CRICKET.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIII, Issue 296, 14 December 1901, Page 3

CRICKET.

FIRST TEST MATCH. ENGLISHMEN MAKE A GOOD STAND. PER PRESS ASSOCIATION. Received 13, 6.26 p.m. Sydney, December 13. A strong north-easterly sprang up and dissipated the gloomy and threatening weather of eatly morning. Maclawn's luck was in, and the toss of the coin gave him the advantage of a perfect wicket.

Rotson, McGahey, and Garnett stood out of the English team. Darling captained the Australians.

The Eoglish skippe-, with Hayward, faced ihe attack by Jones at the southern, end and Noble at the rod hern. Maclaren commenced freely, but the bowling induced care'u'neps in Hayward. Jones bowled at full pace, Maclaren making five leg glances off him. The fielding of the Australians, with the exception of one or two slips by Jones, was brilliant. At 33 Howell relieved Jones, and a few runs later Noble gave way to Howell. Tbe double ihange brought about a standstill in the scoring, Maclaten pi tying both bowlers cautiously. The half century pppeared in fifty minutes, and was the signal for both to open out. Hayward, who had heen most respectful to the bowlets, made several fine boundary j drives, and Miclaren soma beautiful bye glances. At 70 Jonei replaced Howell. Hayward apprfciated the South .Australian, and got him to the boundary for his first two balls. Maclaren, while trying to play Jones through the slips, sent th« ball a bit high and right into Howell's hands, but tbe latter missed him badly. The skipper's score was then standing at 46.

After lunch tbe fjamo proceeded slowly, with One brief interval of lively play. Macjjaren occupied 88 minutes in compiling his half century. The batsmen were taking no risks, and the century was reached by a square cut for four by Hay ward,, after ninety minutts play. At 103 Noble replaced McLsod at tbe bowling, and Hayward punished Jones with several magnificent drives. Both batsmen were playing the fast bowler with the utmost confidence, Noble b in • th only one they faced giDgerly, Jonts gave way to Tiumble at 115, but the bowling was concplttely tied in a knot. Another change, at 139, saw Liver tried instead of Noble. Maclaren scored freely off Trumble, but the Victorian had his revenge. He tempted Hayward, who jumped c-ufc and lifted one from him tiigh to mid-ofl'. Hill go", undtr and held the ball. Havward's was a faultless innings, and lasted just over two and a half hours It included eleven 4'a. One wickit for 154.

Tyldesley partnered Maclaren, but the Lancashire professional performed badly. He gave McLeod an easy caance at cover point, after Fcoring a sinele run. Two whkets for 162. Qiwife was the next man.

When the afternoon tea adjournment intervened the bowling was in great varie'y, tut had not any sting in it. The fielding, (specially that of Gregory at mid-ofl and Noble at point, was brilliant.

Received 13, 8.33 p.m. Sydney, December 13. After tea Macl- ri n, with a fine drive for four, brought his century up, occupying three hours and seven minutes iu the task. Laver proved expensive, and let McLeod cake his place. Quaife pursued his stonewall tactics, and Trumble feeding him with tempting ones, the field close:l io, but without avail. The Victorian s. Nt down seven maidens in succession, the Warwickshire man's p'ay raising irnnicx! che ring. Miiciai en, while trying to bring McLeod I'd I ' ips, go" lep before. His s-jote included twnn'y 4's, ard he g*ve only one chance. His brilliant cutting was greatly admired, and he remained at the wicktts foe three and a half Hours. Three wicktts for 193. Maclaren received an ovation oil retiring. Jessop followed. The Australians nvie as anxious to sae this cyclonic hitter as they were to see Runji, owing to bis promised sample process. His stroke was nos a' tractive, and at times was dangerous to him. He hit five boundaries with lightning rapidity, and then McLeod be-it bim all the way. Four weketsfor 220. Jessop knocked his score up in six'een minutes. . Jones followed, but tipped one from Noble, who succeeded McLeod, int j Kelly's hands. Five for 236. j Lilley was the next man. Quaife was still stone-walling, and his county mate quickly caught up bis score, when Howell, with the final ball of the day, e'eau bowled Quaife. Six wickets for j 272. The detailed scores were :

Englind.— Innings. Hayward, c H'll, b Truuabls .. 69 Maclaren, 1.b.w., b McLecd .. 116 Jes«op. b Mcleod .. ~ 21 l'yldesley, c McLeod.b Laver .. 1 Quaife, b McLeod .. .. 24 Junes, c Kelly, b Noble .. .. 9 Lillpy, non out .. ~ 22 Sundries .. .. .. 10 272 The attendance was 12,000. CANTERBURY v. WELLINGTON. Wellington, December 13. The interprovincial match, Canterbury v. Wellington, which was to have begun this afternoon bad to ba postponed, on account of heavy rain, till 11 p.m. to morrow. The following have been chosen to p'ay for Mr. Medley's tram against the Pollard's to-day, at 2 p.m. sharp, in the Recreation Grounds: —A. E. A. Clarke, Bil'oek, Lewis, Palmer, McKay, Mitchell, HiH (2), Bewley, Weston, andMfdlev. Emergency: Tregelles. Given a fl. e day there should be a very enjoyable match. Pol'ard's team wi'l be selected from the following :~C. Carter, H. Quealy, L. Stone, D. Shortland, L. King, J. Raletor), W, Beaumont, J. Thomas, P. Bracy, C. Vaughan, C. Albert, D. O'Connor, A. Zeplin.