SECOND TEST MATCH.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 7, 8 January 1908, Page 7

SECOND TEST MATCH.

AffOTHEB ESCiTESG FINISH,

EffGLATCD WnSfS BY OHE WICKET.

_ Cable.— Press Association.—Copyright.)

MELBOURNE, January 7. Xhe second test match between the Australian and English teams of 'cketers was concluded in Melbourne du/aiternoon, the Englishmen winning ith a wicket to spare. The weather was hot and dusty, but the wicket wa* good. The Englishmen began their task of eettia* 123 runs to win with six wickets ? jjand Noble opened to Hardstafi, Cotter bowling at the other end. Hardstaff made a flaky single and then hooked Cotter to skyward and was easily taken b*- BanstordRbodes. who followed, hit one smartly +„ lea which Aiaealkter failed to hold. It was a somewhat difficult chance. At 184 Saunders replaced Noble, and shortly after Armstrong went on in place of Cotter Braund then played cautiously at Armstrong's slow leg balls, but the gfth ball clean bowled him. He had been battiß" for one hour and 43 minutes. Crawford joined Khodes, and the second century went up after four hours Ld 41 minutes , play. gradually tne score crept up, but 70 runs were still required when Rhodes cut a ball Horn ■ senders and started to run. He mw the hopelessness of it, however, and tried to regain the crease, but slipped, and Carter scattered his stumps. Crawford, with Barnes as a partner, played merrily for a short time, and then %avc an easy chance to Armstrong, Tliich was accepted. Humphries had played for a short time when the luncheon adjournment was taken, each batsman having seven to his credit, and there was 61 required to-win. The excitement became intense when play was resumed. A ball from Armstrong struck Humphries' pad, and he W as "riven out Lb.w. amid a great shout. He had played a strong innings of 44 minntes. knocking up only 16 runs. Fielder joined Barnes with 39 runs still jennired. When 2S were wanted Noble took the ball from Saunders. At 261 Cotter replaced Armstrong. The air was electrical, both on the field and among the spectators. Seven runs were wanted •ffhen Macartney went on. Fielder scored short runs, while Barnes played well and scored the winning hit amid an outburst of enthusiasm after playing 50 minutes. The total innings occupied 6 hours 19 minutes. Scores are as follows:— AUSTRALIA. Prst innings _„. 26(5 Second innings ._. 397 ENGLAND. Jiist innings .—— -- .. . , „.,„... . 352 Second Innings. * Bajte, b Noble - „» 2S Gue, Ibw, b Noble 0 pane, b Armstrong 50 Hatchings, c Cotter, b McCartney „ SO Braimd, b Armstrong „ 30 Hardstaff, c Bansford, b Cotter 19 Khodta, run ouv. « 15 ftatfiora, c Armstrong, b Saunders.. 10 Humphries, Ihw, b Armstrong .... 1(5 J Barnes, not out „„ „ „ . 38 iEieHer, not out „ „ IS Extras _—....„..,... 19 Total, for nine wickets 282 Bowling Analysis.—Cotter took one wicket for 82 runs; Armstrong, three for 63; Noble, two for 41; Sazlitt, none for 8; Hacajgiey, one for Saunders, one for 58. The wisiets fell as fa&ezes: —1 for 54, 2 for 54, ? for 121. 4 iaf 131, 5 for 162, 6 for 196, 7 for 198, S for 209, i) for 243.