CRICKET.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 477, 26 June 1912, Page 5

CRICKET.

ENGLAND If. AUSTRALIA. HOME TEAM BATS FIRST. HOBBS MAKES 107. 13 y Telegraph.—l'i-css Association. —CopyTipriil London, Mondav. The third test match of the triangular series, between England and Australia, was commenced at Lord's this morning. The weather was hot but stormy, and showers fell during the morning, while Lord's escaped a severe downpour which fell elsewhere. The attendance was 4000 at the start, but later increased to 18,000. The teams were as follow: — ENGLAND. C. B. Fry (captain), Spooner, Warner, Foster, Hobbs, Rhodes, Barnes, E. J. Smith, Woolley, Dean, J. T. Hearne. AUSTRALIA. S. E. Gregory (captain), Macartney, Bardsley, Kelleway, Emery, D. Smith, Whitty, Hazlitt, Matthews, Jennings, Carkesk. Fry won the toas from Gregory and decided to bat first Hobbs and Rhodes opening to the bowling of Whitty and Hazlitt. Hubbs sent the first ball from Whitty for a single to shortleg almost giving a chance for a run out Bardsley returning smartly. Rhodes cut the third ball for 4 and scored a single off the fourth while Hobbs got three to the on-side off the fifth. Hobbs with a single from Hazlitt brought up 10 and a thunderstorm came on after the fifth ball the downpour lasting 15 minutes, sunshine and showers following, and the pitch being protected. Theru was no further play before lunch. On resuming the weather was bright, drying the field. Hazlitt and Whitty again bowled, but Matthews relieved Whitty at 12, and Whitty went on instead of Hazlitt at 20, Hobbs being 17. At 14 he survived an appeal for stumping off Matthews. Rhodes was beaten at 10, but the ball missed the wicket. The play was characterised by smart running. Kelleway replaced Whitty at 38, and Rhodes scored a dangerous two through the slips first ball. Fifty appeared for 40 miriutes' play, and runs continued to come steadily. Rhodes scoring 52 in 58 minute, in-' eluding eight fours. He scored 11 in one over from Kelleway, including two fd>ur3 through the slips, the first a dangerous stroke. Hobba made 25 in an hour. The bowling was uneven. - After another interruption, due to rain, play restarted at 43, Kelleway and Matthews bowling and the batsmen shaping well. Hobbs, with a four and a two off Kelleway, hoisted the century for 75 minutes' play. Hazlitt replaced Matthews at 12, and ten runs later Rhodes was taken at the wickets off a rising ball from Kelleway. He played splendidly and hit eight fours, being in for 9 minutes. Hobbs was 53, his 50 being made in 80 minutes. One for 112.

Spooner filled the vacancy. H 9 was riot confident, and was tjeaten by a break-back from Hazlitt, which went for four byes. He was twice nearly caught and survived an appeal for legbefore. He was caught at short-leg by Bardsley off Kelleway in playing forward. Hobbs was 57. Two for 123.

Fry wa9 the incomer, and another good stand was made. Emery replaced Kelleway at 60. He nearly bowled Fry second ball with a logbreak, the ball going for four byes. Macartney replaced Hazlitt at iMi. The ball was occasionally rising, and at 107 Hobba' off stump was uprooted by a t:emendou9 leg-break from Emery. His innings was characterised by brilliant driving and out tin;;. He hit 15 fours, and scored the century in 160 minutes. His 107 occupied 165 minutes. Fry had made Hi in 55 minutes. Three for 107. Warner was next, and the second century came up in 177 minute:', 'i en minutes later Warner played on Emery. Fry was watchful, and was driving well. Four for 211. The present test is Gregory's ."oth. He visited England first in IS'.H). Following are the scores: ENGLAND.—First Innings. Hobb3, b Emery .. 107 Rhodes, c Carkeek, b Kelleway 59 Spooner, c Bardsley, b Kelleway 1 Warner, b Emery .. 4 Fry, not out 24 Sundries .. 15 Total for four wickets .. 211 RAIN STOPS PLAY. Received June 26, 9.15 a.m. London, Tuesday. 1 Rain stopped the play when the ! score stood at 241 for four wickets.