Cricket 1912

8 CRICKET : A WEEKLY RECORD OF THE GAME. J an . 27, 1912. three noteworthy stands during the innings, Bardsley and Kelleway making 86 for the first wicket, Hill and Carter 157 for the third, and Matthews and Ransford 84 for the eighth. H ill’s success was not surprising— it was taken almost as a matter of course— and Carter’s return to form was as welcome as it was well-timed. The batsmen had the upper hand throughout the long innings, and, with the exception of Foster at times, the bowlers seldom looked troublesome. The fielding was occasionally weak, several runs being thrown away by poor returns, and it was fortu­ nate for the Englishmen that Trumper was unable to go in against the tired bowling on the fourth afternoon. Neither Hill nor Carter, the two highest scorers, made a mistake in obtaining his runs, and each batted for just under three hours. Ransford batted pluckily with his damaged left thumb, and Matthews created enthusiasm b^C hitting freely and well for 53. Barnes did good service in securing five wickets for 21 runs each in so large a total. The innings lasted just over eight hours and a-quarter, and England, set 109 to win, won by seven wickets. Rhodes and Gunn, after Hobbs had been lbw. at 5, put on 97 together, but both had some narrow escapes. The match with XV . of Ballarat, being restricted to a couple of days, was drawn owing to high scoring. The home side, who fielded with only thirteen men, did ve?y well indeed to make as many as 318, but they owed almost everything to Morris Herring, who played an excellent innings of 129, and his nephew, Edmund Herring, who is going to Oxford this year as a Rhodes Scholar. They put on 140 together for the third partnership. The Englishmen experienced no difficulty in obtaining tho lead with only two men out, Hobbs and Kinneir making 101 for the first wicket and the latter and Vine adding 195 for the second by bright and free cricket. I N T E R -S T A T E M A T C H E S . A t Melbourne in the last week of November Victoria gained a very easy victory over South Australia by an innings and 135 runs. The visitors commenced well by getting rid of Kortlang, Ransford and Smith for 59, but several chances subsequently went a-begging and the total reached 553. Everything in the game was dwarfed by the fine innings of 250 by Armstrong, who made runs all round the wicket, but excelled in driving. Ho hit a 6 and 29 fours, and offered two chances—when 83 and 208. As a matter of record it may be stated that he made 50 in 65 minutes, 100 in 143, 150 in 180, 200 in 275 and, in all, 250 (out of 494) in 360. In strictly first-class cricket, he had previously made such scores as 303 not out, 248 not out, 231 and 200, and in recognition of his 250 the Victorian Cricket Association decided to present him with a trophy. His record in club games is 438. Whilst obtaining his 250 he took part in three stands of over 100, putting on 145 for the fourth wicket with Seitz, 127 for the sixth with Brown (who was rather lucky) and 141 for the ninth with Carkoek. Seitz gave a possible chance when 10, but subsequently played very well and was unlucky to be bowled off his pad. The Victorian innings lasted three minutes over seven hours. The South Australians batted in very disappointing fashion. Their scoring at times was slow, but it must be admitted that the bowling against them was good. Dolling alone played w ith much certainty, and he made 94 by faultless cricket in three hours 25 minutes, hitting ten 4’s. Near the end of the innings Rees and Webster put on 45 together, but when the end came the arrears amounted to 321. In the follow-on C. Hill showed excellent form in scoring 55 in just under two hours ; he hit three 4’s and was caught off a mis-hit. No one else did much, and Victoria won by the large margin stated. A t Sydney in the first week of December New South Wales gained an easy success over South: Australia by 316 runs. South Australia won the toss and, as there had been a thunder-storm in the early morning, sent the home side in. During the time available on the first day 79 runs were made without loss, Trumper and Bardsley in. N ot a ball could be bowled on the Saturday, and on the Monday only two runs were added ere the first wicket fell. Then, with such effect did Whitty and Rees bowl, that seven men were out for 159. A hard-hit innings by Cotter, who made four 6’s and six 4’s in scoring 82 out of 124 added jn 50 minutes for the eighth wicket with Waddy, pulled the game round, and the total reached 316. He obtained his runs— his highest effort in first-class cricket— in 32 strokes off 58 balls received. Waddy played a fine game, marked by clean driving, for 78, and carried out his bat. B y far the best innings for South Australia was played by Hill, who showed a fine variety of strokes in making 59. Hazlit’s bowling was excellent, and the N.S.W. fielding keen and accurate. The home side added considerably to their lead of 107 upon going in again, South Australia being set 460 to win— a herculean task even on the Sydney ground. Trumper and Bardsley again gave the side a good start, staying together until 78, when both were caught off Whitty. Macartney left 3 later and Barbour at 120. A t that point Waddy joined Gregory, and a valuable stand of 86 resulted. The last-named batted brightly for two hours and a quarter at a time when matters were not going too well with the side. Cotter again put much vigour into his batting, and Long stayed with Minnett whilst 78 were added for the ninth wicket. Minnett was in 95 minutes for 87 not out and hit fifteen 4’s. When South Australia went in for the fourth innings, on a perfect wicket, Cotter and Hazlit carried all before them, bowling unchanged throughout and dismissing the side for 98. It was a great personal triumph for the pair. THE SOMERSET COUNTY C.C. Sir Spencer Ponsonby-Fane presided at the Annual General Meeting of the Somerset County Cricket Club at Taunton on the 13th inst., and, in referring to the balance sheet, which showed a deficit of £284, after £434 had been received from the guarantors of the Club, said the county was, to use only a very mild term, in a most unfortunate position. The subscriptions and the gate receipts, added together, realised little more than half the sum necessary to carry on the Club. He did not know what was going to happen after next season, through which they would be successfully carried by their matches with the Aus­ tralians and South Africans, and their share of the receipts at the Test Matches. Mr. Gerald Fowler, who was again elected honorary secretary and treasurer, said that the existing deficit had been guaranteed by certain gentlemen, or he did not see how the Club could have been continued. Mr. John Daniell was re-elected captain, and it was stated that Mr. W. T. Greswell would probably be able to assist the Club next season. Mr. Murray-Anderdon was presented with a gold watch in recognition of his services as honorary secretary for twenty-five years. BLANCO For Cleaning and Whitening White Buckskin and Canvas Shoes, Cricket Pads, and all other articles of a similar nature. It is prepared in a very careful manner, and extra precautions are taken to ensure an evenness of colour. 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