CRICKET.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIII, Issue 9070, 10 February 1908, Page 5

CRICKET.

THE FOURTH TEST. Australia—First innings .... 214 Second innings, 3 wickets for 49 England—First innings 105. Press Association. —Copyright. Received Feb. 9, 9.45 p.m. Melbourne, Feb. 9. England was exceedingly unfortunate in having the worst of the weather for patting, and general regret was expressed that the match should not have been contested on equal conditions of wicket and weather. Id is felt now that Australia must wiuaud that being so the rubber will become Australia’s. Rain fell. early in the morning, consequently the wicket became soddened, the match not being resumed till 2.30 p.m. Hobbs and Gunn continued England’s first innings in bright sunshine, but the .wicket was all in favor of the bowlers, and Saunders and Noble had a “field day.” Hobbs immediately began to hit, and obtained five successive foitrers. Gunn was the first to go, beingcaught aud bowled by Saunders. His"l3 occupied 55 imnutes. Hardstaff and Hutchings did very little, biit the latter saw Hobbs clean bowled by Noble’s first ball of the day. Hobbs had batted 71 minutes in highly meritorious stylo on a bowler’s wicket and put on 10 fourers. Braund saw the speedy departure of Rhodes, who was caught in tho slips, and Crawford, who was clean bowled. Braund was then joined by Jones, who went in for hitting, the proper game on such a wicket. Braund was then very cleverly outrun. Jones played Noble to mid off and started running. Noble followed up his delivery, and threw down Braund’s wicket. The others put on 9 runs between them. The innings, which lasted 125 minutes, closed for 105. Both Saunders and Noble were unplayable. Noble opened the attack with O’Connor aud Macartney, but soon changed them to himself and Saunders, with the best result. Australia’s second innings was opened by Noble and Trumper on a ranch improved wicket, but the tators were dismayed to see Crawford’s fourth ball provide Trumper with a pair of spectacles. Hill and Noble showed a good front, but Noble had the misfortune to play Crawford on to his leg, and thence on to his wicket. Macalister followed, but did not last long. Gregory and Hill, however, got going'beautifxilly. They stole many runs, and rattled the fielding by their daring in tins regard and rousing the spectators to enthusiasm. They played out time in good style. Providing no more rain falls, the wicket should roll out perfect on Monday. Present appearances indicate fine weather. The attendance to-day was 19,797, aud the takings £757. Scores: — ENGLAND —First Innings. Gunn, c and b Saunders ... ... 13 Hobbs, b Noble... J ... ... ... 57 Bardstaff, c Carter, b O’Connor ... 8 Hutchings - b Saunders ... ... 8 Ehodes, c Mac A lister, b Saunders ... 0 Braund, runout ... 4 Crawford, b Saunders 1 Jones, b Noble 3 Barnes, c O’Connor, b Noble ... ... 3 Fielder, st Carter, b Saunders ... 1 Humphries, not out ... ... ... 3 Sundries ... ... ... ... 4 Total ... ... ... 105 Bowling Analysis. Saunders, 5 for 28 Noble, 3 for 11 O’Connor, 1 for 40 Armstrong, 0 for 4 Macartney, 0 for 18

Wickets fell as follows : 1 for SS, 2 for 69, 3 for 88, 4 for 90, 5 for 90, 6 for 92, 7 tor 93, S for 100, 9 for 103. AUSTRALIA—2nd Innings. Trumper, h Crawford ... ... ... 0. Noble, b Crawford ... 10 Hill, not out ... .. ... ... IS McAlister, o Humphries, b Fielder ... 4 Gregory, not out ... ... ... 13 Sundries ... ... ... ... 4 Total for 3 wickets ... ... 49 Australia’s wickets fell as follows : 1 for 4. 2 for 21, 3 for 28. A cricket match was played at Rongotea on Saturday between Bunuythorpe and Rongotea. The latter scored 100 in the first innings, Mr Rsos making 34 runs. Bnnuythorpe complied''sßl, of which Mr Duthie contributed 17. Afternoon tea was provided by the ladies.