THE THIRD TEST MATCH.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1747, 30 August 1905, Page 68

THE THIRD TEST MATCH.

ENGLAND Y. AUSTRALIA. DESCRIPTION OF A GREAT GAME. (By W. L. Murdoch.) July 3. Since the drawn match played at Lords last month the Australians have been, beaten by Essex, who. up to the present have proved to be one of the weakest sides in the county competition. This defeat was not taken at all •eriously by anyone, and did not in the least take away any of the interest taken in the third match of the series of tests, which was commenced to-day At Headingly, a suburb of Leeds, in Yorkshire.. The English Selection Committee had given the matter their most careful attention, and to provide for all kinds of wickets Jhad fourteen players in attendance. A. O. Jones was left out altogether, the fresh ones being Denton (of Yorkshire), Blythe- (of Kent), and Warren (Derbyshire fast bowler).

When the final selection had to he made this morning it was found that the team selected itself, for A. C. MaoLaren was suffering from rheumatism, Rhodes from a bad finger, and Arnold was not at all well, so these three fine players had to stand down. The Australians,, as usual, selected their side this morning, and I must confess to being a little astonished at their not playing Ootter. their fast bowler,, for,, as everyone here is fully aware, the wickets at Headingly in fine weather axe always “ sporting ones,” and fast bowlers are helped accordingly. Of oourse,, the Australian Selection Committee know their own business, but still. I thought at times to-day that Cotter would have been very, very useful.

At a quarter to 11 there were thousands round the ground, and not a seat in the pavilion to be had for love or money. All eyes were turned upon Jackson and Darling as. they walked quietly out on to the playing ground for the all-important purpose of tossing, for it was felt that, in the very uncertain state of the weather, t>he result might mean the winning of the match. Darling threw the coin up, and Jackson called. Dame Fortune yet once again smiled on Jackson, who thus won three times in succession, and this is enough to make one think, if it would not be advisable for some arrangement to be come to for future touns as to the choice of innings after tossing in the first match. It would certainly do away with the very great handicap of one side continually losing. At 11.30 Darling led his men into the field, upon which, as events turned out, they had to run about all day. The day’s cricket was one of the soundest description, and always very interesting', for the fortunes were turning first one; way and then the other, and it was = ~nixfc until Jackson had completed his century that any forcible methods were adopted- Every run was hardly fought foav and everybody stuck . h.s work wrt3r ifire tenacity of a bulldog.

It was a rare battle of wits between the batsmen and Darling, and the way he blocked the well-known strokes, and posted the men to save the runs, was worthy of all praise. From the way C. B. Fry and Hayward started, I xfras very much afraid there would be a great first-wicket partnership, but after putting 50 up, there was a wonderful and more pleasing change, and Australia’s stock rose by leaps and bounds as four wickets fell very quickly, and the total was only 84, and when lunch time arrived at 1.30 the position was such that all Australians thoroughly enjoyed their lunch.

Upon play being resumed, the two Yorkshiremen, Jackson and Hirst, settled down, and by very determined cricket improved England’s . position considerably. After Hirst was magnioently caught by Trumper at long-on, Bosanquet helped his captain to continue the gdi/d work, until they gradually crept into quite a good position. And so it went on until 6.25, when the last wicket fell with the score at 301, a. very good one indeed, for the wickef was not absolutely perfect, and the bowlers could at times make the ball break back a good deal. The ground fielding of the Australians was very fine, bub the dropped catch was again in evidence. The English captain played one of the best innings of his long and. wonderful career,, for it was a masterpiece of self-control and the best of cricket. He is noted for being at his best in critical times, and I must say he kept up his reputation, or rather I should say, enhanced it, in a wonderful way. He is a great player, and particularly so on great occasions. It was as well the Australians did not bat for half an hour or so, for that last part of the day, after a day’s fielding, is very often a disastrous time. They will commence their task in the morning nice and fresh, and I am looking forward to see them all in the best of form and putting up a big performance. THE PLAY. Fry and Hayward were the opening batsmen, the bowling being commenced by Armstrong, with Noble at the other end. The features of the first 20 minutes were that principally singles were made, and that through a misunderstand with Hayward, Fry might have been run out. Hayward scored the first boundary with a straight drive off Armstrong, and not to be outdone, Fry scored the second, with a nice legglance off Noble. The howling being well on the spot, singles were principally scored, until Fry, with a hit to leg a leg-glance, and a straight drive, gathered 10 off one over of Noble’s. This did not suit Darling, so he put on Laver, and a couple of overs later McLeod went on instead of Armstrong. With a fine on hit for 4, Fry brought up the 50 which, had taken just 50 minutes to get. Gne run later the separation came, Fry being well caught at oxnt. His 32 was, for him, quite a small score, but it was played in a delightful way, being much more lively than usual, and each stroke made with perfect timing and lovely crispness. 1 — 32 —51. Tyldesley afer being in for 10 minutes without scoring had the misfortune to play one on to his wicket, and the getting rid of this dangerous customer for the lovely looking round thing was delightful. 2—0—54. Denton met with a rare welcome from his fellow Yorkshiremen, but he was not destined to shine on this, nis first appearance in test games, for he was easily caught at mid-off, from rather a tame stroke. 3—o— -57. Jackson now went in, only to see, seven runs later, Hayward play was on to his legs and then on to the wicket. Very bad luck for him, jolly good for us. Although he took an hour and 20 minutes to get his 26, he played good cricket and did good service. 4—26 64. Hirst now joined his captain, and it was felt that everything depended upon these two great-hearted Yorkshiremen, for if either failed things would have been in a very bad state. However, they apparently did not know the word, for they soon put on 24 before lunch-time was called. Upon play being resumed they quickly settled down again, and with singles, a square cut by Jackson for 4 and a straight drive by Hirst the first century appeared. At 2.45 the first really bad ball was bowled, a full toss by McLeod, which Jackson promptly sent flying to the square-leg boundary. Hirst was next busy, making two fine hits off McLeod to iong-on and a sweet cut for 4. Darling made a double change, putting on Laver and Hopkins. This had the desired effect, for after making a pull for 2 Hirst let fly at one from Laver, away it went to long-on, and Trumper running about 25 yards, made a splendid catch. He ulayed a real good innings, as sound as a bell- making some lovely cuts. It was a most useful stand and made when most required. 5—35 —133. On Bosanquet arriving Jackson turned his attention to Laver. He hit him to leg for 4. back-cut the next for 4s more, and then a hit to the leg boundary made a nice little 12 off one over. After seeing Bosanquet make one of his cover shots for 4. Jackson might have been caught by Armstrong at short-slip, the ball went very near him, and I think that had A. O. Jones or Tunnicliffe had been there Jackson would have had to trot to the pavilion.

It is an awful loss this want of a short-slip. Both batsmen continued to piay the most. watchful cricket, not a risk was taken, but every opportunity was taken of scoring. A short run or two were made, and off one of these Jackson would have been run out had Gregory thrown the wicket down. Darling made several changes, but it was not until the 200 went up that Duff had a try. He was immedittely successful, for he was lucky enough to bowl Bosanquet off his pads. The retiring batsman had played the regular goose game, and taken 1 hour and 10 minutes to get his 20. As a rule he likes to dash along, but circumstances alters cases. 6—20—201. Lilley was next, and after making a single should have been caught by Armstrong at short slip. Not a hard catch, by any means. He stopped in while 31 were put on, and was then bowled by Noble. 7—l1 —232. Haigh was next to join Jackson, who was nearing the coveted century, and after a couple of singles, he made a fine drive, which would have attained his object had not Hill made a fine save. ‘With two singles and a couple to the on, a mighty Yorkshire roar welcomed the fourth century that Jackson had obtained, in his career in international cricket. He had taken just three hours and a half to get it. Immediately he began to force things more, and runs were made much more quickly. With his score at 130, he should have been stumped by Kelly. After the partnership had realised 50, Armstrong was put on, and got Haigjh well caught at short square leg. Wari*en shaped as if he would make some runs, but was run out, and Blythe being bowled, the innings was completed, leaving Jackson to carry out his bat for 144, the highest score he has ever made in test games. It was a very fine innings indeed, and full off the best of cricket. He. never lost an opportunity of scoring, and as the bowling was always a fine length, he had to be always very watchful. He was very strong on the square cuts, and his placing of the ball almost perfect. Altogether it was a most masterly display,. and one that he has every reason to be proud of. He hit eighteen 4’s, three 3’s, and' eight 2’s.

As it was close on time when Blythe was bowled, play oeased for the. day. SECOND DAY. July 4. To-day has been a very disappointing one for all Australians, for they have seen their representatives do a very poor batting performance. There is no possible excuse to foe made, for all the conditions were most favor ruble to rungetting. The day was a rious one, the sun shining with a warmth that wa-s very acceptable, and reminded us of our own country. The wicket and ; the ground were faster, but, with the ! exception of Armstrong, Duff, and Hopkins-'. the hatting; was very feeble. There is*no doubt to me that the present team carry the forcible methods they all seem to have adopted a little too far, and sacrifice soundness for rapidity of scoring. It is all very well and very nice to be “going for’’ every ball, but when that is done, risks have to- ho taken the whole time, and I do really think that if a little more restraint were exercised, there would be different results, especially in these test matches. I do not advocate slow play for one single moment, but when a _ team of fine batsmen get on a good wicket they should grasp the opportunity to the fullest extent, and not throw a chance away. One has only to watch the Englishmen hatting to see how everything is utilised in the best nossihle way, and our bowlers cannot get them to go

for the off hall in the way that our batsmen do. There were several wickets

sacrificed in this way to-day. Before the Australians commenced their innings I was afraid that Warren, the ihst howler, would be very difficult, and I regret to say my fears were fully realised, for the hall at times got up in very nasty fashion, and I am quite sure that Darling must have deeply regretted they had not played Cotter. The innings can be aptly described as

a three-men’s affair, for they obtained between them 150 runs of the rather poor total. Armstrong was top scorer, and displayed much more soundness than anyone else, at the same time, putting any amount of power into every stroke. His driving was very forcible* i Duff, as usual, played delightful cricket,

playing with his characteristic confidence, and every now and then hit the fast howler splendidly. Hopkins also played very well indeed, and it was a great pity that the three most praiseworthy efforts were not more ably supported. The bowling of England was very good, but of course, Warren’s performance stands, out by itself. It was a great thing to do for a young bowler in his first international match, and he has every reason to ' be proud of an achievement that was the principal factor in Australia’s downfall. With a leadi of 106, England commenced her second innings in a very comfortable position, and one would have thought that Fry and Hayward would have let themselves go more, but it was not to be, for they started as if the match were just starting. It was very tedious, and everybody was really pleased when a separation took place. Tyldesley put plenty of life into thin"s,—.and quite wo'-e Hayward up. After the latter got out, Denton helped t-o •f-qi-e the serre along at a pace tha delighted the Yorkshire crowd, who roared and roared again. When play ceased for the day, the score was 169, and England were in a position thatmade defeat almost impossible.

Duff and Trumper, as usual, opened proceedings for Australia, George Hirst being deputed to bowl the first over. Duff placed the first ball to the on for 2, and played the remainder of the over. Warren went on at the other end, and his second ball nearly bounded over Lilley’s head at short-stop, and for i .start made things extremely uncomfortable. Duff placed Hirst to the off for a couple, and a lucky stroke past third man gave him four more. After Trumper got' 2 and a lucky single off Warren, Duff made two lovely cuts off Hirst, each of which flew to the boundary. Both batsmen very nearly' played on, and with the score at only 26 Trumper actually did so, and Australia’s crack had to retire for a very modest score. 1—8 —26 was had enough, but worse was to follow. Hill got a very fast one from Warren, which hit his hand and fell just in front of him. Duff started for the run, and raced Warren up the wicket, and had the ball been gathered he would very easily have been run out. Hill, after glancing Hirst to leg for a couple, and h'tting the next one to the square-leg boundary, was caught and bowled at the second attempt- 2 — 7 — 38 was bad, but it was simply awful when Noble was caught at second slip after having made a couple of singles. 3—2—26 was a. nice outlook when Warwick Armstrong strode in, and proceeded to put a different complexion on affairs. He was, however, very lucky with his first stroke, which was a snick' to leg off a very good ball. He next sent a full-pitch to long-leg for another boundary. Duff cut Hirst for 2 and 3. and in bis next over drove him finely for 3 more, Armstrong doing ditto to the boundary. Duff paid particular attention to Warren, and most forcibly drove him for three foul's. At- 65 a

change was deemed necessary, and Blythe relieved Hirst, and was at once hit by Armstrong for 4. , One of Warren's bounded over Lilley’s head for four byes, and with some beautiful cuts and drives the score rose to 92, when Jackson went on for Warren.

The separation, however, came from the other end, for Duff was well caught at the wickets when trying to cut. Duff had made just half the runs, and played most delighful cricket. 4—48 —96. Darling was next, and brought up the 100 with a fine drive to the off, which Fry made a most gallant effort to save. Jackson, after bowling the one over, brought back Warren, and the move was immediately successful, for Darling was caught in the slips from a bad stroke. 5—5—105. Hopkins next , partnered Armstrong, and a most useful stand was made. A couple of nice cuts and offdrives, with a few singles, caused Jackson to make a double change in the attack, Haigh and Bosanquet having a turn. The change was very acceptable to the batsmen, for they scored very freely off the latter, who could not get any length at all, and bowled a couple of the widest wides that ever were bowled. The non-success of the “Googley” bowler caused Jackson to have another try himself, and with his tisual good fortune got Hopk'ns caught at the wickets for a very well-played and confident innings. . 6—36—161. Gregory placed Jackson to leg. for 4, and was then run out whilst running a second run for a hit by Armstrong. 7—4—166. McLeod went in for a couple of overs, when the' luncheon interval took place. Upon resuming, the score was taken to 191, when Armstrong’s fine innings was brought to an end by a fine catch in the slips by Hayward. He got his runs by the best of cricket, and his cutting and driving were exceptionally good. It was a great effort made under the most trying circumstances. The innings was soon ended by Warren bowlling Layer, and Australia were all out for the poor total of 195. A most disappointing display.

Warren howled exceedingly well, and made a most successful debut in international cricket. The fielding was a perfect treat to watch. When England went in for their second innings they had a most comfortable lead, and it Avas thought that forcing tactics would he pursued, but it was just the opposite, and one could very eas'ly imagine that it was /the commencement of the match. The first halfhour produced a paltry 11 runs, Fry’s share being a couple of singles. Not a single risk was taken, and the batting was quite a funeral affair. In one hour 40 runs were realised, and when the separation took place every person was very pleased. I—3o—Bo. Fry had taken one hour and forty minutes to get these runs, and it need hardly be said that the display was not in any way apnreciated.

Tyldesley, although making two boundary hits, did not progress as fast as was expected, for they were the only scoring strokes he made for nearly half an hour. Hayward, after batting for two haul’s and five minutes, completed his 50. Tyldesley, when 18, offered a pretty warm caught and bowled to Armstrong, and after that things were again very slow. At 126 Hayward’s time came, for he put up an easy chance to mid-off. He had been hatting two hours and thirty-five minutes.for his 60 runs, and, although he was very tedious at times, he made some lovely drives, and played most correct cricket all the time. With Denton in, the game livened up considerably, and things were made to go along very merrily.

Tyldesley was the principal contributor, and went for the bowling in no half-hearted manner. He was very clever with Armstrong, for he jumped away on the leg side and played him to the off side and got a lot of runs in this way. Forty-three runs were made in the last twenty-five minutes of play, and .such lively methods was duly appreciated by the crowd, who cheered and cheered again. With 169 on the board and only two men out, England were in a perfectly safe position when stumps were drawn for the day. THIRD DAY.

The match is all over, and to the surprise of almost everybody the Aus-

tralians were able to creep out of the terrible position they were in, and make a drawn game of it. There is no doubt that it was a moral 'victory for England, and it may very justly be considered a piece of bad luck that she did not get the fruits of the fine play her representatives exhibited. At the same time, all praise must, be given to the Australians for making such a wonderful fight. And what a great battle it was! On the one side, England straining every nerve in pressing home the advantage she had obtained; on the otlier Australia fighting to the bitter end, simply to save the game for a victory was hardly to be thought of. How nobly our boys rose to the occasion will be a matter of history, and to those who were lucky enough to be present, the memory of Noble’s and little Gregory’s great performances will ever remain with them.

Australia has to once again thank Noble for coming to her assistance so ganantly in the time of her greatest need. To Gregory praise is justly due. Armstrong also must he specially mentioned for quite an exceptional performance, for he bowled for hours without a change, and the way he kept his fine length was wonderful. Then again, he played excellently in both innings, and altogether his "whole performance has certainly never been bettered by any other Australian player. The Australians turned out punctually at 11 o’clock, and five minutes later Tyldesley and Denton were at it, McLeod and Armstrong bowled. Denton got a single, hut the fifth ball from Armstrong’s first over caused his dismissal, caught at deep square leg by Hill. Jackson next defended, and made a pretty late out for four off McLeod, who suffered to the tune of eight off one over. When the 200 went up the Eiiglish batsmen had taken -three hours and forty minutes to get them. Directly after Jackson was out, by one from Armstrong to short-leg. Hirst walked briskly in, and just as briskly set about the howling. He drove McLeod finely for four, and in his next over gathered a dozen by the means of a out and three off drives. This state of progression did not satisfy Darling at all, so he put on Noble in McLeod’s place, and the new bowler had the bad luck to see both batsmen missed by Armstrong in the slips. The first was given by Hirst when 20, and was high up; it would have been a good catch, but then shqrt slips are there for the purpose of making good catches. The second Tyldesley *gave off the very next ball, and was an easy one, but, in justice to Armstrong, it must he mentioned that he told me he lost sight of the ball on account of j the people in the background. Encourr aged by their good fortune, both batsmen helped themselves, and one over from Armstrong yielded 15 runs. All this time Tyldesley was approaching his hundred, and with a couple of twos he completed it, and thus recorded the second century in the test series. He was fated to do no mor© ? for, running out to Armstrong, he missed it, and Kelly made no mistake. His innings lasted for two hours and a half, and was of the brightest possible description. He gave Armstrong a warm chance of caught and bowled when 18 and the chance in the slips. Altogether it was & vecsy fine effort. ' The partaer-

ship with Hirst only lasted half an hour, but 56 runs were put on, so it can be easily imagined bow things hummed. With Bosanquet in, the hitting went on, he getting 22 out of the next 37, and with the score at 295 Jackson “declared.” The whole innings lasted for four hours and three-quarters, and during all that time Armstrong bowled without a change. If it was nothing else, it was certainly a very fine feat of endurance, and it was some satisfaotion for him to be credited with the whole of the wickets that fell.

With nearly four hours and a half to bat, Australia commenced with the usual pair, Trumper and Duff, Hirst sending down the first over and Warren going on at the other end. An awful start was made, for Trumper was caught in the slips off a very fast one of Warren’s, and as Victor walked with such a disconsolate air to the pavilion I felt very much* for him. I easily imagined his feelings, for a similar experience happened to myself some twenty years ago. Hill went in, and after Duff had smacked Hirst for 4, should have been caught in the slips by Hayward off Warren, and there is no doubt the miss made a great difference. After scoring 19, lunch time came. The re-start took place at twenty minutes past 2, and it was not long before England had another for Hirst knocked Duff’s off flying with a very fine ball. Noble was next, and one felt that if he went all was indeed over. He did not score a single run for twenty-five minutes, but that did not matter, for runs were of no oonsequerce. He opened his account with a good drive off Warren, which brought 50 up. Haigh went on, and very nearly bowled Noble with a ball that went for a couple of byes. - Bosanquet had a try, but could not get any length at all, and bawled two most awful wides. Truly, he is a most curious bowler. Hem ever, it was Haigh who broke up the partnership by getting Hill caught at rather deep point. He made 33 runs, but what was of far greater consequence he had kept his end up for seventy-five minutes.

Armstrong joined Noble, and drove Bosanquet to the off for 4, and twice placed Haigh to leg for a similar amount. The howling changes were kept going, and the Englishmen were doing all they knew. Jackson had a try, and he put Blythe on again. This latter move had the desired effect, for Armstrong was out leg-before-wicket, a decision that was evidently not all to the liking of the tall Victorian, as he thought he had just played tne ball. His score just enabled him to complete his thousand runs for the tour. The Australian skipper filled the breach, and immediately saw a ball from Blythe jump up and hit Lilley in the mouth, making it bleed a little. It was nothing serious, for Lilley kept on as if nothing had happened. After getting a couple, Darling found one from Blythe a little bit too good, which made Joe shake his head very sadly, as he slowly wended his way into the pavilion. Hopkins went in and made a boundary hit, when at half-past 4 the tea interval took place, Noble being not out 26 after batting for nearly two hours. Upon coming ont again, Blythe an<3 Warren bowled. Hopkins, after making three fours off Blythe, was bowled when having a go. One would have thought he would have exercised a little more restraint under the circumstances.

At 5 o’clock there were six out, and it looked as if England would.- win, but Gregory had to be recokened with, and" right well did he help Noble. The time was going slowly but surely on. Gregory was playing as if for his life, while Noble looked as if nothing on earth could move him. Then, to the unbounded astonishment of everyone, Noble bolted, and rushing out to hit Bosanquet into the next parish, missed the ball, and paid the penalty. No one ever dreamt that Noble, above all people, and at that time especially, could be guilty of such a thing, and ha did not. look at all pleased with himself.

He had been in for almost three hours, and it was a wonderful innings for his side.

With McLeod in, the excitement was very keen, but it was not long before it was seen that Australia would, after all, save the game. Jackson tried all he knew to get a wicket, but it was not to be, and as the light had been getting rather bad, the stumps were pulled up at a quarter past 6, Gregory carrying out his bat after playing like the great little man that he is. And so ended struggle No. 3.