ENGLAND v. AUSTRALIA.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 9010, 20 December 1907, Page 5

ENGLAND v. AUSTRALIA.

BRILLIANT WIN FOR AUS-

TRALIA

BY TELEGBAPH - PRESS ASSOCIATION,

Received December 19, 7.28 p.m,

SYDNEY, December 19,

Play was resumed to-day. A strong southerly breeze was blowing, and the wicket dried up very well, although it was a bit sticky. Fielder and Barnes opened the attack, and oft* the former Armstrong scored seven, but Barnes' first ball was fatal to Noble, who did not add to his previous score. Four for 74. Ransford joined Armstrong, and the newcomer in a few minutes hit himself into double figures. Blythe, wh6 had goneon at Fielder's end, secured Ransford. who lifted one straight back to the bowler. Five for 95. MacAlister followed, and the century went up as the result of two hours and twenty minutes play. Rhodes then replaced Barnes. MacAlister was slow in starting, but presently got the length of the bowling and scored rapidly. At the outset the fieldsmen tormed" a ring round the wicket, but MacAlister soon forced the field to deepen. At 120 Crawford v a s tried instead of Blythe, and in his second over he bowled Armstrong, r whohad played capital cricket in an innings lasting one hour and 58 minutes. At this time the board read six for 124. Carter came in, and opened with a boundary, which had the effect of bringing on Barnes again in place of Rhodes. Carter began to smite the bowling, and was soon in double figures by four 4's which hehit in rapid succession, twelve being scored off one over of Crawford's. After lunch Blythe and Fielder took* up the bowling. Carter's 19 was the result of five strokes. He was batting stylishly and confidently. MacAlister, with 28 on, was missed by Young at the wickets rather simply off Fielder. Carter scored more freely than his partner, and soon outstripped his score. Braund relieved°Blythe at 164, but still the runs came fnely, both batsmen keeping neck and ne:k. The excitement began to grow as the pursuit of the last 100 required to win was entered on. At 182 Fielder gave way to Barnes, and Crawford wen*: on at Braund's end. Crawford's second ball dismissed MacAlister, who was accorded a great reception for his splendid innings. Seven for 185. Cotter followed, and his partnercontinued to hit the bowling in great style. The second century went up in three hours and. sixteen minutes. Fielder was put on again, but still the runs came. Carter had 53 to his credit for 71 minutes' batting.- He punished Fielder unmercifully, notching eleven off one of his overs by beautiful strokes. A further change of bowling took place, Barnes relieving Crawford, and Carter's time was up, as he placed one cf Fielder's into Young's hands behind the wickets. Carter had played a plucky innings, and was accorded a great reception. Eight for 218. Hazlett was next-, and at 238 Blythe took \the ball from Barnes, and Braund 'vent on at Fielder's end. Both batsmen were playing as if their very lives depended on tie. issue, and consoquently the scoring was none too fast. Hazlett, who was batting in great style, gave a difficult chance to Hardstaff, who fell in the endeavour to reach the ball. The tea adjournment calmed the great excitement. On resuming Rhodes took Blvthe's place, and Fielder relieved Braund. The English fielding, as the Australians were near the end became loose. ■' When only three runs were required to win the excitement was intense, and Hazlett, with a beautiful leg glance, made the winning hit for four, amid frantic cheering from 5,000 present. This gave Australia the first leg-in for the ashes by a' two-w i'eket victory. ■ The scores were as follow: AUSTRALIA. First innings .300 Second Innings. Trumper b Barnes 3 MacArtney, c Crawford, b Fielder 9 Hill, b Fielder . . "» Noble, b Barnes 27 Armstrong, b Crawftrd 44 Ransford, c and b Blythe 13 MacAlister, b Crawford 41 Carter, c Young, b Fielder 61 Cotter, >not out 34 Hazlett, not out ; 34 Extras " Total for eight wickets 275 Grand total . 575 Bowling analysis—Fielder 3 for 88, Barnes 2 for 63, Blythe 1 for 55, Crawford 2 for 33, Rhodes 0 for 13, Braund 0 for 14. ENGLAND.First innings 273 ■ Second innings , . 300 Grand total 573