The Second Test.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 158, 3 January 1912, Page 8

The Second Test.

AUSTRALIANS' SECOND INNINGS.

EIGHT WICKETS FOR 269.

!y Cable—Press Association-£opyright. Received 2, 7 p.m. I Melbourne, January 2. The attendance was 20,093 and the akings £876 for the third day of the econd test match. The weather was hreatening, bub the wicket was good. The Australians regarded England's ead as insignificant yesternight, but tolay that opinion quickly changed. Bardsley and Kelleway opened to Foster and Barnes' bowling. Ten was •cored in the first two overs. Australia in th<*ir first innings lost four for 11. The bowlers changed ends to give each other the benefit of the wind. They were bowling well and the batsmen were steadv. Keileway was dismissed with Fosters fifth over. Hill and Bardsley were not shaping with their usual confidence, both being cramped and feeling for the ball. Bardsley was run out, Hobbs from cover throwing the wicket down. Arm-. strong saw Hill mishit Barnes and caught in the slips in a quarter of an hour. It was unusual for him to remain so long without scoring—a tribute to the excellence of the bowling. Trumper was bowled off his pads. Barnes then averaged two wickets for 10.

Ransford and Armstrong were watchful but slow, and registered 50 for 75 minutes' play. At the luncheon adjournment the position stood four for 54—Armstrong 11 and Ransford 3. After the morning's shower the wicket ■ kicked occasionally, but during luncheon ; the gale improved it considerably. ' On resumption of play Foster and! Barnes bowled. The scoring was slow, Ransford only making 10 in 46 minutes. Annstrong livened up and hit some beautiful shots. Both sides were forceful. At 78 Douglas relieved Barnes and Woolley relieved Foster. Armstrong drove Woolley for four twice in one over, bringing the century up for 138 minutes' play. Again Armstrong slammed WoolIcy twice for four in one over. At 109 Hitch relieved Woolley. Armstrong obtained 50 as a result of 91 minutes' play. Another change in the bowling was made at 10, Foster relieving Hitch. Soon a separation came. Ransford, in attempting to glance a ball, was caught at the

wicket. His was a quieter innings than usual, being cautious and sound. He was at the wickets for 102 minutes and hit three fourers. Hordern began by cutting Foster for a single. Armstrong was batting superbly. When at 67 he slipped a ball from Foster dangerously past Gunn and scored a fourer. At the tea adjournment the score was five for 148 —Annstrong 72 and Hordern 1. During, the interval Ransford stated he had not played the ball on by which he was dismissed, but that it touched his side. Resuming Barnes and; Foster bowled. Armstrong beautifully off drove: Barnes* third ball to the boundary. He treated the remainder of the over cautiously and well. When two Hordern gave a hot chance off Foster to Barnes, who juggled with the ball. Armstrong roused the crowd to enthusiasm when lie got in a straight drive and an on drive off Barnes. Each batsman was attempting the off drive. Foster then bowled Armstrong, who received an ovation on retiring. His was a magnificent, forceful, and stylish innings. He hit 14 fourers, and was at the wickets for 148 minutes. Foster's figures were three for 43. At this stage the result 'of the Davis Cup was posted, at which there was tremendous cheering. Minnett began cautiously. At 189 Douglas rallied and relieved Barnes, whose average was two for 55. Rhodes relieved Foster, who had taken three foi 58. Rhodes was bowling on the wfi theory. Mumett effected a fine on drive off Rhodes and then cut Douglas for two bringing up 200 for 225 minutes' play! Barnes supplanted Douglas. At 217 Foster relieved Rhodes. There was steady scoring, nothing, however, being brilliant for a long period. The fielding was keen. Hordern aroused the onlookers to enthusiasm by pulling Barnes and running for four. Minnett was dismissed by a ball which made tremendous pace off the pitch. He was in for 50 minutes and hit three fourers. Cotter partnered Hordern, who was caught easily at mid-on. He played stolidly, but gave a chance when two. He

was a* lne wicicets 80 minutes, and hit four fourers. The field deepened in expectation of Cotter hitting, but he was cautious. Carter swung Foster to leg for the boundary. The batsmen were cheered for their smart running between the wickets. Cotter magnificently off drove Barnes for a sixer, this being received with cheers. He attempted to repeat the performance next stroke, but missed the ball, arousing laughter this time. The same over he legged a fourer. England's total was passed for 270 minutes' play, evoking cheering. Scores:— ENGLAND. First Innings 265 AUSTRALIA. iFirst Innings t .. 164 Second Innings. KeHeway, c Gunn, b Foster., 13 Bardsley, rim out 16 Hill, c Gunn, b Barnes 0 Armstrong, b Foster 90 Trumper, b Barnes ' 2 Ransford, c Smith, b Foster 32 Hordern, c Mead, b Foster 31 Minmett, lb Foster 34 Cotter, not out ~ 18 Carter, not out 12 Extras 21 Total for eight wickets 269 Warner's health is improving, and he has deided to postpone his return to England in order to see the third test. He will afterwards spend a holiday in Tasmania. Hordem is endeavoring to arrange to play in the Adelaide test. WELLINGTON v. CANTERBURY. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. Continuing, the Wellington v. Canterbury match, the latter required 167 to win, and knocked them up for the loss of five wickets. Reese 54 not out, Hickmott 39 and Patrick 29 were the chief scorers. Patrick, two for 21, was the most successful bowler. Four easy chances were dropped, the most costly being when Reese, who had scored only seven, was missed behind the wickets. Canterbury's score was a good one considering the deadness of the outfield, aa heavy raia fell all morning. The wicket, although a trifle slow, played very true.

A London cablegram states that Faulkner, th« South African criek«ter, broke a kg. while playing Association football at Sir Lionel Robinson's house at Old Buckbengham, Norfolk.