ENGLAND BAT FIRST.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLIII, Issue 143, 15 June 1909, Page 5

ENGLAND BAT FIRST.

INNINGS CLOSES FOR 269. A DIFFICULT WICKET. (Received June 15, 9.15 a.m.) LONDON, June 14. The weather to-day was hot and drying. The wicket was difficult at the outset, but less treacherous than was expected. Eighteen thousand spectators were Carkeek, Whitty,Hartigan and O'Connor on the Australian side, and Jayes and Fry on the English, were, omitted. Noble won the toss, and put England in. The latter in their first innings made 269, the scores being as follows: — ENGLAND, Ist innings. Hay ward, st Carter, b Layer ... 16 Hobbs, c Carter, b Layer ]» Tyldesley, lbw, b Layer 4b . Gunn, lbw, b Cotter •••••• ••- f:\ King, c Macartney, b Cotter ... 60 MacLaren, c Armstrong, b Noble / Hirst, b Cotter ol Jones, b Cotter ......... ... « Relf, c Armstrong,, b Noble ... 1/ Lilley, c Bardsley, b Noble 4/ Haigh, not out ••• 1 Sundries .' ••• .•lt> Total •• - 269 Bowling analysis: Layer 3 for 75, Macartney 0 for 10, Cotter 4 for 80, Noble 3 for 42, Armstrong 0 for 46. THE PLAY. Macartney and Layer opened the bowling, Hayward and Hobbs batting resolutely. At 21 Cotter relieved Macartney, and in Layer's next over Hobbs, who was at the wickets halr-an-hour, was taken at the wickets by Carter. One for 23. Hayward hit a couple of fourers in one over off Cotter; then in Layer's next over he played forward and was finely stumped on the leg-side. He batted soundly for 55 minxites. Two for 41.

Tyldesley • and Gunn were now together, but the .latter got his leg before after scoring a single. Three for 44. Tyldesley was playing steadily, but his partner, King, was uneven. The field was admirably placed, and the bowling was steady. At lunch the Gcore was 3 wickets for 82, Tyldesley being credited with 26 for 85 minutes' play. On resuming King commenced with two fourers off Layer's first over. Cotter registered a coupls of wides. Tyldesley scored with more freedom, but at 46 he got out leg-before to Layer after a watchful, sound innings lasting 115 minutes. He hit three fourers. Four for 123. His partnership with King lasted 75 minutes. After Tyldesley's departure King played cautiously. His partner, MacLaren, had an adventurous half-hour, being nearly bowled and nearly treading on his wicket. Noble and Layer were bowling steadily. King got his half-century in 125 minutes, without giving a chance. MacLaren, in attempting a drive, put up one in the slips to Armstrong. His seven runs were the result of two hits. His innings occupied 40 minutes. Five for 149.

Hirst siicceeded. The batsmen were awaiting their chances, as the fielding was smart, esjjecially that of Macartne3 T, while Carter was wicketkeeping finely. King was taken brilliantly at point from a full-pitcher by Macartney off Cotter. He was at the wickets 160 minutes, and hit six fourers. Six for 175. At the tea adjournment Jones succumbed to a fine ball from Cotter. Seven for 199. On resuming, Hirst, in trying to turn a straight one from Cotter, lost his wicket after a good innings lasting 75 minutes. Eight for 205. Relf and Lilley then became partnered. The latter scored smartly. The former gave Armstrong a catch off Noble. Nine for 248. Haigh, the last man, added a single, and then Lilley sent one up to Bardsley, and the innings terminated . AUSTRALIA AT THE WICKETS. Australia have lost no wickets for 17: — McAllister, not out 4 Layer, not out ... 13