CRICKET.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume I, Issue 286, 22 November 1911, Page 2

CRICKET.

M.C'.C. v. VICTORIA. A CLOSE GAME. Melbourne, Nov. 21. There was perfect weather to-day. and an excellent wicket. Armstrong and Kyle bowled. Hitch drove Armstrong to the boundary, but tried to repeat the stroke and played the ball on his wicket. Mead succeeded and qsiiikly lost Rhodes who was out leg before. He had batted solidly for three hours, and hit two tourers. Hearne was next but was extra cautious ami succumbed to Laver, who relieved Kyle. Mead showed freedom bin was bowled neck and crop by a beauty. Foster and Douglas were not a long lived partnership. Armstrong dismissing Foster with his second ball, completely nonplussing the bastman. Armstrong captured 3 wickets to-day for 20. Laver at one stage had 2 wickets for <>. Woolb-y shaped itneomfortably and the end came quickly. Marrow taking both wickets, Iremonger playing on. The innings lasted 277 minutes. England's display was again disappointing. The collapse is attributed to the deceptive pace of the wicket, which was perfect.

It was arranged that if the match wa« no* <>v<-r to-night the team would play to-morrow from 11 to -2.3:i. Warner sailed by mail boat to Svdm-y to-dav. Hi- left instructions to foice the game in the hope of winning, but the batsmen observed defensive tactics.

Seitz and Kortlang opposed Foster and Douglas. The latter in his tiiirrl over clean bowled Seitz. Ransford began with four off I oster. but a period of dullness followed. Kortlang hit Foster hard to Hobbs and attempt.-d a hopeless run. He was unable to recover himself before Hobbs threw down the wicket. Smith f. liow. ’l and saw Ransford hit to the boundary off Douglas twice in • in-cession with a snick and drive. Both were batting btightly. Ransford scoring well to leg. an 'l Smith i iittino' ami driving. The .50 occupied .-/minute*. Ran-foul mishit ami wa* caught at slip. He had batted (;.-> minutes. Aim'tiong joined Smith v.'ho thrice drove Ib-aine to tin- off nppishh. making * in one over Arm strong made a lovely eg hit to bmimhuy <-1f Hearm-. and «tr lollowed by Smith with a brilliant square cut for four, bringing up the century in 99 minutes. On resuming Armstrong was dtsmissi d bv the fifth ball, which he ulaved on. Matthews saw Smith rei’ch si» m 69 minutes. When oo Smith gave a hard chance to the bowler. Iremonger. hour runs later Smith was missed tn the slips tv Rhodes iff Hitch. He then drove and snicked Hit eh for a fourer, passing his first innings score. Hobbs, at mid-off. returned the ball smartly. ;u;d fell on his right arm. winch lie Hi'ditlv injured, retiring temporarily. Smith’was eh< cred for a magnificent straight drive and snicking Hitch for two Diurers in succession. The 150 was registered :n 132 minutes. Matthews and Smith compiled 50 in 28 minutes, the fastest scoring in the match. Smith foolishly .attempted to run when Matthews called, and by ,a smart return from Rhodes at cover Smith was run out. He played brilliantly for 95 minutes and hit 10 fourrrs. Brown began busily. Matthews pulled Douglas for four, leaving a hundred to win. Two balls later he played on. Brown s innings lasted 28 minutes, and was marked by graceful amt beautiful timing. He hit 1 fourers. Laver and Kyle were, now togethc r. The 200 was registered in 186 minutes. Kyle foolishly ran himself out going for an impossible third run off Laver’s stroke. Smith v, as disappointed in .an unsuccessful appt al for stumping Carki ek off the last ball of the day. ENGLAND. First Innings Second Innings. JTobb*. c Matthews, b Armstrong 8* Kinneir. lbw, b Laver 12 Rhodes, 1.b.w., b Armstrong .. 66 Smith. I> Kyle ' Hitch, b Armstrong 13 Mead, b Laver 22 Hi .arne. c and b Laver 11 I-’i.'tr r. b Aimstrong 11 Douglas, mil out 5 Wool lev. b Maerow L’ Irl monger, b Marrow <> Extras 12 Total 231

Bowling analysis. —Laver three for 23. Maercw two for 30. Matthews none for 25. Kyle one for 69. Brown none for 19. Armstrong four for 56. The wivkets fell as follow 1 for IL 2 for 161. 3 for 169. 1 for 18-1, 5 for l'i9. 6 for 201. 7 for 213. > for 213. 9 for 231. VICTORIA. l'n*t mnines 2'l Second Innings. Seitz, b Doughs 3 Ransford. c Foster, b Iremonger 3-1 Smith, run out F,l Armstrong, b Iremonger 9 Matthews, b Doughs 24 Brown, b Foster 26 Laver, not cut U Kyle, run out 6 Carkrek. not out (l Extras 6 Total for 8 wickets 210