CRICKET.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume II, Issue 49, 10 February 1912, Page 2

CRICKET.

FOURTH TEST MATCH. ENGLAND v. AUSTRALIA. HOME TEAM OUT FOR 191. VISITORS- NO WICKETS FOR 51. Melbourne, Feb. 9. There was pleasant weather and the attendance was lair for the start of the fourth test match. Mael.aren, Strudwiek. Hitch. Kinnair and Irenionger were omitted. England won the toss and sent Australia in on a soft wicket. Horderir and Kelleway opened to Fostei and Barnes. The first score was a no ball from Foster whom Hordern glanced to leg, the ball cannoning off the wicket-keeper s pad to Barnes in slip. The appeal was disallowed as the ball touched the ground on the way to Barites. Twenty was -scored in half an hour. Kellewav was the busiest, citicfiy at the expense of Foster, who was bowling leg theory stuff with three fieldsmen close in. At 33 M oolley relieved Foster. Hordern legged him off che second ball to the fence, reaching double figures in 38tnins. The bowlers had difficulty in securing a firm foot hold, and sawdust was used freely. Barnes had all the fieldsmen save leg close in in hopes of a catch. The wicket was kicking frequently. Hordern skied Barnes, and Mead made a fine hut ineffective attempt at a catch. The first 50 occupied an hour. Then Barnes, who had delivered ten overs for is runs, was relieved by Rhodes. Kolleway. who had batted soundly 7, cut AVoolley into Hearne’s hands at point—one for 53. He was in 74niins. and hit 4 fourers. With Baidslcy’s appearance the field deepened. After Rhodes had bowled two overs, Barnes resumed and dislodged Hordern’s leg stump—two for 53.

.Alter lunch disasters came quickly. Trumper joined Bardsley. who was cautious for 19mm. Mien he was bowled off b.is pad-—three for 69. Hill was next and had a magnificent reception from the spectators. Trumpet- settling down apparently after two charming cuts which he hit in one over off Foster was clean bowled —four for 74. Armstrong was beaten by Barnes' break back —five for 83. Mirnott opened with a weak stroke off Barnes, cocking the ball dangerously close to Douglas at point. The batsmen were keen and were cheered for smart running between the wickets. The scoring was slow. Barnes and Foster were bowling magnificcntlv, and the fielding was excellent. Rhodes was applauded for brilliantly stopping a cannon-like shot l>y Hill to short leg. Hill next glanced Barnes for 4, hoisting the century in LlOmins. When 10 Minnett gave a chance in the slips to Douglas off Barnes. When 14 Minnett drove Baines back forcibly- to the bowler, who touched the ball with his left hand. At 120 Woolley relieved Foster. Minnett. when 18. narrowly escaped being run out Woolle.v failing to take the return from Gunn at short leg. Hill was caught off a straight drive in the deep field. He gave a fine display and was in 61mins.. hitting 1 fourer. He was cheered —six for 124. Ransford succeeded, and Minnett twice in succession back cut and legged Barnes for 4, next cutting Barnes for 2. He secured 30. the top score, amid cheers. At 139 Hearne relieved Barnes. JRansford was lOmins. before scoring. He was hampered by his thumb, which was injmed in the third test.

After ten Barnes and b osier bowled. Ran«ford was easily caught at second slip off the last Niall of the first over- seven for 152. Matthews joined Minnett, who pulled and off drove Foster twice to the boundary, reaching 50 in 75mins./He was caught next over in the deep field at sqmi'e leg. He batted well on a triekv wicket though he made some ciude strokes. He was _n b<) mins., and hit 6 fourers—eight for 165. Cotter came next, and the field deepened. Matthews mishit and skied Barnes behind the wicket, giving an easy catch —nine for 170. Cotter Fried Foster high to square leg for four amid cheeis. (alter again swept Foster to the boundary, and magnificiently off drove him for 4. He was beaten attempting to lift Barnes. The innings lasted 224mins.

Hobbs and Rhode, opened to Cotter and Kolleway. Hobbs legged Cotter's first for 3. The b,atsmen veto iiiimed'ately aggro:sive and scored quickly by smasiz'running. At 26 Armstrong relieved Cotter and Matthews Kellewav, and soon after [iordcru relieved Armstrong. Steady scoring and attractive play continued. The wicket improved. Tin weather was perfect. The attendance was 16.556, and the takings £616. Scores: —

AUSTRALIA. First Innings. 7 Hordern, b Barnes 10 Kellewav, e Hearne, b Woolley.. 29 Bardsley, b Foster 0 Trumper. I) Foster 1 ' Armstrong, b Barnes 7 Hill, c Hearne, b Barnes 22 Minnett, c Rhodes, b Foster .... 56 Hansford, c Rhodes, b Foster 4 Matthews, c Gunn, b Barnes .... J Cotter, b Barnes >5 Carter, not out 6 Extras Total 191 Bowling Analysis. —Barnes five wickets for 74, I uster four tor <<- Woolley- one for 22, Rhodes none for 7, Hearne none for four. ENGLAND. First Innings. Hobbs, not out Rhodes, not out Extras 1 Total for no wickets 54 r.P(V ; l oll'fll’S (.RITH’I>M. Sydney. Feb. 9.

With reference to the recent cable-

n-ram the chairman ami secretary of Om 'Bm-.rd Um-Prol sav Ilia’ Spoffcuib has s<> long been out of tomh with Australian cricket that he does n,.t know the altered conditions and is not in a position to criticise.