CRICKET.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 209, 2 March 1912, Page 7

CRICKET.

NEWS AND NOTES. The end of the tour of the English cricketers is now in sight. After the conclusion of the present test only one match remains to be played, viz., that against South Australia, which was to have started at Adelaide to-day. Owing to the delay in the fifth test through rain the Adelaide match will probably not start until Monday. The fifth test is the only one in which really had weather has been met with and the Australians look like winning the match. On a good wicket England scored 324 runs, Woolley scoring 133 not out. Australia lost five wickets for 134, the light being bad at the finish. Then came a day's

delay owing to the wicket being under water. Hill next day was anxious to start, and gave his men instructions to waste no time, so that the visitors might have a taste of the wet wicket. The Australians obeyed orders, and the last five wickets only added 42 runs. England in the second innings lost nine wickets for 209 runs, Hordern coming off with an average of five for C 5 and Armrtr«ng three for 35. Next day England was disposed of for 214, and Australia required 363 to get to win. With delays for wet weather and afternoon tea Australia succeeded in scoring 193 for the loss of three wickets, and looked like having a winning chance. Heavy rain, however, prevented any play on Thursday, the ground being flooded. Australia now may not win, and, like the barracker, will probably regret the few moments lpst on the good wicket on, Wednesday., The gentle barracker was again in evidence. He Js certainly impartial if unkind, and friend as well as foe come in J for criticism at his hands, or, rather, tongue. He must be kept amused, and if the cricket is not sufficiently entertaining he takes a hand himself. The English team's record to date is: Played 17 matches, .won 12, lost 1, drawn or abandoned 4. The English centuries are:—Gunn, v. South Australia, 106; Warner, v. South Australia, 151; Foster, v. South Australia, 158; Foster, v. Vicj tovia, 101; Douglas, v. Australian Eleven, 101 not out; Hearne, v. Australia (second test), 114; Hobbs, v. Australia (second, test), 128 not out; Hobbs, v. Australia (third test), 187; Kinneir, v. Ballarat, 114; Vine, v. Ballarat; 112 not out; Woolley, v. Tasmania, 305 not out; Rhodes, v. Tasmania, 102';' Hearne, v. Victoria, 143; Douglas, v. Victoria, 140;, Hobbs, v. Australia (fourth test),,l79; H«M>s, v. Australia (fourth test), 178; JRhod«s, -V; N.S.W., first innings 119, second innings 109; Woolley, v. Australia (fifth test), m'riot out. . 1 ', The team for England is now definitely chosen, and consists of—Gregory, Minhett, .Kellewajk Emery, Macartnev, .Bardsley'and'lazlitt (N.S.W.), Smith, Matthews and .Qg.jjjeek (Victoria), Jennings and McJSrfffiSiQueensland), Mayne, (South Australia). j Hill, Carter, Armstrong and Raiisford, who refused to go unless the team chose its own | have been passed over. It has been aTgued that without them Australia is not' worthily represented. Possibly not, but with those mighty ones Australia has not done much against England, which » | was minus Pry, Spooner, Jessop and other champions, so that possibly young i Australia will rise to the occasion, as ' some of young England did. There is I talk of sending Home an independent team chosen.by Hill, Truniper and Arm- ' strong, but I fail to see how this is possible, or, if it is done; how it will imj prove matters. The M.C.C. lias a long | programme arranged, with the visits of the Australian and South African teams, | for the first triangular contests, and it j would be difficult to arrange matches for lan extra team. Moreover, the M.C.C. recognises the Board of Control, and would probably not recognise a team that | did not bear its hall-mark. It looks very much as if the sextette will be lost to Australian cricket. Of course, they may do as A. E. Trott did, when overlooked by the selectors, go Home and qualify for one or other of the counties, who would heartily welcome such an addition. I The Board of control does not seem to possess the confidence of the public or ! players, at least judging by the ovation that has been accorded Hill at the test I matches both in Melbourne and Sydney. I Of the fifteen chosen, Gregory, Maci artney and Whitty have alone visited England before. Whitty seemingly is again well, and is expected to strike form. C. B. Jennings and Smith are clinking fine bats. Mayne, Kelleway and Emery, as well as Whitty, were members of the Australian team which visited the Dominion a couple of seasons ago and played at New Plymouth. E. R. Mayne fills the place on the selection committee vacated by Clem Hill. Matthews, Whitty, Kelleway, Minnett, Macartney, Gregory and Hazlitt have participated in this year's tests.