TEST CRICKET.

Evening Post, Volume LXXIX, Issue 72, 28 March 1910, Page 3

TEST CRICKET.

NEW ZEALAND v. AUSTRALIA. SATURDAY'S CHIEF FEATURES. On Saturday The Post got as far as 'Armstrong's dismissal in its account of the Second Test Match which began at noon on the Basin Reserve. Particulars of the afternoon's play are appended. THE GAME BEFORE LUNCH. When Reese lott the toss there was only one thing to do, and jßeese did it— he led his men into the field. Warne and Mayne began : the 'ormer, as is his wont, gently, apd Mayne having a dash. The Victorian (Warne) is always first man iv for his State, and has earned the reputation of being i dogged bat. Mayne, too, is a first man for South Australia, "and two years ago promised and did big things as a batsman. He cuts uo time- to waste, • but gets runs, or gets out. Thesb two be-, jgan in a modest manner, despite Mayne's opening fourer, and th* South Australian monopolised the scoring. Hi dices, pats, punches through the slips like an artist, and Bennett's, five slips could not prevent the batsman finding an opening. It was a nippy ball thai eventually disabled Mayne s middle stump. Brice sent down a ball of excellent length with a slight "come" in it, and whipping off the pitch. Warne did not lung survive his partner. Bennett tempted him and he felL For once in a while there was a genuine ring about Boxshall's appeal, and for once in a while he was sucoessfu 1 . . This is wprthy of note, for there are .so many times that the lively and impetuous Canterbury 'keeper merely appeals from force of habit. His catch was one of those sharp clever businesses that fetch tho grandstand, and Boxshall weP deserved the appreciation of the crowd. So far, he had only let one ball really past him, and then, probably, he laid odds, mental'}, on its doing something dangerous. Kelleway's dismissal ha<. already been noted, but there is a little more to say. It was undoubtedly a risky run, j a clean pick, up, and a hot return, but from the press teni It looked close enough for the umpire to hav«j given the batsman th* benefit of the doubt Obviously, the New South Welshman did not like the decision, and perhaps he had some grounds. Hie co-worker. Smith, opening steadily, soon got into his stride, and laid the wood on to a nice tune. He is a big fellow, with plenty of (Ush, and when he gets on hi& toes for a drive it's long odds that' one may consider the ball as. on the ropes or thereabouts. O r the punishing type of batsman, he know?, too, when to practise restraint, and barring one weak stroke, nevei looked like getting out. ONE HUNDRED UP. ■Smith (who had been joined by Bardsley) quiet up till now, began again, and with a nice cut to .the fence made his own score 50, and the total exactly double — the century up. The succeeding ball he opened up again, and j lifted the Petone bowler straight and high to the rink. Again, with a beautiful leg glance, Smith put Brice down to the rink at tine leg — one of the best strokes of the match. Fourteen off Brice's over and 110 on the board. Smith, laying tne wood on unmercifully, banged Bennett twice to the off boundary — both strokes having the full face of the bat on. Twelve runs from this over of Bennett's, and 123 on, with Smith 69 and going strong, Foui? byea passed Smith^" ' pads, and then the Richmond colt, trying to drivo Brice, spun the ball up high behind the wickets.. Sims, in the slips, lost sight of the ball, and only realised there was a chance when too late. Boxshall let another one (from Bennett) to the-boun-dary, following which the batsman snicked a clever single off Smith's stroke down the off. SMITH'S CENTURY. . Bardsley, meanwhile, had become quiet, his partner monopolising the bowling. He continued playing dashing cricket, and lifted Brice high down to long leg for four. Turning -again to the Petone fast bowler, Smith, with a bril. liant drive, lifted one clean over the ropes to the on, amidst applause. Score 150, and Smith 80. The dasher went on with his game, and treated the newly-arrived Reese in the same merciless fashion. He swung Reese round to leg twice to the track, and ran to 97 in no time. Then, facing Sandman, who had relieved Bennett at the north end, Smith got his century by back cutting tho colt for four. A little later the Richmond player, lashing at Reese, was dean bowled. 185 — 5—5 — 102. The Victorian had played an innings very good to. watch, and bright, clean, sparkling cricket. His score included 15 fours and a six. At one time he got five boundaries In succession. EMERY'S DASH. It was now Emery and Bardsley, the record-holder playing himself in slowly and cautiously. Things quietened some until Emery, swinging into Reese, lifted the ball clean on to the tram-track — a nice sixer. He sent the next ball to the rink. The batsman ran short runs venturesomely, and once Bardsley was nearly- thrown out. The tantalising tactics got the field a bit rattled, and once, when the wicket had been hit by a return, the batsmen added a daring single with the ball a iew yards away. Then Bardsley put his leg in front to Brice, and the telegraph read : 233—6 — 36. Ho had made his runs by patience and clever placing. Brice went on to greater successes, and was doing astonishingly well against the persistent wind. Hopkins came in, and cut Bennett to the rink sweetly. But he did not last long, as, after getting 8, Brice found his pad in front, and thine international had to go. 247 — 7—B.7 — 8. The batsman appeared surprised at the decision, but the appeal was pretty unanimous. Facey, the fast bowler, who is credited with being a rough-and-ready sort of bat, followed, but received short shrift, as the Petone man, two balk later, rocked one down fast outside tho off-stump, and when Facey snicked it Sim snapped up the catch. 247 — B—o. Brice had taken two wickets in the over. . A QUIET FINISH. Whitty sent up 250 with a fourer to the oji off Bennett, who had not reaped the advantage it wa* anticipated for him with the wind at his back. Three runs later Sandman relieved Bennett, and with his first .ball beat and bowled Emery with a break-back, the batsman playing back in a~ vain effort to keep the ball out of his wicket. 253—9—32, and the end well in sight. Emery had kept the field racing. His bitting was a mixture of recklessness and clean hitting. Just here the men were about to adjourn for afternoon tea, but beforo ihey quite reached the pavilion the crowd, guessing their intention, and noting that but one wicket was to fall to conclude the innings, voiced its disapproval. The game was resumed, and Gorry arrived only to see Whitty lift one from Sandman high to mid-on, where Sim, on the stand rails, took a inely- judged catch. 260—10—8. GENERAL COMMENT. Smith's forceful batting saved the visitors' first innings from mediocrity. With one exception he- was always at home to the bowling, and he hit with rare power. Hts leg strokes are, perhaps, his weakest, but he makes the most of hie reach

and strength on the drive, forward or straight. His square cutting was crisp and clean, and it w»» seldom he lifted a ball. It was rather surprising, when he was pasting Brice and Reese down long-on, that no man was placed there to block him. Of the attack, Brice's performance speaks for itself. Especially after lunch did the Petone captain bowl splendidly, the wind now and again assisting him to get on that delusive swerve which probably accounts for so many l.b.w. decisions that have fallen to the lot of the fast bowler. Bennett trundled perse veringly, but was kept on much too long. Sandman bowled like one ner\ous, and in the beginning sent down a lot of rubbish, some of which beat even Boxshall, who must not be blamed for nearly all the "extras." And why was Haddon not given a turn at the bowling ciease? Surely he is not in the team for his batting alone. Reese (himself) s»nt down a f*w — very few — good ones, and some of these were better than the one he got -Smith with. SOME KEEN FIELDING. Sale and Sim fielded brilliantly for their side, the former at point combining some d»ver stops with a deadly return, which w»s» good to watch. Sim took | two sound catches, ami otherwise did , well. Before lunch, Boxshall's work with the gloves was reminiscent of his best days, and tho catch that scut Warne back. one of the bast. The Canterbury 'keeper took the fast stuff artistically until he tired. Haddon's fieldioK was hut moderate, and he let one ball tbtough his hands (on the ground) — a bad miss. Hemus, on the rink, covered a lot of ground, and Lusk, at leg, made at least one clever saye. NEW ZEALAND BATTIN6. THE THREE AUCKLANDERS OUT. At abodt 4.30 Hemus, the Auckland champion, and Lusk (Canterbury), who has not had much lnck this season, opened for New Zealand. Whitty, from the South end, sent down a maiden to Lusk. Facy, with the wind behind him, got Hemus's wicket with the fourth delivery. The batsman flicked at a kicking ball, and Gorry, standing back at short stop, held the catch. o^l—o. Sale, another Auckland representative, followed, and begaii confidently. After a period of quiet play, he cut Whitty to the stand rails, sending up double figures, and Lusk, at the other end, chopped Facy to the ropes. Sale, batting more freely than his partner, ' legged one for three, and shortly after Lusk, having another go at the Tastnanian's fast stuff, snicked one "high and just clear of Emery's hands at second slip. Sale continued the tjood work by wristily bock-cutting Facy for four. Then Lusk nearly lost the number of his mess when • he went out to drive Whitty and narrowly escaped playing it on. To atone for the mistake, the Canterbury representative smote the left-hander, who, thus far, was not doing too well against the wind, to the boundary at long on. The scoring had brightened up perceptibly, both batsmen putting the wood on with confidence. . SALE RUN OUT. At 40 Lusk was given a life. He j drove Facy to Whitty at mid-on, and ' the fieldsman dropped an absurdly easy chance. ' Tho ball went ■ straight into Whitty's hands and out again, Lusk was lucky, and destined not to. be dismissed tuat day. The separation came four runs later. Sale cut Facy down to third man, and dashed off. Lusk, rightly or wrongly, did not respond, nor had he • called. The ball came back fast, and Sale did not attempt to get back. 44 — 2—24. It was a foolish misr take. It appeared as though Lusk, had he backed up resourcefully, could have got the run. The retired Aucklander had made his runs in good style, and looked safe to survive till to-day. Two Aucklanders out, and Reese sent in the. third — Haddon. His was a sudden decease, Jfor Facy bowled him neck and crop the first attempt, the batsman losing sight of the ball. 44—3—0. The light, at this, had become dull, and the wind cold, lleese joined Lusk, and opened his account with a four to leg off Whitty. At stumps, Lusk was 20 not out, and Reese 6 not out. Details are as follow :—: — AUSTRALIA.— First Innings. Mayne, b Brlee 13 Warne, c Boxshall, b Bennett . . 7 Kelleway, thrown out, b Bennett ... 14 Smith, b Reese . . * 102 Armstrong, b Brice ... . ... 6 Bardsley, lbw., b Brico 36 Emery, b Sandman i>2 Hopkins, lbw., b Brice ... 8 Facey, c Sims, b Brico 0 Whitty, c Sims, b Sandman 8 Gorrv, not out ... 3 Extrss 31 Total . . 260 Bowling Analysis. Overs. Mdns. Runs. Wkts. Brice ... 18 1 70 5 Bennett ... 18 4 71 1 Reeso ... 9 — 66 1 Sandman ... 7 — 52 2 NEW ZEALAND.— First Innings. Lusk, not out . 20 Hemus, o Gorry, b Facey 0 Sale, run out 24 Haddon, b Facey 0 Reese, not out 6 Extras 6 Total for three wickets 56 Bowling Analysis. Overa. Mdns. Runs. Wkts. Whitty ... 9 3 22 — Facey ... 9 0 28 2 HAWKES BAY t. WELLINGTON. BMALL SCORES. NAPIER, 26th March. In the interprovincial match Hawkes Bay v. Wellington, the visitors had lost seven wicket 6 for 147 when the luncheon adjournment was taken. On resuming, Fenton took up the bowling, and, off his fifth ball. Aldersley .was caught in the outfield by Anderson. 146—8 — 11. Hales then became associated with Smith, the latter soon afterwards bringing 100 up, but, a couple of balls later, Smith was clean bowled by Fenton. 154—9—12. The last man, Hickey, had only added two when Fenton found his stumps, and the innings closed for 156. Hawke and Smyrk were the first to appear for Hawkes Bay, and seven were scored off the first over. Twenty appeared on the board for less than fifteen minutes* play, and, five minutes later, another 10 had been added. Three runs later, however, Smyrk poked one into the hands of the bowler, Hickey, and retired. 33—1—14.- Hawke, Fulton, and Macassey left in quick succession.' Fenton was next, but he had only scored seven when he put an easy one into Hales's hands. 4V — 5—7.5 — 7. O'Brien was seventh man, and 50 soon afterwards appeared for. fifty minutes' play. O'Brien's, stay wa6, however, only a short one, Hickey finding his sticks when he had made ' three. 53 — 6—3.6 — 3. Bafley now partnered Hindmarsh, anil these two made something of a stand. At 82 Finlayson relieved Hickey, and, when 91 had been scored, he effected a separation by clean bowling Bailay. 91—7—16. Anderson was next, but soon lost Hindmareh, who retired, bowled by Finlayson, for a weil-played 24. 96—8—24. Ashcroft came in with the ball. The century went up for an hour and a half's play, and, when a couple had been adoed, Anderson was bowled by Kinvig. .102—9 — 2. The last man, -Nelson, did not score, and the innings closed for 105. opened their second iuuirgß, and when time was called th«

score stood at 64 for three wickete. Scores: — WELLINGTON.— First Innings. H. Burton, c and b Fenton . 6 A. Birch, c Ashcroft, b Nelson ... 62 F. A. Midlane, c Smyrk, b Fulton . . 22 E. Roberts, lbw., b Fulton . ... 28 J. D. Kinvig, b Nelson ... 0 W. Patrick, c Fulton, b Nelson . 2 A. Finlayson, st. Asheroft, b Nelson 7 A. Alderslev, o Andersen, b Fenton 11 P. Smith, *b Fenton 12 A. Hales, not out 5 iC. Hickey, b Fenton *. 1 Byes 2 Tot»l 156 Bowling Analysis. — Fenton, four wickets for 42 runs; Nelaon, four for 55; Smyrk, none for 15; Fulton, two Cor 42. Second Innings. H. Burton, c M«c««eT, b Fenton . . 20 A. Birch, b Fenton 21 F. A. Midlane, b NeUon 6 E. Robert*, not out 4 J. D. Kinvig, not out 9 Byes . . ... , 4 Total for three wickeU 6? Bowling Analysis. — Fenton, two wickcti for 31 runs; Nrlsoti, ono for 29. HAWKES BAY.— Pint Inning*. E. W. Smyrk. o and b Hickey* . . 14 G. Hawke, lbw.., b Patrick 20 J. E. MacassQy, b Patrick . ... 3 P. R. Fulton, b Patrick . .. 0 J. Hindmarsh, b FinUyson ... 21 A. Fenton, c H«le«, b Hickey ... 7 J. O'Brien, b Hickey 3 B. Bailey, b Finlayso'n 16 X. Anderson, b KiVirig 2 P. Ashcroft, not out F. A. Nelson, b Finlayson 0 Byes g Total - ... 105 Bowling Analysis.— Hickey, three wickets for 49 runs; Patrick, three for 33; Finlayson, threo for 10; Kinvig, one for IN OTHER CENTRES. MARLBOROUGH AND WAIRARAPA. MASTERTON, 27th March. The cricket match between the Wairarapa and Marlborough representatives was concluded on Saturday. The match was wob by Marlborough,* who knocked up 172 in the first innings against Wairarapa's poor ccore of 79. In the second innings. Marlborough compiled 105 for four wickets, and declared their innings closed. Wairarapa made a better stand in their second innings, and succeeded in registering a score of 176, batting one man short. MANAWATU AND PAHIATUA. PALMERSTON N., 26th March. A match between teams representing Pahiatua and Manawatu was played to-day. Pahiatua scored 133, and Manawatu 241. BULLER v. WEST COAST. WESTPORT, 26th March. The annual cricket match, Buller v. West Coast, was concluded today, Buller winning o.y 12 runs.