CRICKET.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 9112, 18 December 1907, Page 1

CRICKET.

ENGLAND v. AUSTRALIA. THE FIRST TEST MATCH. ■United Press Association — By Ekctric Telegraph— Copyright. SYDNEY, December 17. Despite heavy rain during the night the wicket appeared hard when the match was resumed to-day. The weather .was dull and cool. Ike Englishmen's innings terminated , in. the first over. Fielder knocked off 6 and Braund a single, "when* the former got his leg before to Armstrong. innings, which totalled 300, .occupied 5 hours 8 minutes. Trumper and Macartney commenced the task of securing the necessary 274 to make the first test the property of Australia. Barnes and Fielder were entrusted with the bowling. Trumper disappointed his supporters, although the ball that dismissed him was one of Barnes's best. Nevertheless, the Paddington player, is not the great batsman he was. On© for seven. Hill joined . M'Cartney, but he was equally unfortunate. Fielder dug his ofl4tump out after he had made a single. Two for 12. Barnes had taken one wicket for tw.o and Fielder one fox four. Despite assertions to the contrary, the wicket was doing a little for the bowlers. Noble was next. M'Cartney played a good defensive game for forty-eight minutes^ and then Crawford snapped him up 'at point. Three for 27. Armstrong followed and some livelier play ensued. Light rain set in just before lunch. On resuming, the drizzle continued at intervals. The partnership improved the position by getting runs freely. Blythe and Crawford were tried/ but gave way again to Barnes and Fielder, j Armstrong at 17 gave a chance to Hutchings fin the slips, but it was not accepted. The Englishmen weTe fielding magnificently, although the ball was greasy. A heavy rain squall stopped play. After waiting a couple of hours, the rain continuing all the time, Noble and Fane and the umpires examined the wicket and decided to cease play for the day. Five thousand persons were present.. . The following are the scores : — 'ENGLAND.

First innings . . . . . 273 Second innings. Fane, c Noble b Saunders . . 33 Rhodes, c M'Alister b M'Cartney . 29 Gunn, c Noble- b Cotter . .74 Hutchinga, c Armstrong b Saunters . . , ... .17 Hardstaff, b Noble . . . .63 Braund, not out • ■■ . . . .32 Young, b Noble . . . , . 3 : Crawford,: o Hazlett b Ck>tt«r . 5 Barnes, b Saunders . . . . H Blythe, c Noble b Sannders . .15 Fielder, Ibw b Armstrong . . 6 • ' Extras 12 Total . . > . .300 Bowling analysis — Cotter, two wickets for 101 ; Saunders, four for 63 ; Armstrong, one for 83; Macartney, one for 39, Hewlett, none 24; Noble, two for 23. AUSTRALIA. " • ■ " First Innings. Macalister, c Huichings b Barmes 3 Txumper, b Fielder . . . . 43 Hill, c Gunn b Fielder . . .87 Noble, c Braund b Fielder . . 37 Armstrong, c Braumd b F,ielder . 7 Ransford, c Braund b Rhodes . 24 M'Cartaey, c Young b Fielder . 35 Carter, b Braund . . . . 25 Hazlett, not out < . . . . 18>- r Cotter, b Braund . . ' . .2 Saundera, o Biaund b Fielder .9 Extras . . . . . io Total . . . . . 800 ' Bowling analysis — Rhodes, one wicket for 13 runs; Crawford, none for 14; Braund, 1 two for 14; Blythe, none for 33; Barnes, one for 74; Fielder, six for 82. Second Innings. Trumper, b Barnes ... 3 M'Cartney, c Crawford b Fielder 9 Sill, b Fielder . . . . l Noble, not out ; . . . .27 Armstrong,- not out . . .17 Extras ,' g Total for three wickets . 63