THE FIFTH TEST.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10567, 24 February 1912, Page 5

THE FIFTH TEST.

ENGLAND V. AUSTRALIA.

INTEREST SUSTAINED

ENGLAND SIX FOR 204

(Received Last Night, 6.45 o'clock.)

SYDNEY, February 23.

Although the "Ashes" have been won and lost, there is great interest in the Fifth Test match, owing to the bittor controversy concerning tho personnel of tho team for England. The weather was fine ,but threatening, and the wicket good. Tho attendance was 8500. G. J. Matthews was left out of the Australian team. J. W. H. T. Dougles won the toss, and had no hesitation in sending his team in to bat.

Hobbs and Rhodes opened to tho bowling of McLaren and Macartney. Rhodes started by driving Macartney to the boundary, but in the third oyer he was dismissed, Macartney drawing first blood, 'by bowling him off his pads. Gunn was next, man in, and Hordern relieved McLaren. The first fifty occupied 57 minutes, ■Gunn and Hobbs hitting out freely, although Hobbs narrowly escaped being caught out once. In the next over, however, he hit out at a "googlie" from Hordern, and was easily caught at wide long-on by Hansford,—Two for 69. Hearne joined Gunn, and played till tho luncheon adjournment. On resuming, McLaren and Armstrong bowled. Tho play was now slow, nine being scored in 18 minutes. Hearno was soon caught in attempting to hit Armstrong, Macartney making a brilliant catch.

With Foster in, the rate of scoring improved. The first century occupied 126 minutes, Gaurn's 50 taking 118 .minutes to compile. Foster ,in stepout to HarJitt, missed, and was cleverly stumped by Carter. Douglas was the next man in. Gunn, a few overs later, was also stumped, in stepping out to Hordern. Ho had hit threo fours. At tho tea adjournment, Douglas and Woolley were together, the score standing at 5 for 132. Tho batsmen displayed caution on -resuming, the bowling being ..good, Armstrong keeping, a splendid length. ■. Douglas.-at 18, was caught by RansHordern, the hall twisting oft the bat. '. ' , ■ > v Vine- joined Woolley, wno .was- bat.tin« wet. ■ The second-'eerrtury went'Up in 257 minutes. > At 5.4.5 the light failed, and the match was adjourned, six wickets being down for 204. Details :

ENGLAND. First Innings. W. R. Rhodes, b Macartney 8 J. Hdbbs, c Hansford, b Hordcrn 32 J. W. He&rne, c Macartney, b Armstrong * G. Gunn, st Carter, b Hordem ... 52 F. R. Foster, st Carter, b Ha-zlitt - L 5 Douglas, c Ransford, b Hordern 18 F. E. Woolley, not out 62 J. Vine, not out 8 Extras ■ .-. •■•• z Total for six wickets 20+ CLEM HILL'S VIEWS. PROPOSED SETTLEMENT. DISHONOURABLE TREATMENT. (Received February 23, 10.20 a.m.)

SYDNEY, February 23. Clem. Hill, speaking for the rejected ipjVyers, declared: —"Wo are very sorry at the turn affairs have taken, and have done all we can to secure a settlement. The Board still objects to Mr Laver as manager, though I offered them all tho books and papers of the tour, and to lot Mr McElhone appoint an arbitrator, and abide by his decision whether Mr Laver was disloyal. Hill concluded by- asking: "Wh;. don't they select the whole team ami allow them to select their own mana-

ger?" Messrs McGowan and Herman last night had a long interview with the six. players, and Mr McGowcn subsequently said he would see the Board of Control with a proposal which lie hoped would settle matters* Hill subsequently stated that they only wanted peace and the best team to go to England. In the event of Mr McElhone being chosen manager, lie was prepared to compromise, but he still demanded an unconditional acceptance. If the selectors chose Mr Laver as.a member of the team, the players would make no further protest. MELBOURNE, Februai-y 23.

Dr. Mailer, one of the Victorian representatives on the Board, declared that the secretary had no light to take action. As tho players accepted conditionally, ho will want to know why the secretary took the action he did without a further meeting of the Board. The way in which players were treated was downright dishonourable. The players should not be asked to sacrifice' their principles.

INTERPRO VINCIAL MATCH. WELLINGTON v. AUCKLAND. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Last Night. The weather was good and the attendance large for the representative match between Wellington and AiickLaiicf, which was commenced on tlio Basin Reserve to-day. The whole af-

ternoon was occupied ■with Wellington's innings. The •bowling of Auckland was rather weak. Scores : WELLINGTON —First Innings. E. P. Blamires, ilbw, b Samervilio -16 Gibbes, c Ellis, b Thompson 'il Bilker, b Thompson 2 Mahoncy, b Sneddon 2o Midlanc. c Henvus, b Sneddon ... 31 Blacklock, b Thompson 1 Dickso», st Ellia. b Sneddon 8 Robinson, not out 0 Gimmett, eand b Thomp-sou 1 Extras '? Total for S wickets 208 Bowling analysis:—Thompson 4 for 64, Sneddon 3 for 34, Somerville 1 for 21, and Jones, Mason, Wallace and. Taylor also bowled. WAIRAHAPA MATCHES. Tho unfinished Carlton-Carterton match will bo continued to-day. The Carlton team will be:—A. Styles, S. Edwards, J. W. Nicholson, F. Welch, A. Hoar, B. Welch, H. S. Claughton, K. Welch, S. Cresswell, W. Hoar, C. Welch. Emergencies: Vallan.ce, Gruhb and Temple. The drag will leave Rankin's corner at 1.15 sharp. A Masterton team leaves by the 11.45 a.m. train this morning to play