THE FIFTH TEST.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 442, 24 February 1912, Page 5

THE FIFTH TEST.

ENGLISHMEN BATTING

SIX WICKETS FOR 204. By Tclcsrapll.-'l'res* Association.- Copyright Received February 23, 8.5 p.m. Sydney, Friday. Great interest centres in the fifth test; owing to the bitter controversy concerning the personnel of the team for England. The weather was fine but threatening for the opening day. The wicket was good. Douglas won the toss, and Hobbs and Rhodes opened to McLaren and Macartney. Rhodes started by driving Macartney to the boundary, and Hobbs scored a single. Macartney drew first blood, bowling Rhodes off his pads with the. first ball of his third over. Gunn followed.

When McLaren had bowled sixovers for 15, Hordern relieved him. Fifty runs occupied 57 minutes. Before adding to the score Hobbs skied llazlitt, who had replaced Macartney in 'lie slips but out of danger, however, and the ball went to the boundary. Next over Ilobbs hit out at a googlie from Hordcrn and Ransford at wide long-on, took an easy catch. Two for 69. Hearne joined Gunn and the pair were together at luncheon. After the interval Armstrong and McLaren attacked. Play was exremely slow, when Ilearne, who had scored 4, turned and hit Armstrong hard to leg. Macartney at short leg snapped a brilliant catch. With Foster in the rate of scoring was not improved, 100 runs occupying 126 minutes, and Gunn's 50 lIS minutes.At 114 Foster, who had scored 15, stepped out to liaziitt and missed and Carter smartly stumped him. Douglas came next, and at 4 tipped Hordern to Gregory at short leg, who caught the ball as it touched the ground. Gunn was 23 minutes at. 50 before adding a single. Another single was added in 10 minutes and he was then stumped in stepping out to Hordern. Douglas and Wooiley were together at tea time when the score was 132 for 5. After tea play was still slow, the batsmen displaying extreme caution. The bowling was good, Armstrong especially maintaining a splendid length. Hordern was also howling a good length and spinning well. When Douglas was IS, made in 71 minutes by uninteresting batting, he tried to straight-hit Hordern. The hall twisted on the bat and Ransford .it deep mid-on took a catch. After Vine came in Wooiley brought up his 50 in 70 minutes, the 200 occupying 252 minute?. The Australians' fielding was keen and good except Ilordern's, who made several bad misses. The light failed and play was adjourned with the total at six wickets for 204 runs. Scores: Rhodes S. Hobbs 32, Ilearne J, Gunn 52, Foster 15, Douglas IS, Wooiley not out 62, Vine not out S.

A WET WICKET PROMISED. Received February 2], 11.15 p.m. Sydney, Friday. A wet wicket is promised for tomorrow. Heavy showers havs fallen and more rain is threatened.