CRICKET.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LVIII, Issue 8945, 20 December 1907, Page 5

CRICKET.

ENGLAND v. AUSTRALIA

FIRST TEST MATCH,

AUSTRALIA WINS BY TWO

WICKETS

Press Association—Electric Telegraph - Copyright (Received Last Night, at 7.22 v.m.)

SYDNEY, Yesterday,

No raiu fell last uight, but tho morning broke dull aud showory. As tho day advanced a strong southerly breeze spraug up, aud the wicket dried out very well, although remaining a bit sticky. Wheu the test cricket match was resumed, Armstrong and Noblo, the uot-out mou from Tuesday, weut iv, aud Fielder aucl Barnes opened tho attack. Off the former Armstrong scored 7, but Barnes's first ball was fatal to Noblo, who did not add to his previous score. Four for 74. Rausford joiuod Armstrong, aud the newcomer in a few minutes hit himself iuto double figuros. Theu Blythe, who had goue on at Fielder's end, secured Rausford, who lifted oue straight back to the bowler. Five for 95.

Maoalister followed, aucl the century weut up as the result of two hours' aud twouty minutes' play. Rhodes then replaced Barues. Maoalister was slow iv starting, but presently he got tho length of the bowliug, aud scorecj rapidly. At the outset the fieldsmen formed a ring round the wicket, but Macilister soou forced the field to doepen. At 120 Crawford was tried instead of Blythe. aud iv his secoud over ho bowled Armstrong, who had played capital crickot iv au iuuiugs lasting au hour aud fifty-eight minutes. At this time tho board read—Six for 124

Carter came in, aud opeued with a boundary score, which had tho effect of bringing on Barnes again in place of Rhodes. Carter began to smite the bowling, aud was. soou in double figures, hitting four 4's in rapid succession. Twelve ruus wero scored off oue over of Crawford's.

After lunch. Blythe and Fielder took up the bowling. Carter's 10 was the result of five strokes. He was batting stylishly and confidently. Macalister, with 28 ou. was missed by Youug at the wickets rather simply off Fielder. Carter scored moro freely thau his partner, aud soon outstripped his score. Brauud relieved Blythe at 164, but still the ruus came freely,both batsmen keeping neck aud neck. Excitement begau to grow as the pursuit of the last 100 to win was entered ou. At 182 Fielder gave way to Barnes, and Crawford went ou at Brauud's cud. The hitter's second ball dismissed Macalister. who was accorded a great reception for his splendid innings. Seven for 18.7

Cotter followed. His partner continued to flog the bowliug iv great style, aud the second century went up iv three hours and sixteen minutes. Fielder was then put on again, but still the runs came. Carter having 53 to his credit for seveuty-ouo minutes' batting. He punished Fielder unmercifully, notching 11 off oue of his overs by beautiful strokes. A further chauge of bowling took place, Barnes relieving Crawford, and Carter's time was up", as he played a ball from Fieldor iuto Young's hands behind the wickets. Carter had played a plucky innings, aud was accorded a great receptiou. Eight for 2\S. Hazlett was the next mau iv, and at 238 Blvtlie took the ball from Barues, aud Brauud weut ou at Fielder's cud. Both batsmen were playing as if their lives depended ou the issue, aud consequently the scoring was none too fast. Hazlett, who was batting in great style, gave a difficult chauce to Hardstaff, who fell in the endeavour to reach the ball.

The tea adjournment calmed the great excitement. On resuming, Rhodes took Blytbe's place aud Fielder relieved Brauud. The Englishmen's fielding as the Australians neared the end became loose.

Wheu ouly 3 runs were required to win, the excitement was intense, and Hazlett, with a beautiful leg-glaucs, made the winning hit for 4, amid frantic cheering from the five thousand spectators preseut. This gave Australia the first leg-in for the "Ashes" by a two-wicket victory. Scores: — ENGLAND. First Innings . . 273 Second iuuiugs . 300 Aggregate . 573 AUSTRALIA. First, innings . . 300 Secoud Innings. Trumper, b Barnes . . 3 Macartuey, c Crawford, b Fielder 0 Hill, b Fielder . 1 Noble, b Barnes . . 27 Armstrong, b Crawford . . 44 Rausford, c aud b Blythe . . 13 Macalister, b Crawford .. 41 Carter, c Young, b Fielder . . 60 Cotter, not out . . 34 Hazlett, not out . . 34 Extras . . 9 Total for eight wickets . . 275 Aggregate . . 575 Bowliug analysis.—Fielder took three wickets for 88 ruus, Barues two for 63, Blythe one for 55, Crawford two for 33, Rhodes none for 13, Brauud none for 14. 'Received To-dau. at 0.20 a.m.) SYDNEY, This Day. The Herald says : There have been a few exciting finishes on the Syduey ground, but uoue were quite up to yesterday's, for anything might have happened up to the last ball. Had Hazlett lost his wicket, there was only Saunders to come, and though he batted well in the matches between the Englishmen aud Victorians in Melbourne it was almost as reasonable to expect that lightning would strike twice in one spot as to get a second tough moderate score from him. Every thing at the finish depended upon Hazlett aucl Cotter. The latter batted as though a veteran. There was nothing terrible about the bowling, thought the wicket favoured a lot of work beiug got ou to the ball. After Armstrong and Macalister were dismissed the excitement of the spectators gradually increased until it roached fever height. The wicket was getting easier and easier, and the Englishmen were looking anxious, as they saw Carter and Cotter piling on the runs. Then with Carter out for the first innings as far as it went, for the match 56 runs were required and two wickets to fall. These were got under most exciting conditions, on a record foreground scene. At the finish, one that will live long in the memories of those who witnessed it, the cheers lasted for a long time. The total takings at the match were £3000. The Daily Telergaph says: The rule to be deducted from experience that English cricketers play abetter pmch game than the Australians, owing more than anything else to a considerable proportion of well-seasoned professionals in their teams, found its exception yesterday. The best guide, after all, is the performances, regarding which the Australians must be admitted to be deservedly the better team, since they led on the first innings, and in the second saved the match in spite of the strain that such a situation must subject nerves to, and the disadvantage of the pitch, at both ends, which were miniature lakes the day before.