CRICKET.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6090, 29 January 1898, Page 5

CRICKET.

STODDABFS TEAM v. AUSTRALIA. THE FOURTH TEST MATCH. United Press A ssocmtion— By Electric TelegraphsCopyright. Beoeived Jan. 29, 0.6 p.m. MELBOURNE, Jan. 29. The day is a scorcher. All night a hot northerly wind blew, and in the early hours of this morning the atmosphere was like a furnace blast. There is apparently no hope of a change to-day, although the weather forecaster predicted a cool change within forty-eight hours. It was a close thing between Worrall and Jones for eleventh man. It was only after practice yesterday that Jones was able to say whether his shoulder would permit him to play. The Englishmen are likely to lose Hirst's services as bowler, he not having recovered from his Adelaide injury. He may, however, find himself in the team for his batting's sake. Great crowds of visitors from the country and the neighbouring colonies are trooping into the city to see the match, which may decide the rubber. In cricket circles the feeling strongly favours the Australian chances. AUSTRALIA AGAIN WINS THE TOSS. Received Jan. 29, 2 p.m. Trott won the toss and sent the Englishmen into the field. Darling and M7Leod, as usual, opened the innings for Australia, and with the score at 1 the Victorian lost his wicket, the score being 1 for 1. DOWNFALL OF THE WICKETS. Keceived Jan. 29, 2.80 p.m. Three wickets for 25. M'Leod 1, Darling 12, Gregory 0, Hill not out 12; Eeceived Jan. 29, 2.33 p.m. Four wickets for 26. Iredale 0, Hill not out 13. IjATEST Five wickets for 32.