CRICKET.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 445, 6 March 1912, Page 3

CRICKET.

The winning of four tests is a record for England in Australia. The English batsmen averaged 37.77 and Australia 26.79. The individual test averages are: — Hobbs 82.75, Rhodes 57.87, Woolley 48.16, Vine 46.0, Gunn 42.33, Hearne 35.12, Mead 21.0, Douglas 14.57, Smith 9.40, Barnes 5.83, Hitch 2.66, Strudwick 12 not out. Bowling: Foster won 32 wickets at an average of 21.62., Barnes 34 at 22.88, Douglas 15 at 23.66, Woolley 8 at 26.12, Hitch 5 at 36.60, Hearne 1 for 196, Rhodes 0 for 57. Australia batting averages are:— Gregory 36.0, Ransford 31.50, Minnett 30.50, Trumper 29.55, Hill 27.40, Macartney 26;50, Carter 25.66, Kelleway 22.12, Hordern 21.62, Matthews 17.75, Bardsiey 16.12, Cotter 14.0, Whitty 11.50, Hazlitt 2.50, Maclaren none not out twice. Bowling:—Hordern 32 wickets at an average, of 24.37, Hazlitt 4 at 31.75, Minnett 5 at 35.80, Armstrong 9 at 37.11, Kellewav 6 at 41.50, Cotter 12. at 45.66, Macartney one for 54, Whitty 3 at 61.66, McLaren one for 70, Matthews one for 164, Ransford none for 19.

English batsmen made six centuries and Australian one.

The Herald says the fifth was undoubtedly Woolley's test. He scored 133 when the side was collapsing, bowled three for 37, and effected five catches. three of them brilliant. While admitting that in the three previous tests Australia was outclassed, the treacherous wicket was a potent factor in the last victury.

The Telegraph declares that Wooley's remarkable catch in dismissing Minnett was the turning point in the game. The Australians did well, considering the wicket. On paper, before the series, the Australians looked the better team, but they were fairly beaten in batting, bowling and fielding.

Warner, replying to the toast of the team, regretted that the best Australian team would not compete in the first of the triangular tests. Hill would be missed in England while Trumper was the idol of the British public. He considered that the present English team would beat any side which had previously visited Australia.

Warner sympathised with the Australian barrackers expressing their objections to unreasonable delays, and declared that he would do the same if in their position. The local cricketers had bad weather for Saturday's play, and it is to be regretted the Ohura players did not strike a fine day for their visit. However, a very enjoyable game was played, resulting in a win for tha visitors. Owing to the visitors having to leave by the afternoon train only one innings was played. Ohura batted first and knocked up a total of 91, to which the home players replied with 55. The all-round form shown by the Ohura men was very consistent and a pleasing feature of the game was the keenness of the side in fielding. The local players failed badly in!batting and it is evident that considerably more attention will have to be devoted to practice. A noticeable feature of the game-s played by Te Kuiti this season is the manner in which players throw awav their wickets by being run out. To attempt a sharp run occasionally is quite justifiable, but to throw away a wicket or two during the course of a game means all the difference between victory and defeat. There is always the chance of a man getting runs when he is at the wickets. After he is given out his value to his side is considerably diminished.