CRICKET.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9052, 11 February 1908, Page 5

CRICKET.

AUSTRALIA v. ENGLAND,

AUSTRALIA UIGHT FOR 358,

FINE DISPLAY BY ARMSTRONG.

BY TELEGRAPH"—PRESS ASSOCIATION. Received February 10, 10 p.m. MELBOURNE,, February 10. The test match was resumed to-day in beautiful weather. The wicket rolled out splendidly, and was slow and easy. The day's work on the whole placed Australia in an excellent position, and though for the greater part play was dull and of a stubborn patient, character, the last half-hour was tremendously lively and enthusiastic. HILL RUN OUT. Hill and Gregory played cautiously, the former was first to go through the magnificent work and machinelike precision of Barnes at cover, who with one hand fielded Hill's stroke and returned the ball to Humphries. Hill fell in endeavouring to regain the crease, and lost his wicket. An unusual thing in Hill's score was that there were no boundary hits. Gregory was joined by Armstrong, but the Sydneyite soon departed after playing stylish cricket and hitting three,fours. RANSFORD BATS' WELL. Armstrong and Ransford then became associated.' The latter quickly got going, and the hund"-.J was scored in 135 minutes, Rhodes bowled Well, keeping 1 a beautiful length. After lunch Fielder and Rhodes went on bowling, and Ransford when at 26 had a chance. Crawford dropping him in the slips off Fielder. Ransford was batting in a high-class fashion. He was eventually caught at the wickets after an innings lasting 108 minutes. He only made three boundary strokes. A FAST PARTNERSHIP. MacArtney and Armstrong provided a fast partnership, and scored 54 runs in 33 minutes. number MacArtney. made 29, but in the first over after the tea adjournment MacArtney waa dismissed. Play so far had been dullish. ~ A LIVELY INNINGS. Carter, who was next in, enlivened the proceedings, scoring five 4's in succession. Armstrong gained 88, which constituted his highest test score, amid cheers The partnership yielded 112 runs before Carter was caught in the slips. He received an ovation from ths spectators. The outgoing batsman hit 11 fourers. O'Connor and Armstrong played out time.

EXCITING PLAY. The concluding half-hour of play was full of excitement and enthusiasm! Armstrong up till he had scored 50 played completely defensive and wearisome cricket. Afterwards he opened out and showed dash and brilliancy. He caused the wildest enthusiasm when he twice successively drove Braund for six. It was a$ magnificent and thrilling termination of the day's play, completely lifting it from practically dullness. Armstrong received ail ovation on returning to the pavilion. He batted 255 t minutes, and hit 12 fourers and 2 sixers. The wicket is lasting well. The attendance was 12,000. CRAWFORD ILL.

Crawford has consulted the doctors as he is feeling unwell. He strained the right side of his heart, and the, doctors recommend him to consult a London specialist. If England loses, Crawford will nut play again in Australia; otherwise he will playjmly in the last test match. To-day's fielding was superb.Australia fought for every run, and many couples and singles were made by brilliancy. The Englishmen's bowling was good. Scores:—

AUSTRALIA. Second Innings. Trumper, b Crawford 0 Noble, b Crawford 10 MacAlister, c Humphries, b Fielder 4 Hill, run out 25 Gregory, Ibw, b Fielder 29 Ransford, c Humphries,/)} Rhodes 54 Armstrong, not out 114 MacArtney, c Gunn, b Crawford , 29 Carter,' c Braund, b Fielder 66 O'Connor, not out 12 Extras 15 Eight wickets for ' 35S The wickets fell as follows:—Four for 65, 5 for 77, 6 for 162, '7 for 217, 8 for 329.

Owing to the Featherston Club having dropped out of the Wairarapa Cricket Association's competition the fixtures for Saturday next have been re-arranged as follows:—Carterton v. Master ton A, at Carterton; Carlton A v. Masterton B, on the Park Oval; Carlton B a bye.

The match, Masterton A versus Masterton B, commenced last Saturday, will be continued to-morrow evening orf the Park Oval at 5.15 o'clock, when all members of both teams are requested to be present.