CRICKET.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11659, 16 February 1900, Page 3

CRICKET.

M.O.C. v. AUCKLAND. (Per United Press Association.) AUCKLAND, February 15. The cricket match Melbourne C.C. v. Auckland Representatives was commenced to-day on the Domain in splendid weather. Melbourne won tho toss, and went in. The visitors were captained by C. H. Ross, Irwin standing out. Ohlson. was in charge of the local team. Trumble and Mailer started batting for the visitors on a fairly easy wicket. Stephens and Stemson started bowling for Auckland. Trumble opened the score with a fine off drive for 3 off Stephons's third ball. Stemson started with a maiden. For some time the scoring was very slow, the batsmen finding great difficulty in getting the ball away', owing to Auckland's Rood fielding. Trumble brought up 10 on the board with a beautiful leg hit for 4, and repeated the performance in the next over. Mailer, with another 4, brought up 20. Singles were the order of the day till 30 was reached. M'Rae at this stage relieved Stephens, and off his seoond ball an ineffective appeal for leg-before-wicket was made against Mailer. G. Mills went on in place of Stemson, but runs still came, though very slowly, and 40 went up after 45 minutes' play, Trumble then havingl 30 to his credit. The rate of scoring now became much more rapid, 4's and 3's coming in quick succession. Both batsmen were showing pretty cricket, especially Trumble, who was loudly applauded for some fine cutting. Seventy-one went up after an hour's play. Trumble having scored 50. Constant changes were now made in tho bowling, but it was of no avail, as the batsmen seemed to do as tliej liked. Auckland was missing R. Neill very much, and eeemed to have no really dangerous bowlers. The . century went up after 70 minutes' play. The Aucklanders were still fielding very well, Ohlson, in particular, stopping several bard hits on'the boundary. The score rose rapidly from 100 to 143, at which stage Trumble obtained his century amidst loud applause. Mailer had only 40, but, .beginning to hit out, reached his 50 before Trumble had added to his score. .Runs came faster than ever, the score being increased to 180 in the course o£lo minutes, W. Mills being very expensive. The fielding was now becoming somewhat loose, Wynyard and Hay being the chief offenders. . When the score reached 211 Trumble was at last out to a magnificent catch on the boundary. Trumble, on retiring, was loudly cheered for his score of 135. He hit. no less than 16 4's. He was succeeded by' Graham. who immediately began to score rapidly. Mailer still kept up his wicket, and it was not until the telegraph showed 290 that he was caught and bowled by 1.-Mills. Though'not playing such free cricket as his. nlub mate, Trumblo, he showed exceptionally strong defence, and made great use of liia late-cutting powers. Jacobs took the vacant crease, and shortly afterwards time was called with the score at 323 for two wickets. The detailed scores are as under: —

Melbourne.—First Innings. Trumble, c Ohlson, bG. Mills .. 135 Mailer, c and b I. Mills .. .-. .. 115 H. Graham, not out .' .. 65' Jacobs, not out .......■•• 5 Extras •• 3 Total for two wickets .. .. 323 G. Mills's wicket was secured at a cost of 42 runs, and.l. Mills's for 5 runs. G3 runs were scored oft Stephens, 52 off Sternson, 50 off M'Rae, 55 off W. Mills, 18 off Hay, and 25 off Kallender without any of them taking a wicket. WELLINGTON, February 15. The followine players have been chosen to represent Wellington in the match with the Melbourne Club on the 24-111, 25th, and Z7th insf, :—Upham, Ashbolt, Holdsworth, Hales, Richardson, Tucker, Midlane, Gore, Quee, C. Hickson, and Niven.