SECOND TEST MATCH.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2078, 2 January 1908, Page 2

SECOND TEST MATCH.

United Press Association —Copyright (Received Jan. 1, 9.50 p.m.) MELBOURNE, Jan. 1.

There was an exceedingly dull day’s batting on a splendid wicket. The batsmen were all strictly on the defensive and painfully slow. The only relief was when Cotter came in. He hit merrily for a quarter of an hour, and scored 16 off seven balls. Braund set five men on the boundary for him in expectation of big hitting, but Crawford skittled him. The Englishmen’s ground fielding was loose at the start, but improved later. Hardstaff was energetic in the outfield, and Humphries was marvellously fine in keeping wickets. The bowling was splendid. Fielder and Crawford kept accurate length. Braund was tricky. The weather was warm and the wicket splendid. The crowd numbered 27,000. Fane was omitted, also Hayes, Young, and The latter is suffering from the effects of a cold contracted during the extraordinary climatic changes at Bendigo, narrowly escaping pleurisy. Jones, of course, is not playing, as lie is recuperating at the Blue Mountains. It- is problematical whether lie will jilay again during the tour. A cheer went up when it was ascertained that Noble had won the toss, and that Australia had naturally decided on the first use of the wickets. Trumper and McCartney opened to the bowling of Fielder and Barnes, The batsmen began confidently, Trumper leading to a hope of lively batting. The people expected to-see him display something or Llb old dashing form, but lie slacked soon," and for some little time McCartney 'kept getting the bulk of the runs. Trumper, however, batted attractively and assumed the lead. He had luck, being, missed in the slips by Gunn when 4. He just missed his lialf-century by one. He had batted 82 minutes, and in his runs were five fours. Hill joined McCartney, who was cleanbowled after going quietly and carefully, hitting only ono four. Crawford at this stage had taken his wickets for 19. The Australian skijiper was next in, and the hundred went up after 1 hour and 48 minutes’ play. Hill, was out at 16, clean-bowled by Fielder, and a great roar rose from the spectators. Fielder’s wickets had cost him 35 runs. Armstrong was next, and at 140 Fielder, who had one wicket for 45, was given a rest, Barlies going on. Soon after Noble lifted Crawford to mid-on, when Gunn again dropped the ball. Noble wa6 then 20. After an hour and five minutes, 150 was made in 2 hours and 51 minutes. At the tea adjournment the score was 160 (Armstrong 31, Noble 25). Soon after resuming, Crawford bowled, and Armstrong was finely caught in the slips after 1 hour 4 minutes’ batting. Crawford’s three wickets had cost him only 53 runs. Macalister had just reached double figures when ho was run out, Hobbs making a splendid return. Hansford was next, and 200 was on the board after 3J hours. Noble, attempting to hit, was caught in the slips, after being 2 hours 45 minutes at the wickets. Carter speedily ran into double figures and batted in.lively fashion to draw. AUSTRALIA—Ist Innings. Trumper, c Humphries b Crawford 49 McCartney, b Crawford ... 37 I-lill, b Fielder ... ... ..-16 Noble, c Braund, b Rhodes ... 61 Armstrong, c Hutchings, b Crawford ... 31 Macalister, run out ... 10 Hansford, not out . ... •••,22 Cotter, b Crawford H Carter, not out ... ••• 10 Sundries ... 2 Total for seven wickets 255 The wickets fell as folows: 1 for 84, 2 for 93, 3 for 111, 4 for 168, 5 for 197, 6 for 214, 7 for 240. j Bowling analysis: Fielder 1 for 70, Rhodes 2 for 37, Crawford 4 for 75.