CRICKET.

Evening Star, Issue 11188, 13 March 1900, Page 4

CRICKET.

M.C.C. v. OTAGO,

To the home players attaches the dual honor of making the only draw of the tour and.the highest score registered in the colony against the Melbourne Cricket Club's leant. Nor was the 208 compiled yesterday* afternoon the result of a very big individual score ; it was compiled mainly by five men, and when stumps were, drawn at six.o’clock with two wickets in hand one of the principal contributors was still “ going strong." In declaring their innings closed at the luncheon adjournment, when they had a lead of 305 runs, the. Victorians were fullv confident of being able to dislodge the Otago Eleven in the three hours and a-half remaining for play, but the homo players, batting one and all with confidence, made au unexpected stand, and afforded the spectators a really good defensive display. Singularly enough, Wilkie and Siedeberg, who have been to the fore throughout the season in club matches, were- failures in both innings, while Fisher, who, on the season’s form, was not worthy of a place, once more showed that it is in big matches that his usefulness is demonstrated. As usual, Johnston and Baker were the pioneer batsmen tor Otago. Trumble and Cave opening the attack. ' The latter did nearly all the scoring, and it was not till JO had been hoisted that a separation was effected, when Johnston, with 7 to his credit, was snapped up by the wicket-keeper. Only three more runs had been added when a heavy shower caused a few minutes’ cessation of hostilities. The break proved ttnfortuua.te for Baker, for the very first ball sent down—and it. was a trimmer—by Trumble clean bowled him. 44—2 30. ihe outgoing batsman had scored some nice strokes, and if h:s style is not attractive, it cannot be gainsaid that be is a consistent scorer. The Otago captain now associated himself with Austin, and runs came freelv. the century being hoisted as the result in’ eighty minutes’ play. Up lo this stage Trumble and Cave had bowled unchanged, but on Austin completing his half-century soon after Fry relieved liis brother professional. In his next over Trumble bowled Austin. the retiring batsman had shown some really stylish cricket, thou<»h_ his innings ‘ was * not faultless! 115—-5 —52 let Siedeberg in, but the incomer, after scoring 4, was caught off a wretched stroke in the slips. 119—1 —4, and the field were as alert'as kittens, and hoped to sec the end of the innings before the call of time. Wilkie joined his captain, but did not remain long, the telegraph showing 152—5—5 after'he had returned one from Fry into Jennings’s hands. I'isher was inclined.lo be. reckless till a word of caution from his captain steadied him. and from that out he played in his attractive style of two or three seasons ago, though he failed to get several on the Teg side delivered by Fit. The score was increased, mainly by Fisher’s efforts, to 179, when Frv went on at his old end, and his third hall Geddes returned to him. The Otago skipper had seen the score carried fiom 44 to 179. and his own individual contribution was 40. From the jump lie refused to lake any liberties with the howling, and when a draw was in view he acted purely on as may be judged from the lact mat he never scored during his last fifteen minutes’ occupation of the crease. Alick Downes, the next'man. natnrailv put some life into the game. A single to Fisher brought 180 in sight. Two 2’s to Downes off Trumble,, and a 4 off the same bowler, followed hv a 3 to Fisher, caused 190 to appear. Downes drove Fry beautifully tor 2. and followed it up by cutting the'same bowler nicely for 4. Two byes and a single to Downes brought, the second century ill sight. Downes then placed Trumble, on in the wicket, and made' way for Webb. 200—7—i5. Two singles, to Fisher, and Webb was run out without, scoring. 202—8—0. Williams went to the wickets, and hit Frv for 4, got the same bowler awav tor n single, and then hit one hard, to Graham at .square-leg, and the fieldsman made a splendid .attempt to hold it. Time was then oalleid. with the score at 208 for eight, wickets. The following are the scores : Otago. First Innings ... ... ... ... iqo Second Innines. ■T. Baker, 23234-221 M2!l, b Tremble ... ... H i W. Johnston. I Hill, c Ross, hj Give 7 C. tr. Austin, 21341 33211221312241114321, b Trumble ... 50 A. E. Ctcdrtfs, 1212241121111121211141, c andb Fry ... ... ... ... ... 40 H. <;. Siedeberg, 22, c Mailer, b Trumble ... 4 K. M'ilbie, 21, r -b-nn'nas, b Fry ... J A. 11. Fisher. 21i1Hi2:2121-m2il3U, not out 3!) A. I'.-mmes, 22-1241, I. Trumble ]5 W. V. ebb, run out ... ... ... ... (1 F. Williams, 411, not put ... ... ... d Eyes. 22142 ... ... .. [['_ 14 v Leg-bye, 1 ... 1 Eight w'ckots for ... ... ... 208 DOWLING ANALYSTS. (tiers. Aldus, Runs. Wkts. Cave H) 3 • on 1 Trumble ... 33 8 91 4 Fry If, 6 38 2 Mailer 3