CRICKET.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15551, 7 March 1914, Page 10

CRICKET.

AUSTRALIANS' TOUR. FIRST TEST MATCH. NEW ZEALAND BATTING. NINE WICKETS FOR 218[BT' TELEGRAPH.PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Dcxedin, Friday. The first test match between the Australians and New Zealand was commenced at noon to-day, on Carisbrook ground. The wicket was soft and easy, aftor the heavy rain which fell on the previous day, but the outfield was fast. Reese won the toss, and decided to bat. The New Zealanders' start was not auspicious, the first wicket falling for 18 runs, but the next partnership carried the score to the half-century, and the third wicket fell at 111. The bowling of Armstrong and Crawford kept the batsmen quiet. Three wickets fell quickly after tho lunch adjournment, and five of the best New Zealand batsmen were out for 125. Patrick, Sandman and Condliffe, however, compiled runs steadily, and the second century was brought up after 155 minutes' play. Heavy rain fell half an hour after the tea adjournment, bringing about the , cessation of play, and as there was ,no prospect of continuing, stumps were drawn for the day at aqiMrter to five, New Zealand th€n having nine wickets down for 218. One feature of the New Zealanders' innings was the solid batting of Tuck well, who compiled his half-century in correct style, obtaining the majority of his runs with cuts behind the wicket and good leg strokes. Patrick played soundly for 38, including one big hit for six off Armstrong. The New Zealand captain, Reese, lost sight of a ball from Crawford, which came back and took I his wicket. Sandman played a free innings while it lasted, and once lifted Armstrong over the rails, for six. The Australian fieiding' was fair, and their throwing-in was accurate. Armstrong missed two chances in the slir. ; but, otherwise, no catches were dropped. The pioneer batsmen for New Zealand .were Hickmott and hitta. Crawford bowled from southern end to Whitta, and Armstrong had charge at the other end. Both bowlers kept a good length, and the latemen were quiet. With the score a* 18, Whitta was smartly caught at the wicket by McGregor, off Armstrong. Tuckwell joined Hickmott, and brought 20 up with a single off Crawford, then Hickmott mis-hit Armstrong over mid-on's head, but the ball dropped safely. Tuckwell brought 50 after 38 minutes' play, but without any alteration td the score, Hickmott went out to drive Armstrong, and hit the ball to Cody, who took an easy catch in the slips. Hickmott batted nicely for 26, but was inclined to mis-hit Armstrong, who had taken two wickets for 17. Horspool cams in, and Tuckwell brought up 70, by square cutting Armstrong to the rails. Cody took a turn at the crease. Horspool ran to double figures by cutting him to the rails. At 78, Tuckwell gave a chance to Armstrong, off Cody, at fine slip, and at 83 Mailey bowled in place of Armstrong. The new oowler's first ball was a full toss, which Tuckwell swung for 6, the Carisbrook batsman scoring 12 off the over. Tuck' well was now 41, of which 34 were made

by boundary hits. Crawford relieved Cody, and Tuckwell survived an appeal for leg "before, off Crawford. The same batsman sent the first 100 up after 70 minutes' play. Tuckwell reacted 50 after an hour's batting, but, with the score at 111, he played back to a straight ball from Armstrong, and was clean bowled. Reese came next, and got a four with an uppish stroke, off Crawford, but the bowler had his revenge by clean howling the New Zealand captain. Patrick joined Horspool, who was playing steadily, taking no risks by leaving Armstrong's off theory alone. Runs were coming very slowly, the bowling permitting no undue liberties. A short-pitched ball irom Crawford proved fatal to Horspool, who tried to pull it, and was caught by Cody at square leg. The score was five for 126 when Sandman joined Patrick, who lifted Armstrong high o\er the rails for 6, and 150 appeared after 113 minutes play. Noble then went on in place of Armstrong, and las fourth ball proved fatal to Sandman, who was caught by Armstrong in the slips. Rain, which had i.p.en threatening sirvco luncheon, now fell steadilv. and the players retired. After an interval of 18 minutes tho rain eased off, and play was resumed. With six wickets down for 157 Condliffe went in, and was nearly caught first ball. Patrick 1 rough! up 170 with a fine off-drive off Noble but the Australian captain had Condliffo in difficulties. After a period of slow play, the l-atsmen opened out, and tho second century was raised after 155 minutes' play. Five runs later Patrick as clean bowled by Crawford. He batted 82 minutes for his scotc of 38. Robinson was next, but Condliffe's downfall came soon after, the Dunedin man getting his 1-sjs in front to a straight one from Armstrong. and eight wickets were down for 209. Wilson joined Robinson, and with five runs added, Armstrong got a good one past Robinson. Bennett was the last man. At 4.45 p.m., with the score at 218. rain fell in torrents, and stumps were drawn for the day. Following are. the scores : —

NEW ZEALAND.-First Innings. Whitta, c McGregor, b Armstrong ... 12 Hickmott, c Cody, b Armstrong ... 26 Tuckwell, b Armstrong 50 Horspool, c Cody, b Crawford ... 20 Reese, b Crawford 4 Patrick, b Crawford ... _ 38 Sandman, c Armstrong, b Noble ... 20 Condliffe, lbw, b Armstrong 25 Robinson, b Armstrong 5 Wilson, not out 4 Bennett, not out 1 Extras 13 Total for nine wickets ... 218 Bawling Analysis: Crawford took three wickets for 64 runs, Armstrong five for 76, Noble one for 23. Armstrong bowled four no balls and Noble one.