CRICKET.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIV, Issue 3, 4 January 1902, Page 3

CRICKET.

SECOND TEST MATCH. PER PRESS ASSOCIATION. Received 3, 4.25 p m. Melbourne, January 3. The third day commenced in very hot weather and a trying northerly wind. The wicket was in splendid condition. Duff began scoring speedily, and both men got get from the start. Braund, at a fine length, sent down four maidens. The fielding was smart nnd clean, and put a check on Duff for a titcfi, Armstrong, playing the game, left We leg stuff of Braund severely aloneA Duff had a narrow escape, making a dangerous rnn. Jesaop retnrnsd fast, and Braand whipped the bails off. The exciting nature of the game had the efleot of inducing a great attendance before lunch. Amid cheers Duff brought the hundredth ran up for the partnership, aiid immediately after recorded his own century amidst terrific ehtering, Braund shaking hands with the young hn'smac. Doff occupied three hours fourteen minutes for ihe hundied runs. Armstrong then commenced to pile up his tota', but when he reached fortyfive Braund, who had been bowling with hard luck, had revenge and clean biwled Duff, whofe innings occupied three hours twenty-six minutes. His score included eleven 4's. The innings lasted seven hours and six minutes. Additional scores Dufi, b Braund 104' Armstrong, not out .. .. 45 ■ Sundries 9 1 Total .. • • • • 353 Bowling analysis: Barnes took seven wickets for 121, Blythe one for 85, braund one for 114, Jessop nane for 9, Gunn none for 13, Jones none for 2. j Received 3,8.10 p m. January 3, Requiring 405 to win, Maolaren and Hayward set about the task after lunch, Jones and Noble opening the attack. Both batsmen had made a single when Maclaren, off Noble's second ball, in trying to place it on sent it np bigb in the slips, Trumble effecting the catch. One wicket -for two.

Tyldes'ey capie next, and opened bis I account with a 4, following this up by getting to double figures in the next ■ two 'strokes. With 29 up Tr amble relieved Jones, whom the Englishmen played freely. Then Hayward, who had scored a dozen slowly, went out to one from Trumble, Kelly dislodging the bails. Two wickets for 29. Noble was displaced by Howell, and the change produced a long interval of tedioos play, Qaaife, the new comer, playing a s-one-walling game. The Australians were fielding admirably. Jones took Trumble's place, and his first baW bit Tyldesley's wrist. The third ball took the bat out of his hand. When 58 bad been placed on the board Armstrong was tried in place of After tea Trumble and Noble took up the bowling. Tyldesley's score nmtmted steadily, without aoythirg biTßanfc intbe way of hitting, Th» firji were nursing Quaife, who awaited his oppo; tunity, occasionally getting one away to the fence; but it was evident that Tyldesley had the measure of the bowling. Noble, with a beauty, go t Qoaif&'s wicket, when he had k&feed up 25 after being at the «t£kets an hour and twent y m " iatoß. Three wickets for 80. Jeesop followed, the field being on the fence in anticipation of hard hitting. Tyldesley was disabled by hia leg giving way while running, but he resumed after a few minutes spall. Jeesop with his peculiar us ouch instantly became aggressive, double figures appearing in a few minutes. A couple ;of boundaries in quick succession raised the expectation of the crowd, Jessop getting eleven off Trumble's over. At 116 changes were worked with Jones, Armstrong, Noble, and Howell. Jessop's total stood at 32, including five 4's, when he made an upp'sh stroke, and Gregory at midoff had a soft catch. The Gloucesterman batted for thirty-five minutes. Jour wickets for 122. j Lilley succeeded, but sent a soft one to Darling at leg, without augmenting the score. Brauod filled the vacancy, and run getting became very slow. Noble was bowliDg finely, but Tyldesley, playing ' fine solid cricket with Braund, played out to time. Ekglasd.—Second Innings.

Maclaren, c Trumble, b Noble .. 1 Hayward, si Kelly, b Truma'e .. 12 Tyldesley, not out 60 Quaife, b Nob'a .. 25 Jessep, c Gregory, b Noble .. 32 Lilley, c Darling, (bowlers name emitted) .. .. 0 Braund, not out .. .. 13 Sundries .. .. . • 4

Total for five wickers .. 147 A'.l the rxtras were no-balls. Melboubnb, January 3. The wonderful recovery of the Australians yesterday is the topic of the hour. The wisdom of Darling's hold ing the best batsman till last was amply demounted. At the conclusion of Wednesday's play ro cricket authority would have been bold enough to prediet that the last five of the team could set anything but a fairly easy t?«k for the visitors. The debutants in the test matches proved themselves worMjy of the confidence reposed in them With lll', Duff defied, tfce English bowling. Change after change failed. It was a great exhibition of fine, coDfident batting, and has already given the Englishmen a respectable total to obtain befors they can claim victory. The wic'iet, when stumps were drawn, was in excellent condition, and with a eoofcicuance of fine weather a tough contest should ensue. Sydney, January 3. Acting on the initiative of some of the members the Paddington Cricket Club, the Mayor of that borough proposes to call a public meeting to protest against the hostile demonstration gainst Noble on the Melbourne Cricket Ground over the selection of the test t<am.

TOUR OF THE NEW PLYMOUTH CKIOKET TEAM. After a most enjoyable trip the New Plymouth cricketers returned home on New Year'* Eve. During their trip thev four matcbe?, of which or:ly one was won. The fact that all the matches were p'ayed on turf pitches told heavily against thun, as the gra«B played very badly ia comparison with the matting to which ttey ate accustomed. The team • peak tn very high -terms of the way in which they wfre . treated by both the Wanganui Clubs and the FciMing Club. The te?m left New Plymouth on Christmas Day and •CiC- oo Benog Day at St. Johns Hill)