CRICKET.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 304, 3 January 1902, Page 3

CRICKET.

. COMMENTS ON THE GAME. By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright Melbourne, Jan. 2. Yesterday’s game was sensational, with remarkable changes. Many who watched the first innings of the Australians only saw in their easy dismissal lack of form similar to that in the Sydney match, but the Englishmen's display proved that, / whatever the batting form is, the state of the wicket is the chief, if not tho only -»■“if oauso. Noble, who bowled so well in the recent State match, was in tho . test. Those who jeered him earlier in the day were silent later on, in tho face of his great performance. Duff, too, effectually justified his selectors, and silenced the raucous barrackers. Kelly showed better form behind the sticks than be has .yet done this season. In commencing their second innings tho Australians held back tho loading batsmen, in order to give them an opportunity" on an improving wicket. For a time it looked as if the first two men would enable the team to practically oommence their innings next day, but with Darling’s departure the other wickets fell rapidly. The Argus says there was any amount of incidents in tho ordinary sen°o in yesterday’s gamo, but little cricket. To anyone non initiated in the conventions of , the game, it was an extraordinary thing s that twenty-two players should be put to so much inconvenienco and thirty thou- f sand spectators have their pleasure spoiled i for tho want of a few yards of waterproof I to cover tho pitch. Never before had I bowlers in a test match hero gone through 5 unchanged. Noble’s performance .was L the best over achieved in a teat match, d tho nearest being Turner’s six for 15 at n Sydney, and Bates’ seven for 28 at Mel- s bourne. - • A'N EXCITING GAME, e '

AUSTRALIANS RUNNING UP GOOE SCORE. SPLENDID STAND BY HILL AND DUFF. Tho second test match was continued ’ \ ✓to-day. There was beautiful wcathor, and - u largo attendance. ' — l As the day wore oh tho wicket became . excellent. The partnership for the sixth wicket raised tho hopes of the Australians, while Hill’s excellent performance removed tho match from being an absolutely one-sided one. With five wickets for forty-eight Hill partnered Gregory, facing the bowling of Barnes and Braund. The batsmen playing steadily, both got into double figures for thirty-five minutes’ play. The partners were very clever between the-wickets, gaining confidence as tho play continued. The partnership put up thirty-five by cat- ful cricket, when Hill had a narrow sscape in jumping out at Braund. Gregory had compiled 17 when he touched Barnes to the slips, Jones securing the catch. Six wickets for 98. * Trumper went in next. He marked his arrival with a drive for three, Hill bringing 30 to his credit with a pretty back cut to the fence. The century occupied two hours and fifteen minutes in putting up. Trumper scored quickly. With 122 on the board Blythe replaced Braund. Hill continued to score with freedom intil luncheon. On resuming, a great crowd of specta>rs were present. The very first ball disposed of Trumper. fo lashed out at Barnes, and the ball ant off the edge of tho bat into Lilley’s rads. Seven wickets for 128. Noble filled the vacancy. Ho got a good reception from the spectators. Noble commenced his account by run.ing four off a fine carpet drive. Hill brought up his half-century in an our and three-quarters. Slow play foliwed. Tho fielding was excellent, and ..opt down tho runs. Noble shaped feebly at Braund, and it >ok him twenty-five minutes to get into ouble figures. At 159, Blythe relieved Braund. Hill continued to hit splendidly, treatjg both bowlers with great freedom. Noble occasionally addod a singlo to the score. He threw his wicket away trying to bring Blythe across, getting his log in front. Doff followed with the bat. Hill kept his score going steadily by singles and twos. Tho field wero too smart to allow many boundaries, although Hill’s work was equal to many more than ho got. Jessop took Barnes’ end at 175. Hill brought 70 up off Jessop. Duff prettily playing the next two on the leg side for fourers, followod them up by a couple, bringing him into double figures. Nine runs off Jessop caused Braund to

relieve him. ' , „ 1 Merry cricket ensued. Hill ana Dun scored smartly. Tha second century ' appeared after four hours and twenty minutes’ play. Fourteen minutes later . 'Barnes was again tried in place of Braund, 1 iihe batsmen having collared the bowling, j After tea Hill only wanted a single to complete his century, when he struck one hard to Jones at third man and retired, to the disappointment of the crowd. He received an ovation for his brilliant, chanceless innings, lasting three hours and sixteen minutes. Armstrong, the last man, and Duff continued to hit magnificently. Braund displaced Barnes at 250, Arm- ■ strong getting his double figures with fine hard strokes. Gunn took Blythe’s place, . and the latter in turn changed to Braund’s end. ' . Armstrong sent the Kentish man s first to the fenoo. Duff, amid cheering, got the half century in an hour and thirty-nine minutes. Duff did the bulk of the scoring, Armstrong going slow for some time. Tho change in the bowling proved futile. There was great enthusiasm as Duff got 60 on the board. Both batsmen showed the groatest confidence, and played ster- ~ ling cricket. , , _ With 292 up, Barnes replaced Gunn, who ohanged to the n-i’way end as Duff put 70 up. The change had no effect. Maclaren 1 rn tn put Jones on, but his second ball 1 brought the third century, the scoring occupying five hours fifty-one minutes. Armstrong had gone on scoring slowly, leaving Duff tho task of run-getting. The pair playc d out to timo. Tho official record of the attendance was j 24,-500, - „ , . . ’ * nnmflS.

’ Australia —2nd innings. ; Darling, c Tyldesley, b Barne3 ... 23 l Trumble, c Braund, b Barnes to j Kelly, run out... ... M Howell, c Hayward, b Barnes ... u Jones, c Maclaren, b Barnes o . Gregory, c Jones, b Barnes G Trill, c Jones, b Barnes tT t Trumper, o Lilley, b Barnes... ••• |< . Noble, lbw, b Blythe to ; Duff, not out Armstrong, not out M \ [.m Sundries Total for nine wickets ... ...300