CRICKET.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9575, 23 August 1909, Page 5

CRICKET.

AUSTRALIANS V. KENT.

GOOD SORING BY AUSTRALIANS. United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph Copyright, LONDON, August 20. The Australian cricketers' match against Kent was resumed to-day, at Canterbury, in dull weather, and with a firm wicket. After six deliveries rain caused a short stoppage, but the pitch was undamaged. H'artigan and Bardsley carried on the Australians' innings. Runs came steadily. Then Fielder came on to bowl, and Hartigan, after two lucky strokes, played him on. Two for 41. Ransford joined Bardsley, and lively cricket followed, 50 appearing in fifty minutes. A double change was made in the bowling. Mason and Carr taking the places of Blythe and Fielder : The change failed to check the scoring, and the century was hoisted in eighty minutes. Woolley took the ball from Carr, three of whose overs yielded 20. The play was bright all round, and several more changes were tried. At the luncheon adjournment, when the partnership had been in operation sixty-five minutes, thß score stood at 151. More rain fell during the interval, but on resuming the pitch was easy. In the third over Bardsley lost his wicket in attempting to pull the ball, and was bowled off his body. He had batted 110 minutes. in a faultless style, his hits including three fourers. Three for 162.

After Bardsley's departure rain delayed play for twenty-five minutes, During Ransford and Armstrong's partnership the weather was cold and cheerless, and there were two further stoppages for rain, of fifteen and fifty minutes. ,

The batsmen completely captured the bowling, which underwent numerous changes. Ransford exhibited brilliant all-round play. He reached his century in 105 minutes. He gave an awkward chance to Prest at ll)3, and Blythe nearly caught him in the slips at 167. Armstrong was first careful, and then punishing. He knocked ten off one over of Mason, and reached 50 in 95. minutes. The second century went up in 160 minutes, and the third in 215 minutes.

At the close of play the batsmen were still unconquered, and the scure stood at 332 for three wickets. Scores:—

AUSTRALIA. First Innings. Whitty, c Huish, b Fielder 3 Hartigan, played on, b Fielder 25 Bardsley, b Fielder 48 Ransford, not out 175 Armstrong, not out 78 Extras 7 Total forthree wickets 332 Received August 21, 5.5 p.m. LONDON, August 21. Heavy rain a'l night saturated the wicket, and play was not started till after three o'clock. Ransford played a masterly all round inr.ings. His partnership with Armstrong lasted 140 minutes. Four for 354.

Trumper hit up 20. Five fro 381. Armstrong played a free strong game, and batted one back to the bowler. Six for 410. Many changes of bowling were tried while Noble and Hopkins were together, but the skipper was disposed of after making a few, Hopkins' was a cyclonic score, and consisted of a sixer, five fours, and a single. Seven for 420. When stumps were drawn the score stood as follows: — Hansford, c Mason, b Humphreys 189 Armstrong, c and b Woolley. 107 Trurtiper, 6 Humphreys, b Woolley 20 Noble, c Blythe, b Masori 13 Hopkins, b Mason 27 Macalister, not out 48 Cotter, st Huish, b Seymour 1 Carter not out 35 Sundries H Total for nine wickets 522 Bowling analysis.—Fielier, 3 for 93; Carr, 0 for 62; Blythe, 0 for 56; Mason, 2 for 75; Woolley, 2 for 80; Humphrey, 1 for 70; Seymour, 1 for 45; Day, 0 for 30.