Cricket 1908

J an . 30, 1908. CRICKET : A WEEKLY RECORD OF THE GAME. 7 the omission of the last-named, in the idea that the inclusion of Young would strengthen the batting, being generally condemned. As events proved, the action was not justified, Young being often in fault behind the wicket and making only 16 runs in his two innings. England were favoured in the matter of the toss, and commenced badly against Cotter, Fane being caught off the fast bowler in'the slips at 11 and Young at the wicket at 18. The association of Gunn and Hutchings improved matters considerably, and the latter, although not at his best, claimed 42 of the 73 runs added for the third wicket in 43 minutes : he hit six 4’s and made some capital strokes on the off-side. W ith Gunn and Braund together an even more remunerative stand was made, 117 being put on before a separation was effected. Braund, who might have been stumped off Armstrong when 9, played a very slow game and took 95 minutes to reach 20. Gunn, on the other hand, made 50 in 78 minutes and completed his hundred in two hours: in all, he scored 119 out of 197 in 150 minutes by correct and graceful cricket. He offered only one chance—a hard one to Hill at third man when 108— and had every reason to be proud of his first innings in Test-match cricket. Twenty 4’s and four 3’s were included in his attractive display. A t 221 Braund, who had scored 30 out of 130 in 105 minutes by careful cricket, was bowled off his thigh. A run later Rhodes, whilst running, fell down and was run out, six wickets being thus down for 22 1 whereas only three had been down for 207. Crawford, though twice hit by Cotter, played well and made 31 in 50 minutes ere being bowled off his pad ; he hit six 4’s, three of them off Armstrong in one over. Barnes, in being bowled by Cotter, had his off stump smashed and, with neither Blythe nor Fielder reaching double figures, the innings, after lasting 250 minutes, closed for 273, a total by no means so large as at one time appeared likely. Cotter, keeping a fine length and bowling at a great pace, took six wickets for 101 and was very well supported by the field. The Australians com­ menced their innings against Fielder and Barnes, and only 4 runs had been made when the latter got McAlister caught in the slips. After this disaster Hill and Trumper, not without luck, remained together until stumps were drawn, when the score was 50 for one wicket. During the day 15,COOpersons were present, the takings amounting to £575 3s. On the following morning Trumper was bowled off his pad when the second wicket had put on 69 ; he made his 43 by stylish and faultless cricket and hit six 4’s. The hundred went up in 88 minutes, but Noble, when 19, was almost caught and bowled by Braund, who collided with Hill in endeavouring to effect the catch. Hill and Noble in 78 minutes added 92, of which number the latter, who was then magnificently caught low down in the slips with one hand, made 37. He hit four 4’s, and rendered his side distinct service. Thirteen runs later Hill was caught at third man for a flawless innings. He reached 50 in 85 minutes, and made his 87 out of 173 in 145 minutes, his chief hits being eight 4’s, the majority of them fine cuts and off-drives. At 184 Armstrong, after being in nearly half-an-hour for 7, was caught at slip, and although Macartney and Ransford added 38, the total was only 222 when the sixth wicket went down. Carter put on 31 for the seven tlx wicket with Macartney, who was then caught at the wicket for a careful innings of 35 out of 69 in 70 m inutes; he hit four 4’s, and when 31 was let off by Gunn in the slips off Fielder. It now appeared possible that England m ight establish a slight lead on the innings, but three mistakes in quick succession by Young speedily destroyed such hopes. Carter was missed when 9 off Blythe, and should have been run out when 15, whilst Hazlitt when 2, should have been held off Fielder The eighth wicket, instead off falling soon, added 24 and with the last putting on 19, the Australians could point to a lead of 27 on the innings Fielder bowled excellently, as his record of six for 82 on a good wicket testifies. The English fielding was good, Braund in the slips especially doing fine work Fane, curiously enough, allowed Rhodes to deliver only five overs during the innings. A t the end of the afternoon Rhodes and Fane made 19 together without loss, England being only 8 runs behind with all their wickets in hand when play ceased. During the day 32,000 persons were present, the receipts being £1,471 14s. 6d. On the following morning the pair naturally played a careful game, and the total was advanced to 56 before the York- slureman was caught in the slips for a very useful -J. At 82 Fane, having batted 105 minutes, was out io a nne one-handed catch at point, and 23 later m tch m gs was sent back after being in 20 minutes r 17• Gunn, who had again gone in first wicket, was playing another good innings, and when he was joined by Hardstaff the much-to-be-desired stand was effected. During their partnership the neat affected some of the fieldsmen, and Duff came out as substitute for Ransford who was prostrated. U he temperature was 913 in the shade and 128 in the sun). The 150 was chronicled 175 minutes from ^ t a r t , and 200 went up with the pair still together. Gunn reached his 50 in two hours, a feat which Hardstaff performed in 90 minutes. At 218 the latter fell a victim to Noble, for a faultless innings marked by brilliant play on the off-side. Of the 113 runs added for the fourth wicket in 98 minutes he was responsible for 63. Five runs later Gunn’s admirable innings was closed by a catch in the slips. The Nottingham player hit eleven 4’s in scoring 74 out of 167 in 170 minutes. He showed sound defence, and offered only one chance—to slip when 47. A t 227 Young succumbed to a yorker, and 11 later Orawford was caught low down at second slip. Seven wickels had now fallen for 241, and the close of the innings appeared in sight. Barnes, however, helped to add 21 for the eighth wicket in 25 minutes, and Blythe 31 without loss for the ninth, the total when stumps were drawn being 293 with a wicket in hand. Braund, who had gone in at the fall of the fifth wicket, carried out his bat for a very valuable 31. At one time the Englishmen appeared likely to make a very good score, but alter the tea interval six of their wickets went down for 94 runs. The takings during the day amounted to £511 2s. 6d., the attendance being 12,000. There was rain during the night, but not sufficient to make the wicket difficult or to delay the resumption of play. Only 7 were added before the last wicket fell, the total thus equalling that of the Australians’ first innings. Braund batted 85 minutes for 32 not out and hit three 4’s. Set 274 to win, the Australians made a bad start against Fielder and Barnes, Trumper being sent back at 7, Hill 5 later, and Macartney at 27. W hen Noble and Arm­ strong came together the play was naturally very keen, the batsmen being anxions to retrieve such a disastrous start and the fielding side using every endeavour to follow up their success. Armstrong was nearly run out when 14, and three later offered a hard chance to Hutchings in the slips, but the pair were still together when, after waiting two hours, it was decided at five o’clock to abandon play for the day owing to the rain. Score, 63 for three wickets. On the Wednesday the state of the ground was such as to make play out of the question, but on Thursday morning the wicket had dried consider­ ably and was slow but easy. Fielder and Blythe were entrusted with the bowling, but it was not until 74 that Noble, having made 27 out of 62 in 83 minutes, was bowled by Barnes. Seeing that the bail fell after the ball had passed the wicket, Noble appealed, but the verdict was against him. Rans­ ford stayed only long enough to make a stylish 13 out of 21, and at 124 Armstrong was bowled by Crawford with a fast rising ball. A t this stage of the game the odds were certainly in favour of England. Armstrong, in making 44 out of 97 in 115 minutes, played a useful and most valuable innings. His defence was strong, but he hit well whenever he could do so without risk. He hit five 4’s McAlister found a capital partner in Carter, the pair adding 61 together before the Victorian met with the fate which overtook Armstrong. He made his 41 out of 90 in 85 minutes by sound cricket at a critical time, but when 28 might have been caught at the wicket by Young off Fielder. Upon his departure the Aus­ tralians, with three wickets in hand,required 89to win. Cotter then went in and played a far quieter game than is customary for him, being content to leave the run-getting to Carter, who was making strokes all round the wicket in capital style. At 218, however, the wicket-keeper, having made 61 out of 94 in 67 minutes, was caught by Young for a faultless dis­ play; he hit eight fours. Fifty-six were still re­ quired when Hazlitt joined Cotter, and this number the pair triumphantly obtained in 39 minutes amid a scene of indescribable excitement. Cotter batted 65 minutes for the 33 not out,and thoroughly deserved the reception accorded him upon his return to the Pavilion. It was a splendid finish, and the Austra­ lians merited their success. About 2,500 persons witnessed the finish, bringing the takings of the match up to £3,000. As in the first innings, Rhodes was not used sufficiently as a bow ler; in fact, during the whole match he sent down only a dozen overs. Jones was greatly missed, and the side suffered con­ siderably through the blunder in playing Young, Score and analysis E ngland . First innings. Second innings. F. L. Fane, c Trumper, b c Noble, b Saun- „ C otter.................................... 2 d e is ...........33 R. A. lou n g, c Carter, b C otter......................................13 b Noble ..... 3 Gunn (G.), c Hazlitt, b Cotter ... ............................119 c Noble, b Cotter 74 K. L. Hutchings, c and b c Armstrong, b Armstrong..............................42 Saunders...... 17 Braund, b Cotter......................30 not out .....32 Hardstaff, b Armstrong ... 12 b Noble 63 Rhodes, run o u t .................... 1 c McAlister, b ~ , , Macartney ... 29 J. N. Crawford, b Arm­ strong ..............................31 c Hazlitt,b Cotter 5 Barnes, b Cotter.................... 1 b Saunders.....11 Blythe, b C otter.................... 5 c Noble, b Saun- , , d e r s ....................15 Fielder, not out .................... 1 lbw,b Armstrong 6 B 7, lb 6, w 1, nb 2 ... 16 B 2, w 3, nb 7 12 Total ..273 Total ..300 A ustralia . First innings. V. Trumper, b Fielder ... 43 P.A.McAlister.c Hutchings, b Barnes .......................... 3 C. Hill, c Gunn, b Fielder.. 87 M. A. Noble, c Braund, b Fielder ................... 37 W .W .Arm strongs Braund, b Fielder ... ............ 7 V. Ransford, c Braund, b Rhodes .......................... 24 C. G. Macartney, c Young, b Fielder .......................... 35 H. Carter, b B ra u n d ...........25 G. Hazlitt, not out .......... 18 A. Cotter, b Braund ........... 2 J. V. Saunders, c Braund, b Fielder ........................... 9 B 4, lb 2, w 2, nb 2 ... 10 Total..................300 E ngland . First innings. Second innings. O. M. R. W . O. M. R. W . Cotter...................21'5 0 101 6 ............. 26 1 101 2 Saunders........... 11 0 42 0 ............ 23 6 68 4 Hazlitt ........... 9 2 32 0 ............ 4 2 24 0 Armstrong ... 26 10 63 3 ............ 27 14 33 1 r........... 3 0 5 0 ............ 14 2 39 1 fi 1 U n 15 R 9.X 9. Second innings, b Barnes ......... 3 b Crawford ... 41 b Fielder ......... 1 b Barnes .......27 b Orawford ... 44 c and b Blythe.- 13 c Crawford, b Fielder ......... 9 cYoung,bFielder 61 notout...............34 notout...............33 Total (8 wkts) 275 Macartney N oble.. 6 14 0 ... ! 15 5 23 2 Cotter bowled 3 wides and 6 no-balls, Noble 2 no­ balls Saunders a wide, and Armstrong a no-ball. A ustralia . First innings. Second innings. O. M. R . W . O. M. R. W . Fieider ...........30'2 4 82 6 ............. 27*3 4 88 3 Barnes ........... 22 3 74 1 ............ 30 7 63 2 Blythe ........... 12 1 33 0 ........... 19 5 55 1 Braund ........... 17 2 74 2 ............ 7 2 14 0 C raw ford........... 5 1 14 0 ............ 8 2 33 2 Rhodes ........... 5 2 13 1 ............ 7 3 13 0 Fielder bowled 2 wides and 2 no-balls. 8 t h M a t c h . — v . A VICTORIAN XI. Played at South Melbourne on December 21, 23, and 24. Drawn. Owing to the Test match at Sydney being inter­ fered with by rain, it was impossible to commence the game on the South Melbourne ground until December 21st—a day later than originally arranged. From an English point of view the match was note­ worthy for the success of Hayes and Hobbs, who had hitherto done little, and for the fine batting by Rhodes and Fielder. Both sides scored heavily and the match was drawn. Score:— E ngland .— J. N. Crawford, 43; Hobbs, 77; Hayes, 98; K. L. Hutchings, 4; Gunn (G.), 21; Hardstaff, 34; F. L. Fane, 17 ; Rhodes, not out, 105 ; Barnes, 15 ; Humphries, 15; Fielder, not out. 50; byes, &c., 21. Total (9 wkts., innings closed), 503. A V ictorian X I.—T. S. Warne, 31; C. McKenzie, 19; F. A. Tarrant, 159; V. Ransford, 38; W . W. Armstrong, 117 ; P. A. McAlister, 11; J. Horan, 75 ; L. Smith, 6 ; J. H. R. W oodford, 0; F. B. Collins, not out, 14; byes, &c., 18. Total (9 wickets), 488. J. V. Saunders did not bat. Armstrong (four wickets for 101) and Rhodes (three for 90) were the most successful bowlers. 9 th M a tc h . —v. X V III. of BENDIGO. Played at Bendigo on December 26, 27, and 28. Drawn. Rain interfered greatly with this match, causing a curtailment of play on the opening day and prevent­ ing a ball being bowled on the second. Hayes and Hobbs again scored well, and Crawford did some fine bowling. The match created but little interest outside the Bendigo district. Score E ngland :— J. N. Orawford, 25; Hobbs, 58; Hayes, 53; K . L. Hutchings, 7 ; Braund, 16 ; Gunn (G.), 14 ; Hardstaff, 24 ; Rhodes, 1; R. A. Young, 6 ; Humphries, 3 ; Blythe, not out, 0; byes, etc., 6.— Total, 213. X V U I. of B bndigo scored 55 (Attwater, not out 26). Anderson (medium-pace) took six English wickets for 26 runs, and J. N. Orawford dismissed six of the home side for 15 runs and Blythe seven for 31. (Continued on page Id).