THE ENGLISH CRICKETERS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XII, Issue 1075, 17 December 1903, Page 2

THE ENGLISH CRICKETERS.

THE FIRST TEST MATCH.

PRESS COMMENTS.

By Telegraph— Press Association— Copyright Sydney, Dec. 16. A smart shower occurred at 1 o’clock this morning, and it was drizzling till 4 o’clock. The weather is now (8 a.m.) fine, but heavy clouds are hanging about. Tho Herald, discussing yesterday’s cricket, says : —The very attractive rato of scoring was pleasing to the crowd. The best innings of the day was played by Trumper, who, after feeling his way for a few overs, opened on tho bowling and punished it unmercifully. One portion of the innings he obtained 60 runs in 40 minutes, and all the time there was no risk whatever. Duff, Hill, and Noble batted soundly. Tho contest is still very much in favor of the Englishmen, though the Australians have considerably im-

proved their position. Tho Daily Telegraph says:—Although thero was a good record of runs for the day, the English bowling was never really collared. Braund, however, suffered rather severely on ono or two occasions in the early portion of the day. The rate of rungetting was only normal, but Tnnnper, who displayed sterling form all round tho wicket, increased it. Tho keynote of the

play was the Australians’ steadiness. They would take no risks whatever. If the challengers can ho deadly serious about contesting ashes, so, too, can the defenders, .sand thus Australian batsmen plodded along oti their great uphill journey’, and they lacked nothing in the way of moral support from the spectators. The temperamentary barometer rose to fever heat as every 4 was hit. Regarding what it terms the most unfortunato and regrettubio Hiil incident, the •Herald' says Hill ovor-ran the crease to such an extent that ho had to negotiate about ten yards of dead ground, and failed to make good the opposite

crease. Crockett’s docision was received by a most hostile demonstration all round the ground, which continued at intervals all the afternoon, though numbers in.the pavilion who had taken his part said what a serious insult it was to the visiting team and to the umpire. There is no intention here to say that Crockett's decision was good or bad. Umpires are not infallible, and perhaps the batsman who suffers today gains to-morrow. The Telegraph says Among those sitting square with the wicket opinions differed, and Crockett, who was in tho best place of all to judge, had no doubt whatever about it. Hill, on the othor hand, declares he was in, with a yard or two to spare. Ho is far too good a sportsman to say this if he did not believe it. As for Crockett, ho has shown himself during many seasons past an efficient and conscientious umpire, and is entitled to have his decision treated with respect, but yesterday he was subjeoted to a hostile demonstration, which continued almost uninterrupted until the drawing of stumps. When at the closo of the day, as the players and umpires were returning to the pavilion numbers massed near the stops renewed the howling and hooting. On this occasion, however, tbero was a small attempt at a counter demonstration. The episode, fortunately, is without parallel on tho Sydney Crickot Ground, but it is none the less disgraceful on that account.

AUSTRALIANS’ SECOND INNINGS

TRUMPER’S STRONG STAND.

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Receivod 4,56 p.m,, Doc. 16. Sydney, Dec. 16. The weather cleared beautifully during the morning. The rain which fell during the night had, if anything, improved the wicket.

Trumper and Armstrong resumed with confidence. Runs came smartly, tho Vic torian being particularly lively. Ho added thirteen to his overnight score, when he gave Bosanquet a chanco off Rhodes low down in the slips. Six for 393.

Hopkins filled the vacancy. The fourth century was recorded for 5£ hours’ play. Trumpor piled up tho runs in groat style, cutting magnificently. Hopkins reached double figures ia a few minutes, scoring chiefly off Rhodes, who gave way to Hirst at 408, Arnold relieving Bosanquet a dozen runß later, tho retiring bowler having been severely handled by Trumper. Hopkins added 20, and then lifted Rhodes to Arnold. Seven for 441.

Laver partnered Trumper, and went in for defensive work, leaving the Sydneyite to do the run-getting. There were various changes of bowling, but Trumper was not in the slightest troubled with it. After lunch Arnold and Rhodes were bowling, and Laver touched one off Rhodes, which Rolf secured in the slips. Eight for 468. Howell’s appearance was tho signal for spreading the field. He droves Rhodes’ second ball to the boundary, but Arnold's fourth ball was fatal, Lilley catching him. Nino for 473.

Saunders was tho last man. Trumper kept piling up the runs, making the most of evory opportunity. Saunders, in running, hesitated and lost his wicket, Trumper carrying out his bat and receiving a great ovation on returning to the pavilion. His score included 25 fours. He batted 3 hours 60 minutes.

Owing to tho holiday for the Federal election the attendance was large. AUSTRALIA—2nd Innings. Kelly, b Arnold 13 Gregory, c Lilley, b Rhodes 43 Duff, c Relf, b Rhodes 84 Hill, run out 51 Trumper, not out 185 Noble, st Lilley, b Bosanquet 22 Armstrong, c Bosanquet, b Rhodes ... 27 Hopkins, c Arnold, b Rhodes ... 20 Laver, c Relf, b Rhodes 6 Howell, c Lilley, b Arnold 4 Saunders, run out 2 Sundries 28 Total 485 Bowling Analysis. Relf nil for 35 Braund nil for 56 Bosanquet one for 100 Rhodes five for 94 Arnold two for 93 Hirst nil for 79.

ENGLISHMEN’S SECOND INNINGS

74 WANTED AND SIX RICKETS TO FALL.

By Telegraph—Proas Association—Copyright Received 8 p.m., Dec. 16 Sydney, Dec. 16. Requiring 195 to win, Warner and Hayward began tho task, Howell and Noble bowling. Flay was very slow, the batsmen taking no chances. Warner had scored eight when the ball struck his pads and rolled into the wicket, dislodging the bails.

One for 21. Tyldesley followed, and Hayward, chiefly with singles, got double figures. Rhodes ran for Tyldesley, who was indisposed. The latter slowly hit up nine, and tbeD gave a chance to Noble at point, who made a brilliant catch. Two for 39. Foster filled the vacancy. Play was tedious, tho newcomer being seventeen minutes in getting his first run. The bow ling was excellent, Howell sent down fourteen overs for seven i-udb. The first 50 runs were.the result of 87 minutes’ play. Foster opened out, and with fine drives and square cuts put double figures to his credit. Laver relieved Howell just before the half century was recorded. Hayward, playing safe cricket, gradually increased the total, Foster not shaping comfortably at Laver. The wicket was evidently beginning to wear. Facing Armstrong, who had taken Saunders’ place, Foster stepped out at his first ball, Kelly stumping him. Three for 81. Braund joined Hayward, and Howell .replaced Laver, The , Sydney bowler’s fourth ball Braund played inlo Noble’s hands without scoring. There was great cheering as the board recorded four for 82. How’pl! at this time had secured two wicketa for seven runs.

Hirst was next, and sent the last ball of Howell’s over into Laver’s hands at short leg, but tho fioldsman dropped it. Hayward brought hi 3 half century up for two hourß and ‘2O minutes’ batting. Tho fielding was exceptionally clean and smart. The century was hoisted alter two hours 35 minutes’ play. Hirst’s let off becamo expensive. He added 18, and then gave Hopkins a chance off Laver, but tho catch was dropped, Hayward was doing a little, an occasional run falling to his lot. When stumps were drawn for tho day tho score was :

ENGLAND—2nd Innings. Warner, b Howell ••• 8 Hayward, not out 60 Tyfdesley, c Noble, b Saunders ... 9 Foster, stpd Kelly, b Armstrong ... 19 Braund, c Noble, b Howell ... 0 Hirst, not out ... ... ... ••• 5 Sundries ... ... ... 21 Total for four wickets ... 122