CRICKET.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LVIII, Issue 8940, 14 December 1907, Page 5

CRICKET.

ENGLAND v. AUSTRALIA

FIRST TEST MATCH,

Press Association—Electric Telegraph—Copyright.^ SYDNEY, Last Night.

The first of the series of test matches between the Englishmen and the Australiaus begau to-day. The weather was fine, with a fresh breeze, aud the wickot was in excellent order.

Fane, who is acting as captain during the illness of Jones, won the toss from Noble, aud elected to bat. Gunn replaced Humphries, Young taking the latter's place at the wickets. Young and Fane faced Cotter and Hazlett. The first bowler had 8 kuooked off him iv tho first over, but had his revenge in the third one, when Trumpor snapped Fane up in the slips. One for 11.

Guun then came iv. Cotter was agaiu successful iv the following ovor, Cartor making a brilliant catch at the wickets, aud dismissing Youug, wliu had done most of the scoriug to dato. Two for 18.

With the score at 2(i Sauuders relieved Hazlett. Guuu had beeu partnered by Hutchins, who scored with freedom, giving cleau, hard strokes. Fifty appeared on the board after forty minutes' play, Guuu playing cautiously. At this stage Armstrong replaced Cotter, and as lie kept au excellent length the batsmon did not appear at home with him. Gunu, who had boeu at the wickets some cime, begoc confidence, aud the score crept up steadily. Although the cricket was not of a brilliant order, it was sound. Then Hutchiugs mis-hit a ball back to Armstrong. Three for 91.

Macartney now relieved Sauuders, aud Armsfcroug, who was mixing the pace, was treated with great respect. Braund had joined Guuu, aud the century was hoisted as tho result of 120 minutes' play, and this brought Cotter on again, who took Macartney's end, Noble at tho same time relieving Armstroug. The double chauge, however, had uo effect, aud then the luncheon adjournment was taken, the score standing at 10(>.

After luncheon Guun played fine cricket, and brought his half-century up, after being at the wickets eight minutes ovor the hour. Brauud appeared couteut to leave most of the work to his partner. The scoriug was not brisk, owing chiefly to the excelleut fielding of the colonials. At 12G the local skipper gave way to Armstroug, and as the Victorian bowler was difficult to negotiate, the batsmen devoted themselves chi fly to Cotter. Guuu, iv particular, scored freely off the fast bowler, who eventually gave way to Hazlett.

Guun continued to make some beautiful strokes, niaiuly on the leg side. Armstrong meanwhile had Brauud completely tied up. and the batsman narrowly escaped boiug stumped in playing forward to the Victorian. Gunn continued to play with the utmost freedom aud confidence, driving aud cutting the leather to the boundary in rapid succession. Brauud was scoring painlully slowly, and had at this time beon at the wickets sixty-six minutes for 10'ruus. At 180, Sauuders relieved Hazlett, aud off the latter's first ball Guuu, by a boundary hit, brought up, amidst cheers, his century for lii 2 minutes' play. His late cuts were brilliantly executed. Noble agaiu came on, taking Armstrong's end, aud then Gunu gave his first chance, his total beiug 112. Clem Hill had the chance, in the slips, but he failed to get under the ball, and as a result four runs were scored. The second century then appeared on the board, at which stage Armstrong went on again in place of Noble, and Cotter took Saunders' end. The change, as it usually does, brought about the desired effect, Gunu putting up Cotter in the slips, where Hazlett made a clever catch. Four for 208.

The retiring batsman's score included twenty 4's

Hardstaff thou partnered Brauud, but the latter was almost immediately bowled by Cotter. Five for 221.

Rhodes filled the gap, but in attempting a risky run a smart return to Carter terminated his career, and the sheet read—Six for 222.

After the tea adjournment, Crawford joiued Hardstaff, but still the runs came slowly. Armstrong ami Cotter were well on the spot, and could not be trifled with; in fact, they tied up the batsmen time after time. After a deal of cautious play, Armstrong got a beauty into Hardstaff, which completely beat hiru, and he retired with a dozen to his credit. Seven for 2-16.

Barnes had a very short shrift. He scored a single, and then one of Cotter's "lightning-jerkers" broke his leg-stump in half, and the tally was— Eight for 25:5. Blythe joined Crawford, and the latter hit three boundaries in succession ; but before he could renew the attack Armstrong beat him. Niue for 271.

Then Blythe succumbed easily to Cotter, ami the innings closed with the score at 273.

There were about fifteen thousand spectators present when the Australians began their first innings. Trumper aud Macalister opened for the colonials, to the bowling of Barnes and Fielder. With 4 on the sheet, Macalister placed one from Barnes into Hutchings' hands in the slips, aud the board showed—One for 4. Hall then partnered Trumper, and both scored freely, the latter in particular playing stylish cricket. A separation had not been brought about when time was called. Scores: — ENGLAND.—First Innings. Fane, o Trumper, b Cotter .. 2 Young, c Carter, b Cotter .. 13 Gunn, c Hazlett, b Cotter .. 119 Hutchings, c and b Armstrong .. 42 Braund, b Cotter .. 30 Hardstaff, b Armstrong .. 12 Rhodes, run out .. 1 Crawford, b Armstrong .. 31 Barnes, b Cotter .. 1 Blythe, b Cotter .. 5 Fielder, not out • .. 1 Extras .. 16 Total . .. 273 Bowling analysis.—Cotter took six wickets for 101 runs, Saunders none for 42, Armstrong three for G3, Macartney none for 5, Noble none for 14, Hazlett none for 32. AUSTRALIA. —First Innings. Macalister. c Hutchings, b Barnes 3 Trumper, not out .. 31 Hall, not out .. 16 Total for one wicket .. 50