CRICKET.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 11189, 1 February 1902, Page 7

CRICKET.

ENGLAND v. NEW SOUTH WALES,

United Prats Association—By Electrio , (Received *January 31st, 8.13 p.m.) SYDNiEY, January 31. It was ideal cricketing weather to-day, j with a light cool breese blowing. The attendance was fair. New South Wales, winning the toss, batted. With, the exception of Poidevin the batsmen gave a sound display of consistent scoring. Robson, Blythe, and Barnes are standing out of the English team, which ie> deficient in bowling. Up to the tea adjournment six men were tried, and the changes were being worked frequently.

Hopkins, in the first half hour, gave promise of a dashing innings. Both he and Gregory scored freely, the half century appearing in twenty-seven minutes. McGahev and Jessop then deposed Gunn and Braund, and the change had the effect of stemming the rune. The Essex man's bowling seemed simple, yet it was treated with great respect, eeven overs going for a couple of runs. Hopkins had just registered 40 wiien he hard to Jones in the slips. One wicket for 73. Trumper followed. The fielding was excellent, Jessop being especially brilliant. After luncheon play -was at first quiet. The century was recorded for ninety-four minutes' work. Trumper was batting brilliantly, repeatedly sending MoGahey'a off stuff to the boundary. Braund relieved him, and his second 1)»H was fata! to Trumper, who waa out leg before. Two for 117.

* Bight up to the, tea adjournment play was slow. Poidevjn had only scored a single when Gregory was bowled by Braund. He had batted for two hours. Three for 124. 8. Gregory came to see Poidevin retire before a fine ball from Gunn without increasing his total. Four for 124. Duff followed, and the change of bowkrs to Jessop and Hayward suited the batsmen, and runs came with greater frequency. After seventeen off Hayward Jones relieved him without affecting the ability of the batsmen to score.

After tsa Braund and Gunn resumed bowling. The former was almost unplayable, Duff playing him chiefly with his pads. The second century was compiled in two hundred minutes. Duff was playing cautiously, and Gregory, passing his total, reached 60. The veteran was playing with much of his old brilliancy, the partnership at this stage being responsible for a hundred. Gregory continued to hit oil round the wiefcet, Duff getting his 50 for a bundled minuteV play, Jessop then ■bowled him with a good one. The partnership had put on 127. Five for 261. Noble filled the vacancy, and commenced vigorously, reaching double figures in four strokes. Gregory batted with great freedom, and played beautifully. At 283 Guon took Jessop's place, Noble getting eleven off his first thrfee balls. The third century was completed after four hours and. twenty minutes', play. Gunn 'being expensive, Jones was tried. Gregory received a great ovation in reaching his century in two and a half hours. Noble registered 50 a moment later, for forty minutes work, Stumps were then drawn. TEe following are tIFe scores: — NEW SOUTH WALES. First Innings. C. Gregory, b Braund ... ... ».. 45 .ttopkina, o Jowee, b Jeasop ... ... 4Q Trumper, lbw, b'JSraund ... ..- — 38 Poidevin, b Gunn .., ... ... - I S. Gregory, not out .~ ... . ... 106 Duff, b Jessop ... »••.'. ••• 50 Noble, not out ..." .- ' — ... »- -62 Sundries .*. ... ♦>. ••• 8 Total for five -wicket* — -.. 337