THE ENGLISH TEAM'S TOUR.

Otago Witness, Issue 3019, 24 January 1912, Page 61

THE ENGLISH TEAM'S TOUR.

THIRD TEST MATCH,

ENGLISHMEN VICTORIOUS,

WIN BY SEVEN WICKETS,

GOOD UPHILL FIGHT BY AUSTRALIA.

FINE SCORES BY HILL AND CARTER

ADELAIDE, January 16. The third test match was resumed in delightful weather. There were 6000 people present. The wicket was still in admirable order for run-getting. Australia’s second innings was resumed by Bardsley and Carter, who faced the bowling of Foster and Barnes. Four off the former’s initial over made 100 runs in 99 minutes. Bardsley completed 50 off Barnes. At first runs came steadily, among the good hits being a cut by Bardsley off Barnes and a crack to square leg by Carter off Foster to the boundary. Foster pegged away at Bardsley’s legs, and at last bowled him off his pads. Bardsley was batting for 128 minutes, and hit five 4’s. Two for 122.

Hill inched double figures off eight balls, two straight hits off Barnes travelling to the boundary. Douglas immediately replaced Barnes, and Hill drove him to the boundary. Poster bowled three leg-theory overs, which Hill allowed to pass unheeded. In the former’s next he glanced the ball to the boundary. Hitch relieved Foster, and 11 runs came from his first over, 7 of them being scored by Hill for two straight hits. At the luncheon adjournment the total stood at 174—Carter 29 and Hill 37. On the resumption of play Foster and Barnes bowled, and the batsmen were content with 10 singles before Hill snicked one from Foster to the boundary. In the same over Hill, with 47 to hie credit, was nearly out in the same as in the first innings. Smith whipped the ball back splendidly, but Hill swung his bat round in time to beat him. Hitch had an over which yielded two 4’e to Carter. With a leg hit off Foster Hill reached 50 in 80 minutes. Barnes had a fruitless over with a new ball, and then Douglas and Hearne bowled. Carter twice cut Hearne to the pickets, the first stroke giving him 50 in 135 minutes. When Carter was 56 and Hill 53 one of them should have been run out, as both were at one end as the result of a too risky cal] by Hill. For once Hobbs returned the ball wildly, and Hill got home, while Carter scrambled in at the other end before the wicketkeeper could get the ball to the bowler. A return to the bowler in the first place must have meant a wdcket. The runs came surely, but not furiously, chiefly off Hearne, and 250 were hoisted in 242 minutes. Carter with a pair of 2’s off Hearne passed 66, which was his record for a test match. Woolley then replaced Douglas, and in his second over Carter was caught at the wickets. He played a splendid, resolute innings without giving a chance. He batted for 176 minutes and hit eight 4’s. He received a great ovation on retiring. Three for 249. At the tea adjournment the score was 284—Hill 88 and Armstrong 1. Carter gave a chance to Barnes at point off Douglas w'hen his score was 48. Foster and Barnes howled when operations were renewed. The former was so accurate outside the leg stump and Barnes outside the off stump that the batsmen found runs hard to get. They came in singles, but were so few and far between that in 25 minutes only 15 were scored. Then 4 to Hill off Barnes to long-on completed 300 as the result of 293 minutes’ play. In Baines’s next over Hill, in trying to force 100, was caught at mid-on. He played a masterly chanceless innings lasting 165 minutes, and hit 11 4’s. Minnett began shakily, but Armstrong made some good forcing shots off both bowlers. At 319 Douglas replaced Barnes, and Woolley took the other end. While Armstrong was closely defensive, Minnett was aggressive. The latter got 4 off each bowler, a wristy cut off Woolley being particularly fine. At 342 Armstrong was beaten by a really good ball from Douglas. He was in 80 minutes.

Hordern was the next man. The score reached 350 as the result of 362 minutes’ play. The pair stayed till stumps were drawn. Minnett played dashing, crisp cricket for an hour. The fielding began well, but was loose in the middle of the afternoon. January 17. The third test match was resumed today in bright weather, and the wicket ■was good. The attendance numbered 2000.

In Barnes’s first over Minnett was easily caught at cover-point without making any addition to his overnight score. Raneford came next. Foster bowled at the other end. With 3 runs added Hordern softly returned a hall to Barnes, who took it with his left hand.

Matthews, the next man, batted cautiously, like Ransford, whose thumb evidently jarred him. At 383 Douglas took the ball from Foster. Ransford, by glancing him for 2, reached double figures in 41 minutes, while Matthews’s time was 32 minutes. Then the latter swung Barnes to the square leg boundary, and a scries of singles brought up 400 in 7 hours 7 minutes. With a new ball Foster went on again in place of Douglas, and Woolley bowled at the other end. At the luncheon adjournment the total

was 422—Ransford 24 and Matthews 29. Foster and Barnes resumed the bowling after lunch, and rune came steadily, chiefly from Foster, who at 439 was replaced by Hitch. In his second over [Matthews, who had made 59, was missed by Smith at short-stop, but the fifth ball of the over bowled Ransford. Tho lefthander batted soundly for 108 minutes in painful circumstances. It was a fine performance. Eight for 447.

With Cotter in Matthews hit 4 off each bowler, and Cotter banged three 4’e in succession off Hitch. Then Matthews was bowled by Barnes. He played a plucky, innings, lasting 114 minutes. Trumper limped in and made a single, and then Cotter Avas bowled.

The innings lasted 8 hours 17 minutes. Barnes bowled splendidly to-day, and the fielding was good. Hobbs and Rhodes opened England’* second innings against Cotter and Hordern. In the googly bowler’s second over Hobbs was out leg before. One for 5. Gunn, the next man, played strictly on the defensive, but Rhodes was aggressive. Armstrong replaced Cotter, and steadied the scoring. When Rhodes was 25 he was badly missed in the slips by Armstrong off Hordern. Minnett bowled instead of Armstrong, and as Hordern was punished Matthews bowled in his place, and Kelleway was also tried. Rhodes’* 50 and the century came in 95 minutes, but with 2 - more up Gunn was caught by Cotter off Kelleway. He batted for 91 minutes, and hit four 4’s. Hearne gave Kelleway an easy return before the same player caught him at mid-on.

Mead then went in. Rhodes made the winning hit with a 4 to leg off Matthews. The following are the scores ENGLAND. First Innings 501 Second Innings. Hobbs. Ibw, b Hordern 3 Rhodes, not out 57 Gunn, c Cotter, b Kelleway 45 Hoarne, c Kelleway, b Matthews ... 2 Mead, not out 2 Extras 3 Total for three wickets 112 Bowling Analysis.—Cotter, no wickets for 21 runs; Hordern, one for 32 ; Armstrong. none for 12; Mannett, none for 12 ; Matthews, one for 24; Kelleway, one for 8. AUSTRALIA. First Innings 133 Second Innings. Kelleway, b Douglas 37 Bardsley, b Foster 65 Carter, c Smith, b Woolley 72 Hill, c Hitch, b Barnes bfd Armstrong, b Douglas 25 Minnett, c Hobbs, b Barnes 38 Hordern, c and b Barnes 5 Ransford, b Hitch, 38 Matthews, b Barnes 53 Cotter, b Barnes 15 Trumper, not out 1 Extras 31 Total ... 476 Bowling Analysis.—Foster, one wicket for 103 runs; Barnes, five for 105; Douglas, two for 71 ; Woolley, one for 30; Hearne, none for 61; Hitch, one for 69; Rhodes, none for 6. SUPERIORITY OF THE ENGLISH TEAM. SYDNEY, January 18.

The Herald save : “ England’s win waa thoroughly deserved. The result will b< a tremendous shock to our sporting prida in ourselves. It is right that we should realise the occasion as a cricket misadventure of the first order. We were beaten in both teste in the first stage of tha game by bowling superior to our batting, and in the later stages by batting superior to our bowling. Australia’s cricket supremacy of many years is very seriously menaced, and active measures are imperative if it is not to be surrendered to the challengers. We suggest, amongst other remedies, an attempt to secure Noble’s services.”

The Telegraph declares that the Englishmen were noticeably superior by th» solidity of their batting, and were no! so liable to Be rattled out for small scores. In bowling, again, the Englishmen undoubtedly excel. The match leave* an uneasy impression that Australia It in some way susceptible to collapse. Dealing with suggested changes in tht team, the Telegraph adds: “It must b» admitted that, as now constituted frof the selected best 12 or 13 players, Australia has been twice outplayed and prettj badly beaten.” Many letters appear in the press it favour of securing Noble’s services fol the remaining test games. When approached, Noble explained that for him to re-enter cricket would interfere with the practice of his profession. The Herald comments : “It would not be surprising if Noble, who is very keen or Australia retaining the supremacy, one* more takes the field against the Englishmen.”

January 18

Tn the course of an interview M. A. Noble said he could not yet give a definite decision in regard to playing in the next test match. He attributed the defeat of the Australians in the last match to a telegram sent by M'Alister to Hill suggesting that the latter should leave himself out. The insult doubtless upset Hill and other members of the team.

January 19. Noble will give his decision on tlio

27th inst. as to whether he will play | in the remaining teat matches. ADELAIDE, January 18. Hill heartily supports the suggestion ! that Noble should play in the remaining test matches.

ENGLISH PRESS OPINIONS. LONDON, January 18

The Daily Telegraph states that the unlimited time allowed for the playing of test matches puts a false premium on caution. It says it is questionable whether Barnes and Foster would be equally successful if Trumper’s and Duff’s policy of giving the bowlers instant trouble had Seen adopted. The Australians merit unstinted admiration for their display of splendid cricket and pluck. The Westminster Gazette says that Carter’s performance was the most remarkable effort of the match. He was the last to bat in the first innings, and had a long and trying service in the field, and then was one of the first to bat in the second innings. His feat of physical endurance will excite wonder. Sporting Life says that, despite Ransford’e and Trumper’s injuries, and giving all honour to the forlorn hope, gallantly fought, the English team proved itself to be the' better side. It says it is evident that the colonials lack effective bowling when Hordern has been mastered.

ENGLISH TEAM AT BALLARAT. MELBOURNE, January 19. The English cricketers commenced a match against Ballarat to-day. In their first innings Ballarat have lest two wickets for 140 runs, M. Herring (93. not out) and E. Herring (30, not out) being the chief scorers. January 20. The English cricketers commenced a two-days’ match against Ballarat yesterday. In their first innings Ballarat scored 318 (M. Herring 129, E. Herring 55). Iremonger captured seven wickets for 66 runs and Vine four for 110. The visitors, in their first venture, lost two wftkets for 350 (Hobbs 74, Kinnear 114, Vine not cut 112, Gunn not out 31). USE OF RESIN BY BOWLERS. LONDON, January 18. The Daily Telegraph says that inquiries in cricket circles regarding Douglas’s protest against the use of resin by Kelleway and Hordern show that there is a general opinion that artificial aids to bowlers are unsportsmanlike. The use of sawdust is not analogous, as it is intended to bring the ball back to its normal condition. Some people recall the fact that wicketkeepers use a mixture of oil and resin on their gloves, and are thus enabled to transfer a certain proportion of the resin to the ball so as to assist the howler. Mr Lacey, secretary of the Marykbono Club, refused to express an opinion on the matter. SYDNEY, January 19. In reference the cablegram stating that during the Adelaide test match Uoogifcg questioned the propriety of Safeway and Hordern using resin on their fingers when bowling, considering it unfair to employ artificial aid, it is pointed out that the wicketkeepers used a sticky preparation on their gloves. Reference to the rules of cricket threw no light on the subject, which was discussed without any feeling. In discussing the Englishmen’s objection to the use of resin, M. A. Noble declared that he had always used it, and the fieldsmen also used it. The use of resin did not enable one to get more break on the ball, and it simply prevented the ball from slipping. The same advantage could be gained by rubbing the ball on the ground. Hopkins said the Australians had used resin; in England, and he had never heard of any objection to it there. January 20. Kelleway declined to discuss tho question of the use of resin by bowlers. Hordern said the same, and added that other bowlers used a little when the ball was new. He preferred that to licking his fingers, as the English captain (Douglas) does. NEXT TEAM FOR ENGLAND. HILL’S INCLUSION ASSURED. ADELAIDE, January 16. Jt is rumoured that Hill declines to accompany tire next Australian team to Eegland. January 17. -Hill emphatically denies the rumour that he will not go to England with the team. He says he has already booked berths for himself and family. QUESTION OF MANAGER. BRISBANE, January 17. The Cricket Association has adopted a resolution supporting the Board of Control sending a representative with the team to England. The statement was made that the last team’s accounts showed an item of £492 for “tips.” Even now the board did not know what each player got for the trip. MELBOURNE, January 18. Over 70 applications have been received for the position of representative of tho Board o't Control to accompany the next cricket team to England. Mr F. Laver, manager of the last team, replying to the Queensland cri'ticum in regard to the amount paid by way of

f tips to the last team, considers the i amount was not excessive. January 22. It is stated that the six cricketers who signed the ultimatum to the Board of (Jontrol objecting to the appointment of a manager for the English tour are Hill, Trumper, Armstrong, Hansford, Carter, and Cotter, while Modern, Bardsley, Kel- ! leway. Macartney, and Minnett refused to sign. SYDNEY, January 19. Six Australian players who are certain i of inclusion in the next team for England I have written to the Board of Control ; protesting against the appointment of a : secretary, and stating that they will not | go unless they are allowed to appoint i their own manager. They do not object | to an appointee of the board accompany- | ing the team if the board pays his ex- : penses. January 22. i The secretary of the Board of Control i has received a letter signed by the six i players mentioned this morning, elaborati ing their objections to the appointment of j a manager by the board, and stating that I unless their demands are conceded they ' will not accept selection, and if selected ' they will not accompany the team to Engj land.