CRICKET.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLVII, Issue XLVII, 2 March 1912, Page 6

CRICKET.

ENGLAND WINS FINAL TEST. ON A BOWLER'S WICKET. (Pitess Association. —Copyright.) SYDNEY, Friday. That it was at all possible to play today in t lip final test, match, speaks volumes for the recuperative powers of the Sydney wicket. > i i.lay the ground was a veritable lake ot water, tile sun shone in the morning, and a steady breeze had a wonderful effect, al- : though when play was resumed at 1.10 it was on a purely bowlers' wicket, the pitch being sticky, and almost every ball bumped high. Armstrong and Minnett resumed to YVoolley and Barnes. Both played witn great care, ami scored 9 in 20 minutes, before lunch. After the interval the wicket was somewhat better, but still sticky in patches. Armstrong added ten to his over-night score ; then he hit out at a yorker from Barnes, and was bowled, l'he partnership yielded 92 under most unfavourable conditions. Ransford stalled by lifting Woolley to the track; but the s .... „ ir broke his wicket after the \ n torian had scored nine. Minncti played very carefully with the intent of keeping up his wicket while the pitch improved. When he had scored 61 in 132 minutes, he cut Barnes hard, and Woolley at second slip made an extraordinary catch. Th° ball was travelling fast and low at tlie extremity of his reach to the left, but he darted his hand down and held the ball. falling over with the effort. Minnett hit 9 fourers. Macartney and Carter then got together, and brought up 250, the result of 2SI minutes' play. Rhodes relieved Woolley for two overs, but had 17 knocked off him, so Woolley was put back. Foster took the other end from Barnes, and the s;ore was carried to 278. .Macartney, when at 27, hit a rising ball from Foster, which went straight to Woolley at fine leg. A couple of overs later Carter, having scored 23. made an exactly similar stroke, and .Australia's most optimistic sup porters gave up hope. Hordern and Hazlitt were in at tea time, but almost immediately after resuming Hordern was run out by a clever return by Hobbs. Hazlitt was very shaky, and hit an easy one to Rhodes at square leg off Foster, and England had won by 70. Macla ren was again the not out man. Australia had undoubtedly the worst of the weather conditions. The scores were as follows England—lst innings. Total 324 Australia—lst innings. Total 176 England—2nd innings. Total ... 214 Australia—2nd innings. Gregory, c Smith, b Barnes * -*.O Hill, b Foster ) Trumper, c W'oollev, b Barnes 50 Armstrong, b Barnes 3o Ranstord, b Woolley 9 -Minnett, c Woolley* b Barnes <1 Macartney, c Woolley, b Fos'r;- 27 Carter, c Woolley, b Foster ?7 Hordern, run out A Hazlitt. c Rhodes, b Foster 4 MacLaren, not out ' (, Extras y Total 292 Bowling analysis: Foster, 4 for 3; Barnes, 4 for 106; Douglas, 0 for i' : , Hitch, 0 for 23; W'oollev, 1 fo . a,id Rhodes, J for 17. "WELL PLAYED, WOOLLEY!" (Received 9.50 a.m.) SYDNEY, This Day. The "Herald" says that the fifth test wa s undoubtedly Woollcv's test. He scored 133 when the side was collapsing, bowled three for 37 runs, and ett'ectee five catches, three of them, being brilliant. While admitting tha_t in the "three previous tests Australia was outclassed, tin treacherous wicket was a potent factor in the last victory. The "Telegraph" declares that Woollev's remarkable catch •dismissing Minnett was the turning point in the game. The Australians did well considering the wicket. On paper the Australians looked the better team, but they were fairly beaten in batting, bowling and fielding. THE AUSTRALIAN TEAM FOR ENGLAND. OMISSION OF THE BRITISH IDOL. (Received 9.50 a.m) SYDNEY, This Day. Warner, replying to a toast, regretted that the best Australian ttam would not compete in the first triangular matches. Hill would be missed in England, while Trumper was the idol of the British public. He considered that the prestin English team would beat anything that had previously visited Australia. WARNER "BARRACKS" FOR THE "BARRACKERS." j (Received 9.50 a.m.) SYDNEY, This Day. j Warner states that- ihe sympathised with the Australian bariackers in expressing objections to unreasonable delays. He declared that he would do the same if he was in thtir position. THE AVERAGES. (Received 9.45 a.m.) SYDNEY, This Day. The winning of four tests is a record for England in Australia. The English batsmen averaged 37.77 runs and the Australians 26.79. The individual test averages of th« English team' are:—nobbs 82.74, Rhodes 57.87, Woolley 48.16, Vine 46. Gunn 42.33, Heame /35.12, Mead 21. Douglas 14, Smitli 9.40, Barnes 5.83, Hitch 2.66, Strudwick. 12 runs, not out. Bowling: Foster, 32 wickets, average 21.62, Barnes 34 for 22.8, Douglas li. for 23.66, Woolley 8 for 26.12, Hitch 5 for 36.60; Hearne 1 for 195, Rhode? none for 57.

Australian batting : Gregory 36, Armstrong 32.40, Ransford 31.50. Minnett 30.50, Trumper 29.88, Hill 27.40. MacArtney 26.50, Cartel- 25.66, Kc lie way 22.12, Hordern 21.62, Matthews 17.75. Bards ley 16-12, Cotter 14, Whitty 11.50 Hazlitt 2.50, MacLaren none, out out. Bowling : Hordern 32 wickets for 24-37, Hazlitt 4 for 31.75, Minnett 5 for 35.80, Armstrong 9 for 37.11. Kelleway 6 for 41.50, Cotter 12 for 45.66, MacArtney 1 for 54. Whitty 3 for 61.66, MacLaren 1 for 70, Matthews 1 for 164, Ransford none for 19. The Englishmen scored six individual centuries and the Australians one. INDIGNATION MEETINGS. (Received 10.10 a.m) ADELAIDE, This Day. The Town Hall was crowded by n .public meeting to discuss the cricket crisi«. The Mnyor presided, and the Hoard's Action waa strongly condemned. The meeting expressed ita sympathy with the six plavers. "MELBOURNE. This Day. 11l accordance with a resolution of thi Dublic meeting ij cable was sint to the Marylebono C'lub protesting against the Board's team being received as representative, ami suggesting that the Marylehone Club stipulate for a representa tl'vo team.