CRICKET.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9553, 28 July 1909, Page 5

CRICKET.

THE FOURTH TEST. SCORING KEPT DOWN. United Press Association-By Electric Telegraph Copyright. Received July 27, 9.55 a.m. LONDON, July 26. The Fourth Test Match between England and Australia was begun this morning at Manchester, in the presence of eighteen thousand spectators. Play was delayed for a quarter of an hour, owing to the weather being very boisterous and windy. Noble won the toss, and the Australians went in first, Bardsley and Gregory facing the bowling of Hirst and Barnes. Gregory opened his account with a lucky stroke through the slips for 4. The sixth over saw Bardsley's middle stump go, the ball coming quick off the pich. One for 13. Ransford, after scoring 4, got his kg in front; he [was beaten by the previous ball. Two for 21. Barnes was bowling splendidly, but Hirst was keeping an uncertain length. At 32 Blythe displaced Hirst, and the newcomer's third over disposed of Gregory.'wbile attempting to sweep one to leg. The retiring batsman had batted an hour; he started shakily, but improved a bit Noble and Trumper were together. The former showed skilful defence, but Trumper was taken cleverly at second slip* by Hutchings, falling. Four for 47. The half century was raised in 75 minutes. The pitch was difficult, though scarcely treacherous, but it was too slow for the Australians. Noble played back to a quicker ball from Blythe, and lost his wicket, after an hour's excellent cricket. Five for 58. Armstrong , plodded along with Hopkins till luncheon time. On resuming the Sydneyite fell a victim to Blythe's first ball. Six for j GG. Armstrong got 20 together, in- ( eluding a couple of fourr-rs off ; Barnes, who was pitching short, j Macartney, playing back to Barnes, was out for 5. When he was three he was nearly run out, he and Arm- ) strong being on one end together, | but Lilley blundeed. Seven for 87. j The century was compiled in 135 minutes. After being in 15 minutes Tyldesley caught him at long-on. Eight for 110. Carter quickly hit 13 off before he got his leg in front. Nine for 128. Armstrong was one hundred minutes getting 32, but his play was faultless. Laver knocked 11 off Blythe in three hits before the bowler got his revenge, the last wicket falling for 147 runs. After lunch both Barnes and Blythe bowled an uncertain length. Following were the scores:— AUSTRALIA. First Innings. Gregory, b Blythe 21 Bardsley, b Barnes 9 Ransford, lbw, b Barnes 4 Noble, b Blythe 17 Trumper c Hutchings, b Barnes 2 Armstrong, not out 32 Hopkins, b Blythe 3 Macartney, b Barnes 5 Cotter, c Tyldesley, b Blythe 17 Carter, lbw, b Barnes 13 Laver, b Blythe 11 Extras 13 Total 147 Bowling analysis—Hirst, no wickets for 15 runs; Barnes, 5 wickets for 56; Blythe, 5 wickets for 63. Received July 27, 10.10 a.m. LONLON, July 26. Wdrner and Spooner went to the wickets to open the Englishmen's innings, bowling was entrusted to Nobl?, and Macartney. Twenty minutes' play produced 10 runs, the bowling being steady and ths fielding smart. When 20 appeared on the board Laver replaced Noble. Both batsmen were caref'.'l, but Warrer, playing back to Macartney, lost his wicket. One for 24. Nine runs later Cotter relieved Macartney, and Spooner was easily caught off the fast bowler's first over. He had given a stylish and faultless display. Two for 39. Tyldesley was scoring slowly. Sharp, who succeeded Spooner, was easily taken in the slips. Three for 44. Rhodes narrowly missed being caught by Ransford at long-on before he had scored. Shortly after Cotter snapped him at the wicket. Four for 50. Tyldesley, who had | been at the wickets threequarters of an hour, was easily caught in the slips. Five for 63. Hutchings, when he had scored a single, was missed in the slips by Armstrong off Cotter, but he was bowled a few minutes later. Six for 72. McLaren (hen partnered Lilley. The newcomer hit freely and made 1G to the score before he got leg-be-fore to Laver. The rest of the batsmen made a poor stand, Lilley seeing them all out while he compiled his score of 2G. Stumps were then drawn for the day. Scores: ENGLAND. First Innings. Warner, b Macartney 9 Spooner, c and b Cotter 25 Tyldesley, c Armstr.ng, b Laver 15 Sharp, c Armstrong, b Laver 3 Rhodes, c Carter, b Laver 5 Hutching?, b Cotter 9 MacLaren. lbw, b Laver 16 Lilley, not out 23 Hirst, c Hopkins, p Laver 1 Barnes, b Laver ° Blythe, b Laver 1 Extras 9 Total 119 I Bowling analysis —Noble, no

wickets for 11; Macartney, 1 for 31; Cotter, 2 for 37; Laver, 7 for 31. Received July 27, 5.5 p.m. LONDON, July 27. The MacLaren-Lilley partnership lasted 25 minutes. Cotter was severely punished, Macartney relieving him at 91. Seven for 99. Hirst succeeded the skipper, but was caught at long-on, after scoring a single. Eight for 103. Barnes played on the first ball without the total being altered. Blythe, the last man, joined Lilley, who played pluckiiy f;>r 59 minutes before Laver got him. Blythe was missed by Bardsley off Macartney. The innings occupied 160 minutes, the batting generally was feeble Lavor bowled IS overs and seven maidens.