CRICKET.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 10 February 1908, Page 4

CRICKET.

ENGLAND Y. AUSTRALIA. THE tfOURTH TEST MATOH, (Peess Association.— Coptbight.) MELBOURNE, Saturday. England was exceedingly unfortu- | nate in having the worst weather, and | general regfet was expressed that the j match should not have been contested on equal conditions of wicket and weather. It is felt now that Aus< tralia must win, and thai being so, the rubber becomes Australia's. Rain fell early in the morning, and consequently the wicket was sodden, the match not starting till 2.20 p.m. Hobbs and Gunn continued their innings in bright sunshine, the wicket being all in favour of the bowlerß, and Saunders and Noble had a day out. Gunn was the first to go, being caught and bowled by Saunders. His 13 occupied 55 minutes. Hardstaff and Hutchings did very little, but the latter saw Hobbs clean bowled by Noble's first ball of the day. He had batted for 71 minutes in a highly meritorious style, and on a bowlers wicket and put on ten fourers. Braund saw the speedy departure of Rhodes, who was caught in the slips, and was then joined by Jones, who went >n for hitting, the proper game on such a wicket. Braund was very cleverly run out. Jones played Noble to midoff, and started running. Noble followed up the delivery and threw down Braund's wicket. The others put on nine runs between them. The innings, which lasted 125 minutes, closed for 105. Both Saunders and NoWe were unplayable. Noble opened with O'Connor and McArtney, but soon changed them to himself and Saunders, with the best results. Australia's second innings was opened by Noble add Trumper, on a much improved wicket, but the spectators were dismayed to see Crawford's fourth ball provide Trunlper with a pair of spectacles. Hill and Noble were good in front of the bowling, but Noble had the misfortune to play Crawford on to leg, and thence on the wicket. McAlister did not last long, but Gregory and Hill got going beautifully, and stole many runs. They played out time in good style. Provided there is no more rain, the wicket should roll out perfectly on Monday. Present appearances are of fine weather. The attendance numbered 19,797, and the takings amounted to £757. The scores were :— ENGLAND— Ist inns. Gunn, c and b Saunders 13 Hobbs, b Noble 57 Hardstaff, c Carter, b O'Connor ... 8 Hutchings, b Saunders 8 Rhodes, c McAlister, b Saunders... 0 Braund, run out 4 Crawford, b Saunders -1 > Jones, b Noble 3 Barnes, c O'Connor, b Noble 3 Fielded, st Carter, b Saunders ... 1 Humphries, not out 3 Sundries 4 Total 105 Bowling Analysis. Saunders — 5 wickets for 28 runs. Noble— 3 for 11. O'Connor— l for 40. Armstrong — 0 for 4. McArtney— o for 10. AUSirfALlA— 2nd inns. Trumper, b Crawford 0 Noble, b Crawford 10 Hill, not out 18 McAlister, c Humphries, b Fielder 4 Gregory, not out 13 Sundries 4 Three wickets for 49