CRICKET.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3190, 15 May 1909, Page 6

CRICKET.

TOUR OF THE AUSTRALIAN TEAM. MATCH AGAINST ESSEX. TALL SCORING. Received May 14, 9.4 a.m. LONDON, May 13. The match of the Australian cricketers against Essex began at Leyton to-day, before a moderate attendance of spectators. The weather was cold and windy, but the wicket played fast.

The county was repreesnted by M'liahey, Fane, Perrin, Douglas, Gil[jngham, Read, Mead, Young, Reeves, Buckenham, and Freeman. Laver, O'Connor, Gregory, Carkeek and M' A lister stood out of the Australian team. The Australians won the toss, and decided to bat. They'opened badly, Hartigan, with his score at 4, being taken at the wicket-with the fourth ball of the match. Noble failed to, score; playing tamely forward it. l the second over, his leg stump was knocked out. Two for 8. Ransford joined Bardsley, and a splendid stand was made, the score being raised to 363 before they were separated. Bardsley played a masterly, stylish, all-round game, and was especially strong on the leg side, and Ransford displayed fine cutting and leg hitting, neither lifting the ball at all. Bardsley totted up 52 in an hour, the century appearing in 67 minutes..Bardsley's 100 took two hours, his 150 was made in 175 minutes, and 200 in 230 minutes. He gave a chance of a run> out when he had made 70, and a chance at the wicket at 104.

Ransford's 50 was posted in 70 minutes, and his century in 130 minute. He played admirable aggresive cricket, giving not a single chance. Trumper showed brilliant driving and leg hitting. . The batsmen were assisted by the faulty ground fielding. When stumps were drawn for the day the Australians had lost six wickets for 525 runs. Scores : AUSTRALIANS.-First Innings. Hartigan, c Freeman, b Buckenham 4 Bardsley, run out v 219 Noble, b Buckenham 0 'Ransford, c Young, b Buckenham 174 Trumper, c Fane b R«eves 74 Armstrong, not out 17 Hopkins, b Mead _ 15 Macartney, not out 6 Extras 16 Total for 6 wickets 525 Received May 14, 5 p.m. ! LONDON, May 14. After luncheon the weather was brighter, and the attendance increased to 7,000.

Ransford's innings lasted 195 minutes. He hit seven fourers. When he lost his wicket he had caught Bardsley, both scores standing at 174, Bardsley was 265 minutes at tne wickets. His score included 22 fourers. He gave a glorious display, his timing being superb. He was run out attempting a run for Trumper, who sent him back. Bardsley slipped down in the middle of the pitch, and was easily run out. Trumper's innings lasted 69 minutes, and he hit nine fourers. The fourth wicket fell at 483, the fifth at 48S, and"tne sixth at 510.