THE FIRST TEST CRICKET MATCH

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7078, 16 March 1910, Page 1

THE FIRST TEST CRICKET MATCH

AUSTRALIA WINS MARGIN OF NINE WICKETS. FBESS ASSOCIATION CHRISTCHURCH, March 15. The first test match between the Australian cricketers and a New Zealand representative eleven concluded to-day, the visitors winning by nine wickets. Ifine weather prevailed. The wickot had made a marvellous recovery considering the quantity of, rain that nad fallen, but was just firm enough to make it a bowler's paradise at the start. With a drying wind, however, it improved considerably as the day wore on. AJ 11.35 the visitors filed on to the ground. Midlane (not out 41) and Siins continued New Zealand's innings, which fctooa at 201 for four wickets. Play was a bit slow, Midlane missing several hitable leg balls. Half an hour only produced fifteen runs. Sims was caught at the wicket with the total at Maci'arlane was next. The first ball of Hopkind's next over shattered Midlane 8 wi'-'ket. Oliff filled tne vacancy, but was clean bowled by Hopkins after making two. Bennett joined Macfarlauo but soon lashed out at Hopkins and was clean bowled. Hopkins had now captured three wickets lor 2 runs. BoxshaU was next. Macfarlane soon lashed out and was caught by Warne. Howden was last man. BoxshaU was soon after stumped from a rebound off the wicketkeeper'6 pads, and the innings closing at 12.45. j Requiring 108 to win, the Australians commenced their second innings at five minutes paßt Bardsley. .: - Runs came quickly, and at the luncheon adjournment Mayne had scored 35 and Bardsley G. After half an hour's play 50 went, on the board. Bardsley was soon afterwards clean bowled by Bennett. Simpson joined Mayne, and the pair had no d]!K.Mity with the bowling, except that of Ben•nett. While the batsmen were making runs at the rate of one hundred per hour Bennett sent down 7.5 overs for 15 runs and a wicket. It is questionable whether the New Zealand skipper was not at,fault in not starting -with Bennett, and seeing that iiaddon was the first bowler tried in the first innings the fact that he was not put on till 99 runs had been scored is apparently inexplicable. Scores: — NEW ZEALAND.—First Innings. Dusk, c and b Emery 39 Siedeberg, run out •}■> Haddon, c Kelleway, b Warne ii Reese, run out - '•••• J*Midlane, b, Hopkins 47 Sims, e Gorry, b Whitty ......;...... 11 Macfarlane, c Warne, b Whitty ...... 16 Oliff, b H0pkin5"...'....''..:.:.'r.7"t"-""" : " "■{ Bennett., b Hopkins .'..".. ..•••• -<J Boxshall, st Gorry, b Hopkins 17 Howden, not out / ..... •••• „« Extras "" Total '..............:.... 258 First Innings '. 150 Aggregate ••• 413 Bowling Analysis.—Whitty, two wickets for 73 runs; Armstrong, none tor W; Hopkins, four for 34; .umery,, one for 32; Simpson, none for 15; Kelleway, none for 10; Warne, one for 24. AUSTRALIANS.—Second Innings. Mayne, not out "J Bardsley, b Bennett J> Simpson, not out ■.••*< -U Extras ......................:....... • ° Total '...•' ■ 109 First Innings .........:....... 306 " Aggregate 415 Bowling Analysis.—Oliff, no wickets for 15, Howden, none for 24; Macfarlane, ior 12; Reese, none for 23; Bennett, one none for 21; Haddon, none for 6. THE WORST OF LUCK. SPECIAL TO THE "TIMES." CHRISTCHURCH, March 15., Armstrong, interviewed, said he _ did not like to criticise the New Zealanders play, 'as they had not had a fair opportunity of showing what they could do Thev had the worst of luck throughout. In "both innings they had bad wickets. He expected if the weather and wicket were favourable the test match at AVellingkm would bo close.