CRICKET.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11048, 28 February 1898, Page 3

CRICKET.

"THE FINAL TJEST MATCH. ■',;. THE ENGLISHMEN START WELL. PreSß Aggeciatioa—By Telegraph—Copyright. Syj>nejt, February 26. (Received February 26, at 8.30 p.m.) • ./here were fioe weather and a great attendance for the firat day of the final test match. Maclaren, who won the toss (Stoddart and Board standing out of the English team), accompanied W*inwright to the wickets, Noble and Howell- t.ruudliug. Noble was bowling splendidly, and Mackren was not too comfortable, three of Noble's almost proving too much for him. At 40 Trumble took Howell's place. Wainwright occupied 40 minutes in reaching double figures. Jones, at 50. relieved Noble. Trumble gave Wainwright a lift in the slips at 14 off Jones. An interval of slow play ensueby Wainwright especially being very cautious. Maclaren's half-ceutury was the result of 71 minutes' play. After lunch' Trott took Jones* place. Maclaren played more freely after the cenlui-y was up. A brilliant catch was made by Hill at mid-on, but evidently it was off a no ; ball, as ■• the catch was not allowed. Shortly after . this the Lanoash,ire man played Trott on. Ranjitsinhji followed, tind had secured a single, when Wainwright hit Trumble to Hill at extra Blip. Hay ward was next man. Trumble was bpwliDg magnificently, and very few liberties could be tnken with hioi. Trott sent a tempting one to Ranjitsinhji -who lifted it to Gregory, »nd the little Sydney man effected a, brilliant catch. Storer succeeded. At 144 Noble relieved Trott, Howell taking Trumble's place. Both the newcomers batted steadily, though they lost a number of runs through thtir over-cautiousness. The Sydney, bowlers had no luck, and M 'Leod gave Howell a spell. The score mounted gradually,' play being very slow. After tha tea adjournment Jones, repl»cedM'Leod. Hayward relished the change, but the Adelaide express got his revenge when Hayward was near the half-century by clean bowliDg him. Dmce, who c»me next, opened with a 3, bringing the second century up as the result of three and a-half hours'work. Druce went in for heavy hitting, and considerably livened np what had hitherto been a . tedious display, but StoW was shortly afterwards bowled by Jones. He had played a good innings, despite the pain of an injured band. Hirst, who was tbe next batsman, emulated Storer, and runs came quickly. Both batemen gave a espital display, Hirst's being especially good. Jusc as time was called the third century aptjeartd. Detailed scores :— English Team.—First Innings, -tlaclaren, b Trott... ... 65 . Wainwright, c Hill, b Trumble, "" 49 . lianjitainhji, c Gregory, b Trott '.','. 2 Hayward, b Jones ... .... ... 47 Ntorer, b Jones ... ... ].. ' ""44 r Di-uce, not out ... \ ... ,i. '" 4s '- Hirst, not out ... :',., ..; . Is' y .Extras ... ... .... '.....[] S- . Total for five wicke's ... . , 30J _Bowling Analysis.—Trumble one wicket for 67, Jones two for 71, Trott two for 40, M'Leod B°nefo^23, Noble none for 52, Howell none for Stdney, February 27. ' . (Received February' 27, at 5 p.m.) ■ The attendance at' ths match yesterday numbered 36,000. Contingents were present from all parts of Australia and New Zealand. All' the available hotel, accommodation in Sydney is taken up by visitors. " The takings f^ the gate* amounted to £1450.