THE FIFTH TEST.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 55, 29 February 1912, Page 5

THE FIFTH TEST.

AUSTRALIANS SCORE 193 FOR THREE WICKETS. NOW REQUIRE 363 TO WIN. By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. United Press Association. \ Sydney, February 28. The weather was line and dull, with a gusty wind. The wicket was on the Bl England’s -second innings closed for 211 the second over after resuming Hitch being caught in deep held hy Hansford otf Armstrong. \ me earned his bat for 6, scored m 50 minutes. Wanting 363 to win, Trumper and Gregory opened for Australia to 1 osier and Barnes'. Trumper started in a scratchy manner, placing three dangerous 'strokes in <i« first two overs, twice snicking over the fieldmen s heads in the slips off Barnes, and one tipping a hall which fell a coupie of Ses out of reach of Smith, who was standing back to Foster. Gregory, on the other hand, played sound cachet, his leg glances being particularly Inductive, and 50 appeared in 16 mmU The partnership was unbroken at luncheon for 70. In the third oyer after the interval, Gregory touched a rising ball from Barnes, and Smith took tiie catch—l—l0 —88. With Hill in, tlie scoring rate slowed, the captain being unable to sight Foster’s leg theory balls. Ihe century went up in 98 minutes. Hill, who had batted 25 minutes for 8, hit 1« oster on to his wicket. . . ~ n Trumper brought up his uO in iiu minutes by driving Barnes to the track, but next ball lie poked the ball to Woolley at square leg, close in, who took a good catch. Armstrong and Minnett weie together at 3.30 p.m., when a light drizzling rain started, and the players hurried to the pavilion. After a quarter of an hour play was resumed till 4 o’clock, when tliere was an adjournment made for tea. The crowd hooted at the delay, and the hooting was repeated when the Englishmen dawdled on to the ground. The bowlers wasted further time with practice balls, and almost every action of the Englishmen was jeered. When Doiiglas used sawdust on the, ball, a voice enquired, “How about Hordern and resin?” Huch’s peculiar run was ironically cheered. Despite the interruption, Minnett attacked the bowling with great freedom, and was frantically cheered for driving Hitch to the boundary three times.- in 'one over. Armstrong was batting carefully. At 49 Minnett gave an easy chance to Hobibs at mid-on, off Woolley, but it was not accepted. On the conclusion of the over, Armstrong appealed against the light, and a quarter of an hour later stumps were drawn. The attendance was 6350. Scores;— ENGLAND. First innings 321 Second Innings. Hobbs, c Hazlitt, b Hordern ... 45 Rhodes, Ibw., b Armstrong ... 30 Hearne, b Hordern ... ... 18 Foster, b - MacLaren 4 Douglas, b Armstrong 8 Gunn, b Hordern ... .;. ... 61 j Woolley, : c Armstrong, b Hazlitt 11 Smith,*b Hordern i... ... 13 Barnes, b Hordern ... 4 Tine, not but.: . : ... : 6 Hitch, c Hansford, b Armstrong 4 Extras ,v. • ... < ' 10 Total> \yvu ... ... 314 Fall of wickets: 1—76, 2—76, 3 105, 4—llo, 5—146, 6—178, 7—185, B—2ol, 9—209, 10—214. Bowling analysis.—Macartney, none for 28; Hazlitt, one for 52; Armstrong, three for 35; Hordern, five foi 66; MacLaren, one for 23. AUSTRALIA. First Innings ... ... 176 / Second Innings. Gregory, c Smith, b Barnes ... 40 Hill, b Foster ... ... 8 Trumper, c Woolley, b Barnes ... 50 Armstrong, not out ... ... 23 Minnett, not out ... ... 49 Total for three wickets ... 193

THE FIFTEENTH MAN. Sydney, February 28. Smith, of Victoria, has .been selected in place of Hill. This completes the team. Emery, Kellc.way and Webster have accepted the invitation to accompany the team. WET WEATHER CONTINUES. (Received 29, 9.15 a.m.) Sydney, February 29. It rained throughout the night, and is still drizzling. A HEATED CONTROVERSY. (Received 29, 8.25 a.m.) Sydney, February 29. The “Herald” sums up the team chosen for England as follows: “There is no valid reason why 'it should not do quite as well, for it is obviously full of possibilities. At all events, it can do no\worse than our seasoned representatives this season against Young England.” The press continues to be inundated with criticisms- of the Board of Control’s action in regard to the six and the chosen team. Many critics are strongly pessimistic. Some are of opinion that the Marylebone Club will not accept the team, which it is claimed does not represent Australia. In Melbourne feeling is so high that the Lord Mayor, by requisition, has called a public meeting to protest against the Board’s decision, and to secure an expression of opinion on the proposal to send a team to England outside the Board. It is stated that Hill has'wired offering to act with Trumper and Armstrong in picking an independent team, and that Hill has received assurances that funds are forthcoming. The newspapers are strongly antagonistic to the Board.

The “Age” says the Board has no right to compromise Australia by sending a scratch team. it suggests that no team he sent tin's year. Noble, in an interview, said" the Board of Control adopted unjust and dishonest methods to evade the rules, and to take away the only privilege left to players. The constitution distinctly gave the players the right to appoint a manager, subject to ratification by the Board. He did not object to the principle under which the Board was constituted, but he strongly opposes the present personnel.

THE RECALCITRANT SIX. (Received 20, 10.20 a.m.) Sydney, February 29. Hill has expressed the hope that the selected team will do well. A proposal is afoot to send the recalcitrous s.x by private subscriptions, meanwhile to continue negotiations for a stttlement.