CRICKET.

Star (Christchurch), 20 December 1907, Page 1

CRICKET.

. » ENGLAND v AUSTRALIA. X-IE FIRST TEST MATCH. ________ _ i A WIN FOR AUSTRALIA. United Press Association— By Electric Telegraph. — Copyright. SYDNEY, December 19. > Play was resumed in a strong southerly breeze. The wicket dried out very ! well, although it was' somewhat dticky. Fielder and Barnes opened the attack, and ( off the former Armstrong scored seven, but Barnes's first ball was fatal to Noble, who did not add to his previous score — 4 for 74. Ransford joined Armstrong, and the newcomer in a few minutes hit himself into- double figures. Blythe, who had gone on at Fielder's end, secured Ransford, who lifted one straight back to the bowler — 5 for 95. Macalister followed, and the century went up as the result of two hours and twenty minutes' play. Rhodes then replaced Barnes. Macalister was slow in starting, but presently got the length of the bowling and scored rapidly. At the outset the fieldsmen formed a ring round the wicket but Macalister soon forced the field to deepen. At 120 Crawford was tried instead of Blythe, and in his second over Le bowled Armstrong, who had played capital cricket in an innings lasting an hour and fifty-eight minutes. At this time the board read six for 124. Carter came in, and opened with a boundary score, which had the effect of bringing on Barnes again in place of Rhodes. Carter began to sniite the bowling, and was soon in double figures by four I'ourers, which were hit in rapid succession, twelve being scored off on© over of Crawford's. . After lunch Blythe and Fielder took up the bowling. Carter's 19 were the result of five strokes. He was batting stylishly and confidently. Macalister, with 28 on, was missed by Young at the wickets rather simply off Fielder. Carter scored more freely than his partner, and soon outstripped his score. Bra und relieved Blythe at 164, but still runs came freely, both batsmen keeping neck and neck. Excitement began to grow as the pursuit of the last 100 to win was entered on. At 182 Fielder gave way to Barnes, and Crawford went on at Braund's end. Crawford's second ball dismissed Macalister, who was accorded a great reception for his splendid innings. Seven for 185. Cotter followed. His partner continued to flog the bowling in great ■ style, and the second century went up \ in three hours and sixteen minutes. ' Fielder was put on again, and still runs ■ came, Carter having 53 to his credit for seventy-one minutes' batting. He ] punished Fielder unmercifully, notch- \ ing 11 off one of his overs by beautiful strokes. A further change of bowling took place, Barnes relieving Crawford. Carter's time was up, as he placed one of Fielder's into Young's hands behind the wickets. Carter had played a plucky innings, and was accorded a great reception. Eight for 218. Hazlett was next, v and at 238 Blythe took the ball from Barnes and Brau'nd went '■ on to Fielder's end. Both batsmen ' were playing as if their very lives de- ' pended on the issue, and consequently ] scoring was none too fast. Hazlett, ] who was batting in great style, gave a < difficult chance to Hardstaff, who fell ! in the endeavour to reach the ball. The tea adjournment calmed the i great excitement. On resuming, ] Rhodes took Blytbe's .place, and j Fielder relieved Brau'nd. Tne English ! \ fielding became loose. When.only three j 1 runs were required to win,' the excite- ; ment was intense. Hazlett, with* a{^ beautiful leg-glance, made the winning n hit for four amid frantic cheering from j the 5000 present. This gave Australia t

j _ Total for eighi wickets ' . 275 Bowling Analysis. — FieldeT, three wickets for 88; Barnes, two for 63; Blythe, one for 65; Crawford, two for 33; Rhodes, none for 13; Brauud, none for 14.

the first leg in for the ashes by a twowicket victory. The following are the scores : — ENGLAND. First Inning's. Fan«, c Trumper b Cotter . 2 Young, c Carter b Cotter . 13 Gunn, o Hazlett b Cotter . .119 Hutchinge, c and b Armstrong . 42 Braund, b Cotter .... 30 Hardstaff, b Armstrong . . 12 Rhodes, run out .... 1 J Crawford, b Armstrong . 31 Barnes, b Cotter .... 1 Blythe, b Cotter .... 5 Fielder, not out .... 1 -Extras . j. . , .18 Total 978 Bowling Analysis — Cotter six wicketß for 101 runs, Saunders no wickets for 42, Armstrong 1 three for 63, M'Cartney no wickets fox 5, Noble no wickets for 14, Hazlett no wickets for 82. Second innings. Fane, c Noble b Saunders . . 33 Rhodes, c M'Alister b M'Cartney . 29 Gunu, o Noble b Cotter ... 74 j Hutchings, c Armstrong 1 b Saunders 17 Hardstaff, b Noble .... 63 Braund, not out . . . .32 Young, b Nobie . . .- . 3 Crawford, c Hazlett b Cotte^ . S Barnes, b Saunders . . .11 Blythe, c Noble b Saunders . . 15 Fielder, lbw h Armstrong . „ 6 Extras 12 Total . '. . .300 Bowling analysis — Cotter, two wickets for 101; Saunders, four for 68; Armstrong, onefor 33; Macartney, one for 39, Hazlett, none . 24; Noble, two for 23. AUSTRALIA. First Innings. Macalister, c Hutchiogs b Barnes 3 iTUinper, b Fielder . . . .43 Hill, c Gunn b Fielder . .87 Noble, c Braund b Fielder . . 37 Armstrong, c Braund b Fielder . 7 I Ransford, c Braund b Rhodes . 24 1 M'Cartney, c Young b Fielder •. 35 I Carter, b Braund .... 25 • Haziett, not out , . . .IS Cotter, b Braund . . . .2 Saucders, c Braund b Fielder . 9 Extras ..... 10 Total 300 Bowling analysis — Rhodes, one wicket for 13 runs; Crawford, none for 14; Braund, two for 14; Blythe, none for 33; Barnes, ona for 74; Fielder, six for 82. Second Inning 3. s Trumper, b Barnes ... 3 M'Cartney, c Crawford b Fielder 9 Hill, b Fielder ... 1 Noble, b Barnes . . .27 Armstrong, b Crawford . . 44* Ransford, c and b Biythe . . 13 Macalister, b Crawford . .41 Carter, c Young b Fielder . . 61 Cotter, not out . . . .33 j Hazlett, not out . . .34 I Extras .... 9