ENGLISH CRICKETERS

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10549, 3 February 1912, Page 5

ENGLISH CRICKETERS

CABLE NEWSI

(United Press Association— ByEElec t trie Telegraph — Copyright.)

MATCH WITH VICTORIA, INTENSE HEAT. FOR 293. HEARSE BRILLIANT. (Received Last Night, 5.5 o'clock.) MELBOURNE, February 2. Tlie sweltering shade temperatureof over 105 degrees was distressing to cricketers, while some of the factories ceased work in the afternoon owing to the heat. The attendance at the match between tlie EngEslhanen and Victoria was 1906; and the taking ainwramted to £6O. Victoria's share of the takings at the match are to go to the J. M. Blackhaan testimon.ia.l. ,' J. Vine, S. P. Kinneir, H. Stmidwick, and F. R. Foster were omitted from the English.team. J. Seitz supplanted V. Ransford, who was unable to play owing to his thumb having been injured in the Third Test. It is doubtful if he will be able to play in tlie Fourth Test, which commences at Melbourne next Friday. The wicket was perfect. J. W. H. T. Douglas won the toss, and decided to bat.

Hobbs and Rhodes were opposed by the new fast bowler, MacDonaM, and Scott. The batsmen opened with characteristic caution. At the end of half -an hour Rhodes was caught low in the slips.—l—l 6—22. Gunn was next, and at 27 Matthews relieved McDonald.

Gurm made two nice drives, then Hobbs beautifully out (Matthews for the first "fourer" of the day. The extreme heat was already affecting the players, .arid the batsmen frequently walked between.the wickets to reserve their energies. After an hour's play, refreshments were supplied. Scott had maintained a good length, l bowling nine overs for one wicket and 18 runs. .He was relieved by McKenzie. ..' Fifty was scored in 54 minutes. Afc 63 a,doublechange took.place/Brown,' ( relievijiig MoKenzie and McDonald.' '-ihe , place .of -'Matthews, • who .had vi wicket in> trying to hook Brown,"—2—r «2&rr75. ' _ •■■■;■■._■■•■-;■;—■..■. * Hearne joined Gunn, only to see the latter play McDonald on to his wicket' after he had batted 61 minutes. —3 29—79.

Mead tried to pull a short pitched one from Brown., and was given out leg-before^—4—^—9o.

Woolley played a brisk over, making *. three outs and one square-leg" hit off ] McDonald for fourers each time. This J knocked McDonald off for Matthews, whio dismissed Woolley with a "yorker."—s—2l—l2s. • Douglas joined Hearne, vrho wtas relishing the heat and batting stylishly. He reached 50 in 45 minutes. r , Douglas was 53 minutes in getting ten. At the tea adjournment , the scores stood, Hearne 77, Douglas 10. On resuming after tea, McDonald and Brown bowled. Armstirohg' was not bawling, as he was feeling the. effects of ptomaine poisoning at Sydney. . At 198 Spencer relieved McDonald, whose average was 1 for 61. /Jwo Iran- J dred occupied. 191 minutes. v . The barrackers were critical at Douglias ,r slowness, and then ho quick-. ened. The bowling was weak. Hearne's rate of scoring lessened as he nea.r,ed the century, which he reached in, 158 minutes. He narrowly escaped being run but off the hundredth.-run. Many 1 spectators expressed dissiltisfaction" at the decision in Hearne's favour. Douglas gained 50 in 144 minutes. Hearne's rate of scoring increased, and lie made many fine, solid strokes, giving a chariceless display. " Seven lx>w.lers were tried. "The fielding was commendiable, considering the heat. The shade temnenature has increased to 106 degrees. It is now sultry. The wicketj is still good. ■ Following are the individual scores: ENGLAND.—Mrst Innings. J. B: Hobbs', b Brown .-..;........... 29 W. Rhodes, c Armstrong, b Scott 16 G. Gunn, b McDonald 29, C. P. Mead, Ibw, b Brown - 2 F. E. Woolley, b Matthews 21 J. W. Hearne, not out 125 J. W. H. T. Douglas, not out 58 Extras 13' Total for five wickets ..... 293 BOARD OF CONTROL. APPOINTS MANAGER FOR ENGLISH TOUR, (Received Last Night, 11.50 o'clock.) A meeting of the Board of Control s received the six recalcitrant players' pretest without comment, and proceeded to appoint Mr G. Couch, a prominent Queensland player, to be the Board's manager of the team visiting England.