CRICKET.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9033, 26 February 1908, Page 5

CRICKET.

ENGLAND v. AUSTRALIA.

AUSTRALIANS MAKE A GOOD

STAND.

BRILLIANT INNINGS BY TRUMPER,

BY TELEGRAM - MESS ASSOCIATION". Received February 25, 9.5 p.m. SYDNEY, February 25. The weather was beautifully fine and cool for the test match. Seven thousand five hundred people weru present. The wicket was tricky at the start, but rapidly dried into a good condition.

Rhodes and Barnes opened the bowling, the former getting up dangerous'.yjSt times. NOBLE OPENED VIGOROUSLY and played a good innings. He lost O'Connor early in the game, Barnes clean bowling that player. One for 25.

Trumper was slow in moving, a proceeding contrary to' his usual forcing play, but his previous failures made him cautious. It looked like a good partnership till Noble got in front of a straight one from Rhodes in trying to place it to leg. He had batted 77 minutes. Two for 52.

GREGORY PUNISHES THE BOWLING.

Gregory joined Trumper and set about punishing the bowling, and outstripped Trumper's score in a few strokes. The latter now opened out. Both Sydtieyites began scoring, keeping for a long time on level terms. Trumper showed some of his old brilliancy, while Gregory's strokes were of a kind that reminded one of his old-time ability. Changes of bowling were rung in quick succession in order to dissolve the partnership which looked dangerous after the first half hour. Crawford, Rhodes, Barnes and Braund were tried, but the batsmen treated the various styles of bowling with impartiality up to lunch. The century was recorded for 113 minutes' play.

On resuming RUNS CAME MERRILY

and it became a race between the two batsmen far the half century. Trumper eventually reached it first after 94 minutes' batting, the deficit on the first innings being wiped off. Gregory's half century occupied 72 minutes. The Englishmen fislded brilliantly, but the batsmen treated the bowling unmercifully. A double change from Barnes and Rhodes at 160 proved fatal to Gregory, Crawford getting him with the second ball. Three for 166.

MacArtney followed, and an interval of slow play ensued. The newcomer just obtained double figures when Jones caught him. Four for 192.

Hill was next and SHAPED UNCOMFORTABLY to Braund, who was bowling extremely well. The second century was notched in three hours and 25 minutes. Trumper continued to give a brilliant display, hitting three fourers off Crawford's over.

After tea Trumper brought his hundred up by a beautiful drive right down the ground. He occupied two hours and 54 minutes in compiling his century. Hardstaff, who was suffering from a strained leg, was replaced in the field by Blythe. Both batsmen were now

VIGOROUSLY PASTING THE BOWLING,

which became demoralised. JfcJoundaries came with frequency, and the batsmen scored off everything. Hill was hitting with tremendous power. He sent Crawford hard to the fence, and then got him for a couple. Crawford sent the third ball down fast, and Hill lashed at it, but just touched it, Young grabbing it. Five for 300. The third century took four hours and 20 minutes to compile. Armstrong was next. Trumper received a cheer for having wiped the deficit off himself. It was the TRUMPER OF OLD that batted to-day. With the exception of a possible chance when he had scored a single the innings was a flawless one. The English quartette of bowlers were so tired that Hobbs went on in place of Crawford. Then Trumper's time arrived. He lifted Rhodes high over the bowler's head, and Gunn £ot U p and caught him. Trumper was at the wickets four hours, and hit 18 fourers. Six for 342.

Rsmsford joined Armstrong, and played out time. Scores:— AUSTRALIA. Second Innings. Noble, Ibw, b Rhodes 34 O'Connor, b Barnes ' 6 Trumper, c Gunn, b Rhodes 166 Gregory, b Crawford 56 Hill, c Young, b Crawford 44 MacArtney, c Jones, b Crawford 12 Armstrong, not out 19 Ransfurd, not out 4 Extras 16 Total for six wickets 357 The posting of Webb's victory in the sculling match on the scoring board elicited applause. A PROFIT OF PIVEPENCE. AND STILL A CAP AND COAT TO PAY FOR.

Received February 25, 11.40 p.m SYDNEY, February 25.

It is officially announced that the profit to the Victorian Association from the fourth test match amounts to fivepence, and the Association still have to pay for Mackenzie's (the twelfth man) <:oat and cap.

Masterton A have forfeited their match with Carterton, and in consequence Carlton A will play Carterton, at Carterton, on Saturday next. The second innings of the final match in the Thursday cricket fixtures between the Star and W.F.C.A. teams will be commenced on the Park Oval to-morrow afternoon.