THE AUSTRALIAN TOUR.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 8250, 24 February 1905, Page 3

THE AUSTRALIAN TOUR.

MATCH AGABST CANTERBURY. OPENING OF THI PUT. The third match of the Australian j team's tour began at Lancaster Park at two o'clock this afternoon, in the presence of a very large gathering of spectators, many of whom were on the I ground an hour before play started. These occupied . themselves in discussions of the merits of the teams, and muoh was said of Canterbury's deoision to place eleven men in the field. After the displays given by the fifteens in Wellington and Auckland, it was generally considered that Canterbury was wise to meet the illustrious visitors on even terms. The ground was locking exceedingly well, and there could be no question as to the excellence of the wicket, the special preparation given it appearing to have been altogether successful. The outfield also was in very good order. The weather was cool, with a refreshing breeze from the east, and the conditions oould not have been bettered. The teams were: — Australia — M. A. Noble (captain), V. Trumper, C. Hill, S. E. Gregory, R. A. Duff, J. J. Kelly, W. R. A. Gehrs, W. Armstrong, J. Hopkins, "W. Howell and F. Layer. Canterbury — A. Sims (captain), C Boxshall, J. H. Bennett, 6. T. Callaway, S. A. Orchard, H. C. Ridley, R. Read, H. Ellis, J. D. Lawrence, A. Barron and K. M. Ollivier. Canterbury won the toss and elected to bat, the visitors taking the field at two o'clock precisely. Ridley and Sims were the first pair of -batsmen, the former taking, strike to Noble at the northern end. The first over was a maiden, and Armstrong took the ball at the other end. A bye and a leg bye resulted from the over. A four for byes off Noble followed, and Ridley opened hia account by driving Noble to the on for two. Sims drove Armstrong cleanly for three, and ten appeared as the result of ten : minutes' play. Six minutes later, with the score unchanged, Kelly appealed for a catch behind the wickets by Sims off Noble, and the batsman was given out, to his evident surprise. 11 — I—3.1 — 3. Ollivier joined Ridley, and after Ridley had scored a single, hit Armstrong nicely to leg for one. Ridley was obviously not at home to Armstrong's bowling, and the scoring was slow, the first half-hour producing only fourteen runs. There was no alteration when Ridley lashed out at a ball from Noble and dropped it into Howell' s hands at mid-0n. 112— B.4 — 2—B. Lawrence filled the vacancy, and after Ollivier had scored three singles by pretty leg glides, drove Armstrong along the carpet for three, bringing 20 up as the result of fortyfive minutes' play. Fours to each pl&yer and some sharp singles brought 30 up, and 40 followed quickly, Ollivier cutting Howell, who replaced Armstrong, and Lawrence treating Noble similarly. With 42 showing Lawrence made a weak stroke, and was caught by Howell at mid-on off Noble. 42 — 3 — 14. Orchard joined Ollivier, but before he had scored touched one from Noble, which was splendidly taken by Armstrong at short slip. 46 — 4 — o. The following are the scores : — CANTERBURY. First Innings. A. Sims, c Kelly b Noble . , 8 H. C. Eidley, c Howell b Noble . 3 Lawrence, c Howell b Noble . .14 S. Orchard, c Armstrong b Noble . 0

[Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON, February 24. The local Cricket Association made £800 profit out of the match with the Australians.

The return match between the Chrißtchurch Veterans and the Bakers was played at Hagley Park on Thursday. The Bakers batted first and made 111 (G. Howison 28, Francis 24, Malloch TA, Rattray 13.) The Veterans made 162 for seven wtckets (Stillwell 38, Lavery 36, Dann 34, M'Nae 22, Goring 20), Lavery and Turner for the Veterans, and Bull and Lloyd for the Bakers were the principal bowlers.