CRICKET.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8103, 24 March 1906, Page 6

CRICKET.

NEW ZEALAND v. MELBOURNE. NEW ZEALAND ALL OUT FOR 77. MELBOURNE FOUR WICKETS FOR 140. By Telegraph—Press Association. OHRISTCHURCH, March 23. The orioket matoh. New Zealapd v. Melbourne Club, commenced at Lancaster Park, to-day, when the weather was fine though threatening, and late in tbe afternoon a steady drizzle set in, which put a stop to play at 5 p.m. Tucker was eleoted captain of the New Zealand team, and won the tosa. He decided to bat first, but the local men made a very poor show, six wickets being down for 54 runs at lunch time. On continuing, the innings was quipkly brought to a close for 77. Hickson was top scorer with 18, while Brooke-Smith made 11, and Tucker and DowneslO each. MoLeod secured six wiokets for 39 runs, and Armstrong four for 23. When the visitors went in they made a poor stand, four being out for 32, but Armstrong and MoLeod then got together, and carried the total to 140 before rain caused play to be suspended. Armstrong scored 72 not out, and McLeod 40 not out. JBoth were playing steady orioket and neither gave a chance. Vaughan scored 11 before Malone broke through his defence, and the same trundler also got rid of Mailer and Wilkinson, while Downes bowled Ransford. The threatening weather militated against the attendance,, and the heavy rain which set in in the evening may cause the postponement of the match to-morrow. Tho Masterton Cricket Association intend snnding a team to Napier at Easter, to play the Hawke's Bay junior representative team.