CRICKET.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9020, 6 January 1908, Page 5

CRICKET.

.AUSTRALIA v. ENGLAND. Received January 5, 9.35 a.m. BY TELEGRAPH MUiSS ASSOCIATION. MELBOURNE, January 4. The test match was resumed to-day. There was fine bright weather though warm. Twenty thousand persons were present. The gross takings to date are over £3,000. The wicket was in good order. The Australian's prospects at the start looked very rosy, with Trumper and Noble going excellently, each scoring in turn, and both doing admirably. They kept neck and neck until Trumper was out leg before to Crawford. He had played fine restrained cricket that was of immense service to his side. It was sound, beautiful cricket, and, when the deficit had been wiped out, both he and Noble were loudly cheered. Trumper was at the wickets for one hour forty minutes, and hit seven fourers. Hill, who came nex 4 :, opened in a very streaky manner, and before he got going was bowled by a beauty from Fielder, the best ball he bowled during the innings. Noble did not long survive, and lost his wicket in a peculiar manner. He tried to hook ,a full toss, which fell on to hid arm and then on to the wicket. He had played fine cricket, and showed throughout what a master he is. He was in for just over two hours, and in his score were six boundary hits. The crowd gave him a well-earned ovation. A feeling akin to dismay was felt by the spectators with the fall of three such brilliant wickets, and Australia's chances looked very gloomy. MacAlister, who was associated with Armstrong, was soon run out. It was a foolish yet heroic episode, for MacAlister sacrificed himself for Armstrong. The latter called and started to run, MacAlister, seeing the hopelessness of a run, ran also to save his partner. With MacArtney and Armstrong associated, there was a magnificent exposition of batting that roused the enthusiasm of the spectators. Armstrong mastered the bowling and scored beautifully by sound strokes and vigorous driving, while his partner played correct cricket. Both were exceedingly attractive, watchful and successful. MacArtney showed the coolness of a veteran. They.played out to the tea adjournment. On resuming, Armstrong was bowled by Barnes' first ball. He had played superb cricket for two and aquarter hours. He was never in doubt, was vigorous, and showed perfect timing, and hit seven fours. Little MacArtney was at the wickets two hours and twenty-seven minutes, and got five fours among his runs. Ransford was out to a bad stroke in th:i slips. Carter and Cottsr played out time, Cotter infusing much life into the play. The fielding generally was excellent and keen. The bowling did not look dangerous, but a good length was preserved. The wicket is wearing well. Scores: — AUSTRALIA. —2nd Innings. Trumper, Ibw, b Crawford 63 Noble, b Crawford 64 Hill, b Fielder > 3 MacAlister, run cut 15 Armstrong, b Barnes 77 MacArtney,c Humphries, b Braund 54 Ransford, c Hutchings, b Barnes 18 Cotter, not out 27 Carter, not out 22 Extras 17 Total for seven wickets 360 Bowling analysis.—Fielder 1, for 62; Crawford, 2 for 105; Barnes, 2 for 70; Braund, 1 for 68; Rhodes. 0 for 38. The wickets fell as follow:—! for 126, 2 for 131, 3 for 135, 4 for 162, 5 for 268, 6 for 303, 7 for 312.