AUSTRALIA TEAM IN ENGLAND

Otago Witness, Issue 2892, 18 August 1909, Page 62

AUSTRALIA TEAM IN ENGLAND

THE FIFTH TEST MATCH.

LONDON, August 9. The fifth, and final test match was begun at Kennington Oval to-day. The weather was fine and hot, and the wicket fast.

Noble won the toes. Buckenham and Blythe were omitted from England's J&leven. The teams were : AtrsTKALiA. England. Bardsley ,'N.S.W.) Can- (Kent) Carter (N.S.W.) Hutohings (Kent) Cotter (N.S.W.) Woolley (Kent) Gregory (N.S.W.) Maolaren (Lancash.) Hopkins (N.S.W.) Sharp (Lancashire) Noble (N.S.W.) Spooner (Lancashire) Macartney (N.S.W.) Rhodes (Yorkshire) Trumper (N.S.W.) Hayes (Surrey) Armstrong (Vie.) Fry (Hampshire) Ransford (Vie.) LLiley (Warwick) Layer (Vie.) Barnes (Stafford)

The attendance was 25.000. The Prince of Wales and his children were present.

Tbe Australians made anything but a promising start. Carr and Barnes opened the bowling, and the former, in his second

over, with a, leg-break, removed Gregory's off-stamp after he had scored a single. One for 9. Bardsley was in great form. He hit a 6 and got 4 for an overthrow from Hayes, Lilley blundering with the ball. The Sydneyite was playing the Kentish bowler skilfully. Noble got leg-before to Carr in his fourth over. Two for 27.

Sharp replaced Barnes shortly after the first wicket fell, and the latter came on again at 35, his second over yielding 10. Fifty appeared in 45 minutes — Bardsley 36, compiled by masteriy driving and leghitting. Armstrong, playing back, got his?" leg before in Carr's seventh over. He was nearly stumped first ball, but afterwards improved. Three Ifor 55.

Ransford was disposed of with a splendid ball — tne third one he received — from Barnes. Fbur for 58.

Trumper joined Bardsley, and a fine partnership ensued. The bowling was good, and the fielding fair. Carr was losing his length, but Barnes was very steady. Woolley relieved the latter at 90, and Hayes replaced Carr. The change did not trouble the batsmen. Trumper opened carefully. One hundred was recorded for 100 minutes' play. Bardsley was .giving a faultless exhibition. Sharp succeeded Haye* at 100, and 7 were knocked off his first over. Trumper hit him for three 4's and a. 5 for an on-drive, and Carr for 4. Woolley took the "ball, and -8 came off his first over. The luncheon adjournment was -then taken, -On resuming the bowling was frequently changed without effect. Brilliant fielding on the part of Hayes, Rhodes, and Hutchings was recognised. Rhodes- relieved Carr. At 166 Bardsley, who was then 77, gave a chance in the slips to Maclaren off Bhodes's second ball. Trumper then tried to pull Barnes, and was taken neatly by Rhodes very low." He had batted 110 minutes, giving a chance-when 48 to Barnes at mid-off off Carr. He had shown fine all-round hitting. His score included one 5 and eight 4's. Five for 176.' v

Macai?tney filled the vacancy. Bardsley reached bis century in 190 minutes, the result of magnificent cricket. The newcomer, who hit a couple of- 4's off Carr, began to score quickly. Rapid changes in the bowling were Tesorted to. Bardsley played Sharp on. He had displayed splendid, all-round defence, and had made one 6, 12 4's, five 3's, and 11 2's, and was at the wickets 225 minutes. Six for 259.

Hopkins came "nest. Macartney nearly run out at 20, but a bad return Sy Sharp saved him. After tea Hopkins was taken easily at third slip by Rhodes off Sharp. Seven fox '289. The third century* appeared after 260 minutee. Cotter, jumping out to drive Carr, lost his wicket. Eight for 300.

Carter, with an addition of 4 to the aggregate, was dismissed leg-before to CaiT.

Layer, the last man, made 8, when the Sydnieyite gave a catch to Rhodes, off 'Sharp. Macartney batted for two hours, and played excellent cricket.

Spooner at cover-point, and Hutchings in the deep field, fielded magnificently throughout.

England was represented by the captain and Spooner. The first wicket fell at 15, and the second at 36.. Maclaren getting his leg in front of a full-pitcher from Cotter. Stumps were drawn shortly afterwards.

August 10. The weather was glorious and hot, and the wicket excellent when the fifth teet match was resumed. "Twenty-five thousand people were present* Fry (3) and Rhodes (7) resumed their innings, this telegraph showing 40 for two wickets. The first-named was quiet but confident, and added to his score chiefly by singles. The fielding was smart. Fifty were hit up in the same number of minutes. At 63 Layer replaced Cotter. „ Ten were knocked off one over from - Armstrong, who gave way to Macartney. Layer bowled excellently, -but 'the Sydneyite was severely punished. The century appeared at the same rate of scoring as" the half-century. Layer was then compelled to retire, having snapped the muscles of his thigh — an old injury. It is unlikely that he will again play during the tour. Hartigan fielded as substitute. Rhodes was displaying fine leg-hitting. Fry had 50 to his credit as the reculfc of 90 minutes' clever playing of a cnanceless innings. The field was splendidly placed. Ransford brilliantly saving repeated boundaries. Frequent bowling changes were resorted to in the hops of breaking the partnership. Then Fry was run out, Rhodes playing" a ball to Gregory, who smartly returned it to Noble, the bowler. It was Fry's error. His innings occupied 115 minutes, and he hit six 4's. Three for i/in i

Rhodes, who was playing careful, faultless cricket, tvts joined by Sharp. The incomer was shaky at the start.

I On resuming after lunch Cotter and Aimstrong took up the bowling. The fast I bowler's first over saw Rhodes dismissed by a catch at the wickets. He had made | five 4's, and had batted 175 minutes. ! Four for 187. ' Woolley had his off stump lifted out of the ground by Cotter. Five for 201. j Hayes was. next man. but his stay was I brief, getting his leg before to Armstrong. Six for 206. Three wickets had fallen in the first 25 minutes since lunch Cotter was showing great pace. 1 Sharp, who was batting resolutely, was joined by Hutcbinge, and a fine partner-

ship, characterised by vigorous batting, followed. Ransford was fielding superbly. The third century was recorded in 280 minutes. Both batsmen were displaying brilliant, all-round Hitting. Quick bowling changes were made. When he had' made' 93 Sharp gave & chance to Carter at the wicket off Cotter. The tea adjournment was then taken. On resuming Gregory and Hopkins bowled. In the second over Gregory caught Sharp at cover-point off Hopkins, and so terminated a resolute, judicious innings, which lasted 190 minutes. Seven i for 348. The Sharp-Hutchings partnerj ship occupied an hour and three-quarters. The retiring Lancashire batsman hit 11 4's, three 3's, and 14 2's. Macartney caught Hutehings at mid-off without any change in the total, and Barnes and Carr were quietly got rid of for an additional four runs. Tbe deficit on the first innings (27) was wiped 4>S in 25 minutes,- and the halfcentury was hit up in 40 minutes. Frequent changes of bowling were tried, but Bardsley and Gregory were undisturbed when stumps were drawn. Both batted excellently. LONDON, August 11. The conditions for the concluding day's play in,the fifth test match at the Oval were ideal — glorious hot weather and an excellent wicket. Fifteen thousand people were present. j Gregory and Bardsley continued to play with the greatest' freedom and confidence. The fielding was moderate, and the century appeared after 80 minutes. Bardsley, who scored principally from the off drive, was beaten at 58 by Carr, but otherwise played his " googlies " easily. The bowling generally was indifferent. Gregory, in attempting a second run for Bardsley, was run out. Hutchings returned to Rhodes, who knocked the wicket down. The retiring batsman gave two difficult chances ; otherwise his exhibition was*- masterly all round. He hit eight 4's, and batted 135 minutes. One for 180. Noble was the incomer. Bardsley secured-his 100 as the result of magnificent, faultless play and wonderful timing.* He was scarcely in any trouble, and exhibited a great variety of strokes, deepite the several changes in the bowling. After bis captain's arrival Bardsley was not so enterprising. He scored only 22 in the last hour. Npble was hitting brightly and resolutely. On resuming after lunch -Bardsley was dismissed leg-before to Barnes. His innings was chanoeless, displaying perfect defence, and he scarcely lifted the ball throughout it. He hit 10 4's, si* 3's, and 17 2's. Two for 267." Noble who played 90 minutes without a chance, put one from Barnes into.Maclaren's hands in the slips. ' Three for 268. Armstrong and Ransford were now associated. The^tormer had just reached double figures, when Woolley caught him at long-off. Four for 294. The third century appeared in 275. minutes. Trumper and Ransford brought' the total up to 335, when the Sydneyite was stumped. Macartney, the incomer, made 4, and the innings was declared clcsed. The Englishmen opened their second innings to Cotter and Macartney. Spooner was dismissed off a ,hot return -to Macartney. One for 14.. Hayes was taken easily in the slins Two for 27. . Rhodes, batting admirably, was 90 minutes at the wickets. He hit three 4's and a 2 off one over from Gregory. Three for 88. Fry was lively. He hit Hopkins for four 4 s and the penultimate ball for 6. The following are the scores: — Australia.— First Innings. ■ Gregory, b Carr .... -t Bardsley, b Sharp f j36j 36 Noble (captain), lbw, b Carr '.. 2 ' Armstron-, lbw, b Carr .. „. 15 Ransford, b Barnes ... 3 Trumper, c Rhodes, b Barnes '.'. 73 Macartney, c Rhodes, b Sharp .. 50 Hopkins, c Rhodes, b Sharp .. 21 Cotter, b Carr .. .„ 7 Carter, lbw, b Carr ........ 4 Layer. not out ..••>...!* 8 Extras ... .. .. „, .. 5 Total .. 325 Bowling Analysis. Carr, 5 wickets for 145 runs. s Barnes, 2 for 58. Sharp, 3 for 67. Woolley, nil for 56. Hayes, nil for 10. Rhodes, nil for 34. Second Innings. Gregory, run out .. . .. , v 74 . Bardsley, lbw, b Barnes . . . .' 130 Noble, c Maclaren, b Barnes ..55 Armstrong, c Woolley, b Carr . . 10 Ransiord, not -out 36 Trumper, st Lilley, b Carr .. .20 Macartney, not out , . 4 Extras ... 10 Total for five wickets (innings declared closed) 339 Bowling Analysis. \ Barnes, 2 wickets for 61 runß. Carr, 2 for 136. Rhcdes, nil for 34. Sharp, fail for 31. Woolley.- nil- for.-31. Hayes, nil for 14. , Hutohings, nil for 18. England. — First Innings. SpooneT, b Cotter 13 Maclaren (captain), lbw, b Cotter 15 Rhodes, c Carter, b Cotter . ..66 Fry, run out *2 Sharp, c Gregory, b Hopkins ..105 » Woolley, b Cotter 8 Hayes, lbw, b Armstrong :. .. * Hutcbings, c Macartney, b Cotter 59 I/illey, not ovet .. •• 2 Barnes, o Carter, b Hopkins .. 0 Carr, b Cotter ... O Extras 18 Total ms. *». «i •* j^ 352

Bowling Analysis. Cotter, 6 wickets for 55 runs. Axmsrtrong, 1 for 93. I/aver, nit for 13. Macartney, nil for 49, Hopkins, 2 for 51. Noble, nil for 29. V Gregory, nil far 4. Second Innings. , I Spooner, c and b Macartney ... S Bhod-es, st Carter, b Armstrong .. 54 j Hayes, c sub. (Hartigan), b Armstrong '. 9 S"ry, not out .. .. „, .. ... 35 Sharp, not out .. . i .» .. .. 0 Extras .. ... •• »t .. •• 3 Total for three wickets ... I<M "- Bowling Analysis. Cotter, nil for 21 runs. Macartney, 1 wicket for 11. ATinstrong, 2 for 8. Hopkins, nil for 40. Gregory, nil for 21.