CRICKET.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLV, Issue 250, 14 December 1903, Page 3

CRICKET.

♦■ WARNER'S TEAM IN AUSTRALIA. THE FIRST TEST MATCH. POLONIALS' FIRST INNINGS-285 SYDNEY, Dec. 12. It is a hot steamy day, the wicket 'being erratic and the ball getting up a lot. 'After one over Rhodes came on in pla«e of Bosan<q.uet. Rhodes at this point had secured no wickets at the cost of 31 runs, whe* on his third ball to) I|a.ver the batsman swung round, on it. Ulley took it, and appealed for a caSSh, and after a momentary delay the appeal was allowed. Eie-ht for 263.

Kelly partnered Noble and went on to force the score, quickly hitting up ten. Noble added a single and then got a ball from Arnold round hard to leg, just above Foster's head. The latter put up his hand and effected a neat catch. Nine for 271.

The local skipper had been at the Wicket four hours and forty minutes, and had hit off 16 fours. The innings was a brilliant one and only one hard chance was given.

Saunders, the last man, emulated Kelly, and vigorously knocked up 11. Kelly then put one through the slips, but Braund's catch seemed doubtful, and caused the crowd to boot when the catch was allowed. Additional scores :

AUSTRALIA—First Innings. Seven wickets down for 124 NoWe, c Foster, b Arnold 133 •Laver, c Lilley, to Rhodes 4 Kelly, c Braund, b Rhodes 10 Saunders, not out 11 Sundries 3 Total 285 Bowling analysis :—Relf no wickets for 27 runs, Rhodes two for 41, Bosanquet two for 52, Braund none for 39, Arnold four for 76, Hirst two for 47 >

GOOD STAND BY ENGLISHMEN. SYDNEY, Dec. 12. Received Dec. 12, 8.20 p.m. With forty minutes to go before lunch the Englishmen succeeded in losing a couple of wickets. Saunders and Laver started bowling, and Warner made a whack at Laver'e third ball, Kelly smartly catching him. One for nil. Tyldesley joined Hayward and became aggressive Irom the jump, hitting both bowlers repeatedly to the boundary and totting up 33 in 23 minutes. With the score at 37 the Victorian bowlers gave place to Noble and Howell. Tyldesley continued has free cricket, but Hayward played forwarU to Howell, who beat Mm. Two for 49.

Armstrong joined Tyldesley, and played till lunch, i , I

On resuming Tyldesley soon had half a' century to his credit, having occupied some 64 minutes, and displayed some fine driving. He added three more and then Noble clean bowled him. Three for 73.

Noble hadi now securenj'- one wicket lor 12.

Arnold and Foster batted steadily playing Saunders cautiously but punishing Lever, who relieved Noble at 87. With the board showing 96 Howell took the place of Saunders. The rentury was recorded for 95 minutes' play. The game now became painfully slow, Laver bowling a fine length, and the fielding being splendid. At 113 Armstrong come on instead of Howell, and the second ball in Ms third over dissolved what looked like developing into a settled partnership. Arnold put one into Laver's hands at short leg—a beautiful catch. Four for 117. Braund partnered Foster, and the score crept along very slowly, chiefly by singles. Armstrong and Laver were bowling splendidly, and the Bulk of the work was left to Foster, who was 100 minutes compiling 43 runs. Noble and Saunders took charge of the bowling at 160. When Foster was at 51 he gave a chance to Gregory, who dropped it. Braund livened up considerably, driving vigorously for fours in quick succession. At 193 Howell and Trumper were tried with the ball. After passing his half-century Foster played with greater freedom, and the second hundred was registered far 3 hp,urs and 17 minutes' Despite various changes in the bowling the partnership'became 'wel} established, and a fine display of sound cripket was given. Braund reached his halfcentury in, an hour and fifty-five minutes, and then set put tp overtake Foster's score. When stumps were drawn 35,000 people were present. ENGLISHMEN.—First Innings. Warner, c Kelly, b Laver 0 Hayward, b Howell 15 Tydesley, b Noble 53 Arnold, c Laver, b Armstrong ... 27 Foster, not out 73 Braund, not out 67 Sundries 8 Total for 4 wickets ... 243 PRESS COMMENTS. SYDNEY, Dee. 12. The Herald says perhaps this first test match of the tour was never surpassed in its action on the feelings of those watching. When one after another of the finest cricketers in the world went down before bowler and fieldsmen the hearts of the great crowd were chilled and mpst poignant disappVrintn'.eh'fc was staint>ejd on 'every' face. The Englishmen had built up an enrviable reputation for themselves, and it now seemed as if it was to be more than justified. While the visitors let themselves out to continue their successes the Australians pulled themselves in for a stubborn resistance, and dragged up leeway in a manner so splendid, a,s. to be regarded fy thousands on the ground 'ay "the sight of the cricket age. The bowling of the visitors was of a high standard all through, and the fielding excellent. The Telegraph says the opening stages were of interest, even exciting for tie first quarter of an hour. After that, however, except the* dogged, sterp batting of Noble, thy cricket was not of a notable character. The Australians played an uphill game, opposed to accurate bowling and brilliant fielding.