VISITORS AT THE WICKETS.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLIII, Issue 116, 14 May 1909, Page 5

VISITORS AT THE WICKETS.

TWO WICKETS DOWN FOR

EIGHT,

FIVE FOR 489

(Received May 14, 9.45 a.m.) LONDON, May 13. The weather was cold and windy for the commencement of the match Australians v. Essex; the wicket was fast, and the attendance moderate. ' Layer, O'Connor, Gregory, Carkeek and McAllister were omitted from the Australian team. The Australians won the toss, but opened badly. With the score at four and in the' fourth ball of the match [ Hartigan was taken at the wickets. Noble failed to score, playing tamely forward in the second over, his leg stump being knocked out. Two for 8. Ransford joined Bardsley, and the pair made a splendid stand. Before they were separated the score had been raised to 363. Bardsley played a masterly and stylish all-round game, being especially strong on the legside. Ransford did some fine cutting and leg-hitting. Neither batsman lifted the ball at all. Bardsley totted up 52 in an hour, the century appearing in 6.7 minutes. Bardsley's 100 took two hours;; his 150 was made in 1.75 minutes, and his 200 in 230 minutes. He gave a chance of being run out when he had made 70, and a chance at the wickets at 104. Ransford's 50 was posted in 70 minutes, and his century in 130 minutes. He played admirable aggressive cricket, and did not give a single chance. Trumper gave an exhibition of brilliant driving and leg-hitting. The batsmen.were assisted by faulty ground-fieldbig. Following are the scores.:— AUSTRALIA—Ist Innings. Hartigan, c Freeman, b Buckenham • 4 Bardsley, runout -219 Noble, b Bnckenham 0 Ransford, c Young, b Buekenham 174 Trumper, c Fane, b Reeves ... 74 Sundries • ••• 18 Total for 5 wickets ... 489