BIG CRICKET.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 33, 3 February 1912, Page 6

BIG CRICKET.

ENGLISHMEN V. VICTORIA

Melbourne, February 2

The weather was sweltering and a temperature of over 105 in the shade was distress for the cricketers, while some factories ceased work at noon owing to the heat. The attendance was meagre. Victoria’s takings in the match are to go to the Blackham testimonial.

Vine, Kinneir, Strudwick, and Foster® wore omitted from the Ijnglish team, whilst in the Victoria eleven Seitz supplanted Hansford, who is unable to play owing to his thumb being injured in the third test, and it is doubtful if he will be able to play in the fourth test.

The wicket was perfect. Douglas won the toss and batted. Hobbs and Rhodes were opposed by the hew fast bowler, McDonald, and Scott. The batsmen opened with their characteristic caution, and at the end of half an hour Rhodes was caught low in the slips. 1—16—22. Gunn was next, and at '27 Matthews relieved McDonald. Gunn scored, with two nice drives, and theii : ,Hobbs beautifully, cut Matthews for the first fourer of the day. The extreme heat was already effecting the players, and. the batsmen frequently "walked between the wickets to reserve their energies. After an hour refreshment was supplied. Scott maintained a good length. In nine overs ho had obtained one wicket for 18 runs. Ho was then relieved by McKenzie. Fifty was scored in 54 minutes.

At 63 there was* a double change, Brown relieving McKenzie and McDonald replacing Matthews, who had bowled eight overs for IS runs. Hobbs played the ball on in trying to hook Brown. 2—29—75.

On resuming after the adjournment, Hearne accompanied Gunn, who resumed by playing McDonald on after batting 61, minutes. 3—29—79. Mead tried' to 'pull a short pitched one from Brown and was out log before. 4—2—90.

Woolley was brisk, and in one over got McDonald three times and hit him once to square leg for a fourer each time.

This knocked McDonald off for Matthews, who dismissed Woolley with a yorker. 5-—21—125. He was in for 23 minutes and hit four fourers.

Douglas joined Hearne, who, relishing the heat and batting stylishly, reached 50 in 45 minutes, while Douglas was 53 minutes getting ,10. At the tea adjournment live wickets wero down for 186, Hearne 77, Douglas 10.

On resuming Douglas and Brown were bowlers. Armstrong was not howling as hp was feeling the effects of ptomaine poisoning in Sydney. At 198 Spencer relieved McDonald, whose One wicket had cost 61 runs.

The second century came up in 191 minutes. The barrackers were critical' of Douglas’ slowness. Then lie quickened when the bowling was weak. Hearne’s rate of scoring lessened as He reached the century, which took 158 minutes. He narrowly escaped being run out on his hundredth run. Many of the spectators expressed dissatisfaction at the decision in Hearne’s favour.

Douglas gained 50 in 144 minutes. Hearne’s rate of scoring increased and he made some fine solid strokes in chanceless style, although seven bowlers were tried. The fielding was commendable considering the heat, which had increased to 100 in the shade. The attendance was 1900 and the takings £OO. Scores: — Rhodes, c Armstrong, b Scott ... 10 Hobbs, b Brown 29 Gunn, b McDonald 29 Mead, 1.b.w., b Brown 2 Woolley, b Matthews ... ... 21 Hoarne, not out 125 Douglas, not out 'SB Extras 13 Total fur five wickets ... 293