CRICKET.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIII, Issue 9069, 8 February 1908, Page 5

CRICKET.

ENGLAND V. AUSTRALIA. AUSTRALIA ALL OUT FOR 214. Press Association.—Copyright. q Received Feb 7. 10.5 p. m • Melbourne, JUast Night. E The fourth test match started to--3 day. Jones captained the English i team, and Fane, Blythe, Young and b Hayes were omitted, i Noble won the toss, and . with L Trumper opened the Australians’ . luniugs on a good wicket. |The batsmen began very gingerly, ■ and treated with respect the bowling , of Fielder and Barnes. Noble had , life very early in the proceedings, but the partnership did not "last long, as Trumper was taken at third slip by Crawford, to the great disappointment of the crowd. Trumper had shown indifferent form in test cricket this season, and the disappointment was accentuated shortly after, when Hill was clean bowled. Noble and Macalister made a fair stand, though Macalister gave a chance when he was thirteen to Jones at square leg, off Braund. It was a hot, stinging ball, which the Englishman met with his left hand. At the lunch hour both were not out. Noble 37, and Macalister 30. After lunch, the dullness of the morning’s play continued. Noble was the first to go, Crawford skittling his wickets. Noble had batted solidly for 118 minutes, but his runs included only four boundary hits. Gregory was cordially greeted on his reappearance in test cricket, and with Macalister brought up the century in 135 minutes-. Three runs later, Macalister was well caught at third man, after batting 107 minutes, during which he hit three fours. Gregory was a disappointment, being caught at point. Armstrong and Rausford played beautiful cricket, and the partnership added 91 runs before Rausford, who was in for a hundred minutes, hitting six tourers, was caught at slip by Biaund. Armstrong immediately afterwards was bowled by Crawford. The remaining batsmen did little, and the innings, which had lasted 274 minutes, closed for 214. Gunn and Hobbs were associated for the few minutes remaining before the drawing of stumps. The dullness of.the day’s play was relieved only by the brightness of Rausford and Armstrong. The former was in excellent form from the time of entering until his dismissal, but appeared tired. His cutting was superb and his timing perfect. Armstrong was more useful than brilliant, one clipping sixer off Braund evoking enthusiasm. The bowling was magnificent, that of Crawford especially. He mixed his pace, disguising It well. The fielding was capital. The attendance was nearly 10,000, and the wicket was good. Scores;— AUSTRALIA—Ist Innings. Trumper, c Crawford, b Fielder ... 0 Noble, b Crawford ... ... ... 48 Hill, b Barnes ... .. ... ... 7 McAlister, c Jones, b Crawford ... 37 Gregory, c Fielder, b Crawford ... 10 Hansford, c Barraud, b Fielder ... 51 Armstrong,b Crawford ... ... 33 McArtney, c Hardstaff, b Fielder ... 12 Carter, c and b Crawford ... ... 2 O’Connor, c Field, b Crawford ... 2 Saunders, not out ... ... ... 1 Sundries 12 Total ... 214 The wickets fell as follows :—1 for 1,2 for 14, 3 for 89, 4 for 103, 5 for 105, 6 for 196, 7 for 196, 8 for 198, 9 for 212. Bowlins Analysis. Fielder, 4 for 54 Barnes, 1 for 37 Braund, 0 for 42 Crawford, 5 for 48 Rhodes, 0 for 21 ENGLAND—First innings. Gunn, not out 0 Hobb, not out ... ... ... 9 Stumps drawn. Press Association.—Copyright. Melbourne, February 7. With regard to the shortage ipconnection with the tour of th English team it is explained that th so-called shortage will- not mea actual loss, to the Association, hi merely the loss of anticipated profit As a matter of fact the guarantee o~ £IO,OOO has been secured.