THE AUSTRALIANS IN ENGLAND

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 8588, 7 August 1899, Page 4

THE AUSTRALIANS IN ENGLAND

PERSONAL NOTES OF THE TOUR.

THE THIRD TEST MATCH.

(Sydney Daily Telegraph.)

London, June 30. Tho rain came down in torrents on the evening of the third test match, giving England what they had been praying for -a slow wicket. So far ns good wickets are concerned, they have thrown up the sponge, and they might receive an unwelcome shock even on a treacherous wicket. Interest in tho match was universal. In the first place the selection committee was at its wits' ends. They didn't know what to do. They had 14 men on the ground, different men for different weather. Richardson if it was dry, Brockwell if it was wet (he would have been in the team only an injured finger, hurt in a vain attempt to catch Ranji out on the previous day, kept him out), Briggs if the wicket was slow, and Ty Wesley if it was likely to be an east wind. If only Wragge, the Queensland wizard, were here, he would be worth his weight in gold. The team was not finally chosen until after the spin of the cnin. Then, again, Jackson would not pUy, because he was not made captain. 11ns is Bo mere coujeeture, as he made no bones about it. It was a common subject for discussion in the papers. It was a childish act, and elicited no sympathy from the country. At the last moment way was paved for him to alter his decision. Shrewsbury also declined to play, giving as his reason that as he wasn't in robust health the strain was too great.

The Australians were very anxious over Hill. For the last three matches he had lieen suffering from swollen glands in the throat, and was not, therefore, a participator. He went up to Loudon to visit an export, who informed him that he was Buffering from a growth at the back of the uose, called a polypus. There was no danger, but the best thing to do was to undereo an operation to have it removed. " All right," said Clem, " but not till after the test." What a cheer the team gave when they heard Clem's decision. The match was played at Headingley Park, which is a very fine ground, and would have provided a beautifully fast wicket, but that the rain had made it slow and easy. I don't think one over gets really sticky wickets in England. At any rate the Australians have had none up to dale. Neither captain Was very anxious to win the toss, as the wicket would get much drier during the day. Darling won, and, of course, batted. It was an easy batting: wicket, the ball coming so slow. The usual order was departed from, Kelly accompanying Worrall. Misfortune quickly befell the colonials, as Kelly was magnificently taken by Fry right-handed at Bhort-leg off a tine stroke. Immediately after Noble was run out. He played a ball to third-man and called. When haltway he turned to watch the ball, ami stopped. Worrall came straight through, with the above result. It was a great piece of ill-fortuno. When Gregory was finely caught by Lilley three good men were out; each: making a duck. Worrall was batting -splendidly, and had made every run (24) so far. Out of the first 62 he made 51. It was a wicket which suited him, and he hit with great brilliancy. He was finally the victim of bad luck in -getting run out. Just prior to his dismissal he and Hill had a confab, Worrall asking him not to run them too short, hw knee being very stiff and painful, but Clem, forgetting, called his partner, who was unfortunately run out. It was by tar the best inuings he has played in England. He never gave a possible chance, and made 76 out of 92, and was batting an hour and a-half. He hit 14 tourers, one of which went over the chains. Hill was not at his best in compiling his runs, and was missed by.Hearne in the slips off Briggs when three. Trumble, as usual, batud safely and sulidly. He is very consistent. 1 oung •was the most difficult of the English bowlers,' coming across his arm. Takan all in all,' it was a very disappointing innings. , The Englishmen did not perform much better. . Trumble and Noble bowled grandly! MacLaren Boooped a hanging ball of Trumble's back, and was finely caught at mid-off by Worrall. He was trying to kuook Noble off. »- " There was a great attendance, and a very partial one. Not an Australian batsman received a solitary cheor when going in to the wickets. Worrall, however, received a fine reception when retiring. Or Layer,-. who -has been one of Die " team's staunch'est friends, presented every ; member, on the eve of his departure from home,' with a beautiful gold matchbox. It is an Australian present, as the gold came from a mine that he is interested in in West Australia. At the back is tho Australian coat of arms.