AUSTRALIA'S FIRST INNINGS.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLIII, Issue 144, 16 June 1909, Page 5

AUSTRALIA'S FIRST INNINGS.

CENTURY BY RANSFORD. (Received June 16, 9.10 a.m.) LONDON, Ju:ne>ls. . Australia in their first innings made ~;350, the scores being as follows::— AUSTRALIA—Ist Innings. McAllister, 1.b.w., b King ... 22 Layer, b Hirst ••• ■••■•• 14 Bardsley, b Relf : ••• 46 Armstrong, c Lilley, b Relr ... 12 Ransford, not out 143 Trunrper, c MacLaren, h Relf ... 28 Noble, c Lilley, b Relf 32 Gregory, c Lilley, b Relf 14 •Cotter, run out 0 Macartney, b Hirst ... ... ... 5 Carter., b Hirst ... ••• '••• ••• ' Sundries ... ... — • 27 Total ... ... ... - 350 .Bowling analysis: Hirst 3 for 83, iKing 1 for 99, Relf 5 for 85, Haigh f.O,for 41, Jones 0 for 15. DETAILS OF THE PLAY. The weather was dull to-day, ; but ■vthe wicket was excellent. Hirst and Haigh opened the bowling. Layer had added only a single to his overnight score when Hirst him. Onß ior 18. The batting, was very careful, with -steady bowling. McAllister was playing sound cricket. Bardsley commenced by hitting three fpurers to leg. The half-century went up for 50 minutes' play. McAllister got out legpbefore in King's second over. He was at the wickets B5 minutes^ and Ms partnership with Bardsley lasted '<55 minutes. Two for 84.

The New South Welshman had now compiled 40,, ."having made many lucky strokes in the slips. A few minutes later he lost his wicket by a wild stroke. He batted for 85 minutes. He made an excellent start', but gave a poor exhibition afterwards. His score included six fourers. Three for DO.

Armstrong and Ransford were now together. The former played indifferently, font the latter opened promisingly. Armstrong, after making 12, was taken at the wickets. Four for 119. Trumper joined the Victorian 2 who was hatting brilliantly, leg-hitting and cutting beautifully. He was nearly taken in the slips at 13 by MacLaren off King. Trumper gave a hard chance at point to Hayward off the same bowler before he scored. The century was recorded in 105 minutes, but the next 50 were reeled off in 35 minutes. At the luncheon adjournment Ransford had knocked off 50 in an hour, including 8 fourers. After lunch the weather became gloomy, but the attendance increased rapidly. The Victorian gave a chance at the wickets at 56 off King, and was again badly missed at 61, by Jones at second slip off Relf; then Trumper was dismissed by a fine catch by MacLaren. The partnership lasted 65 minutes. Five for 198. • The second century appeared tor 190 minutes' play. Noble followed, and the Victorian indulged in quieter play, with many neat strokes. With Haigh and Hirst bowling, the batsmen bsought up the Englishmen's total in 260 minutes; then Noble was taken smartly at the wicket. He played excellent cricket. Ransford had now reached 102 by delightful play.' Six far 269. The Victorian had 14 fourers to his credit. Gregory, the new-comer, was nearly bowled first ball. After tea Ransford became freer again, hitting off four . fourers m quick succession off King by off-drives. The English attack greatly needed a fast bowler. Gregory was smartly caught by Lilley. Seven for 317. Cotter was run out without increasing the total. Ransford wisely refrained from starting on Cotter's call, and the latter had no chance to get back..- i i a The Victorian,steadilv knocked oft runs. Macartney did not. stay long, playing Hirst on. Nine for 342. Carter, the last man, contributed 7 and then succumbed . to Hirst, the innings being concluded for 350. The attendance numbered 2q,00U.