PRESS' COMMENTS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXIV, Issue 149, 20 December 1907, Page 2

PRESS' COMMENTS.

A MOST EXCITING FINISH. AN ANXIOUS TIME. (Received December 20, 8.20 a.m.) SYDNEY, Tins Bay. The Herald says: — "There have been .1 fow exciting finishes on the Sydney ground, but none quite up to yesterday's, for anything might have- happened up to the last ball. Had Hazlitt losb his wickot there v;ns only R&uncUvs to come, and though he batted well in the match between the Englishmen and the Victorians in Melbourne it was almost reasonable) to expect lightning to strike twieo in the- ono spot as to got n. second, though moderate, score- from him. Everything at the finish depended upon Ilazhti and Cotter. The latter batted as though he. was a veteran. Thorp was nothing terrible about tho bowling, though tho uiokpt favoured a lot of work boing got on to the- ball. Ailav Armstrong and M'Alistor weie dismissed the oxcitomont of the spectators gradually increased until it reached fever boat. The wicket was getting easier and easier, and tho Englishman looking anxious as they saw Carter and Cotter piling on the tens. Thun with Carier out for the finest, innings, as far as it wont, for th-> mak-b, 56 runs wero required, and tv.o wickets to fall. Tlh'bp runs )\ore got under the most exciting conditions on record for the u,ioni;d. The scone at the finish was one that will li\v< long in the memories of thoio uho v.itnrt-si'd it, Uu; cheers lasting for a long tim" The Enghsiim«n oxpresK-' ?reat »m prise nt ths I'BcujoecaUvß noweis of the mound. '

Tho total takings for the match amounted to £3000. j Tho Daily Telegiaph says:— "Tho! rule to be 'deduced from experiencethat the English crickotevs play a bettei^ 'pinch' game- than |ho Australians owing, more than anything else, to tho considerable proportion of well-seasoned professionals in their teams. — found its oxroption yesterday on form, and in faco of bad weather conditions. It looked any odds on the visitors. Whether tho Australians played above tho form they showed in the iirst innings, and havo displayed generally this seif-on, are interesting but debatable questions. Tho best guide after all is the performances, regarding which tho Australians were a, decisively better team, since they led on tho first innings and in the second saved the match in spite of the strain, such a situation must subject the nerves to, and the disadvantage of a pitch, both ends of which wore miniature lakes tho day before." NOTES ON THE PLAY. When play was resumed the prospects of a victory for Australia were not bright. Everything depended on tho pitch, which, however, must have played well, although reported to be a bit sticky, for all l»ha batsmen, except Noble, made double figures, and only ona wicket fell to tho slow bowlers. Tho Australian captain was out at onco, which calls to mind Stoddart's dismissal first ball when England won the rubber in the memorable match at Melbourne in 1895. Gradually thence tho colonial chances improved, although at tho fall of each wicket the Englishmen still held 1 the advantage. The resolute stand by M'A'listcr and Carter brought victory within, reach, and tho wicket-keeper's aggregate is the Jiighest on his side. Ho relished the fast bowling. Wheoi Hazlitt joined Cotter tho crucial moment had arrived, and how splendidly tho youngster rose to tho occasion is now a matter of history. Votaries of the game will be ablo to record many failures — by both sides — on such occasions in tho past. It speaks well for the pluck of Cotter and Hazlitt that they weije not found wanting. Buns were made at a fast rato throughout, and the colt fittingly made the winning stroke. The Englishmen, like the colonials, made two misses in the field. Tho Australian victory was brought about by sterling ail-round play by its representatives, each of whom justified his selection. In tho second innings tho New Soulh Wales members notched 134 runs, and tho Victorians 132, co that tho runs were evenly divided. This game probably ros&mbles the Adela'i-do match with 'MacLaren's more than any other in the- series, when England scored 388 (Braund 103 not out, Hayward 90, Quaifo 68, and MacLaren 67) and 247 (Hayward 47, and MacLaren and Quaife 44 each), whilst "Australia totalled 321 (Hill 98, Trumper 65, and Gregory 55) and 315 for six wickets (Hill 97, Darling 69, and Trumblo 62 not out). So that young Australia's hsad will not be too much swollen, the fine win of Stodda-Tt's team at Melbourno in 1895 may be quoted. Australia batted first and made 414, and their second vonturo realised 267. Darling made 74, ,and 50, Gregory 70 and 30, Giffen 57 and 51, and Harry Trott 42 each innings. England put together 385 and 298 for four wickets. The following are the closest finishes iv the past in these contests :-— Oval, 1892, England won one wickot. Oval, 1890, England won two wickote. Manchester, 1896, Australia won three wickcte. Manchester 1902, Australia won Uiree runs. Sydney, 1885, Australia won 6 runs. Oval, 1882, Australia won seven runs. Sydney, 1894, England won 10 runs. Sydney, 1887, England won 13 runs. ENGLISH BATTING AVERAGES.

Gunn ... 2 0 119 193 96.50 Hardstaff . . D 1 255 484 60.50 Jones ... 7 0 119 349 49.85 Rhodes ... 10 4 70* 295 49.33 Braund ... 10. 1 160 424 47.11 Hutchingß ... 9 0 91 423 47. Fano ... 8 0 133 297 37.12 Crawford ... 10 0 114 276 27.60 Young ... 7 0 40 150 21.42 Burnos ... 8 1 33* 118 16.85 llobbs ... 3 0 26 50 16.66 Blytho ... 7 1 27* 87 14.50 Fioldor ... 7 3 1& 29 7.25 llayos ... 6 0 U 41 6.83 Humphrios .50 10 26 5.20 " Signifies not out. BOWLING AVERAGES. Fieldor 29 505 17,41 Blytho 22 406 ■ 18.45 Crawford 20 450 22.50 Brniind 23 537 23.34' Barnes 21 fa 36 25.52 Rhodes 9 ' 268 28.66 Hayes 1 50 50. llobba 0 2 — Tho runs hit against the English bowlors in tho last niatcli woro not correctly cnblod. It will bo seen that the three Notts mon occupy lop plade in Ihe batting, and tho Kont bowlers are at the head of tho bowling.