CRICKET.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 7684, 6 February 1904, Page 5

CRICKET.

England v. Victoria.

(Beceived To-day, at 12.6 a.m.)

Melbouenb, This Day.

The weather was fine, but bot, for tbe match England versus Victoria. Fielder, Lilley and Relf stood out of the English team. The Victorians won the toss, and when stumps were drawn had lost four wickets for 269. Play was very slow up to lunch, the Victorians playing with great patience. The first ten runs occupied twenty-three minutes. Numerous changes in the bowling were tried. The .wicket was very fast. The batsmen eventually became brisk, and Bosanquet, with the last ball before lunch, tempted McLeod out, Strudwick stumping him. One for 65. Armstrong joined MacAlister after lunch. The latter reached half-a-century in an hour and fifty-three minutes. Armstrong had compiled 31 when he got leg before. Two for 122. Troit followed, and rattled up 13, then spooned Bosanquet to Arnold. Three for 147. MacAlister was now punishing all the bowling impartially. Rainsford partnered MacAlister. As the latter entered the nineties he became more cautious. The colt ran into double figures smartly. The afternoon tea adjournment then intervened, and, on resuming, McAlistor reached the century amidst loud applause. Rainsford was shortly afterwards bowled by Arnold, Layer filling the vacancy. These two steadily played out time, MacAlister especially showing solid cricket. Scores :— Victoria.—First Innings. McAlister, not out 133 McLeod, st Strudvick, b Bosanquet 23 Armstrong, Ibw, b Rhodes 31 Trott, c Arnold, b Bosanquet ... 18 Rainsford, b Arnold ... 26 Layer, not out ... ... ... 28 Sundries 15 Total for four wickets 269