CRICKET

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 185, 3 February 1912, Page 8

CRICKET

ENGLAND v. VICTORIA. ENGLISHMEN BATTING. HEARNE MAKES A CENTURY. By o*Mfc—Pmm l»w««iation—-o«pjHffl»k Received 2, 7.55 p.m. Melbourne, February 2. The weather was sweltering and a temperature of over 105 in the shade was distressing for the cricketers, while some, factories ceased work at noon owing to the heat. The attendance was meagre. .Victoria's takings in the match are to go to the Blackham testimonial. Vine, Kinneir, Strudwick and Foster were omitted from the English team, whilst in the Victoria eleven Seitz supplanted Ransford, who is unable to play owing to his thumb being injured in the third test; and it is doubtful if he will be able to play' in the fourth test. The wicket was perfect. .Douglas won the toss and batted. Hobbs and Rhodes I were opposed by the new fast bowler, McDonald, and Scott.. The batsmen! opened with their characteristic caution, and at the end of half an, hour Rhodes was caught low in the slips. 1—16—22. Gunn was next, and at 27 Matthews relieved McDonald. Gunn scored with two nice drives, and then Hobbs beautifully cut Matthews for the first fourer of the day. The extreme heat was- already affecting the players, and the batsmen frequently walked between the wickets to reserve their energies. After an hour refreshments were supplied. Scott maintained a good length. In nine overs he had obtained one wicket for 18 runs. He was then relieved) % McKenzie. Fifty was scored in 54 minutes.

At 63 there was a double change, Brown relieving McKenzie and McDonald replacing Matthews, who had bowled eight overs for 18 runs. Hobbs played the ball on in trying to hook Brown. 2—29—75. \ On resuming after the adjournment, Hearne accompanied Gunn, who resumed by playing McDonald on after batting 61 minutes. 3—29—79. Mead tried to pull a short pitched-one from Brown and I was out leg before. 42 —90. I , Woolley was brisk, and in one over got 'McDonald three times and hit hdm once |to square leg for a fourer each time. I This knocked McDonald off thews, who dismissed Woolley with a yorker. 5—21 —125. He was in for 23 minutes and hit four fourers. Douglas joined Hearne, who, reljshing the heat and batting stylishly, reached 50 in 45 minutes, while Douglas was 53 minutes getting 10. At the tea adjournment five, wickets were down for 186, Hearne 77, Douglas 10. On resuming McDonald and Brown were bowlers. Armstrong was not bowl-! (Lnjg ! »a« he was- feeling the effects of ptomaine poisoning in Sydney. At 198 Spencer relieved McDonald, whose one wicket had cost 61 runs. The second century came up in 191 minutes. The , barrackers were critical of Douglas' slowness. Then he quickened when the bowling was weak. Hearne's rate of scoring lessened as he reached the century, which took 158 minutes. He narrowly escaped being run out on hundredth run. Many of the spectators expressed dissatisfaction at the decision in Hearne's favor. Douglas gained 50 in 144 minutes. Hearne's rate of scoring increased and he made some fine solid strokes in chanceless style, although seven bowlers were tried. The fielding was commendable considering the heat, which had increased . to 106 in the shade. The attendance was [ 1906 and the takings £6O. Scores:— ./ ENGLAND—First Innings. • Rhodes, c Armstrong, b Scott 16 , Hobbs, b Brown 29 - Gunn, b McDonald '. 29 i Mead, Lb.w., b Brown. ~... 2 - Woolley, b Matthews , 21 , Hearne, not out 125 , Douglas, not out .... 58 , Extras 13

Total for five wickets.'. 293 A MANAGER APPOINTED. AN INEFFECTIVE PROTEST. ' Received 2, 11.5 p.m. » Sydney, February 2. A meeting of .the Board of Control reserved the six recalcitrant players' protest without comment, and proceeded to appoint G. Couch, a prominent Queensland playeT as the Board's manager of the team visiting England.