CRICKET.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9535, 6 July 1909, Page 6

CRICKET.

THE THIRD TEST MATCH. Eighty-two test matches have been played between England and Australia, of which England claims 35, and Australia 34. 13 being drawn. Gregory, who required 38 to reach his 2,000, had a narrow "shaver" at 37, when he gave a chance to Lilley at the wickets off Brearley. He is now second cricketer to reach 2,000 in test matches. Eansford and Gregory have been, perhaps, the two moat consistent scorers in test matches. Barnes is a second-class county player and he has a unique record in having played- in more test matches than any other second class player—in fact, L. Hine (of Ireland), who was a member of the 1878-9 team to Australia, is the only other that "'Swerve 1 " can call to mind. He bowls fast leg breaks, and has taken 24 wickets in test games. He visited Australia with Mar.Laren in 1901-2, and with Jones in 1907-8. Sharp, of Lancashire, wko is the "experiment of the team, is a fine all-round cricketer —a punishing batsman and a fast right-hand bowler. His off drive is a punishing stroke which is calculated to reach the boundary five times out of six. Last season he scored 1,598 runs, at an average of 37.6, but his 20 wickets cost him 27 apiece.

Subjoined is the list of those play era who before the game commenced had attained four figures in test matches, and it will be seen that Syd. Gregory required only 38 to attain the coveted 2,000, and he succeeded in doing so, while MacLaren requires 117 and Trumper 178: — Australia. C. Hill 2.386 S. E. Gregory 2,008 V. Trumper 1,851 M. A. Noble 1,81% J. Darling 1,632 G. Giffen 1,238 W. W. Armstrong 1,145 A. C. Bannerman 1,105 R. A. Duff 1,079 England. A. C MacLaren 1,899 T. Hay ward 1,747 F. S. Jackson 1,415 A". Shrewsbury 1,277 J. T. Tyldesley 1,263 W. G. Grace 1,098