BIG CRICKET.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 39, 10 February 1912, Page 5

BIG CRICKET.

AUSTRALIANS OPEN RATHER

BADLY

ENGLAND NONE FOR 64

(By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (United Press Association.) Melbourne, February 9. There was pleasant weather and an attendance of 16,556 for the fourth tost match between Australia and England. The takings were £616. Macl/areu was emitted from the Australian team, and Strudwick, Hitch, Kinnear, and Iremonger from the English team. England won the toss and sent Australia in to bat on a soft wicket. Hordern and Kclleway opened to Foster and Barnes. Ihe first score was a no-ball. Hordern glanced a ball from Foster to leg, the ball cannoning off the wicket-keeper’s pads to Barnes in the slips. , Tne appeal was disallowed, the ball having touched the ground on tho way to Barnes. Twenty was scored for half an hour. Kclleway was the busier, chiefly at the expense of Foster, who was bowlincr on the leg theory with three fieldsmen close in. At 32, Woolley relieved Foster. Hordern legged his second ball to the fence, reaenmg his double figures in 38 minutes. The bonders had •difficulty in securing a firm foothold, and sawdust was used freely, Barnes had all the fieldsmen, save the leg, close in in hopes of a catch. The wicket was kicking frequently. Hordern skied a ball to Mead, who made a fine hut ineffective attempt-to catch. Fifty occupied an hour. Then Barnes, who had delivered tenderers for 18 runs, was relieved by Rhodes. Kel I e way, who batted soundly, cut Woolley into Hearne’s hands at point. He was in for 74 minutes, and hit four fourers—1 —53. With Bardsley’s appearance the field deepened. After Rhodes had two overs Barnes resumed bowling and dislodged Hordern’s leg stump. Two for 53. At the lunch resumption disaster quickly came. Trumpcr joined Bardsley, who was cautious, and was in nneteen minutes, when he was bowled off his pads. Three for 69. Hill was next. He met Avith a magnificent reception from the spectators. Trumper was settling down apparently after two charming cuts, Avilien he hit over one from Foster, and was clean boAvled —l for 74. Armstrong Avas bowled by Barnes with a break-hack—s for 83. Minnett opened with a wreak stroke off Barnes, cocking the ball dangerously close to Douglas at point. Tho batsmen were keen and were cheered for their smart running between the wickets. The scoring avus slow, Barnes and. Foster boAvling magnificently, whilst the fielding avias excellent. Rhodes was applauded |cr brilliantly stopping a cannon-like shot by Hill at short leg. Hill next glanced Barnes for four, hoisting the century for 140 minutes’ play. When 10 Minnett gave a chance in the slips to Douglas off Barnes. When 14 Minnett drove Bjarnes backed forcefully, tho bowler touching the ball Avith Ins left hand. At 120, Woolley relieved Foster. Minnett, Avheu 18,' narrowly escaped being run out, Woolley failing to take a return from Gunn at short leg. Hill was caught off’ a straight drive. He tave a fine display, .being qt the wicbts for 61 minutes, and hit_one four•el*. He was cheered on retiring—6 for 124.

Hansford was next man. Minnett twice in succession back cut and legged Barnes for four, next cutting the ■same bowler for two. Ho'secured 30, which was top score, and was accorded cheers. At 139 Hearne relieved Barnes, who had bowled 23 overs and bagged three wickets for 61 runs. Hansford was in ten minutes before scoring, being hampered by his injured viumib. •

On resumption of play, Barnes and Foster bowled. Ransford was easily palught at second slip off the last ba|l of the first over—7 for 152. ' ’

Matthews joined Minnett, who pulled and off drove Foster to the i boundary, leaching 50 for 75 minutes’ play. Ho was caught next over at deep square leg. He had batted well on a tricky wicket, though some of his strokes were crude. He hit six tourers—B for 165. Cotter was the next man in, and the field deepened. Matthews mishit and skied Barnes behind the wicket, provided an easy catch—9 for 170. Cotter lifted Foster high to square leg for four, being cheered by the crowd. Cotter again swept Foster to tlie boundary, and magnificently offdrove him for four, but was beaten in attempting to lift Barnes. The innings lasted 224 minutes.

Hobbs and Rhodes opened for England. The former legged Cotter’s first ball for three. The batsmen were immediately aggressive, and scored quickly by smart running. At 26 Armstrong relieved Cotter, and Matthews replaced Kolloway, Steady scoring proceeded, the wicket improving. Scores:—

AUSTRALIA—First In nings. Hordern, b Barnes ]9 Kelleway, c Hcarne, b Woolley ... 29 Bardsley, b Foster ... ... 0

Trumper, b Foster 17 Armstrong, b Barnes 7 Hill, c Hearne, b Barnes 22 Minnett, c Rhodes, b Foster 56 Ransford, c Rhodes, b Foster ... 4 Matthews, c Gunn, b Barnes ... 3 Cotter, b Barnes 15 Carter, not out ... (j Extras ... ... ... ... 13 Total 191 _ Bowling Analysis—Barnes, five for < 4 ; Foster, four for 77 ; Woolley, one for 22: Rhodes, none for 1 ; Hearne, none for 4. FNGLANI), —First Innings. Hobbs, not out ... .i.. ... 30 Rhodes, not out ... ” 9;: