THE ENGLISH CRICKET TEAM.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10627, 16 December 1897, Page 5

THE ENGLISH CRICKET TEAM.

"M TEST.MATCH AT SYDNEY. & COMMENTS ON THE SECOND DAY'S '..V PLAY. : • ; RANJITSINHJI'S SENSATIONAL ' •>. • INNINGS. ».v ■; THE COLONIAL COLLAPSE. Press Association.Electric Telegiaph.-Cepyrijht, ,K " Sydney, December 15. Yesterday's score was the highest ever compiled in Sydney by a visiting English team, and the highest yet made by the Englishmen in a test match in Australia. It comes second to the famous 586 the Australians put up in the first test match three' seasons ago, and curiously enough- ib corresponds with the 551 of the fourth Australian eleven against England in 1894. The feature of the Englishmen's batting was Ranjitsinhji's innings. Under any circumstances it would have been a splendid display, but considerine that he spent the greater part of the last fortnight in bed, and had no practice, it was sensational. This is not all, as before going on to the ground yesterday morning he underwent a minor operation to his throat and suffered severe pain for hours. Before lunch he exhibited many signs of weakness, but afterwards lie increased in vigour. and his play was distinguished by ease, grace, judgmont, and brilliance. Towards tlie close it is said to have been equal to anything ho has shown in England, He was batting 3J hours, and scoring at the rate of about a run a minute, including 26 fours. The only possible chance was the one which injured McLeod's hand.

Hirst's was a fine aggressive innings, and included eight fours and one five. Richardson's contribution came as a surprise, and was obtained by really sound batting, anothor proof of the all-round strength of the English team. Ho broke his own provious record (22). Considering the time the Australians were in the field their fielding was by no means bad, but faulty catching gave away several wickets.

McLeod takes the bowling honours. Trott and Trumble bowled better than the figures signify. Each had a chance missed off him.

A feather in Kelly's cap is chat so largo a total did not include a single bye. The collapse of the Australians was difficult to" account for. Darling aud Trott justified the report that they were out of form, and exoepting Gregory, judging by the play, a similar remark might bo applied to the others. Lyons paid the penalty of departing from his usual aggressive style and adopting watchful tactics, but the collapse was not all duo to the batsmen. The bowling was exceedingly fine, and incomparably hotter than that in the match against New South Wales. Ib is difficult not to suspect that the Englishmen then played with a good deal up their sleeve. Doubtless the blow Iredale received contributed to his downfall, and McLeod's burst finger is likely to have interfered with his batting, The drawing of the stumps mercifully delivered the Australians from swelling the indignation of the hostile crowd. 1 Giflen's absence was often regretted during the day. The, opinion was freely expressed that affairs, both as regards the Englishmen's score and (the Australians' failure, would have worn a different aspect had he been present to steady the team, Probably this will lead to something extra being done to secure his services in the remaining engagements. The official figures show the attendance for the two days totalled 40,500, and the takings £1600

London, December 14. Great excitoment) is displayed over the test cricket match. The newspapers are publishing hourly reports. . CONTINUATION OF THE MATCH. THE AUSTRALIANS AT THE WICKETS. THUMBLE AND MoLEOD MAKE A STAND. INNINGS CLOSES FOR 237. THE COLONIALS FOLLOW ON. ONE WICKET DOWN FOR 126. Sydney, December IS. . Glorious weather prevailed to day, but rather on the warm side. A splendid stand by Trumble and MoLeod stopped what looked liko a hopoless rout, Both gave a fine stylish exhibition of cricket. The fielding of the Englishmen was superb, Ranjitainhji at point being especially brilliant. Hearue again proved a terror, but Richardson and Hirst troubled the two Victorians nob ab all. About 12,000 spectators wero present. Gregory and Kelly resumed play to the bowling of Richardson and Briggs. Kelly, after smoking a single played Richardson on to his wicket, Trumblo followed. Gregory scored slowly with occasional nice strokes, Tho Victorian, with his great reach, soon hit himself into double figures, playing with confidence. He sent Richardson to the boundary thrice in succession, and punished the Surrey bowler the next over severely. Gregory'had the bowling collared. After getting into the 20's he warmed up, and soon had 40 showing. Hearne replaced Richardson at 134, and with his third ball, which broke across, Gregory gave Mason a chance at slip which be accepted. McLeod, who appeared with his finger bandaged, filled the vacancy. His finger evidently pained. He played a cautious game. At 148 Hirst deposed Briggs, Hayward relieving Hearne. Trumble steadily pilei\ up tho runs by fine stylish cricket. After a few overs the Yorkshire bowler made way for Briggs. McLeod promptly sent the latter twice to the fence, playing a good defensive game, After lunch Hirst resumed instead of Briggs. Trumblo then made several great bits; two almost out of the ground off Bayward. McLeod had apparently set himself the task of keeping his wicket up while his partner scored. The lattor's halt-, century rapidly appeared. Richardson succeededHayward. McLeod now gob thelength of, tho bowling and opened his shoulders, making somo pretty glancing strokes. Ho scored freely. With a view of dissolving the partnership various changes were tried., Mason took Hirst's place, bub Trumble placed his first ball for four, and dealt with his third one similarly, buttheKenbman had his revenge with his fourth, Stored snapping the batsman up. Trumble received a great reception for his excellent innings. McKibbin was the next man, bub Hearne's first ball was fatal to him. Jones followed, bub slogged the first ball of Hearne's next over to Richardson, who hold it, McLeod received a great reception for his splendid cricket, especially when' his disabled state was considered.

At four o'clock the Australians, being in a . minority of 314, followed on, Iredale and Darling opening to the bowling of Richardson and Hearne. Darling shaped very badly,and scoring was very slow. Over twenty, minutes was. consumed in making seven runs. Both men played a' defensive game. . Iredale, at last, got on to Hearne for a couple of boundaries, and then warmed'. up. Darling was beaten by a beauty from; Richardson, which' must have scraped the varnish off the wicket. Briggs then relieved the Surrey bowler, and when Iredale had knocked up 18, ho was clean bowled by the new bowler. McLeod, who came next,' opened with a boundary hit to leg, .. Darling now improved on his opening, and treated Briggs with relish, making several fours in quick succession. Hay ward took Hearne's place, and McLeod reached double figures,; with several fine drives to the fence. . ' Hirst relieved Briggs, but the batsmen . were woll set, and flogged the bowling merrily. , Darling got the century up by vory pretty cricket, , whilo the Victorian took things quietly, and was playing a splendid defensive game. Richardson took Hayward's place as the century was reached,, and' Darling slogged • him twice for four, the South Australian putting tremendous weight into, his * strokes. McLeod only operated occasionally, ' j The following are the scores ' :V Englishmen, first innings 551 Australians.—First Innings.,... Darling, cDruce. b Richardson ... .7 Lyons, b Richardson • , ... 3 J • : l" i '■ f

Iredale, o Druce, b Hearns ~ .„ -~ 25 Hill, b Hearne V ... ... . , ...' 19 .bßriggs V..' 1... ; ■■10 Kelly, b Richardson M Gregory, c Mason, b Hearne', .... ... -46 Trumble, c Storer, bMason' 3 ... " i "'7O McL^;no»onb^.';W'V.v , 'i:i?,; ! * lv » »'•■< 50 MoKibbin, b Hearne ,yi ... 0 Jones, c Richardson, b Hearne,.. 0 ! Sundries!. 1 . f ... ... ... 6 Extras... • < ... • ... '. ... .. ... 237 > '' ■ - Bowling Analysis. • Mason, 1 wicket for 8 runs • - ■ '• Hayward, 0 for 11 , . Briggs, 1 for 42 Hirst, 0 for 57 Richardson, 3 for 71 Hearne, 5 for 42 ' Australians,—Second innings. Iredale, b'Briggs... ... 18 Darling, not-out ... ... 80 McLeod, not out 20 Extras 8 Total for 1 wicket ... ... ... 126 Bowling Analysis. Mason, 0 wickets for 10 runs Hirst, 0 for 10 Hayward, 0 for 16 Briggs, 1 for 25 Hearne, 0 for 26 Richardson, 0 for 33