CRICKET.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVI, Issue 929, 26 December 1907, Page 12

CRICKET.

THE FIRST TEST MATCH. To the cricket-loving public of Sydney the finish of the first Test match must have been exciting indeed. With four of the star bats out for 74 and 200 yet wanted, matters looked very bad indeed for Australia. After the heavy rain the wicket must have deteriorated, and when the fifth wicket fell at 95, the spectators no doubt abandoned hope of a win. Still there is much truth in the old adage that a match is never won until it’s lost. Armstrong and McAlister held the fort for a time, but the former went at 124. Then came Carter, who, undismayed by the prospect, hit 19 in five strokes, One can imagine the keenness with which every ball was watched. Steadily the score rose, while, with the faint chance of a win, the excitement rose. At 185 McAlister was ’bowled, and then came the fast bowler Cotter, and the two C s went for the runs. At 218 Carter was caught behind the wickets, and the youthful Hazlitt took his place. It was recognised as Australia’s last hope, as the other man, Saunders, was not to be relied on for a run. Both batsmen played the game of their lives and it is not difficult to imagine the salvoes of applause which greeted every run. Hazlitt was almost caught by Hardstaff, who fell in trying to reach the ball. Amidst feverish. excitement the score mounted, and when Hazlitt made the winning hit the scene on the ground must have been one to remember. The final scores were as follows: — • ENGLAND. First innings 273 Second innings 6 AUSTRALIA. First innings 300 Second Innings. Trumper, b Barnes ..'....... .. 3 Macartney, c Crawford, b Fielder . . 9 Hill, b Fielder 1 Noble, b Barnes , Armstrong, b Crawford 44 Ransford, c and b Bythe la Macalister, b Crawford ~.. 41 Carter, c Young, b Fielder 61 Cotter, not out 3 4 Hazlitt, not out 34 Extras . 8 Eight wickets for 275 Bowling Analysis.—Fielder took three wickets for 88; Barnes, two for 63; Blythe, one for 55; Crawford, two for 33; Rhodes, none for 13; Braund, none for 14.

The second test match will commence in Sydney on January 1. A picture is published in this issue of the Plunket Shield which the Auckland cricket team brought back from Christchurch on Thursday. • * * * A well-deserved reception was given by the Mayor to the Auckland eleven on their return from the Canterbury victory. Mr. Myers has promised a medal to each of the team to commemorate the victory. * * .. * A Grafton team intend going up to Tuakau on Christmas Day. The following day they will play a Maungatawhiri team. The Otago v. Auckland match should give rise to some good cricket, but with even luck in the matter of wickets, the local men should win. •. • • « It is always a cricketer’s ambition to score a century, and a good many have come to the Adelaide crack Clem Hill. He must, however, have often realised that “there is many a slip ’twixt the cup and the lip,” for in first-class cricket in Australia Hill has run into the 90’s seven times, viz., 97, 98, and 99 against England; 95 and 95 against Victoria; and 92 and 94 against New South Wales. In January, 1902, in the test match at Adelaide, he scored 98 and 97. ♦ * * * The Englishmen are now playing a return match against Victoria, and as the result of the first day’s play have made 321 for seven wickets (Hayes 98, Hobbs 77, Crawford 43). « ♦ . * ♦ A cable states that the M.C.C. Committee has discarded Mr. Abe Bailey’s proposal for triangular cricket tests between teams representing England, South Africa,, and Australia. It was decided not to express an opinion until a definite.scheme is put before the committee, and to send no formal invitation to Australia to visit England in 1909 till the triangular proposal has been discussed by, the Advisory County Committee. It is understood that the counties unanimously favour an Australian visit.

The Otago team to play here is as follows: —Siedeberg, Austin, Fisher, Watson, T. Adams (Carisbrook), Mackersey, Torrance, Eckhold, Wilson, Melvin (Dunedin), Baker, Williams, A. Adams (Albion), Downes (Grange), Eckhold (Opoho). * * * * Once again a wet Saturday has prevented play in the cricket competitions. The positions of the senior teams are as follows: —

Matches Played. Won. Lost. Points Scored. Eden ... 3 3 0 7 North Shore . . 4 3 1 7 City .. . 3 2 1 5 Grafton . . . . . . . 3 1 2 2 Parnell . ... . . . 3 1 2 2 Ponsonby .. ... 4 0 4 0