CRICKET.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9565, 11 August 1909, Page 5

CRICKET.

FIFTH TEST MATCH.

GOOD BATTIfoG BY AUSTRALIANS. BARDSLEY MAKES A CENTURY. United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph Copyright, Received August JQ, 9.45 a.m. LONDON, August 9. The fifth and final Test Match between Australia and England began to-day at Kennington Oval. The weather was fine and hot, and the wicket fast. Noble won the toss, and elected to bat. The Australians made an unpromising start. Carr. it: the second over, with a leg break, removed Gregory's off stump. One for 9. Bardsley hit a sixer, and got four for an overthrow from Hayes, The 3ydneyite was playing the Kentish bowler skilfully. Noble got his leg before in the fourth over. Two for 27. . I

Sharp replaced Barnes shortly after the first wicket fell, and the latter came on again at 35, his second over yielding 10. Fifty appeared after forty-five minutes' play. Armstrong, playing back, got leg before in Carr's seventh over. Three for 55. Ransford was disposed of with a splendid ball. Four for 58. Trumper joined Bardsley, and a fine partnership ensued. Carr was losing strength, but Barnes was very steady. Woolley relieved the latter at 90, and Hayea replaced Carr, but the change did not trouble the batsmen.

Trumper opened carefully. The century was recorded in 100 minutes, Bardsley still showing faultless play. Trumper hit three fpurere, and a fiver for an on drive, and then drove Carr for four. Woolley took the ball shortly before the luncheon adjournment, and eight came off his first over.

On resuming, the bowliug was frequently changed without effect. Rhodes relieved Carr at 166. Bardsley gave a chance at 77 in the slips to MacLaren, off Rhodes' second ball. Trumper then tried to pull Barnes, and was taken neatly by Rhodes very low. He had batted 110 minutes, giving a chance when he had made 48 at mid-off off Carr. He played fine all-round cricket Five for 176.

Macartney filled the vacancy. Bardsley reached the century in 190 minutes, playing magnificent cricket. The newcomer hit a couple of fourer3 off Carr, and began to score quickly Kapid changes were made in the bowl ing, ther Bardsley played Sharp on. The retiring batsman had displayed splendid all-round defence, his hits including a sixer, twelve fourers, five threes, and eleven twos. He was at the wickets 225 minutes. Six for 1159.

Hopkins came next. After tea Hopkins was taken easily at third slip by Rhodes off Sharp. Seven for 289. The third century appeared in 160 minutes.

Cotter, jumping out to drive Carr. lost his wicket. Eight for 300. Carter, with the addition of four to the aggregate, got leg before to Carr. Laver, the last man, had made eight when the Sydneyite gave a catch to Rhodes off Sharp, the innings closing for 325.

Scores:— AUSTRALIA. First Innings. Gregory, b Carr 1 Bardsley, b Sharp 136 Noble, Ibw. b Carr 2 Armstrong, lbw, b Carr 15 Ransford, b Barnes 3 Trumpsr, c Rhodes, b Barnes 73 Macartney, z Rhodes, b Sharp 50 Hopkins, c Rhodes, b Sharp 21 Cotter, b Carr 7 Carter, lbw, b Carr 4 Laver, not out 8 Extras 5

Total 325 Bowling analyisis.—Carr, 5 wick-1 etsforl4s; Barnes, 2 for 58; Sharp, ! 3 for 67; Woolley, 0 for 6; Hayes, 0 for 10; Rhodes, 0 for 34. * MacLaren and Spooner opened the Englishmen's innings. The first wicket—-SpOoner's—fell at 15. and MacLaren got leg before to a full pitch from Cotter when he had compiled 15. Two for 36. Four more runs were added, and then stumps were drawn for the day. Scores : ENGLAND. First Innings. Spooner, b Cotter 13 MacLaren, lbw, b Cotter 15 Rhodes, not out 7 Fry, not out 3 Extras 2 j Total for two wickets 40