CRICKET.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LVIII, Issue 8943, 18 December 1907, Page 5

CRICKET.

ENGLAND v. AUSTRALIA

FIRST TEST MATCH

SYDNEY, Last Night. Several hours' steady rain fell during the night, but this morning the weather was fair, though threatening. Despite the rain the wicket appeared hard.

Five thousand spectators watched the game. The Englishmen's inuiugs terminated iv the first over. Fielder had knocked off six, and Brauud a single, when the former got leg-before to Armstrong. The innings, which had occupied five hours eight minutes, closed .for 800.

With the weather dull, aud cool, Trumper aud Macartuey commenced the task of scoriug the uecessary 274 ruus to make the first test the property of Australia. Barues aud Fielder were entrusted with the bowliug. Trumper disappointed his supporters, although .the ball that got him was oue of Barnes's best. Nevertheless, the Paddiugtou player is not the groat batsmau he was. Oue for 7.

Hill ,-joinoil Macartuoy, but he was equally uufortuuate, aud Fielder dug his off-stump out after he had made a single. Two for 12. Barues had takeu one wicket for 2, ami Fielder oue for 4. Despite assertious to the contrary, the wicket was doiug a bit for the bowlors.

Noble was tho uexfc lnitu in. Macartuoy playod a good defensive game for forty-eight miuufcos, and thou Crawford snapped him up at point. Three for 27.

Arrastroug followed, aud some lively play was witnessed. Light rain sot iv just, before lunch, and on resuming the drizzle continued at intervals. The partnership improved the position, the men getting ruus freely. Blythe aud Crawford were both tried with the ball, but gave way again to Barues aud Fielder. Armstrong, at 17, gave a chauce to Hutchings in the slips, but it was not accepted. The Englishmen were Holding maguificieutly, although the ball was greasy. A heavy rain squall stopped play, and after waiting a couple of hours, the rain continued all the time, Noble and Fane aud the umpires examined the wicket, and decided to cease play for the day. Scores :— ENGLAND. First innings .. 373 Second luumgs. Fane, c Noble, b Sauuders .. 33 Rhodes, c Macalister, b Macartney • ■ 21) Gunu, c Noble, b Cotter .. 74 Hutchiugs, c Armstrong, b Sauuders .. ' ~ Hardstaff, b Noble .. (58 Brauud, not out . . 32 Young, b Noble .. 3 Crawford, c Hazlett. b Cotter .. r> Barnes, b Sauuders .. 11 Blythe, c Noble, b Sauuders .. 15 Fielder, lbw, b Armstrong . . 0 Extras . . 1Total .. 300 Bowling Analysis.—Cotter took two wickets for 101 ruus, Sauuders four for (58, Armstrong oue for 33, Macartney oue for 31), Hazletfc uoue for 24, Noble two for 23. AUSTRALIA. First iuuiugs . . 300 Secoud luuings. Trumper, b Barnes .. 3 Macartney, c Crawford, b Fielder 1) Hill, b Fielder .. 1 Noble, not out . . 37 Armstrong, not out .. 17 Extras . . (5 Total for three wickets .. 03