THE TEST MATCH.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 61, 18 December 1907, Page 3

THE TEST MATCH.

AUSTRALIA WANT 274 TO WIN. LOSE THREE WICKETS FOR 03. PLAY ABAXDOXED OWIXG TO RAIN. Received Dec. 17, 2.20 p.m. Sydney, December 17. De-pite the heavy rain during tlu> night, the wicket appeared hard. The Englishmen's innings terminated in the first over. Fielder knocked oil six, and Braund a single, when the former got leg-brfore to Armstrong. The innings, which totalled 300. occupied 5 hours' 8 minutes. Scon* continued:— KXGI.AXIX-Seeond Innings. Rraund, not out $> Fielder, 1.b.w., b Armstrong .. .'. fi Sundries ]*

Total m . .Rowling analysis—Colter, two for 101; j ■ Saunders, four for 08; Armstrong, one . for 33: McCartney, one for 30; Hazlett, ■ none for 24: Xohle, two for 23. Received Dec. 17, 7.12 p.m. Sydney, Ueceiiiocr 17 The weather was uml and cool when Irumpti ana .Macartney commenced the la.-.W hi ni-unug the na.-es.sary 2i4 to make tue lirst teat the property of Australia, llarnes and I'ieiuer were entrusted wilh the bowling. Trumper dis"appoinuu his supporters, altliougn the ball that got him was one of Barnes' best. Nevertheless, the Padington player is not the great batsman lie was.—l for 7. Hill joined Macartney, but he was equally unfortunate. Fielder dug his ou-stump out after he made a single. 2 for \l. liarnes had one wicket for 2 ! and fielder one for 4 at this stage. ' I Despite assertions to the contrary, the ' wicket was doing a bit for the bowlers. •' .Noble came in next. .Macartney played * a good defensive game for 48 minutes, ' and then Crawford snapped him up at point—3 for 27. Armstrong followed, and some lively play ensued. light rain set in just before lunch. On resuming, the drizzle continued at intervals. \

The partnership improved the position, getting runs frequently. Blythe and Crawford were tried, but gave way again to Barnes and Fielder.

Armstrong, at 17, gave a chance to Hutching:, in the slip, but it was not accepted. The Englishmen were fielding magnificently, although the ball was greasy. A heavy rain squall stopped play. After waiting for a couple of hours, the rain continuing all the time, Noble and Fane and the umpires examined the wicket, and decided to cease play for the day. There were 5000 present. Scores: AUSTRALIA. First innings .. .. 300 SECOND LNNLSUS. Truniper, b Barnes 3 Macartney, c Crawford, b Fielder .. 1) Hill, b Fielder 1 AOble, not out 27 Armstrong, not out .. .. .. 17 Sundries ... 6 'Total for 3 wickets .. ..03 Received 18th, 1.0 a.m. Sydney, December 17. Only light rain fell to-night, though the sky is overcast. PLUNKET SHIELD "MATCH. # EASY WIS FOR AUCKLAND. Per Press Association. Chrhstchurch, Last Sight. The Plunket Shield match, Auckland v. Canterbury, was concluded to-day, when Auckland won by an innings and 13ti runs. Scores. CANTERBURY. First innings 190 Second Innings, ii. B. I.u-k, e Cuuimings b Haddon.. 27 W. Patrick, e Robinson, b Haddon .. 10 D. Reese, lliw. b Self 42 A. Anthonv, c Haddon, b Ha-sey .. 10 U. B. Wliitta, c and b Ilowden .. 10 S. A. Orchard, c Mason, b Relf .. 51 C. A. Cuff, not out 10 C. Boxhall, c Mason, b Haddon .. 12 ■f. Bennett, c Cuuimings, b Haddon 8 E. E. Crawshaw, b Haddon .. 0 T. Malone, retired hurt .. .. 0 Extras 15 .»*«■■:*" • Total 213 | AUCKLAND. First innings 539