SUSPENSION OF TEST MATCH.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 72, 18 December 1907, Page 7

SUSPENSION OF TEST MATCH.

RAIN AND WICKETS FAUING.

AUSTRALIA'S TASK. THREE WICKETS DOWN-211 TO MAKE. OY TELEGItArH—ritESS ASSOCIATION—COPTBIGHT. (Rec. Dec. 17, 7.12 p.m.) Sydney, Decembor 17.' England's second innings was completed this morning for the samo total as was realised in Australia's first innings, 300 runs. ENGLAND'S INNINGS COMPLETED. When Braund and Fielder, tho two not out men; faced tho Australian bowling, the wickot, notwithstanding tho heavy rain' during the night, appeared hard. The Englishmen's innings terminated in tho first over. Fielder had knocked off half a Tlozen, and Braund a single, whSn the former got. leg before to Armstrong, and was out for. 6, Braund being left not out with 32. • Sundries (12) and the previous batsmen's figures made up the total to 300. Tho innings occupied five hours eight minutes. TRUMPER AND HILL FAIL. The weather was dull and cool when Trumpor and Macartney commenced the task of scoring the necessary 274 to make the first Test Match the property of Australia. Barnes and Fielder were entrusted with the bowling. Trumper disappointed his supportors, although tho ball that got him was one of Barnes's best. Nevertheless, the Paddington player is not the great batsman he was: 1 for 7. • Hill joined Macartney, but he was equally unfortunate. Fielder dug his off stump out after ho had xnado a single—2 for 12. ; CREAT TRUNDLiNC FIGURES. At this stago Barnes had- one wickfet' for 2, and Fielder one for 4. Despite assertions to tho contrary tho wicket was doing a bit lor the bowiers. Noble was next. Macartney played a good dct'ensivo game for forty-eight minutes and then Crawford snapped him up at point— 3 for 27. Armstrong followed, and some livelier play ensued. A light rain set in just before lunch. On resuming the drizzle continued at intervals. BETTER BATTiNG. Tho partnership improved the position, getting runs freely. Blythe and Crawford were tried, but gavo way. again to Barnes and Fielder. Armstrong at' 17 gave a chance to Hutchings in tho slips, but it was not accepted. Tho Englishmen were fielding magnificently although tho ball was greasy. A heavy rain squall then stopped play. After waiting for a couplo of hours, the riin continuing nil the -time,; the captains (Noble and Fane) and tho umpires examined tho wickot, and decided to cease play for tho day. Five thousand people were prosent. Tho following are the details of tho scores:— ENGLAND. First innings •■'i'..""*"!.*. 273 Second innings ... 300 Grand total ... ' ... ... ... 673 Bowling Averages. Saunders, four wickets for 68. Noblo, two wickets for 23. Cotter, two wickots for 101. Armstrong, one wicket for 33. Macartney, one wicket for 39. Hazlott, no wickots for 24. AUSTRALIA 1 . First innings ... ~.. 300 /SECOND INNINGS: Trumper, b. Barnes , 3 Macartney, c. Crawford, b. Fielder ... 9 Hill; b. Fielder ... ... ... . ... 1 Noble, not. out ... , ... 27 Armstrong, not out ... 17 Sundries ... ... G Total for 3 wickets ... 63 WEATHER OUTLOOK. (Rec. Dec. 18, 1.6 a.m.) , Sydney, December 17. To-night l there was only light rain, though the' sky is ovorcast.