THE AUSTRALIAN CRICKETERS

Otago Witness, Issue 2660, 8 March 1905, Page 61

THE AUSTRALIAN CRICKETERS

THE OTAGO MATCH.

A ONE-INNINGS WIN FOR THE VISITORS.-

—First Day: Friday.—-

That there is plenty of interest taken in good cricket in the community was evidetiv from,, the large attendance at Carisbrook on Friday, on the occasion of the commencement of the match between the Australian team about to visit the Old Country and an Otago Eleven, and certainly in cticketinsr circles the event was one of quite exceptional interest. It is now becoming quite a long hark back to the time ofMe advent of the firs* Australian cricket I}eamsdn New Zealand, and though the present A-ustralian team is the fifth to visit this colony, these visits have been sufficiently far between to always carry with them, a rare stimulus. In the majority of ! instances the tour of the Australians jh'erewas made, moreover, on the return of the players from England, and the fact that the present team has yet, as a team, to prove what it can do against the worthiest of opponents, and is setting out on a quest in which victory may or may not reward it, ; rather adds than .detracts from the interest one has in witnessing its achievements here, and will undoubtedly add vastly to the interest with which its achievements in the Old Country will be heard of later on. Memories at least of the visit of the 1896 team will be prominent enough in the. recollection of many, and Otago on that occasion oertainly made a good showing, and Fisher's bowling came in for deserved commendation. Since then the comparatively recent visit of Warner's English team has been the most important event in local cricket. That Otago did not come gloriously out of yesterday's match was not altogether very surprising, everything considered, though the liatting display of the team was of course disajapornting. The public no doubt saw what it expected to see — namely, -a display of cricket as played by the redoubtable Australians, men whose names are mostly as familiar as household words in t-he world of sport, — and if Otago cricket is still capable of much improvement, at least it is well to know it and to have seen the real thing. The weaxher yesterday afternoon, though inolined to be dull early, brightened up later on, and, there being no ■wind, tho conditions for the spectators at Carisbrook were very pleasant- The attendance- was to all indications above 5000, the amount taken at _the gates totalling £175. The matoh itself, so far as it has gone, needs little comment. The absence of A. •Downes from Otago's team was unfortunate, weakening, as it did considerably, the bowling. Noble, winning the toss, s&nt 'Otago in to bat, and at the end' of 70 minutes the spectators saw the last of their ■representatives beat a retreat to the pavilion, - Otago's total being 55 runs, or an average of 5 per man. The inning^ had truly savoured somewhat of a procession, trnfc on that account could hardly be-charac-terised as dull. The bowlers for the Aus±ralia.ns were Cotter and Noble, and in 11 overs Noble secured five wickets at a cost of 30 runs, Cotter in 10 overs securing tte other five at a cost of 25 runs. The fpjst howling of Cotter proved especially distasteful to "the batsmen, and they appeared for the most part to know little of what was happening when they faced it. When the Otago men took the field the spectators rallied their spirits in :he expectation *of seeing a display of batting ■worthy of the name from the visitors, and •were not disappointed. The appearance of the one and only Trumper at the wickets ■was the signaf for loud applause^ and Duff joining him, the" two got to work in no time, and proceeded to bang Otago'3 bowling about freely, treating bowler after bowler with little respect. Both }aeh gave chances, and hit rather recklessly as their scores mounted up, but their batting was most stimulating, and that of Trumper especially was much admired, the easiness of his play and his remarkable placing in his varied strokes being delightful to watch. When the partnership had realised 166 runs, of which Trumper had made, 87, Trumper lifted one to Graham', who maidel no mistake in holdIng it. Duff played on a little longer, till Shackloek " scattered his wickets, having compiled 74- in vigorous style. Trumper and Duff scored very much at an equal ■pace, the former slightly the faster, and at the rate of two runs a minute. The century was hoisted for the visitors at the end of 50 minutes, an average of five runs to the over. At the end of~~an hour's play the pair had knocked up 121. Duff apparently gave but * one chance, but Trumpor was thrice missed by the fieldsmen before he gave his final chance, his offerings being more or less gracefully declined. The other Australian batsmen who faced the bowling brought the score up to 201, at which stage, shortly before 6 o'clock, owing to the failing li^ht, play was discontinued for the day. Hill was shaping for a big score when he gave Cramond a chance, which the latter accepted, Hill's total being 15. Noble and Gregory were both out to Shacklock without getting into double figures, and Hopkins went out lbw to Fisher. The Australians have lost six wickets for 201, the not-out men being Armstrong and Gehrs, the former having 5 and the latter 6 runs to his credit. The fielding of neither side wa3 remarkable for brilliancy, though that of the visitors was occasionally so, and their running between the wickets was decidedly instructive. •M'Leod and Layer stood otit of the Australian team. Messrs J. West and D. Smythe acted as umpires. The stand accommodation on the ground was all fully occupied, and the special cars running to the ground took a very heavy complement of passengers. Play will be resumed at noon to-day, and, in the event of an early finish, it is announced that the Australians ■will bat again. The teams were constituted as follows : — •

Australia. — Armstrong, Howell, Hopkins, Noble (captain), Trumper, Gregory, Hill, Duff, Gehrs, Cotter, Kelly. Otago.— Baker, Austin, Fisher, Siedeberg. Howden, Graham, Williams (captain). Kilgour, Chadwick, Cramond, and Shacklock. For the first time on the present tour Noble, the. Australian captain, won the toss. Precisely what he would do, having thus had the choice of innings, was not exactly known to the spectators. They were, however, not kept long- in suspense, for after having examined the wicket in the company of Kelly, who was apparently there as guide, philosopher, and friend, the Australian captain decided to take the field, putting Otago in to bat on a wicket which at the outset was slightly in favour -of the bowlers.

A few minutes after 2 o'clock Siedeherg and Austin, the pioneer batsmen of Otago, stepped out to the batting crease. The latter took strike to Noble, who opened the attack from the railway end, Austin cutting the first ball of the match for 3. A single to Siedeberg, off Noble, brought Austin again opposite tho Australian captain, but the o\ r er closed without another run being scored. Much interest was taken in the appearance of the fast bowler, Cotter, who opened at the Cargill road end. ' After a little delay in laying down a sawdust foothold the "express" bowler sent down his first ball; — a short-pitched one which jumped a bit. Siedeb&rg snicked the third ball through the dips to the boundary, and back cut the next for a, single. With the last ball of the over Cotter/got Austin leg before. The spectators cheered heartily as Graham oame out to fill the vacancy. Siedeberg hooked the last ba-11 of Noble's second over for a couple, bringing 10 up on the telegraph. Graham faced Cctter, playing several of the fast bowler's deliveries with his body, to the apparent delight of the spectators, .but to the discomfort of the ex-interna-tional, who did not relish the blows. Siedeberg, who had been batting confidently, played back at a fast one from Cotter, but failed to completely smother it, the ball rolling on to his wicket. Two of Otago's best bats dismissed for a dozen when Cramond took the batting crease. The Dunedin representative played one back to Cotter so dangerously near that his dismissal appeared certain, but the bowler just failed to reach it. Graham had scored a 'single when he spooned one off Noblei to Clem Hill, who was fielding at short leg. It was an easy catch and a po«r stroke. The ex- Australian walked back disconsolately to the pavilion. He had been far from happy to Cotter, and did not get I a chance for a liking with Noble. Three wiokets down for 14 runs — such was the state of the- game when Baker oame in to attempt to stop the rot. The w T icket appeared to be playing well, and, barring, perhaps, the pace of Cotter, there did not se&m to be any reason why the batsmen played so gingerly at the bowling. The first ball from Cotter the Grange representative attempted to lift, but played far too late. He was more successful with Noble, whom he drove powerfully to the off boundary for 4. Again facing the fast bowler, Baker unintentionally caused' a good deal of amusement by stepping out of his crease to the lightninglike deliveries, allowing them to pass over the wicket to Kelly, fielding at short stop, the Australian wicket-keeper shying unsuccessfully at Baker's wicket. With the last ball of the ov&r Cotter bowled. Baker with his fatal yorker, at which the big fellow plaj r ed too lato. Otago's wickets were now falling like autumn leaves, for Howden, who joined Cramond with the score at 26, was beautifully taken at the wickets by Kelly, off Nobre. The outgoing batsman was not comfortable, mis-timing -&he first two balls from the' Australian captain. Fisher, the incomer, signalled his appearance at the batting crease by pulling Noble round to the on for a couple, but the next ball he spooned softly round into the hands of Gehrs, who was fielding at short mid-on, Hill meanwhile having dropped back to the boundary. Cramond was still in, scoring a single here and snicking a couple there, and showing better form than any of the preceding batsmen. The spectators, who had been taking their cricket very seriously, now saw the apparent hopelessness of the whole business, and veered right round from grave to gay. Si* wickets for 28 runs was the sorry state of affairs when Kilgour, midget cricketer and rival in stature of Sid Gregory, took the batting crease. Cramond pulled the fast bowler round to the square-leg- boundary for 3, bringing 30 up. Noble was varying his pace a good deal, o oca sion ally sending down a fast on&. It was this/ fast one which brought disaster to Cramond, who, in trying to pull it round to leg, was bowled neck and crop, the ball — the last of the over — knocking back *he leg stump. Meanwhile Kilgour had been sampling some of Cotter's extra specials without getting within reach of them. Shacklock came in at a time when runs were badly wanted, the telegrapn showing eight wickets down for 38 of a total. The Notts professional, like the batsm&n who had preceded him, was altogether lost to the first two balls sent down byJ^Cotter. He made a couple of mighty swipes, the only effeofc being to part the atmosphere for the- fraction of a second. Against the third ball of Cotter's over Sbaoklock's bat was more succpssful — a powerful drive to the off boundary yielding 4 runs. Cotter had his revenge by clean Bowling the professional with ihe last ball of the over — a regular trimmer. The end was near when Williams, the Oiago captain, joined Kilgour. Noble sent down a maiden, and Williams faced Cotter. Just on the hqur Williams brought up 40 by snicking Cotter for a single. At this stage Kilgour, who had been batting for nearly 20 minutes for 3 runs, was beaten all the way by the Aiistralian " express " bowler. Chadwick. the last man, joined his captain, and after surviving five balls from Cotter, touched the last of the over into the hands of Kelly at short stop, but the Australian keeper dropped an easy chance. Williams got Noble to the boundary for 4, and a few balls later scored a single off the same bowler, bringing up the halfcentury in a few minutes over tho hour. At 15 minutes past 3 the innings closed — Otago having bee-n batting exactly 70 minutes for a total of 55 runs. The display of Otago was decidedly disappointing, none of the batsmen shaping like getting runs. They appeared to be over-weighted with the position, amd the question of nerves most largely entered Into the matter when commenting upon their collapse. At 20 tminutes to 4 Trumper and Duff stepped out of the •oavilion to open for the Australians. A great cheer wont up as the batsmen took the crea c -o. Duff took strike to Fisher, hooking the first ball to leg for 3. Thj§ brought" Trumper ojiß^jite

the Carisbrcok trundler, the champion batsman trying a glance to leg, the ball going for byes. Shacklock opened to Trumper, the Australian batsman scoring 3 off the Notts professional. Duff treated the next ball in a similar manner. Trumper pulled a ba.ll pitched well outside the oft' stick right round to the square leg boundary, bringing 20 up. With a beautiful off 1 drive Duff ,got tohaeklock awaj' for 3, Trumper leg-glancing Fisher for a similar total. The ease and grace with -which both batsmen placed the ball was the theme of admiration. Both mon scored freely, 30 being scored as the result of 17 minutes' play. Trumper without turning a hair pulled Fisher to the boundary, i)uff treating the first ball of Shacklock's over in a similarly disrespectful manner. The batsmen were level pegging, being 23 each when the ha-lf-century was readied, as a restilt of 25 minutes' play. The bowlers were keeping a good length, but they could not keep the bats-men quiet, the Australians scoring off almost every ball, mainly with the pull stroke. Al the end of half an hour's play the total had reached 60, being at the rate of 2 runs a minute. At 32 Fisher appealed for lbw to Trumper, but the umpire de-cide-d against the bowler. At this stage a change in the bowling was made, Chadwick taking the ball from Shacklock. Duff got the new bowler's first ball away for a couple. When he had scored 31 Duff put oue into Baker's ha-nds, but the Grange player allowed the ball to go through his fingers. A beautiful off drive by Duff off Fisher brought 80 up. At . this stage Trumper became very aggressive, scoring two waundaries in succession off Chadwick. As- showing the " complete ascendartey the bat had over the ball, only 16 overs had been sent down for 90 runs. At the end of 50 minutes' play Duff hoisted the century fimicl ohee-rs by getting Fisher for a pair. Duff was now scoring a shade faster than his fellow-batsman, having put on 50 to Trumper's 46. The average scoring up to the first hundred worked out 5 runs off each over. With the score at 107 another change in the bowling was made. Siedeber" going in at the Cargill road end in place of Chadwick. Duff scored a single off the new bowler's third ball, and Trumper drove the last of the over hard to the rails. Tho blades were -flashing in real earnest now, Trumper and Duff taking turn about at scoring boundaries. Uxcitemenl was at fever heat when Duff lifted one from Fisher hiarh into the members' stand for 5. The ball dropped harmlessly amongst the spectators. At this stage the batsmen were punishing tho bowling severely, repeatedly raining the ball amongst the onlookers. With hie. score at 61 Trumper started to hit eometvhat recklessly, and grave his first real chance to Graham at mid-off, but this usually" safe field fa'led to close on it. Thankful, no doubt, for the let-off, Trumpsr continued more recklessly than ever, hitting out all over the field, and piling u.p t-he runs at a great rate. At 137 Shacklock took the ball from Fisher, but the change troubled the batsmen not one wliit. With his score at 78 Trumper lifted a ball from Siedebcrg out to Chadwick in the' deep field^ hut the Opoho player, after having the ball apparently well in his hands, allowed it to slip through. Another life was thus conceded to the world's batsman, and he was permitted to continue in his aggressive batting manner, to the delight of the multitude who had foiegathercd to see- the mighty Victor. At the end of 75 minutes' play the total was raised to 157, Trumper claiming 84 and Duff 63. At (his stage Austin took the ball from Siedebeiy. but the rate <of scoring did not dimini.-h with the change. At 85 Trumpor save another chance. This time off Shackloek, to Cramond, right in iront of the player*' pavilion. The Dunedin representative \va« not equal to the ordeal, and the ball fell harmlessly ,to the. ground. The spectators cheered and jeered, and cries of " Get a bag!" "Hard luck, Shack.!" resounded from various points along the line of onlookers. It was oertainly a most amusing situation. Trumper was giving the Otago fieldsmen every opportunity of c?i.<=missiua; him, but they refused all his chances. It was left to Harry Graham to get rid c f the champion at the finish by__a beautiful oat.?h, for which the ex-i international had to run bae-kward several yards from mid-off before getting under the ball. In the effort -a magnificent one — Graham turned a somersault, but he held the ball safely. A £rcat cheer went round the ground on the dismissal of Trumper, who had played a fine, dashing innings, alb&it towards the close a reckless one. Trumper had been batting 81 minutes for 87 runs, which included 14 4's. At 166 Hill partnered Duff, only to h?& the latter ele-an bowled by Shaddock. The outgoing batsman had played fine cricket for his 74 runs, which included one 5 and six 4's. 2—74—169. Noble, the Australian captain, was accorded an ovation when he stepped oub to fill the vacancy caused by Duff's dismissal. With the advent of Hill and Noble the run-getting, which had been alarming, during the tenancy of Trumper and Duff steadied down. Noble did not last long. When he had scored 2 he mis-hit one from Shaoklock up in the air, the ball dropping into the safe hands of Siedeberg at cover. Three wickets for 181 runs was the state of the game when Gregory partnered Hill.. At 184 Fisher went on at- the Cargill road end in place of Austin. With his score at 15, and the total at 187, Hill lifted Shaddock high to Cramond in front of the players' pavilion, the Dunedin player making no mistake with the catch. 4—44 — 4 187. Armstrong came in only to see Shacklock gefc rid of Gregory, the- Australian making a wild swipe at a well-pitohed ball. Shacklook had at this stage secured four wickets for 65 runs. With the score unaltered Hopkins partnered Armstrong, but the newcomer only lasted long enough to make a single and a couple before he was sent back pavilionwards, having placed his leg before to Fisher, With the total at 192 for six wickets Gehrs came in. Armstrong had scored five singles before Gehrs signalled his appearance with an on drive off Shacklock for 2. The light was now failing fast. When the total ba-d reached 197 Armstrong made his first big hit — a. drive off Fisher to the top boundary. Taking for granted that the J>all had gone over, tho batsmen did not run, "but remained in their crease. To 'their surprise the ball was returned, never having' gone over the boundary, three or four runs thus being lost to the Victorian batsman. At 10 minutes <to 6 o'clock Gehrs registered a boundary, raising the total to 201. At this stage, owing to the rapidly failing light, stumps were drawn for tho day, Gehrs being not out 6 and Armstiong not out 5. ■ — Second Day : Saturday. — The weather at Carisbrook on Saturday for the continuation of the cricket match

[Australia v. Otago was bright and generally I all that could be desired, the result being ' that although interest in tho game as a contest had been considerably shattered by the display Otago had made against the Australian bowling, the number of spectators present during the afternoon was not far short of the first clay's total. With six wickets down for 201 the Australians resumed their innings at noon, and at 2.20, the luncheon adjournment having occupied an hour, the remaining batsmen had been disposed of, the visitors' total being 304. Gehrs carried his bat out for 45 without giving any chances, Kelly compiled 28 iii bri«k fashion before playing one into Baker's hands, and Cotter, whose score was also 28, showed a predilection for hardhitting, and treated the bowling with no respect. He made his total in 15 minutes, and then sent a. long, high one to Chadwick, who accepted the catch.. Cotter's score included three 4's and a 5. It was the serious hope and fe-eble expectation of many that in their innings the Otago batsmen would make a better stand than in the first, and for a time they did so, although the ultimate result was little better. Siedebprg was catight after making 3, Austin and Graham then becoming partners, and making a stand again=t the bowlins of Cotter and Noble that, while it lasteri, quite raided the spirits of the spectators. When the- score had reached 45 the first bowling change on the Australians' side was mad©, Hopkins replacing Noble. With the score at 52 Graham was caught out by Kelly, having made 28 in his best style. The half-century had been scored in* 40 minutes. Austin did not last much longer, being clean bowled by Cotter when ..the score stood at 55. having batted for an hour and made 14 runs. The remaining batsm-en could only increase the score to 76. Baker, -\vifch 9, was the highest scorer among them, being clean bowled by Armstrong, who had replaced Cotter. Four of the Otaso batsmen had failed to make a run. The Australians thus won by m innings and 173 runs.

Aftrr a short adjournment the Australian batsmen then gave- a. batting exhibition against their own bowling with the Otago team in the field, strengthened by Noble. Howell, and Layer, and Baker, Shacklock, and Chadwick standing out. The batsmen all hit out freely, -and the display was gieatly appreciated by the spectators. Layer" and Howell began thp bowling and Trumper and Gregory went in to bat. In 70 minutes the eight batsmen who went in had knocked up a total of 221, and of these Gregory compiled 114, taking exactly an hour to do ?o. Gregory's score included 15 4's. three 5.«. and a 6. and he gave a fine display of hai'd-hi',tin°;. receiving a deserved ovation. The crowd in the vicinity of the tennis court had frequently to scatter as the ball came soaring their way. well out of reach of the fieldsman. The scores of the other batsmen were as follow: — Trumper 26. Hill 6, Duff 29. Hopkins 26, Armstrong 2. Kelly 9, and Gohrs 5. and there were 4 -extras. Play was discontinued at 5.45.

The match was resumed «l'ortly after r.oon, fJehrs (6 r,oi out) and Armstrong (5 not out) taking tip the batting for the Australian?, who had over night six wickets down fo>* 201. Shaddock and Fisher were iho bowlers, tho Carisbrook man opening the attack. The first 10 runs were scored in as many minutes. At the outset the bat -men stol<> runs with impunity, the slack fielding of the local side allowing them to do so without" a great deal of risk albeit, both Yrmst roner and Gehrs narrowly escaped being run ou* once or twice. When the Australians' total was 207 and his own at 12. Gchrs mif«-hit Shackloc'k. the ball landing clear just out of reach of the howler's hand's. The South Australian breathed anew. Playing a ball from Fisher to Austi'i at forward co\<u\ Armstrong attempted to run, but hesitated and was lost, for the Caiisbrook man after misfielding returned to Williams, who knocked the bails off before the tall Victorian could get hack to his Grease. It was a foolish bit of business on the part of Armstrong, for he mighr very well have sot back had he notstopped stock -still nearly halfway down the wicket. The Australians under-estimated the accuracy of the return?. With seven wickets down for 215. Kelly partnered Gehrs, who was batting steadily and in quite proper style, albeit nothing out of the ordinary. The Australian wicket-keeper commenced by lifting Shacklock's third bail high to the on for 5. bringing 23-0 up with a leg hit for 4- oft' the same bowler. The cricket breeze was rising. After Gehrs had snicked 1 rather luckily off Shacklock. tho South Australian batsman lifted the same bowler to the square leg boundary, the bail skimming over Austin's beat? just out of reach. Kelly repeated Gehrs's stroke with the next ball, picking one from Shacklock pitched right at his toes, and sending it skimming hot foot to t-he onlookers at square leg. The last over of the Notts man had proved very expensive, a baker's dozen having been scored off it. 'Fisher was bowling steadily and keeping a good length, moreover the- batsmen were not scoring many runs off the- Oarisbrook lefthander. The fielding of the local -side, which had not shaken itsplf together, now braced up a bit, and srood work was being put. in, ©specially by Austin at extra cover ' and Graham at mid-on. Despite this the total mounted slowly but sipadily xmtil 248 wa3 in sight, when Chadwick replaced Shacklork at the railway end. The Notts man in his morning* % work had bowled eight overs for one wicket, and had had 32 runs scored off him. Gehrs got on to the new bowler fiom the commencement, scoring a 4- and a 2. A nice- hard drive off Chadwick by Kelly =;aw the ball race through between cover and mid-off, to the boundary. the> Australian wicket-keeper driving tho next clean along the carpet to the rails. The spectators cheered the crisp batting, which was w hat they had come out to see. Kelly's hour had come, for without any further addition to his <=core he played ou& from Fisher to fSiikw at mid-on. the' " sole selector" making no mistake with the catch. Eight wickets had now fallen for 267 rims. At thi* f-tage an adjournment was made for lunch, Gchr-j being not out 37. Tho matoh. was resumed at 2 o'clock, Gehrs bringing Cotter out with him to the batting" create. The Australian fast bowler had come down with something of a reputation as a •hitter, so thai quite as much interest was take-n in his fhst appearance with tho bat as with the ball. Cotter ecoi-pd a siuglo off the Ip.st ball of Fisher's over. This brought him opposite to Shacklock, who had resumed bowling at the railway end. The fourth ball from the- professional Cotter lifted high to Cramond, fielding at long-on in front of the players' pavilion. The Dunedin plaj'er ran in to meet the easy-drops>ing ball, and c^sasnd to 1»

making a good catch af it. when it phppeC through his hand*. The e\il of the dropped catch was becoming a serious matter Corter i\as leading a charmed l'fe. foi shortly afterwards, in running for an overthrow, he narrowly escaped losing: hia wicket. ft was a veiy -seveie trouncing Cotter inflicted on Fisher's auxt over, and the crowd smiled in -vree-t contentment as tho ball came off the bat with a crisp ''tick!" and ■skimmed merrily 10 tho boundary. Xot once- nor twice, but three times clicl this happen, and 14- runs were scored off the over. Cotter's blade was playing in real earnest now, and eiery ball got its full measure of puni.-hment. The crowd, smiling before, positively yelled now as Cotter despatched Shacklock hard to square leg for 1- and rattled the next ball up against the tin fence for 5. A email hoy points to a dent in the tin a few inches from the toy* showing how near the ball had gone to being driven clean over into the paddock beyond. The rate of scoring- was alarming, but how delightful: Twenty -three runs in 12 minue-— " express "' bmvler, "express" bal=man. Ju-^t *as the 300 was turned Cotter hfecl ore fiom Fisher high to Chadwick, fielding on the boundary at long-on. Through the minds of (he spectators there floated the thought, Would he catch it? — many, probably, hoped he would not. The ball this time c i; d not tear through the fieldsman's hands as through a paper hoop, for after misjudging its flight Cliadviick ran in and elo-rd on the fast-falling " Wisden'o special.'' Cotter hastened back to the pavilion the while tho onlookers cheered, lie had scored his 28 runs, included in which were three 4's and a 5, in lb^minutes. Howell. the last man, came and went. He received one bail, at which he swept mightily. Thrro wa-> a clatter f.f falling wood, and the Australians' innings had closed, G-ehrs carrying his Lat for 45, obtained, by quite oorrec-t ci'c-ket. The Australians batted throe hours and 20 minutes for their runs.

In the interval Otago's chanros in the second innings were freely commented upon, many experts being- of*rthe opinion that they*,would slrnie much belter ihan in their [ first venture. Hew far away they were from the truth is now only too well known. Tlie new wicket on which Otago opened played a- shade faster than the old one. The pioneer batsmen were the Carisbrook pair, Siedsberg and Austin. The Australian captain evidently meant to play the game up to the bile and to gne no quarter, for he opened the attack himself, with Cotter j at the opposite end. The farce enacted in the .north was not to be repeated here, and it was apparent from thft outset thai, the Australians intended Otago should get no more runs than they were justly entitled to. Austin commenced by snicking Noble for ? and banging a full toss from. Cotter to &(^uara-leg for a similar mimbei Play had been but a few minutes in progress when Sipdobera; touched a rising ball from Cotter into the hands of Noble at extra slip. Thus early was one wicket down for 8 runs. It was a poor beginning, but there was a gleam of hope as Graham, came in. With tho ex-Auscralian's advent there ' "was some brisk running beuveen the wicket*, singles being stolen with impunity. Now at last vie were to see some cricket •by the local side — ar. least so everyone thought, us Graham and Austin commenced to get the measure of the bowling. An unsuccessful appeal from Cotter against Austin for lbw saw the ball travelling to the boundary for b\€3. The score was mounting slowly, and as the total rose so -did the hopes of tho onlooker? — as least, as many of them as were not Australians, of whom there were a fair number present. Cotter was making pace off the new wicket, and a ball short-pitched occasionally bumped. Austin smothered several of th<-sc» successfully, but one. which got up almost shoulder-high, ho failed to play, the ball turning off his bat to Noble, fielding extra slip, but the Australian captain dropped an easy one. It was thus evident that the Australians could also drop catches, but nofc with the same unfailing regularity as Otaso. Austin was 8 when he gave Noble the chance, and by getting Cotter away to, the .leg boundaiy he ran into tfoub'e figures., The Carisbrook man was now timing the fasr bowler better than he did in the first innings. Graham, who had been quiet for a littlewhile, now commenced to get busy, his bat playing a merry tune at the expense of Noble, whom he back-cut prettily for a, 4, a 3, and a 4- off the Australian captain's ovor. How tho cowd enjoyed the " champagne " cricket! No batsman on the Australian side had so far shown the cut stroke to such perfection as the " Little Dasher." Matters now began to take a moie hopeful turn for Otago, but there was trouble in i.tore later on. Austin plashed one back to Cotter, noL dangerously near, but sufficiently so to make the fast bowler try for th 6 catch, which dropped out of roach. Gehrs, fielding at- long-leg, jut saved a boundary, which Austin had tried for by pulling a full toss from the "express" bowler. The first change in tho bowling" was made with, the total at 45, Hopkins so ins: on at the pavilion end in place of Noble, who had failed to secure a wicket. The full face of Graham's bat met the new bowler's first ball. There was a crisp clack as wood and leather met, and the crowd on the squareleo- boundary made way. At the end of 40 minutes' play the half-century was raised. Graham hooking Hopkins for a single. The New South "Welshman's first over had co=t him 7 runs. Good going this, but Graham'end was near. Cotter pitched a ball halfway clown ths» wicket. The leather ro=3 breast high, and Grahim tried to drag it round to \^s. The ball spooned off the her into the air. and Kelly ran out from his position at short-ston to anticipate it slowly dropping about short-leg. Two gloved hands fovmod a oup-hke receptacle underneath, and the ball dropoed into it. ToyoaH it a catch would probably offend the Australian wicket-keeppr. The ball «imnly foil mm something held out for it. Npverthek;s> Graham was out aftec bavtinsr fcr 30 minutes in quite hi* best .style for 28 run*, whir'n included ' three 4-X Two wickets clown f.l 52 was a fairly wromising start, and ii m.'i = reasonably thought that this would put mi fidencc- into the remaining batsmen. N< r, so, however, for Cramond came in to makea couple and have hi = log *.hck knocked back- by Hopkins. This brought out Baker, who was received with cheer*, given pioliably in the b'-lief that he was going to bo the" 'saviour of his side. The big Granp,a man had aa frequently stooped \ip when ruii/? were badly wanted that they? scomcil no decent reason why 'ho should not do on tliis occasion. Au=tin had been showing: quite good defence for the best part of an, hour; but his time had come. W till the total at 55 — Otago's first innings total — Austin was beaten by a beautiful hall from Colter— the best the fast bowlev bad s-nt down -in the match. Cotter fead in hie larc

iwo overs taken two wickets for no runs and three for 15. Howden, who had shaped

bo well against Warner's team, was the next

man in. The newcomer was content to let the fast bowler's deliveries alone, and Cotter bowled his infth maiden. Several runs were lost during: the Baker-Howden partnership owing to the batsmen's indecision. Baker caused some amusement by ■itepping out of his crease to Cotter, the While Kelly crept up to the wickets for a chance of stumping the batsman. On one occasion Baker just turned round in time to ground his "bat, and to find the Aus-

tralian wicketkeeper laughing at Lim over the stumps. Howden had been at the tickets some time before making ,a couple

off- -Hopkins. With the total at 63 Cotter ~ Was taken off in favour of Armstrong at the Cargiil road end. The disposition of the field was changed somewhat for the tall " jVTictorian. Howden scored a single off fli© new 'bowler's first over, but without any Further addition to his score mishit a hall back to Hopkins. Five wickets were down £or 65 runs- when Fisher joined Baker, the Grange man scoring a boundary with a •beautiful hard drive off Armstrong. Two balls -later Baker played right back to one from the Victorian, and was bowled. Williams, the Otago captain, came and went,

lifting the first ball from Armstrong to Gehrs. rfielding on the square-leg .boundary. fl?he South Autralian accepted an easy catch. Kilgour commenced by placing Hopicins for a couple arid scoring 1 a. single off the next ball, bringing Otago's total up to 70. At 71, Hopkins clean bowled Fisher,

greatly to the batsman's surprise. Shauk*lock canie in to see Eilgour pull Armstrong _ w>und to leg for 4. In repeating the stroke the midget cricketer was caught cut by Gehrs, fielding at square-leg. The end of the precession was in sight, nor did it take long to disappear round the corner, for Chadwick, the last man, was clean bowled by 'Hopkins with the first ball. The innings closed a few minutes after 4 o'clock, 'Otago having been batting 'an hour and a-half for f 6 runs. Australia-jwon a memorable match by an innings and 173 runs. Following are tho .detailed scores: — OTAGO.

COUNTRY CRICKET ASSOCIATIONS. A meeting of interest to cricketers took place in the Stock Exchange Buildings on Friday evening — namely, a conference of representatives of the Otago Cricket Association and representatives of country clubs and associations. The meeting was the outcome of the fact that for some rime past the Otago Cricket Association have been corresponding with th© various country clubs and associations suggesting that these clubs that have- not get an association should form an association in each district for the furtherance of country cricket, and suggesting also that these- associations should affiliate with the Otago Cricket Association, und'thai it should be arranged if possible Vaat teams representing the country associations should visit Dunedin, and that the Ofcago Association should send team« to the country districts. The conference was >alled with a view to getting suitable iuidhi? rules and regulations, and the prefent time was considered the most suitable to get delegates together. Those present last evening were Messrs L>. C. Gooch (vicepresident of the Otago Association, who bredde-d), -W. M'iean, C. R. Smith, .7. JL. Jamieson, F. H. Campbell, A. Maclean, 'W. H. Skitch. E. S. Wilson (representing ■the Otapro Association). Messrs James and -Crerar (Mcaxiototo County), Stpphens and Pitchers (Clyde). Williams (Alexandra), fci'Donald (Lauder). Simmonds (Earnseleugh), ilalloch and Dreaver (Waikouaiti and •Waihemo) . The Chairman «aid that no doubt Mr D. R. Smith. \,-ho had first, brought up this Inatter in the avociition, had some suggesHons to put before the meeting. Mr Smith exoro-ssed nleasure afc seeing- so Xiany d<>' elates from the country proseair, Uitl apologised for tlic unavoidable ab-enee of Mi A. C Hanlon. (president of tho

association) and Mr C. W. Rattray ('.icepresident). So far a<s the matter to be discussed was concerned he said he hud really few suggestions to make. He thought that steps should be taken to bring country clubs and associations more into touch with the central association, as in Australia. A?i argument in favour of this was exemplified in the number of great cricketers that Australia had obtained from the country districts. He suggested that each association should be charged a nominal fee. A subcommittee had been appointed to draw up a few rules and regulations to submit to the delegates. He explained that the method in Australia was to bring the country association teams to town on a certain week, called the "country week,"' when they played country teams, and then a representative team was picked from the various country associations and played a metropolitan team.

Several of those present having spoken in favour of the suggestions made. Mr Campbell, on behalf of the sub-committee appointed, submitted the following proposals to the meeting: — "That the country associations be allowed to join the Otago Cricket Association at a fee of 10s 6d per annum; that each association should arrange its own matches amongst its own clubs; that the parent association should present to each affiliated association a trophy to be competed for ; during every second season the country associations should send teams to Dunedin to meet one another, and every alternate season an Otago team should play teams representing the various associations on their own grounds, and while the country association teams were in Dunedin a representative team should be picked from amongst them to "play an Otago team ; that rules for Ihe guidance of country matches , should be drawn up by a committee of the delegates present and submitted to the Otago Association for approval; any dispute, arising: from the rules controlling matches should be submitted to the Otago Association."

The proposals all met the approval of the meeting.

Mr Skitch suggested that the association should endeavour to send a team to the country at Easter.

It was stated that arrangements were being made that a team from among ccuntry players at present in town should meet a town team early next week-

Votes of thanks to the chairman and to ths Otago Cricket Association closed tho m-e-ci ing-

FISST JNNIKGS. EJ-. -G. Austin, 3, lbw. T> Cotter .. .. a. G-. Siedeberg, 14121, b Cotter . . . . 3. -Graham, 1, c Hill, b Ncble . . " . . p. Cramoiid. 121131, b Noble .. .. f. Baker, 11-11, b Cotter E. C. Howden, 0, c -Kelly, b Koble . .' A.OH. 'Fishsx, 2, c Gelirs, b Noble .. W..Kilgotix, 111. b Cotter H. Shacklock, 4, b Cotter S\ WiUiams, 114111, uot out M.., Cliadwick, 111, c and b iS'oble .. .. Extras „ .. .. 8 .. 9 .. 1 .. 9 .. 7 .. o .. 2 .. 3 .. 4 .. 9 .. 3 .. 5 Total .. 55

BAWLING ANALYSIS. Overs. Rnns. Mdns. Wkts. M. A. jSToble ..11 30 1 5 a. Cotter .... 10 20 2 5 Cotter bowled one no-ball. ' Second Innings. GF. G-. Austin, 22111111121, b Cotter .. .. 14 EE. G.-Siedeberg, 111, c Noble, b Cotter .. 3 H. Graham, 11112143413411, c Kelly, b iCatter t 28 — B. 7Cramond, 2, b Hopkins 2 J. -Bafcer. 3114, b Armstrong . . . . -r? . . 9 C. JE. 'fiowden, 21, c and b -Hopkins . . . . 3 "A.. H. b Hopkins 0 E.^WiUiams,' c Gekrs, b Armstrong . . „ O w._l£ilgour, 214, c Gehrs, b Armstrong . . 7 E. „ Shacklock, not out 0 , 41. "Chadwick, b Hopkins " 0 Extras „ lo Total „ .. 76

Noble .. hotter .. . lopkins . . LrmstrQpg Overs. Runs. Mdns. Witts. ..7 20 1 0 ..12 15 6 3 ..8 18 1 4 ..3 10 0 S

AUSTRALIANS. First Innings. r . Trumper, 3241443212421111441114424444 41141111. c Graham, h Austin 87 I. A. Duff, 3423311411312222111441121411511 1111141, b- Shacklock 74 J. Hill, 2121111411, c Cramond, b Shacklock •* . . f. 15 I. A. Noble, ll,»c Siedeb-srg, b Shacklock 2 !. Gregory, 22, b Shackiock 4 l. J. HoDkiris, 12, Ibw, b Fisher . . . . 3 W. W. Armstrong. 11111111112, run out . . 12 r. J. Kelly. 154241344. c Baker, b -Fisher . . 28 D. H." A. Gehrs, '2411121211121242112411412, not out 45 jotter, 1222242445, o Chadwick, b Fisher.. 28 lowell, b Shacklock 0 Extras N 6 Total T .. tt .. .. 304

Shacklock Fisher Cliachvick Siedeberg Austin . . BOWK-ING ANALYSIS. Overs. Suns. Mdns. "Wilts. .. .. 27 124 1 5 .... 31 94 6 3 .... 7 42 0 0 .. ..- 3 21 0 0 .. .." 4 17 0 1