SECOND TEST MATCH.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 17, 3 January 1912, Page 5

SECOND TEST MATCH.

THE AUSTRALIANS’ SECOND STRIKE. THINGS LOOKING SERIOUS. (By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (United Press Association.) Melbourne, January 2. The attendance was 26,(393, and the takings £876 for the third day of the second test mated. '1 lie weather was threatening, but the wicket was good. The Australians regarded England’s lead as insignificant yesteruignt, but to-day that opinion quickly changed. Bardsley and Kellcway -opened to Foster and Barnes’ bowling. Jen was scored in the first two overs. Australia in their first innings lost four for 11 . Tiie bowlers changed ends to give each other the benefit of the wind. They were bowling well, and the batsmen were steady. Kelloway was dismissed with Foster’s fifth over. Hill and Bardsley were not shaping with , their usual confidence, both doing cramped and feeling for the ball. Bardsley was run out, Hobbs from cover throwing the wicket down. Armstrong saw ‘ Hill mishit Barnes and caught in tiie slips in.a quarter of an hour. It was unusual for him to remain so long without scoring—a tribute to the excellence of the bowling. Trusuper was bowled off his pads. Barnes then averaged two wickets for 16.

Hansford and Armstrong wore watchful hut slow', and registered 56 for 75 minutes’ play. At the luncheon adjournment the position stood four for 54—Armstrong 11 and Hansford 3. After the morning’s shower the wicket kicked occasionally, but during luncheon the gale improved it considerably. On resumption of play Foster and Barnes bowled. 'Tiie scoring was slow, Hansford only making 16 in 16 minutes. Armstrong livened up and hit some beautiful shots. Both sides were forceful. At 78 Douglas relieved Barnes and Woolley relieved Foster. Armstrong drove Woolley for four twice in one over, bringing the century up for 138 minutes’ play. Again Armstrong slammed Woolley twice for four in one over. At 109 Hitch relieved Woolley. Armstrong obtained 56 as a result of 91 minutes’ play. Another change in the bowling was made at 16, Foster relieving Hitch. Soon a separation came. Hansford, in attempting to glance a ball, was caught at the wicket. His was a quieter innings than usual, being cautious and sound. Ho was at the wickets for 162 minutes and hit three tourers.

Hordern began by cutting Foster for a single. Armstrong was batting superbly. When at 67 he slipped a ban rrom Foster dangerously past Gunn and scored a fourer. At the tea adjournment the score was five for 148 —Armstrong 72, and Hordern 1. During the interval Hansford stated he had not played the ball on by which he was dismissed, but that it. touched his side.

Resuming, Barnes and Foster bowled. Armstrong beautifully off-drove Barnes’s third ball to the boundary. He treated the remainder of the over cautiously, and well. When two Hordern gave a;hpt chance; off i Foster ■.■ to Barnes, who juggled with the ball. Armstrong roused the crowd to enthusiasm when he got in a straight drive, and an on-drivo off Barnes. Each batsman was attemping the offdrive. Foster then howled Armstrong, who received an ovation on retiring. His was a magnificient, force, ful, and stylish innings. He hit 14 fourets, and was at the wickets for 148 minutes. Foster’s figures were three for 43.

At this stage the result of the Davis Cup .was)' posted,, at which, there was tremendous cheering. Minnett began cautiously. At 189 Douglas, rallied and relieved Barnes,; whose average was two for 55. Rhodes relieved Foster, who had taken three for 58. Rhode,s was bowling on the off theory, Minnett effected a fine on drive off Rhodes, and then cut Douglas for two, bringing up 200 for 225 minutes’ play. Barnes supplanted Douglas. At 217 Foster relieved Rhodes. There was steady scoring, nothing, however, being brilliant for a long period. The fielding was keen. Hordern aroused the onlookers to enthusiasm by pulling Barnes and running for four. Minuet fc was dismissed by a ball which made tremendous pace off the pitch. He was in for 50 minutes and hit throe tourers.

Cotter partnered Hordern, who was caught easily at, mid-ou. He played stolidly, but gave a chance when two. He was at the wickets 85 minutes, and lit four four ore.

The field deepened in expectation of Cotter hitting, hut he was cautions. Carter swung Foster to leg for the boundary. The batsmen were cheered for their smart running between the wickets. Cotter magnificently qffdrovo Barnes for a sixer, this he’ug received with cheers. He attempted to repeat the performace next stroke, but missed the hall, arousing laughter this time. The same over he legged a fourer. England’s total was passed for 270 minutes’ play, evoking cheering. Scores; — EXGLAND. First innings ... ... ... 205 AUSTRALIA. First innings 181 Second Innings. Kelleway, e Gunn, h Foster ... 18 Hardsley, run out ... ... ... 10 Hill, c Gumt, 1 1 Barnes 0 Armstrong, b Foster , ... ... 90 '1 rumper, b Barnes ... ... 2 Hansford, c Sm tb, b Foster ... 32 Hordern, c Mead, b Foster ... <ll Minnett, b Foster 31 Cotter, not out ... ... ... 18 Carter, not out ... ... ... 12 Extras ... . ... ... 21 Total for eight wickets ... 209 ■Warner’s health is improving, and he has decided to postpone his return to England in order to see. the third test. He will afterwards spend a holiday in Tasmania. Hordern is endeavouring to arrange to play in the Adelaide test. WELLINGTON v. CANTERBURY. (Bor Press Association.) Wellington, January 2.’ Continuing the Wellington y. Canterbury match, the latter required 157 to win, and knocked them up for the loss of five wickets. Reese 51 not out. Hickmott 39, and Patrick 29 were the chief scorers. Patrick (two for 21) was the most successful howler. Four easy chances wore dropped, the most costly being when Reese, who had scored only seven, was missed behind the wickets. Canterbury’s score was a good one considering the deadness of the outfield, as heavy rain foil all morning. The wicket, although a trifle slow, playcl very true.