third century was' posted a few minutes later. Trumper continued to score at a great rate, treating all tho bowling impartially. He achieved tho century amid applause. The task occupied 94 minutes. Bosanquet, who rolieved Relf, tempted Noble out, and Lilley stumped him. Five for 334. Armstrong and Trumper played out time. The scores were : AUSTRALIA—2nd Innings. & L Kelly, b Arnold 13Gregory, c Lilley, b Rhodes 43 Duff, c Relf, b Rhodes 84 Hill, run out ... 5l Trumper, not out ... 119 Noble, st Lilley, b Bosanquet 22 Armstrong, not out ... • 14 Sundries 21 Total for 5 wickets 867