CRICKET.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue 7389, 15 February 1902, Page 2

CRICKET.

FOURTH TEST MATCH.

Received February 14, 6.48 p.ml

Sydney, February 14. Great interest is being taken in the fourth test match. Special trains are bringing crowds .of country visitors, while there is a large contingent from other States. A splendid wicket was provided, and the match opened with glorious weather and a light, cold breeze.

Maclaren's luck was again in evidencs, and winning the toss he elected to bat first as usual. The opening i partners were Maclaren and Hayward, who faced Noble and Saunders. After the former had sent down a maiden, Hayward set the score going with a single off the Victorian. Play was slow and cautious, Maclaren being fifteen minutes at the wickets before he essayed a run. Saunders particularly gave tho batsmen trouble ; indeed, right through Hayward's innings he was never at home with him, and the excellent fielding all round had its effect on run- getting. Noble was marvellously smart at point. Hayward and Maclaren now had sixteen apiece, while each bowler had 16 debited to him. Maclaren added another seven, when he had a hie, driving one hard back to Saunders, who failed to hold it. Fifty up appeared as the result of 66 minutes work. Saunders, with a magnificent ball, dislodged Hayward's bails. The Surrey professional had scored faster than his captain, his score including eight 4's. One wicket for 73.

Tyldeßley, the newcomer, sent Saunders' next ball . to tbe boundary. In the next few minutes Maclaren brought his half century and first century of the innings up. The task occupied just on a couple of hours. Tyldesley got into double figures and then relapsed into dull play. The tea adjournment intervened with the score at 174, the product of three hours cricket.

After tea Maclaren brought his innings to an end. He made a bad stroke, lifting Saunders high to Duff at raid-off, who effected a splendid catch. He made fifteen 4's, and was at the wickets for throe hours and a quarter. Two wickets for 179.

Quaife filled the vacancy, and Tyldesley became more aggressive, but Quaife, after adding four, touched Saunders into Kelly's hands. Three for 188.

Jessop, amidst cheers, followed, and the field spread out, but to the manifest disappointment of the spectators the demon tried an off which went safely into Noble's hands at point. Pour for 188.

Braund filled the vacancy, and narrowly missed being stumped off Saunders, who had obtained his last tbree wickets at a cost of si: runs. Tyldesley, who was playing soundly, reached his half century, while the second century appeared for 3 hours 50 minutes play, Tyldeßley, by.magnificent flashing cuts, raised the score rapidly, and made the hit of the day — a great high drive over the fence. Braund met his fate at Trumble's hands. He tried to get the ball round to leg, but got out leg before. Five for 225.

McGahey followed, and Tyldesley kept on scoring smartly. McGabey had scored eight when he put one hard to Hopkins, who daehed at it, 'got his left hand on the ball, but failed to hold it. The next ball terminated Tyldesley's useful innings, as he placed one from Noble into Kelly's hands. He had made fourteen 4's in the 2 hours 54 minutes of his stay at the wickets. Six for 245. Lilley joined McGahey, and tbe pair played out to time. England. — First Innings. Maclaren, c Duff, b Saunders ... 92 Hayward, b Saunders 41 Tyldesley, c Kelly, b Noble ... 79 Quaife, c Kelly, b Saunders ... 4 Jessop, c Noble, b Saunders ... 0 Braund, 1.b.w., b Trumble 17 McGabey, not out 18 Lilley, not out 10 Extras 5 Total for six wickets 266 Sydney, This Day. The weather is dull, buixproniiaes to be fine for the second day of the cricket match.