The Fifth Test.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 206, 28 February 1912, Page 8

The Fifth Test.

HILL ANXIOUS TO RESUME. THOUGH WICKET SATURATED. ! AUSTRALIANS' DEFICIT 148. VISITORS ON IMPROVING WICKET. SCORE 209 FOR NINE WICKETS. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Received 27, 8.25 p.m. Sydney, February 27. Although the wicket was saturated, Hill was anxious to start, on the theory that the bowling would break up the pitch, which would be bad for the English batting. Douglas was unwilling to start. The umpires, however, inspected the pitch and decided that it was playable.

Ransford (29) and Carter (0) resumed to Foster and Barnes. The first ball] bumped shoulder high, and Ransford 1 struck it with the side of his bat, Hitch at third slip making an easy catch. t Macartney joined Carter with evident instructions to score quickly, as the first ball he sent for three, and hit at everything, although the wicket was bumping badly. Both repeatedly skied the ball, but if fell out of danger. In the fourth over Carter twice played Barnes to Foster in the slips, but neither chance was taken. Next ball, however, he skied to Mead, who was fielding mid-off for Vine, and an easy catch resulted. Woolley relieved Foster, and in his second over easily caught and bowled Macartney, who hit 26 in 25 minutes.' Two Sails later, Woolley bowled Hordern's middle stump. MacLaren joined Hazlitt. He cut the first ball and ran. Hazlitt was unable to get in before Hobbs returned smartly to Smith, who broke the wicket. ,

Australia's innings closed for 176, or 148 behind England's score. Rolling improved the wicket somewhat. Hobbs and Rhodes opened for England's venture, Macartney and Hazlitt being the bowlers. J Play was careful up till the luncheon adjournment, when 20 runswere on the board. During the interval a bright sun considerably improved the wicket.

Upon resuming Hobbs smacked the bowling and 50 appeared as the result of 36 minutes' play, Hobbs' contribution being 35. Rhedes then set out to overtake him. At 76, Hobbs* contribution was 45, and Rhodes' 30. Then came a double tragedy for England. Hobbs poked Hordern up at silly short leg, and Hazlitt made a marvellous match, running in and diving full length, just catching the ball in his extended right hand. Hobbs turned and congratulated him on the catch before returning to the pavilion. Armstrong then bowled Rhodes out leg before with his second ball. Gunn and Hearne filled the places. The latter was apparently anxious to hit a sixer, as he three times landed the ball with a few feet of the track, and 100 went up in 84 minutes. When 5 more had been added Hordern bowled Hearne with an off-break, which he knew nothing about. Gunn gave a difficult chance to Hazlitt in the slips off MacLaren. Next over MacLaren had his revenge on Foster, knocking leg stump several yards away. At the tea adjournment four wickets were down for 132, Gunn 24 and Douglas 4. The sun was still shining and the wicket was recovering remarkably. After the adjournment Armstrong and Hordern attacked. The former bowled Douglas for e/ght in his, second over. With Woolley as his partner, Gunn played steadily, and'reached* 50 in 106 minutes. Woolley, who was slow compared to his previous effort, had scored 11, when he tipped Hazlitt to Armstrong at fine slip, and a good catch was effected. Six for 178. / Vine joined Gunn, and the latter was bowled in Hordern's next over. He played back and was beaten all the way. Vine was 22 minutes before scoring. Smith was- badly beaten by Hordern three times before he was bowled for 13. Barnes was bowled by Hordern in the last over of the day. When stumps were drawn, the total was nine wickets for 201.

There was an attendance of 5900. AUSTRALIA. ' First Innings. Trumper, c Woolley, b Barnes 5 Hill, c Smith, b Hitch 20 Gregory, c Gunn, b Douglas 34 Minnett, c Douglas, b Hitch 0 Armstrong, lbw, b Barnes ~ 33 Bansford, c Hitch, booster ... 29 Carter, c sub, b BarnSs 11 j Macartney, e and b Woolley '..'...., 26 Hordern, b Woolley ' o Hazlitt, run out [ 1 MacLaren, not out o Extras \' jg Total ~y^ Fall of wickets—l—l 7, 2—59, 3 81 4-82, 5-133, 6-133, 7-171', 8-lffs! 9—176, 10—176. Bowling analysis.—Foster, one for 55Barnes, three for 56; Hitch, two for 31Douglas, one for 14; Woolley. two for l' ENGLAND. Fkst Innings 324 Second Innings. Hobbs, c Hazlitt, b Hordern .-....... 45 Rhodes, lbw, b Armstrong ... 30 Hf-me, b Hordern °........' \$ Fo -t, b MacLaren 4 Douglas, b Armstrong 8 Guiin, b Hordern ' fil Woolley, c Armstrong, b Haziitt' '.'.'.' 11 vine, not out 5 Smith, b Hordern !!!!!"!!!! 13 Barnes, b Hordern .. 4 l*l||!- ; ' _ Tetal for nine wickets 209

THE TRIANGULAR CONTEST. THREE MORE ACCEPTORS. Received 27, 10.15 p.m. , Sydney, February 27. Jennings, Mayne and Matthews have accepted the invitation to accompany the team to England. i ANOTHER TEAM PROPOSED. ... Melbourne, February 27. I A public meeting is called for Thursday to discuss the action of the Board ?„ rt t anc ] to cons]deT a m<>«on asking the Marylebone Cricket Club to rern7A a rms e t a rong ChoSen hj m > Tmm^> SOUTH AUSTRALIAN CRICKET. bppK? m a Whitty