CRICKET.

Star (Christchurch), 20 December 1907, Page 3

CRICKET.

...». ■...'■ - THE FIRST TEST MATCH. NEWSPAPER COMMENT. United Press Association — By Electrio Telegraph — Copyright. (Received December 20, 9.3 a.m.) SYDNEY, December 20. The " Sydney Morning Herald " says that there have been a few exciting finishes «a the Sydney ground, but none quite up to yesterday's, for anything might have happened up to the last ball. Had Hazlett lost his wicket there was only Saunders to come, and though he batted well in the match between the Englishmen and the Victorians in Melbourne it was almost as reasonable to expect lightning to strike twice in one spot as to get a second even- moderate score from him. Everything at the finish depended upon Hazlett and Cotter. The latter batted as though h© was a veteran. There was nothing terrible about the bowling, though the wicket favoured it, a lot of work being got on to the ball; . After Armstrong and Macalister were dismissed the excitement of the spectators gradually increased, until it reached fever heat." The wicket was getting easier v and the Englishmen were looking anxious as they saw Carter and Cotter piling on the tens. Then with Carter out, for the finest innings as. far as the match went, 56 runs were required, and two wickets only were to fall. The runs were got under the most exciting conditions on record. The foreground of the scene at the finish was one that will live long in the memories of those -frho witnessed it, the cheers lasting for a long time. The Englishmen expressed great surprise at the recuperative powers of the ground. The total takings of the match were £3000. The " Daily Telegraph " says that the rule to be deduced from experience is that the English cricketers play better at. a pinch game than the Australians, owing more than anything else to the considerable proportion of well-seaeoned professionals in their teams. This rule found its exception yesterday. On form fend in the face of the weather conditions it looked any odds on the visitors. Whether they were over-anxious, or whether the Australians played above the form they showed in the first innings and have displayed generally this season, are interesting but debatable questions. The best guide after all is the performance recorded, in which the Australians were decisively the better team, since they led on the first innings, and in the second saved the match in spite of the strain such a situation must have subjected their nerves to, and the disadvantage of the, pitch, both ends of which were miniature lakes the day before. THE FIJIAN TEAM. (Received December 20, 10.12 a.m.) SYDNEY, December 20. The Fijian cricket team defeated Victoria Barracks by 140 runs to 72.