FIFTH TEST MATCH.

Otago Witness, Issue 2817, 4 March 1908, Page 62

FIFTH TEST MATCH.

SMALL SCORING BY ENGLAND. SYDNEY, February 26. The fifth test match between England *nd Australia was advanced a stage further to-day. The rain which fell during the night and this morning did not improve the already impaired wicket, and prevented the resumption of the game until 1.15 p.m. Hayes fielded for Barnes *nd Blythe for Hardstaff. At the start the bowlers found it difficult to' maintain a footing. Armstrong commenced hitting vigorously, but, after adding 13, he put a ball simply into Gunn's hands at point. Seven ior 373. Hartigan was next man. He added a 4 and a single, and then played Crawford on. Ransford was playing a sound game. 'Eight for 387. Carter partnered Ransford, and the fourth hundred appeared for four hours 58 minutes' play. The Sydney ite quickly put up double figures, and passed his .Victorian partner, knocking up 22»in 13 minutes. He then put one up into Hobbe's hands at third man. Nine for 422. .Carter's score included four 4's. Saunders, the last man, fended off the (first ball from Rhodes, but put the second one up near the wicket 6, Young igetting to it. With 279 to get, Fane and Hobbs comjneneed England's second inninge. Th* former waa missed by Trumper off Noble's first ball before any score was made, fluns came slowly, Hobbs doing most of %he- scoring till he lifted one hard from jSaunders, Gregory making a good catch. £>ne for 21, Gunn filled t-h« vacancy, but before lie §euld score a beautiful ball from Macflirtney dug his leg stump out. Two for $6. Hatchings came next, but in the next IJver Macartney lifted his off stump out the ground. Three for 30. Macartney's average- then etood at two for Hardstaff followed, Hobbs running for

him. Play wae slow, both batemen being careful. After tea the score crept nto the fifties, and then Hardstaff pulled Saunders on to his ticket. Four for 51. Fane was playing the bowling with some confidence. Braund joined him. The halfcentury was compiled in 77 minutes. Braund. was a quarter of an hour without getting off the mark, but eventually he hit one hard, and Noble effected a smart catch at point. Five for 57. Rhodes joined Fane, and play brightened up, the latter putting in some vigorous strokes. Rhodes reached double figures in a patient manner. Under a drying wind the wicket greatly improved, and the bowling was losing much of its sting. Various changes in the bowling were tried. Noble displaced Macartney at 87, and his second ball (shifted Fane's stumps. The outgoing player had batted for two hours and 14 minutes. Six for 87. Young followed, and the century went up for two hours and 27 minutes' play. When stumps were drawn the Englishmen's score was 117 for six- wicket 6. The attendance was 8600. February 27. The final test match was concluded today, and resulted in a win for Australia! by 49 runs. The weather was fine and cool, and the wicket rolled out well. Young hit one up over the bowler's head, and O'Connor, by running from xmdon, effected a good catch. Seven for j.23. Rhodes plugged along steadily, reaching his 50 for 113 minutes' play. Jones livened the game up, and the partnership looked like continuing, and the hopes of the English supporters roee considerably. A change from Macartney to Armstrong brought about the downfall of the English skipper, who had made his 34 in b4 minutes. Rhodes continued to play his steady, cautious game. Crawford joined him on resuming after lunch, and the score mounted slowly. Noble bowled Rhodes, who received an ovation for his useful performance. He was batting for two hours and 40 minutes. Nine for 198. When Barnes, the last man, came in 81 runs were required to win. Noble and Saundere were bowling their best. The batsmen added runs, slowly, although they were several times held up by Noble. They pulled down the deficit to 50, Crawford showing fine cricket. Then Barnessuccumbed to Saunders, and Australia! were left victors by 49 runs, while Jones was left to lament the throwing away of wicket 6in England's first innings. There was a meagre attendance. The following are the scores : —

Bowlicg Analysis. Barnes, one wicket for 78 runs. Crawford five wickets for 141 runs. Rhodes, four wickets for 102 runs. Braund, nil for 64 runs Hobbs, nil for 13 rune.

Bowljng Analysis O'Connor, no wickets for 22 runs. Armstrong, one for 27. Macartney, two for 24. , , Saunders, five for 82. .' Noble, two for 56. Un to the present 81 test matches have been played between England and Australia, and of that number England has won 35 and Australia 32, -while 14- have been drawn. Particulars regarding the scores in the previous test matches of the present tour are subjoined : — First Test.— Australia won by two wickets. Scores: Australia., 300 and 275 for eight wickets ; England, 273 and 300. Second Test.— England won by one wicket. Scores: England, 382 and 282 for nine wickets; Australia, 266 and 397. Third Test. — Australia won by 24-5 runs. Scores: Australia. 2£5 and 506; England, 363 and 183. Fourth Test. — Australia won by 308 runs. Scores: Australia, 214- and 385; England, 105 and 186. COMMENT ON THE TEST MATCHES. LONDON, Ferbuary 26. The Notts County Cricket Club is organising a testimonial to Mr A. O. Jones, captain of the English team in Australia, and hopes to realise £2000. LONDON, February 28. 'jLi^e Pall Mall Gazette says that England was out-classed in the test matches. THE ENGLISH CAPTAIN'S OPINION. MELBOURNE, February 29. The Eiigliefh cricketers were entertained last night by the Melbourne Club. Mr Jones (captain of the English team) declared that England ehould have won two of the tests at least. It was a areat deal

his own fault that they had failed to win the last game.

AUBTHAIiIiI. First Innings 137 Second Innings. Noble, lbw, b Rhodes 34 O'Connor, b Barnes .. J.. .. 6 Trumper, c G-unn, b Rhodes . . . . 166 Gregory, b Crawford - 56 Hill, c Young, b Crawford .. .. 44 Macartney, c Jones, b Crawford.. 12 Armstrong, c Gunn, b Crawford.. 32 Ransford, not out 21 Hartigan, b Crawford 6 Carter, c Hobbs, b Rhodes .. .. 22 Saunders, c Young, b Rhodes .. 0 Extras 24 ♦ Total 422

Second lamngi. ''ane. b Noble ..46 lobbs, c Gregory, b Saunders . . 12 runn. b Macartney 0 lutclimgs. b Macartney 2 lardstaff, b Saunders 8 Jraund, c Noble, b Saunders . . 0 Rhodes, b Noble 69 r oung. c O'Connor, b Saunders . . 11 ones, b Armstrong 34 hawford, not c-nt 34 James. b Saunders 11 Extra* 11 Total 229 •Grand total ." 510