AFTER THE ASHES

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10556, 10 February 1912, Page 5

AFTER THE ASHES

THE FOURTH TEST MATCH. ENGLAND v. AUSTRALIA. AUSTRALIANS DISPOSED OF FOR 191. ENGLAND STARTS WELL. (Received Last Night, 7.50 o'clock.) MELBOURNE, February 9. The weather was -pleasant, "and the attendance fair at the commeni.env'nt of the Fourth Test Match to-dav. J. W. McLaren was omitted from the Australian team, and H. Strndwick, J. W. Hitch, S. P. Kinneir, and J. Irenionger from the English England won the toss, and sent the Australians in to bat on a soft wicket. Hordern and Kellewtvy opene-I to the howling of Foster and Barnes. The first score was a no-ball - from Foster, whom Hordern glanced to leg, the ball cannoning off the wicketkeeper's pad to Barnes at Slip. The appeal was disallowed, as the Inll had touched the ground on the way to Barnes. Twenty runs were scored in half an hour, Kelleway being busiest, chiefly at the expense of Foster, who was bowling the leg theory, with three fieldsmen close in. At 32 Wooiley relieved Foster, and Hordern his .second ball to the fence, reaching double figures in 38' minutes. "Ihe bowlers found difficulty in securing n firm foothold, and sawdust was iimxl freely. Barnes liad all the fieldsmen save leg close in, in hopes of a catch. The wicket was kicking frequently, and Hordern skied Barnes to Mead, who made a fine but ineffective atattempt at the catch. Fifty occupied an-hour, and then Barnes, who had delivered ton overs for 18 runs, was relieved by Rhodes. Kelleway, who batted soundly, cut Wooiley into Hearne's hands at point. He batted 74 minutes, scoring four fourers. —I— -29—53.

With Bardsley's appearance the field deepened, and after Rhodes had bowled two overs, Barnes resumed and dislodged Hordern's leg stump. —£--- 19—53.

After luncheon adjournment, plaj was presumed, aud disaster ■ quickly canitv Trumper joined Bardslev. 'fie latter wascautious, .'and- -played - - for .19 .minutes, when he" was bowled off his pads .—3—-0—69. Clem. Hill was next man in, and received* amagnificent reception -froonthe spectators. Trumper settled down apparently. After two charming cuts, he hit over a ball from Foster, and was clean bowled.—4—l7—74. 1 Armstrong was next, -but did not stay long. He was beaten by Barnes with a breakback. —57 —83. Minnett opened with a weak stroke , off Bdnies, cocking tlie tall daliget'OUS- j ly close to Douglas at point. The bats- , men were keen, and were cheered for,,* smaii running between the wickets. | The scoring was slow, and Barnes and j Foster were bowling magnificently, | while the fielding was excellent, . Rhodes being applauded for brilliantly | stopping a cannon-like shot by Hill at short leg. Hill next glanced Barnes for four, and hoisted the century in 140 minutes. When 10 Minnett gave a chance, in the slips to Douglas off Barnes, and when 14 lie drove Barnes back forcefully to the bowler, who jusfc touched the ball left-handed. At 120 Woolley relieved Foster, whose •average was 2 for 47. When 18, Minnett narrowly esca.ped being runout, Woolley failing to take the ."return from Gunn at short-leg. Hill was caught from a straight drive in, the deep field. He gave a fine display, and batted for 61 minutes, and bit one fourer. He was cheered on retuw&ig to the 'ra.vilion. —6 —22 —124. Ban.sford succeeded. M.in.nett t.wiee in succession back-cut. and legged Barnes for 4, and next hit for rutting Barnes for 2, secured 30, which gave? him top-score, amid cheors. Art- 139 Hearne relieved Barnes. w<ho Jiad bovvI led 23 ovens for 3 wickets and 61 I runs. Hansford was at the wickets 10 [ nrmnt-s* before scorinsr. being hiamwed bv his thumb, which was injured in the Third Test Match. Minnett was l "S nHd Bansford 3 at the tea. adjournment. On resumption Barnes and Foster bowled.. Bansford was easily caught by second slip from the last ball of the first over.-—?- —-4—152. Matthews joined Minnett. who pulled and off-drove Foster to the bouridary. reachi"4i 50 in 75 m.intes. He was caught in the next over at deep square 1 leg. He batted well on t-lie trickv wicket, he played some crude strokes. He was in for 80 minutes, and hit six fourers. —8—56—160. Cotter was next mnn in, and the field deepened in anticipation of big hitting. Matthews mishit and skied Bnni.es to Gimn hohivd the-wicket, and an easy cnt<»b resulted. —93—170. Cotter, lifted Foster high to square •lee for."four, and cheers greeted his effort. Carter was last man an, a.nd Cotter again swept Foster to the boundary, and magnificently off-drove him for four, but was beaten in attempting to lift Barnes. .. The innings lasted 224 minutes. Details:—■

AUSTRALIA.—First Inniiiffs. Dr. H . V. Hordern, b Barnes 19 0. Kellevay, c HeanW, b Woo Hoy 29 W. Bardsley, b Foster V. Tnumper, b Foster 17 W. W. Armstrong, b Barnes 7 0. Hill, o Hearne, b Barnes 22 It. B. Minnett, c Rhodes, b Foster 06 V. Ransford, c Rhodes, b Foster 4 G. J. Matthews, c Gmm, b Barnes 3 A. Cotter, b Barnes 15 H. Carter, not out 6 Extras .... 13 Total 191 Bowling analysisßarnes 5 for 74, Foster 4 for 77, Wool ley 1 for 22, Rhodes 0 for 1, Hearne 0 for 4. ENGLAND AT THE WICKETS. Hobbs and Rhodes opened to Cotter and Keltcway. Hobbs legged Cotter's first ball for three. The batsmen im-

mediately became aggressive and scored quickly, and did some smart running between the wickets. At 26 Armstrong relieved C-otter, and Matthews relieved Kelleway. The scoring continued, and Hordern relieved Armstrong. The (batting was steady and attractive, and the pair played out time. The wicket has improved, and the weather is perfect. The attendance was 16,556, the takings amounting to £616. Scores: —■ ENGLAND. —First, Innings. J. B. Hobbs, not out 30 W. R. Rhodes, not out 23 Extra 1 Total for no wickets 54 spoFFOirra's criticisms. NOT IX A POSITION TO JUDGE. (Received Last Night. 9.30 o'clock.) SYDNEY, February 9. In reference to the cable received from London, the Secretary of the Board of Control says that F. R. SpofForth has been so long out of toudh with Australian cricket that he does not know the altered conditions, and .is .not in a position to criticise results.