The Australian Cricketers

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXX, Issue 212, 8 September 1896, Page 2

The Australian Cricketers

The Second Te t Match, The second of the three test matches between England and Australia was brought to a conclusion or Saturday, wben, after an exciting finish, the colonial team succeeded in beating their opponents, Australia played an excellent game and well deserved their victory, although one cannot but think that if more care had been taken in the selection of ths English t n n.m the result would have besn different. Gunn, the famous Nottingham batsman, was omitted from the team for some reason which it is difficult lo understand, and MacLaren, who, comparatively speaking, had scarcely handled a bat tbis season, was given a place in the Eleven, However, it is little use to criticise the team, and ono can only hope that more care will bo taken in choosing the eleven for the final match at tbe Oval next month. The Australians having won the toss, elected to bat, and before tbeir men were dismissed thoy had amassed the respectable total of 412. Their batting was good a'l round, although chief credit for tho brilliant score was due to Iredale, Giffen, and Trott. A very bad start was mado by England, and had it not been for the careful batting of ltanjitsinhji anl Abel tbeir performance would truly have been a miserable ono, and even the efforts of these two failed to avert a follow on, In their seoond venture, however, they made a much better show, Ranjitsinbji again batting io a mest thorough manner, carrying out his bat for 15*1, The colonials were then left with 125 to win, but the bowling of Richardson proved so fatal to the batsmen that the match ended in a most exciting manner, Australia winning by only 3 wickets. A Royal Statu?:. One of tho principle events this week has been the unveiling, by the Duke of Cambridge, of a statuo of Her Majesty at the junction between tho Embankment and Queen Victoria-street. It represents the Queen in the prime of life, dignified anl crowned, aud holding the sceptre in the right hand and orb in the left. From plinth to top of crown the statue measures 9ft, it is fixed on a granite pedestal 9ft high, making altogether 18ft from base tq crown, and weighs about li tons. The statue is tho work of the late Mr C. B, Biroh, A R A. , and was cast by the celebrated bronze founder, Mr Moore, of Thames Ditton. It has been presented to the citizens of London by Sir Alfred Scale Haslam. Tub Royal Weddinc*. The chief social event of tbo present week is, of course, the marriage of the Princess Maud of Wales with Prince Charles of Denmark, which took place in the private chapel adjoining Buckingham Palace on Wednesday, in the presence of the Queen and the other members of the Royal Family; but as a full account of the ceremony and processions, and a description of tho dresses, will occupy considerable space, wo leave the subject over until next week. E.M.8.-S London, July 24. A. W. G.