AUSTRALIA v. NEW ZEALAND

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 13693, 29 March 1910, Page 8

AUSTRALIA v. NEW ZEALAND

THE SECOND TEST MATCH

(rRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) WELLINGTON, March 28. The Test match was advanced another stage to-day, and there should be no difficulty in completing it to-mor-row, as the Australians are now in a position to "declare"when they choose. The weather, which was threatening in the morning, turned into a warm, fine- day, without wind, but these pleasant conditions did not attract a much larger attendance than on Saturday. It cannot be said that the New Zealanders showed to much advantage, for most ot them failed to stand up to Facey's fast bowling, and at times play was painfully slow. Less than 50 runs were scored in the first hour, and this rate wus kept up till the end of the innings. Until Sims joined Reese, there was small promise of even a decent total, but these two batsmen put on 71 runs, both batting very carefully and taking no liberties, either in hitting or running. Sims was rather badly missed once, and after he left Reese was fortunate enough to escape twice, and then to carry out his bat. Apart from these blemishes, Reese's innings was a patient and dogged display, and his side were largely indebted to him for staving off a comnlete collapse. The fielding of the Aiistralians -was first-class. There always seemed to be a man in the way oi the ball, and they backed one another up in a style that was refreshing to witness. Nevertheless, enterprising batsmen would have obtained runs ior many hits that were never attempted. When the Australians went in again, Mayne and Bardsley gave an exposition of how runs should bo made without any wild or sensational batting. They scored smoothly and consistently from cvtrv bowler put on, and though live were tried, the batsmen made all appear easy. For a time the pair went neck and neck; then Mayne drew away with some boundary hits, and was fast approaching his century when Bardsley was caught. The two men put on no fewer than 168 runs —within nine of the total of the -whole New Zealand side. The latter are now in a hopeless position, and will bo very lucky if they can securo a draw. The game.was resumed at 11.40 a.m., Whitty and Fa«ey bowling as before. Only four were added when Lusk tried to drive the former, and was bowled. 60—i —22. Siedeberg found Faoey's pace too much for him, and had his leg stump flattened after an over or two. 61—5—1. Sims joined Reese, and cut his first ball for 4, but even with this, so slow was the scoring that 25 minutes were occupied in getting the first ten runs. Reese, after surviving a strong appeal for lbw., got into double figures and Sims followed suit with another cut to the fence, and 6ent a dangerous one through the slips, which reached the ropes. A similar, but safer, stroke off Whitty made him 20. He was then let off in the slips off Whitty's bowling, Armstrong failing to hold the ball. Reese drove Whitty hard to the boundary, bringing 100 up, and making 44 for 55 minutes' play. At 108 the first change was made in the bowling, Armstrong taking Faoey's pl><u:e. For his bowling, the field were spread out to the boundary—in strong contrast to the cluster of men behind the wicket when the fast bowler was on. Hopkins went on at the other end. Nothing came of tho change, except that Reese monopolised most of what little scoring there was, and just before lunch Warne replaced Hopkins. Five wero scored off the over, and at the luncheon adjournment the total had reached 135.

Oil resuming, Facey went on again, and his first ball proved fatal to Sims, who played round it. 135 —6—37. Brice, who was next, cut Facey hard, and, to all appearances, the ball was going to tho boundary, but Kelleway drew a round of applause by fielding it splendidly with ono hand. From the_ next ball Reese gavo a chance to the wicketkeeper, but it was apparently too hot to hold. The succeeding ball hit his pads, and there was a loud appeal for lbw.—again answered in the negative. Tho New Zealand skipper's score at tho time was 36- In the next over there was a similar appeal, without result. Brice drove Wbitty, who had come out again, to the fence, and Reese made his total 50. Ho then lost his partner-caught behind €:e wickets. 150 —7—B. As soon as Sandman came in, Reese snicked Facey into Gorry's hands. The ball bounced off his gloves, and Armstrong jumped for it and touched the ball, but could not hold it. Reese certainly could not complain of want of luck. Each man hit Whitty for 3, and Reese gob 6 off Facey's following over with the help of a sharp cut to the fence. Sandman should then have been stumped off Whitty; but ho sot back before the bails were off. Shortly ufter Facey bowled him with a trimmer, which just chipped one bail off. —3. When Bennett caino in Hopkins Vouevod Whitty, but it was Facey who continued to get tho wickets, Bennett's middle stump being knocked out of the ground at 177, and Boxshall being bowled in the same over, leavins Re«sso to carry out his bat for 69. Reese's score included eight fours. The Tasmanian bowler came out with the lino average of seven for 71, but the others tried wore not successful.

The Australians began their second innings at 3.50 p.m., - Bardsley and Mayne being the first batsmen. Br ice and Bennett were the bowlers. Botli men soared freely, and in half an hour 40 was on the board. This brought Sandman on in place of Bennett. Brictj's next over produced 16—10 to Mayne, who snicked him twice through the slips to the fence. Reese then took Brice'&i place. Mayne sent him to the leg boundary, and 20 came from Sandman's next over, 4 being byes. Mayno hit freely, making himself 50, and next over 100 appeared for 55 minutes' pLiy. This was in striking contrast to tli-a New Zealandcrs' batting, and yet neither man was forcing tb© pace. The bowlers were simply not ujy to their work, and invited punishment. Haddon was brought on for the first time in the match, but he had no better luck. Mayne put one luckily through the slips, but Brice could not reach it. Bardsley hit Haddon to square leg for 4, and then cut him to the fence, Lnsk misSelding it. Eleven runs came off that over, nearly all to Bardsley, who was now 50. Bricc was then put on at Sandman's end, and Reese took the ball again at the other end. The batsmen, however, were too well set to be disturbed, and 150 appeared at ten minutes past five, giving nearly two runs per minute. Brice, who had already given Boxshall one blow on the head, struck the -wicket-keeper with a ball which jumped up suddenly. Mayne Rave half a chance in the slips off his next delivery, but it did not £O direct to hand, and reached the boundary. Bennett relieved Brice, and at last a separation was effected, Bardslev being caught .it the wickets. 163—1—71. There were only seven fours in his score, which was largely composed of singles, and yet it only took him an hour and 35 minutes to compile. Whitty succeeded, and lifted Sandman over the rones to square leg. Stunufe were th«»n drawn at 5.30 p.m., Mayne being still in -with 89 to his cr<M?.it, made without a chance except the possible one in the slips. Scores: — NEW ZEALAKU First Innings. Lusk, b Whitty .. .. ... 22 Hemus, c Gorry, b Facer .. .. 0 Sele, Tun out .. .. .. .. 24 Haddon, b Facey .. ~ ~ 0 Reese, not out .. .. .. 69 yjedeberg. b Feoey .. .. .. 1 Sim*, b Facey .. .. .., .. i>> Brice, c Gorry, b Whitty .., ~.. 8

Sajiditiaji, b Face/ .. .. ..3 Bennett, b Facey .. .. .. 6 BcxsWi. b Fecey .. .. .. 0 Extras .. .. .. .. " Tcul 177 Bowling Analysis.—Whitty, IC3 bal!s. 4 maidens, 71 rura, 2 wickets; Facey, 168 bol.e. o maidens. 71 runs, 7 wkketa ; Armstrong. 36 balls, 2 maidens, 10 runs; Hopkins, 3G balls, 2 maidens, 13 runs; Werne, 6 balls, 5 runs AUSTRALIA. First Innings .. .. .»■ -• 260 Second Innings. •Mayne. not out .. -. .. K> Eardsley. c Bcxshcll, b Bennett .- 71 Whittv, not out .. .. .. S Eitrae .. .. ' .. .. H Total for one wicket .. .. 172