FIRST LEG IN.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 61, 20 December 1907, Page 3

FIRST LEG IN.

.ilk*- LATEBT CABLE NEWS ♦By Cable.—Press Association. —Copyrig").

IliE TEST MATCH. EXCITING \YL\ FOR AUSTRALIA. ' ' Received l'Jth, 7-22 p.m. Sydney, December 19. When play was "resumed, a strong ■outberly breeze was blowing. The wicket dried out very well, although a bit afiefcy. Fielder and Barnes opened the attack, \ and off the former Armstrong scored seven, but Barnes' first ball was fatal to Noble, wHo did not auu to bis previous score.—l for 74. | Hansford joined Armstrong, and the newcomer in a few minutes hit himself into doubk figures. Blytbe, fwho had gone at Fielder's end, secured Kanaford, who lifted one atraight back to the bowler.—s fur 95. Hacalister followed, and the century went up as the result of two hours and twenty minutes' plav. Rhodes then replaced Barnes. Hacalister was slow in starting, but presently got the length of the bowling, and scored rapidly. At the outset heulsuien fvru..a a ring round tiie wicket, but Macaiuier s<juh forced tike Held lu deepen. At 12U, Crawford wus tried instead ul Blythe, and on bis second u\ ei ne oowled Armstrongs who bad played i-apital cricket in an innings lasting au uuur ana iM uuuute*. At this tune the board read ti lor 124. Carter came' in, and opened wuu a uoundary score, waita uad Uie enm oi bringing in Karnes to uke uie place oi Khoues.

Carter began to smite the bowling, and was suou m uouote figures oy iouilowers which lie hii ui rapid suataaivu two being scored oil one over oi Crawford's.

After lunch, Blytbe and Fielder took Up the bowling, and Carter s J!) was the lerolt ol five strokes. He was batting styustuy ana cumuienuj. dlacilister, with -£A on, was wis«u Young at Uie wickeis rather simply uu ilelder. Carter scored mure iieviy than his partner, and soon outstripped his score.

Jfc»und relieved Biythe at 1«, oui still th« rum came Ireely, both tinmen keeping qeeKand neck. t lh# excitement' began to grow as the pursuit of the la*t 100 to win was entered. At lb2, fielder gave way LU Ba»es r Mid Crawford went on ai Sanies' end. The tatter's second bail Attained Alacalister, who was accorded * great reception lor his splendid infor 185. Cotter followed, and his partner continued to flog the bowling in great •trie, and the second century went up » time hours and W minutes. KeWtt was put on again, and i>till, »• rnn» came, Carter having 53 to his •redit for 71 minutes' batting. He (Wished Fielder unmercifolly, notching iwren off one of his orem by beautiful woke*.

A further change in the bowling took pace, Barnes relieving Crawford, and Miter's time km up, as he played one ™ JWdert into Young's hands behind Jhe-wickets. Carter had pUyed a plucky innings, and was apcorded a gwat reception.—B for 218. Hadett was next. At 238, Blytbe from Barnes, and Braund went on to Fielder's end. Both batstaen were playing as if their very lives depended on the issue, and consequently the scoring was none too fist. Hadett, who was tatting i n "style, ga*» a difficult chance to Hardstaff. who fell in his endeavor to reach the tan.

The tea adjournment calmed the great raStement, and on resuming, Rhodes look Hythe's place, and Fielder relieved Smnd.

"JJ? B«gßsh fielding, as did the Aihwfflae*s near the end, became loose.'. WSm o®ly three rims were required to «fe,Oe excitement was intense, and HuWl, with a beautiful kg glance. 1 made tht winnihg hit for four amid fautle cheering fromlhe 5000 present. This gave Australia the first leg-in for , the ashes by a two wickets victory, j AUSTRALIAFirst lUiiiiJga .. .. JOO W . ' IUUuI) LN.M.SGS. Triunpex, 0 tinraet Jiacartnev, c cntwioru, b Fielder .. 11 Jam, u *»iuer ... i Noble, b Barnes tt Armsuong, b Crawford .. .. itanuloru, c and b lilyilie .. .. 10 Slacalister, b Crawford ... 41 .Outer, c loung, b Fielder .. ui Cotter, not out .. .. in Hailett, not out .. ~ ..34 Ultras s

Total for 8 wickets .. .. 270 Bowling analysis—Fielder, 3 for 88; Banes, 2 lor 03; Blythe, 1 fur 50; Crawford, 2 for 23; Khodes, 0 for 13; Snuid, 0 for 14. ENGLAXD. w First Innings ~ 273 Second Innings 300 XRIANGULAIi TEST WATfiHRs: PROPOSAL.

, London, December 18. , lie committee of the Marylcbone Cricket Club has not adopted the suggestion of Mr. Abraham llailey, of Sout i Africa, that triangular bricket tests between teams representing England, Sou th Africa, and Australia should be instituted. The committee decided not to •nreaa an opinion until a definite (cheme was put before it. It was decided, however, not to send an informal invitation to Australia to visit England in 190U till the triangular proposal should hare been discussed by the Advisory County Committee. It is understood that the counties unanimously favor an Australian visit.

i, . TRIM, MATCH. " r . £ jutcli between A and B teams Efcoßen from the senior clubs in TaraWki to assist the selectors in choosing the representative team, was played on tlw Carriogton road ground yesterday. Beoitsi—

, A TEAM. ' f. Bobcrtson, c and b N icholl .. 1 Perhajn, lbw, b Benbow .. 17 -M. Cramhie, c Scholefield, b Benbow 5 y.jghthand, b Kicoll 4 Jack, b Archer .. ~ .. 9 luh, retired 25 rewater, lbw, t Archer .. 5 Wallace, b Archer 0 King, not out ~ .. io Bkelton, b Benbow 14 Cudgeon (absent) Extras ' HT* - . 2Mal .. if, Bowling analysis—Benbow, 3 for 23: Nicoll, 2 for 23; Scholefield, 0 for 11: [Archer, 3 for 16. B TEAM. /. S&tfMll, retired hurt 8 -- fiemmJn*, b Wallace 7 Howarif, nof oul .. 8 Benbow, bF. HoliertsOn .. 5 Archer, ran out ]4 Extras 20 cr - - Total for 4 wiefcefs . ~ .. (12 ' BowHnjr analysis—Wallace, I for Hi; K Robertson, 1 for 21.