OPENING OF FIFTH TEST.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 14925, 24 February 1912, Page 7

OPENING OF FIFTH TEST.

ENGLAND 204 FOR SIX DOWN. WOOLLEY SHAPING BEST. HORDERN TAKES THREE WICKETS. By Telegraph.—Press Association.—Copyright. ("Received February 23, 6.45 p.m.) Sydney. February 23. Although "the ashes" are won and lost, there is great interest in the fifth test match owing to the bitter controversy concerning the personnel of the team for England. The teams for the match, which began to-day, are as follows: — England: Douglas (captain), Foster, Hobb», Gunn. Rhodes, Barnes, Woolley, Vine, Hitch, Strudwick, and Hearne. ; Australia: Hill (captain), Trumper, Armstrong, Ransford, Gregory, Carter, Minnett, Hordern, McLaren, .Macartney, and Hazlitt. Matthews was twelfth man. The weather was fine but threatening, and the wicket was good. For the second time in the five tests Douglas won the toss, and had no hesitation in batting. Hobbs and Rhodes opened to the bowling of McLaren and Macartney. Rhodes started by driving Macartney to the boundary, and Hobbs scored a single. In McLaren's second over Rhodes had a narrow escape, tipping a fast one to Carter, who was just unable to reach it. UEsKB Macartney Takes First Wicket. Macartney signalised his reappearance in tost cricket by drawing first blood by bowling Rhodes off his pads with the first ball of his third over. Gunn followed. When McLaren had bowled six overs for 15 runs, Hordern relieved him. Hordern's third ball Hobbs lifted dangerously over Trnmper's head to square-leg. The total of 50 appeared on the scoring board in 57 minutes. Before adding to the score Hobbs skied Hazlitt (who was bowling vice Macartney) in the slips, out of danger, however, and the ball went to the boundary. In the same over Hazlitt was again unfortunate, as Gunn lifted him dangerously to leg, wher.3 McLaren reached the ball with the tip of his fingers, but was unable to hold it. In the next over Hobbs, who had scored 32, hit out at a googlie from Hordern, and Ransford at wide long-on made an easy catch. Two wickets were then down for 69. Hearne joined Gunn, and they were together till luncheon. A Brilliant Catch. After the interval Armstrong and McLaren attacked, and play was extremely slow. The batsmen took 18 minutes in scoring nine. Then Hearne, who had scored four, turned and hit Armstrong hard to leg, and Macartney at short-leg snapped at the flying leather and made a brilliant catch. With Foster in the rate of scoring did not improve, and the total of 100 took 126 minutes, while Gunn's 50 occupied 118 minutes.

With the total at 114 Foster, who had made 15, stepped out to Hazlitt and missed him, and Carter smartly stumped. Douglas was next.

Gunn, with his score at 50, gave MacArtney a difficult chance at shortr-leg off Armstrong; Gunn was more fortunate than Hearne, for the Sydney man dropped it. Douglas, after scoring four, tipped Hoj-dern to, Gregory at short-leg, and the ball was caught as it touched the ground. Gunn Sits on His Half-century. Gunn was for 23 minutes on the halfcentury before ho added a single. Another single camo from , his bat ten minutes later. Then he was stumped in stepping out to Hordern. His 52 included three fours. Douglas and Woolley were together at tea-time, when the score was five wickets for 132. After tea play was still slow, the batsmen displaying extreme caution. The bowling was good, Armstrong especially keeping a splendid length. When he was relieved by Minnett he had bowled 22 overs, eight of which were maidens; 29 runs had been hit off him, and ho had taken one wicket. Hordern was also bowling a gpod length and spinning well. ' I When Douglas had scored 18 (compiled by 71 minutes' of uninteresting tatting) ho tried a straight hit off Hordern, but the ball twisted on the bat and Hansford at deep mid-on took the catch. Tho partnership produced 37 runs. Woolley Brightens Up. After Vine came in Woolley brightened up, and brought up his 50 in 70 minutes. Vine was for 29 minutes with one run to his credit, and the total of 200 took 252 minutes.

The Australian fielding was keen and good, except that of Hordern, who made several bad misses. At 5.45 the light failed, and the match was adjourned. Details of the scoring are :— ENGLAND.—First Innings. Rhodes, b MacArtney ... ... ... 8 Hobbs, c Ransford, b Hordern 32 Hearne, c MacArtney, b Armstrong" 4 Gunn, st Carter, b Hordern ... 52 Foster, st Carter, b Hazlitt ... ' " 15 Douglas, c Ransford, b Hordern '.'.', 18 Woolley, not out ... ... # 62 Extras ',' _"_"" c Total for six wickets 204 A WET WICKET PROBABLE. (Received February 24, 12.5 a.m.) Sydney, February 23. It is probable that the wicket "will be wet for play to-morrow. Heavy showers have fallen and more are threatening.