CRICKET.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXII, Issue 2032, 20 December 1907, Page 5

CRICKET.

THE FIRST TEST. ENGLAND V. AUSTRALIA. England, Ist Innings .... 373 England, 2nd Innings ,800 Total .... 513 Australia, Ist Innings 300 'And 8 wickets for ; 375 *•' Total/’ : .. .. 575 VICTORY FOR AUSTRALIA. A GRAND UP-HILL FIGHT. Press Association-Copyright. 'Received Dec. 19, 7.22 p.m. ; - Sydney, Last Night. ■ Play was resumed to-day. By the- agency of a strong southerly breeze the wicket dried out very well, although it was a bit sticky. Fielder and Barnes opened the attack and off the former’s first over, Armstrong scored seven but Barnes’s first ball was fatal to Noble, who did not add to his previous score.—4 for 74, Ransford joined Armstrong and the newcomer in a few minutes had himself into double figures, Blythe, who had gone on at Fielder’s end, then secured Ransford, who lifted one straight back to the bowler, —5 for 95. McAlister followed and the century went up as the result of two hours and 30 minutes’ play. Rhodes then [.replaced Barnes. McAlister was slow in starting but presently he got the length of the bowling, and scored rapidly. At the outset the fieldsmen formed a ring round the wicket, but McAlister soon forced the field to deepen. At 120, Crawford was tried instead of Blythe and on his second over he bowled Armstrong, who had played capital cricket, his innings lasting just on two hours. At this time the scoring board read—6 for 134.

Carter came in and opened with a boundary score, which had the effect of bringing on Barnes again in place of Rhodes. Carter began to smite the bowling and was soon in double figures by 4 fours, which he hit in rapid succession , 12 being scored off one over of Crawford’s.

After lunch, Blythe and Fielder itook up the bowling. Carter’s 19 was the result of five strokes. He was batting stylishly and confidently. McAlister, with 28 ou, was missed by Young at the wickets rather simply off Fielder. Carter scored more freely than his partner and soon outstripped his score.

Br<mnd relieved Blythe at 164, but still the runs'came freely, both batsmen keeping neck and neck. The excitement began to grow as the pursuit of the last 100 to win was entered on. At 183 Fielder gave way to Barnes and Crawford went on at Braand’s end.

The latter’s second ball dismissed McAlister who was accorde.d _ a great reception for his splendid innings.—7 for 185. Cotter followed and his partner continued to flog the bowling in great style, and the second century went up in 3 hours and 16 minutes. Fielder was then put on again and still runs came, Carter having 53 to his credit for 71 minutes’ batting. He punished Fielder unmercifully notching 11 off one of his overs by beautiful strokes.

A farther change in. the howling toot place,'Barnes relieving Crawford and Carter’s time was up as he placed one of Fielder’s into Young’s hands behind the wickets.

Carter had played a plucky innings and was accorded a great reception. —8 for 218.

Hazlett was next, and at 238 Blythe took the ball from Barnes, and Braund went on at Fielder’s end.

Both batsmen were playing as if their very lives depended on the issue and consequently the scoring was none too fast.

Hazlett, who was batting in great style, gave a difficult chance to Hardstaff, who fell in his endeavor to reach the -ball. The afternoon tea adjournament calmed the great excitement for the time being. On resuming, Rhodes took Blythe’s place and Fielder relieved Braund. The Englishmen’s fielding as the Australians neared the end became loose.

When only three runs were required to win, the excitement was intense and Hazlett, with a beautiful leg glance, made the winning hit for four amid frantic cheering from the 5000 persons present. This gave Australia the first leg-in for the ashes by a two -wicket victory. Scores: — AUSTRALIA. —Second Innings. Trumper, b Barnes .... ... . 3 McArtuey, c Crawford b Fielder 9 Hill, b Fielder .... .... 1 Noble, b Barnes 37 Armstrong, b Crawford .... 44 Hansford, o and b Blythe .... IB McAlister, b Crawford 41 Carter, c Young b Fielder .... 61 Cotter, not out .... .... 34 Hazlett, not out 34 Extras 9 Total for 8 wickets .... 275 Bowling Analysis.—Fielder 3 for 88, Barnes 2 for 68, Blythe 1 for 55, Crawford 2 for 33, Rhodes 0 for 13, Braund 0 for 14. PRESS COMMENTS. AN EXCITING FINISH. Received December 20, 9.20 a.m. Sydney, December 20. The Herald says ‘ ‘ there have been a few exciting finishes on the Sydney ground but none quite up to yesterday’s for anything might have happened up to the last ball. Had Hazlitt lost his wicket there was only Saunders to come and though ho batted well in the match between the Englishmen and Victorians in Melbourne, it was almost as reasonable to expect lightning to strike twice in one spot as to get a second though moderate score from him. Everything at the finish depended upon Hazlitt and Cotter. The latter batted as though he was a veterau. There was nothing terrible about the bowling though the wicket favoured a lot of work being got on to the hall. After Armstrong and MacAlister were dismissed the excitement of spectators gradually increased until it reached fever heat. The wicket was getting easier and easier and the Englishmen looking anxious as they saw Carter and Cotter piling on the runs. Then with Carter out for the finest innings as far as it went for the match, 56 were required and there were two

wickets to fall; These runs were got under the most exciting conditions on record. The foreground of the scennat the finish was one that will live long in the memories of those who witnessed it, the cheers lasting for a long time. The Englishmen expressed great surprise at the recuperative power of the ground. The total takings at the . match were £BOOO. The Daily Telegraph says “the rule to he deduced from experience that English cricketers play better at a pinch in the game than Australians, owing more thanany thing else to the considerable proportion of well-seasoned professionals in their teams, found its exception yesterday. On form and in face of the weather conditions it looked any odds cn the visitors. Whether they were over anxious or whether the Australians played above the form they showed in the first innings and have displayed generally this season, are, interesting., but debatable questions. The best guide after all is the performances .[according to which the Australians are decisively the better team, since they led on the first innings aud in the second saved the match in spite of the strain to which such a situation must have subjected their nerves, and the disadvantage of a pitch, both ends of which were mi nature lakes the day before.

THE FIJIAN TEAM,

Received December 30, 10.12 a.m. Sydney, December 20. The Fijian cricketers defeated Victoria Barracks by 140 to 73.