M.C.C. v. AUSTRALIA.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLII, Issue 6, 8 January 1908, Page 5

M.C.C. v. AUSTRALIA.

SECOND TEST MATCH.

ENGLAND WINS ON THE, POST.

[press association.] (Received Jan. 7, 9.13 p.m.) MELBOURNE, -Jan. 7. The weather to-day was again hot, and the wicket was good, but dusty, when the Englishmen began the task of getting the 123 runs required to win, with six wickets in hand. Noble opened to Hardstaff, Cotter bowling at the other end. Hardstaff made a fiuky single,"lafndthen hooked Cotter to skyward, m& was easily taken by Ransfortl. **- Rhodes, , yphj* followed^ j ,hit; ? one smartly to leg which MaieAiisteT failed to hold; it was a somewhat difficult jchance: ;": -• ■ ■•■•.'>■■' . ■ •'. ■" ■■■: At 184 Saunders replaced N.pble, 'and' sh6r%^after Armstrong weirfc 4ii in place of Cotter. - Braund then played cautiously at Armstrong's slow leg-breaks, but the fifth ball clean-bowled him, after 1 hour 43 minutes' batting. Crawford joined Rhodes, and the second century went up after 4 hours 41 minutes. Gradually the score crept up, but 76 runs were still required when Rhodes cut g. ball from Saunders and started to run. He saw- the hopelessness of it, and tried to regain his crease, but slipped, and Carter scattered the wickets.

Crawford, with Barnes as partner, played merrily for a short time; he then gave an easy chance to Armstrong, which was accepted. Humphries had played for a short time when the luncheon adjournment was taken 2 each batsman having 7 to his credit, and. as 61 were required to win the excitement became intense. A ball from Armstrong struck Humphries's pad, and he was given out 1.b.w., amid a great shout. He had played a slow innings of 44 minutes, knocking up only 16 runs. Fielder joined Barnes with 39 runs still required. When 28 were wanted Noble took the ball from Saunders. At 261 Cotter replaced Armstrong. The air was electrical, both* on the field and among the spectators. Seven,' runs were wanted when McArtney went on. Fielder scored short runs,-while Barnes played well and scored the winning hit, amid •an outburst of enthusiasm, after playing for 50 minutes.

The total innings occupied 6 hours 19 minutes.

■ •■ Following are the scores : — ENGLAND, 2nd Innings; Hobbs, b Noble ... ... .'.. ... 28 Gunn, 1.b.w., b Noble 0 Fane, b Armstrong ... ... ... 50 Hutchings; c Cotter, b McArtney 39 Braund, b Armstrong ... ... ... 30 Hardstaff, c Rahsford, b Cotter 19 Rhodes, run out ... ... / •... ... 15 Crawford, c Armstrong, b Saunders ..; ... ... ... 10

Humphries, 1.b.w., b Armstrong 16 Barnes, not out ... ... ...... 38 Fielder, not out ... ... 18 Extras ... ..-..■ 19 Total for 9 wickets ... ... 282 England thus won with a wicket to spare. .- : ■.. ■....■ • ■'■■■.-. : : -;;•.,. I Bowlijhg analysis: —Cotter 1 for 82, Armstrong 3 for 53, Noble 2 % 41, Hazlitt 0 for 8, MacArfcney 1 for 21^Saunders 1 for 58. , I The wickets fell as follows:—s for 162, 6 for 196, 7 for 198, 8 for 209, 9 for 243. ■ •■-.•