THE FIRST TEST.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 423, 16 December 1911, Page 5

THE FIRST TEST.

ENGLANH AND AUSTRALIA

It.v Telcsriijih. >')<"■ Ai.-wnit CopyriKlit Received December la, 7.20 p.m.

Sydney, Last Night,

The serious business of tho Englishmen's tour was inaugurated iti perfect weather conditions. There was a big attendance. The Australians worn black arm bands in memory of tho old Australian representative R. A. DufT.

Hill won the toss and decided to take advantage of a good wickct. Kelleway and Rardaley opened to Foster and Douglas. Roth batsmen were cautious. When the total was 44 Hardslcy, in attempting to cut Douglas, tipped the ball and Strudwick took a brilliant catch.

Hill opened with a weak stroke. The ball rose dangerously to mid-oil", but passed the field, however, and a boundary resulted. The captain quickly found his form and started punishing the howlers. Kelleway was a hundred minutes scoring 1!>.

Hearne and Woolley took up the bowling at 7<i. In tho latter's (irat over ho caught and bowled Kelleway, After lunch Armstrong joined Hill and play brightened considerably, tho century being hoisted in 92 minutes. Hearno bowled erratically. Hill with Armstrong put on 45, then played a hard one from Foster to square-leg and ran. Rhodes brilliantly returned and Hill being unable to get back was run out. Three for 121.

Trumper joined Armstrong arid hit Douglas' first ball for four. Douglas howling a wonderful length, with Hames at tho other end, kept the runs dewn. At IS Armstrong gave a hot chance to Douglas, who was unable Io hold the ball. Bowling changes

were frequent and play was again dull i hO runs took JTil! minutes to compile

Trnmper was not using his customary unorthodox strokes. Armstrong brought up f>() by driving Ilearne for 4. the half-century taknig him 95 minutes to compile, and included seven fours, his chief scoring strokes being powerful cuts and drives. The last ball before tea Armstrong played forward to a googlie from liearne, missed, and dragged his foot over the crease, and was smartly stumped by Strudwick. After the adjournment Trumper punished the bowling.

Dougals and Foster again took charge of tho attack, both keeping a good length. Hansford followed Armstrong, and played several weak strokes. 250 runs wero totalled in 220 minutes. Eleven runs late Rhodes bowled his first, ball in the match, replacing Douglas* Ransford was an hour in Bcoring 17. At 2(i he cut Barnes high to Hearno at point and was out. The partnership yielded 80 runs. Minnet, tho fourth man, hit a fourer off his first ball, driving Barnes to the boundary.

Trumper continued to play faultless cricket. 300 runs were totalled in 270 minutes. Minnott showed great freedom for n novice, and played out time; Scores: —

AUSTRALIA.—First Innings,

Kelleway, 20, Bardsley JU), Hill 4(i, Armstrong (it), Hansford 2(5, Minnett. (not out) 22, Trumper (not out) Dfi, sundries IS.

COMMENTS ON THIS PLAY. Received December 1(5, 8.20 a.m. Sydney, This Day. The Herald describes the cricket an prosaic and never effervescent. Trumper was only u subdued sparkle. '1 be game was at the level of test match seriousness. The Telegraph sayß Trumper made Douglas look to his laurels as slowest batsmen over seen. This was a new Trumper with a vengeance. Tie bowlers wore good, but if Trumper purposes being dug out, there is sore trouble ahead.

WARNERS' ILLNESS

CANNOT PLAY ON TOUR

RETURNING TO ENGLAND

Received Decombcr lfi, 9.2!> a.m. j S.vdney, This Day.

Warner's illness is more nerious than hitherto thought, and will m t play again on the tour. Ho returns to England shortly. It is possible be will never bo again able to play criclcct.