CRICKET IN ENGLAND

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 6870, 14 July 1909, Page 7

CRICKET IN ENGLAND

AUSTRALIANS’ TOUR OPENING OF THE GLOUCESTER MATCH. COUNTY MEN BAT FIRST. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright LONDON, July 12. The Australian cricket team began a match to-day against Gloucestershire at Bristol. The weather was dull, aud the wickot soft. The teams were composed as follow: Australia. McAlister, Hartigan, Trnmper, Noble, Gregory, Armstrong, Bardaley, . Cotter, Whitty, Carkeek, and Hopkins. Gloucestershire. Sewell, Brown, Salter, Meyer, Rattenburg, Merrick, Langdon, Board', Dennett, Mills, and Parker. Noble won the toss, and sent tho county in first. The batsmen opened quietly. Salter was caught after steady play for fifty-fire minutes, during which 49 runs had been scored. Board indulged freely in on-driving. When he had made 18, Cotter missed an easy chance at mid-off off Noble. Both Langdon and Board played carefully to lunch-time, when the score was 91 for the loss of one wicket. On resuming, tho century appeared for 125 minutes’ play. Fourteen runs later, Board was dismissed with an easy catch to McAlister at third man. Two for 114. Sewell had made four when Carkeek snapped him at the wickets. Three for 118. The next two wickets fell rapidly, Rattenburg playing forward to Hopkins, and Merrick being clean howled by Armstrong, neither of them scoring. Five for 12D. Langdon scored steadily by sound cricket. Brown, who was brilliantly caught by Noble, knocked up his total of 31 in thirty-fivo minutes by hard driving. His score included five 4’s. At the tea adjournment six wickets were down for 182 runs. After ,tea, Meyer joined Langdon, who only added four runs when he got leg-beforo to Armstrong. Ho' had played faultless cricket during the 160 minutes he was at the wickets, and his score included five 4’s. Seven for 186. Two more wickets fell while the - next ■ 8 runs were being scored, Meyer and Dennett doing very little good. The . second century was hoisted as the re- ' suit of 175 ' minutes’ play. Parker bad a. brief innings, and gave a good exhibition of free bitting, scoring : quickly until he was run . out. The • county innings closed for a total of 230.

McAlister and Baidsley opened the account, and during the forty minutes remaining till stumps were drawn put on 56 without being separated. McAlister indulged in some fine cutting. Following are the scores:

. GLOUCESTERSHIRE.—First Innings, Salter, c and b Armstrong 30 Board, o McAlister, b Hopkins ... 57 '■Sewell, o Carkeek, 1) .Hopkins ... .... . 4 Rattenburg, b Hopkins .., ... ... 0 Merrick, b Armstrong 0 Brown, c and b Noble ... 31 Langdon, Ibw, b Armstrong ... ... 81 Meyer. o Armstrong, b Noble ... ... . 1 Bennett, b Armstrong ... 5 Mills, not out ... 10 Parker, run out ... ... 26 Extras Total ... 230 Bowling Analysis—Hopkins took three wickets for 81 runs, Whitty none for S?, ■Armstrong four for 6t, Nobie two tor 30, Cotter none for ]2. AUSTRALIA. —First Innings, Bardsley. not out IS McAlister, not out 37 Extra ... ... ... 1 Total for no wickets ... ... ' 38 A VETERAN'S OPINION GIVEN PRIOR TO RECENT ; EVENTS. HOBART, July 13.

In a private letter received here. Dr W. G. Grace, the well-known cricketer, comments on the present Australian team. He says: “ They are the Weakest bowling side that has ever come. Although they have Struck a bad patch, they will make lots Of runs if tho weather holds up, but 1 shall bo very much surprised if they beat England Without a Tot Of luck.” PLAVEES repeat gentlemen BLYTHE’S DAY' OUT WITH THE BA.uL. LONDON, July 13. The Players beat the Gentlemen in a match on Kcnningfon Oval. In the course of the game Blythe took twelve wickets for 103 runs. A COACH FOR NEW ZEALAND. Mi as association. CHRISTCHURCH, July 11 TW Canterbury Cricket Association lias appoiritea C. Buckenham, of the Essex Crfckef Cltib, as coach for nest s^AsOn.Dii ring last season Bilckerrham’' , s batting average in ttventy-seven innings was—Rtina 334, timcf; not Pnfc 1, average 12.34. His bowh'nj? average tie 32 innings wa« —overa 566.4, y2 maidens,. 66 wickets, 1846 runs, average 27.96.