CRICKET.

Colonist, Volume L, Issue 12161, 8 February 1908, Page 3

CRICKET.

ENGLAND V. AUSTRALIA, FOURTH TEST MA TOO. (Per United Press Association). Received February 7, 10. f> p.m. Melbourne, February 7. In the fourth test matoli Jones captained the English team. Fane, Blythe. Youug and Hayes were omitted. .Noble won the toss, and with Trumper, opened Australia's innings on a good wicket. The batsnieiit began very gingerly at,d Noble had a life very early in tbe proceedings. Trumper was tak e n in ths tbird slip by Crawford, to tbe great disappointment of the crowd. Trv.niper has 9ho\vn indifferent form in test cricket this season. The disappointment was accentuated shortly j after, when Hill was clean bowled. Noble and Mac A lister made a fair stand, though MacAlisfer gave a obance when 13 to Jones ai; square leg off Braund. At luLch hour both were not out, Noble 37, Mac A lister 20. .After ldnch the dullness of tbe morning play continued. Noble was first to go, Crawford skittling bin).- Gregory was cordially <r.eeted on bis reappearance in- test criuket, and with MacAhster brought up a century in 135 minutes. Three runs j later, MacAlister was well can-jut \ after batting for 107 minutes, during which he hit three fours* Gl'cg ory was Caught at point. Armstrong! iind Ransford played beautiful cricket, and tbe partnership added; 91 runs before Ransford. who was in for a hundred minutes* hitting six fours, was caught by Bra'uud. Armstrong was immediately afterwards bowled by Crawford. Tne remaining batsmen did littler aad the ianingsi, which lastrcl 274 minutes, cldaed for 214. GJiinn and and Uubb;-5 were associated for the tew minutes remaining to the drawing of stumps, i The attendance was nearly 10, COO ! and the wicket was gc*od; The scores were as follows : , Australia. — First Innings. Trumper, c Urrtwford, I) b'ieklor 0 Noble, b Crawford : -IS Hill, b Barnes 7 MacAlister, c Jones, b Crawfo-d 37 Gregory, c Fielder, b Ciawford .. 10 K.iDsfoird, c Braund, b Fielder . . ."I Armstrong, b Crawford .. .. 32 McArtney", c Hardstaff, b Fielder 12 Carter, c and b Crawford.. .. 2 O'Connor, c Fielder, b Crawford 2 Saunderp, not cut .. .. . . 1 Sundries 12 Total .211 Bowling analysis — Fielder -1 for H4 Barnes I for 37, Bjaund 0 for 42. Crawford 5 for 48, Rhodes 0 for 21, England.— First innings. Gunn, not out 0 Hobbd, not out 9 England had no wickets down for nina when stumps <vere drawn.