Cricket 1907

108 CRICKET : A WEEKLY RECORD OF THE GAME. M ay 2, 1907. THE M.C.C. TEAM’S TOUR. THE NEW SOUTH WALES TEAM IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA. With the conclusion of the second test match the Marylebone cricket team has brought its tour to a close. In choosing its eleven the executive of the famous club was no doubt guided by the success which attended the efforts of Lord Hawke’s team, for the present combination was not nearly so powerful as its predecessor. The idea probably was to send a team which was good enough to win, but not so strong as to over­ whelm its opponents, and if this were so then the strength of our cricket was pretty accurately gauged. The early matches of the visitors clearly showed that the stronger associations in the Colony had excellent prospects of extending them, whilst in the test matches our chances of winning were about as even as could be desired. The team suffered a severe loss as the result of the accident to its captain, Capt. Wynyard, from whose style of batting our players should certainly have learned something. The side was a pretty sound one, and con­ tained several young players who will most likely be heard of in big cricket for several years to come. A good slow bowler, round arm, would have added materially to the strength of the team, and had the season been a wet one the absence of such a man would have been more felt than it otherwise was. Simpson-Hayward, with his underhand off- break, was very useful, but he is not a slow wicket trundler. The fast bowling of Douglas was more to be feared than that of any of his comrades, whilst May—whose length was not so good—required to be closely watched. Branston proved himself a reliable man, and, like both Douglas and May, was fond of the “ off theory.” Torrens, who could keep a good length, was the only other bowler of note. The batting of the visiting teamwas sound, and the side did not have to depend entirely on one or two men to make all the runs. Taken throughout, the batsmen showed con­ sistent and reliable form. Perhaps Johnston and Burns were the best of the lot, but Har­ rison, Branston, Douglas, Page, Fox, and Simpson-Hayward were all able exponents of the batting art; whilst De Trafford—on whom devolved the task of leading the eleven after Wynyard’s disablement—showed himself to be a fearless if not too scientific hitter. Curwen played one or two very useful innings. In wicket-keeping Fox and Tufnell were both ahead of the stumpers of Hawke’s team. The fielding was sound and reliable, and Harrison in the outfield made quite a name for himself. The team possessed some excellent sportsmen, and proved itself the most popular English side which ever visited us. Altogether, it is hoped that the tour will help to improve and modernise our cricket. It may be added that the English umpire, J. Moss, proved himself a capable and trustworthy man, and made many friends. Turning to the financial side of the matter, it is to be regretted that the venture has not proved a success, and that the New Zealand Association will be con­ siderably out of pocket. It was reasonably expected that the games would draw bigger crowds than they did, and certainly the con­ tests were generally of such an even character as to warrant this expectation. The result of this loss may deter the council from inviting a team from England for some years. How­ ever, in future negotiations the M.C.C. may think it worth while extending somemonetary help, as these tours are all for the good of tho grand old summer game .—The Evening Post, Wellington. 1 st MATCH, v. FREMANTLE. Played at Fremantle, March 13 and 14. Drawn. The home side, by leading on the first innings by 119, accomplished an excellent performance in this match, considering the strength of the visiting side. The feature of their innings was the partnership of E. and O. Kelly. The former, a pronounced stone-waller, batted five hours for 71 not out, whilst his brother, who went in when a collapse seemed probable (two wickets having fallen for 7), made his 56 out of 80 obtained whilst in. Robert Selk, of whom a great deal has been heard in this country, bowled in his best form when New South Wales went in, and caused a sensational collapse after Bubb and Bardsley had made 41 for the first wicket. His analysis of seven for 45 represented capital work, as he was not assisted in any way by the state of the ground. The visitors, when they went in the second time, made runs at a great pace, but it cannot be said that the cricket was taken very seriously. Hopkins and Waddy made 230 together for the first wicket in one hundred and thirteen minutes, scoring 100 in fifty, and 200 in ninety. The former was missed when he had made 60, but Waddy gave no chance. One can quite believe a local report which stated that “ the cricket was vigorous and free.” Scores and analysis:— T. Howard, lbw, b Minnett ................. 0 T. H. Hogue, c Min­ nett, b Johnson ... 7 L. Herring, b Macart­ ney ........................ 8 O. Kelly, c Bubb, b Barnes .................56 E. Kelly, notout ... 71 H. A. Evers, e Bards­ ley, b Hopkins ... 20 H. Hodge, stMcIntyre, b Hopkins .......... W. Hogue, b Minnett ; H. Kelly, b Minnett... R. Selk, b Johnson ... C. Munro, b Johnson Extras................. Total ..........2 N ew S outh W ales . First innings. Second innings. E. R. Bubb, c Munro, b Selk 19 W. Bardsley, c Munro, b H. Kelly ...............................25 J. C. Barnes, run out ... 2 notout ............. 14 E. L. Waddy, b Selk.......... 2 c Kelly, b Evers 111 A. C. K. Mackenzie, b Selk 1 C. G. Macartney, b Selk ... 12 R. B. Minnett, c Hodge, b K e lly ...............................10 A. J. Hopkins, b Selk ... 15 notout ............126 F. Johnson, b Selk ......... 0 A. Sullivan, c Evers, bSelk 4 W. McIntyre, not out ... 0 Extras........................ 5 Extras.......... 3 Total ................... 95 Total (1 wkt.)254 F rem an tle . O. R. W.1 O. R. W Johnson 21 48 3 |Minnett 10 16 3 Macartney ... 20 32 1 Barnes 15 37 1 Hopkins 14 36 2 1Sullivan 12 41 0 N ew S outh W ales .' First innings. Second innings. O. R. W. O. R. W. Selk .......... ... 16*2 45 7 ................. 13 0 W. Hogue ... ... 4 17 0 ................. 14 0 H. Kelly ... ... 12 28 2 ................ 26 0 E vers................ 14 1 O. Kelly ......... 15 0 E. Kelly .......... 26 0 Munro................. 41 0 H. H odge......... 47 0 T. Hogue ......... 84 0 Herring ......... 21 0 2 nd MATCH v. WESTERN AUSTRALIA. Played at Perth on March 16, 18, and 19. New South Wales won by two wickets. E. Kelly, who had performed so well in the Fremantle engagement, was prevented by an accident from playing, and it is probable that his absence brought defeat to his side. T. Hogue, an ex-New South Wales cricketer, played a good innings, but the highest score for Western Australia was credited to Harold Rowe, who played a very sound game. Ernest Jones, formerly of South Australia, gave a vigorous display, making 48 in tweniy minutes. The visiting side found run-getting no easy matter, and the score was only 148 when the seventh wicket fell. At this point, when it appeared probable that Western Australia would establish a substantial lead on the first innings, Barnes and Macartney came together and quite changed the aspect of the game. In all they added 145 for the eighth wicket without either making a mis­ take of any kind, Macartney made his runs by a succession of good off-drives, cuts, and leg strokes, whilst Barnes' innings was characterised by strong leg play. When Western Australia went in the second time Parker and Hogue quickly settled down, and made 95 for the opening partnership before the former was bowled for 69, made in less than forty minutes. Rowe again showed to advantage, but Eveis seems to have made a a mistake in going in so low as seventh wicket down. New South Wales were eventually set 236 to win. Waddy left at 22, but Macartney and Mackenzie added 48 for the second wicket ere the latter was obliged to retire owing to a dislocated shoulder. Although Barnes ,and Bardsley put on 32 for the fourth wicket, the score was only 199 when the eighth batsman left. Johnson, who, owing to the accident to Mackenzie, was practically the last man, then went in, with 37 still required. Amid much excite­ ment the runs were gradually obtained, New South Wales eventually winning, nom­ inally by two wickets, but in reality by only one. Score and analysis :— W estern A u stralia . First innings. E. Parker, b Johnson ... 26 C. Wellington, b Barnes ... 5 T. H. Hogue, run out ... 67 O. Kelly, b Johnson......... 23 T. Christian, c Sullivan, b Johnson ........................ 1 H. Rowe, c Bubb, b Min­ nett ...............................81 J. Chamberlain, b Minnett 0 H. A. Evers, b Macartney.. 15 E. Jones, c Johnson, b Hopkins ........................48 Evans, b Barnes.................27 R. Selk, not o u t................. 2 Extras........................12 Second innings. b Barnes ..........69 b Johnson.......... 4 b Barnes ..........27 run out .......... 0 b Johnson..........15 st McIntyre, b Barnes ..........37 b Barnes ..........11 notout.................31 b Minnett ... c Sullivan, Barnes ... c Minnett, Johnson... Extras... ... 23 2 14 Total Total..........238 N ew S outh W ales . First innings. E. R. Bubb, c and b Jones 2 W. Bardsley, lbw, b Jones 9 F. Johnson, c Parker, b Christian ........................29 A. Sullivan, c Christian, b Jones ..............................38 E. L. Waddy, b Selk..........33 A. J. Hopkins, c Evers, b Evans...............................26 A. C. K. Mackenzie, c Kelly, b Selk............................... 0 J. C. Barnes, c Evers, b Christian ........................82 C. G. Macartney, not out... SO R. B. Minnett, b Hogue ... 1 W. McIntyre, run out ... 4 Extras ................. 6 Second innings. notout.................53 c Evans, b Selk... 31 not out . 20 lbw, b Christian 2 b Christian..........15 st Evers, b.Cliris- tian ... *.......... 0 retired hurt ... 51 c Chamberlain, b Selk.................22 run out ..........22 run out ......... 1 c and b Christian 9 Extras..........12 Total ..........310 Total (8 wkts.)238