CRICKET.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7293, 4 January 1902, Page 5

CRICKET.

4> ENGLAND v. AUSTRALIA. YESTERDAY'S PLAY. * United Press Association' — By Electric Tel egraph— Copy right. (Received Jan. 4, 8.30 a.m.) MELBOURNE, Jan. 4. Public interest in the cricket situation yesterday may be guaged from the iact that just on seventeen thousand people witnessed the match. The fine display by the colts, Duff and Armstrong, raised enthusiasm to a high pitch. The pair, gave a chance each a;tf the wickets, otherwise their innings were faultless. The score was a record for the last wicket in Test Matches. Duff's work stamps him. as a batsman of rare skill. He made excellent use of his opportunity to justify his selection. With public opinion strongly opposed to his inclusion, a condition calculated to try the nerves of the stoutest, he showed his possession of the characteristics necessary to a great cricketer. Armstrong, too, showed splendid form. Itwill be hard to leave either out of the Austnili'an team for the next English tour. A hard row was set the Englishmen to hoe, and disaster came in the first few minutes. Tyldesley's stand was of. great service. He gave a fair exhibition of his batting skill, although on the defensive. When one compares the fine stand which Maclaren and Hayward made in Sydney with the dissolution of their partnership here for a couple of runs, the uncertainty of ciicket is once more demonstrated. Noble's present form is marvellous. The batsmen agree that his swerve in the air is one of the most difficult things they ever had to combat with.