First Test Match.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 140, 16 December 1911, Page 5

First Test Match.

AUSTRALIA AT THE WICKETS. A GOOD START. THUMPER AT HIS BEST. FIVE WICKETS FOR 317. By Cable—Press Association- Copyright. Received 15, 0.30 p.m. Sydney, December 15. The serious business of the Englishmen's tour was inaugurated in perfect weather conditions. There was a big attendance of 17.000. The Australians wore black armbamls in memory of the late R. H. Duff. Hill won the toss and decided to take advantage of the good wicket, Kellcway ami Bard'sky opening to Foster and Douglas. Botli were cautious, runs coming only in singles. At 20, Barnes relieved Douglas, the first 'four coming off him, Bardsley late cutting him beautifully. The next ball he snicked to the fine leg boundary. After two overs, Douglas again took the ball, Bairncs taking the other end. WHien the total was 44, Bardsley, in attempting to cut Douglas, tipped the ball, and Strudwick made a brilliant catch One for 44.

Hill opene<l with a weak stroke, the ball rising dangerously at mid-off, but passed! the field, however, and reached the boundary. Fifty appeared after 56 minutes. The captain quickly found his form, audi started punishing the bowlers, dancing and hitting to leg in his best tyle. He soon passed Kellcway, who vas 100 minutes in scoring 10. Heane md Woolley took the bowling at 7<3, and the latter in his first over caught and' bowled Kelleway from a hard drive which returned straight. After lunch, Armstrong joined Hill, and cut Woolley for four off the first ball], and scored two with a straight drive off the next. Play brightened considerably, and the century was hoisted in 02 minutes. Hearne howled erratically, and the batsmen punished him. Hill played all the bowlers alike, scoring practically off everything to leg, and placing the ball beautifully. With Armstrong, he put on 45, and then played a hard one from Foster to square leg and ram. .Rhodes brilliantly returned the ball and Hid, unable to get back, was run out. He batted for 54 minutes, and hit sbc fourers.

The score was three for 121 when Trumper joined Armstrong . He hit Douglas' first ball for four, all run. Douglas, who was bowling a wonderful length, with Barnes at the other end, kept the runs down, and Trumper was 25 minutes before adding to the score, and Armstrong was almost as quiet. At 18 Armstrong gave a hot chance, returning tht; bail hard' to Douglas, who was unable to hold it. Bowling changes were frequent, and play again became dull, 150 taking 153 minutes.

One reason of the slow scoring was the excellently placed field, Trumper not using his customary unorthodox strokes. Armstrong brought up his 50 by driving Hearne for, four. It occupied 95 minutes, and included seven fours. His chief scoring strokes were .powerful cuts and drives. Armstrong played forward to the last ball before tea, a googlie from Hearne, which he missed, and dragged his over, being smartly stumped! by Strudwick. The partnership had added 77. After the adjournment, Trumper played more like a champion batsman, and Hearne was particularly punished, as he was bowling a- lot of loose .balls. Douglas and Foster again took charge of the attack, both keeping a good length. Ransford, who was uncomfortable, played several weak strokes, and although they were not actual chances, he was often beaten by the bowlers. When SG, Trumper scooped) Douglas high to the on, and Kiimear was just unable to roach it. It was a narrow escape, and his first bad stroke. A couple of balls later he passed Armstrong's total, pulling a ball from the off stump to the square leg boundary—a' typical Trumper stroke. Two hundred and fifty came up in 226 minutes. Eleven runs later Rhodes bowled his first ball of the match, replacing Douglas. Ransford was an hour scoring 17, a single occasionally through slips being his best stroke. At 20, he cut Barnes high to Hearne at point, and the chance was held. The partnership yielded 80. i ' Minnett was next man. He hit a fourer off Barnes first ball at cover. Trumper continued playing faultlessly, his late cuts and leg glances proving particularly remunerative, and bringing 300 up in 270 minutes. Minnett batted with great freedom for a novice, and played out time. Scores:— AUSTRALIA—First Innings. Kelleway, c and b Woolley 20 Bardsley, c Strudwick, b Douglas.... 30 Hill, ran out 46 Armstrong, st. Strudwick, b Hearne 60 Trumper, not out 95 Ransford, c Hearne, b Barnes 26 Minnett, not out 22 Extras 18 Total for five wickets 317