CRICKET.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3112, 7 January 1911, Page 8

CRICKET.

TO-DAY'S MATCHES. The team to represent the W andorers Juniors in their match against the Boys’ High School, -which will take place on the Victoria Domain to-day, will he selected from the following-Hepburn (4), O’Donnell, Smith (2), Tier, Bearson, Gosling, Butter ell, McLean, Doolan, and Huston NEW' ZEALAND TEACHERS AT NEWCASTLE. [UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION COPYRIGHT.,] ' * SYDNEY, Jan. 0. _ The Newcastle teachers scored 315. Lusk captured four wickets for 90, Thomas three for 1, Holland two foi 48. 'The New Zealanders lost seven wickets for 243; Lusk 48, Donoghue 38, Thomas 50, Travena, 25, Holland 9, O’Shea 6, Fanning 8, Grant (not out) 27, Pringle (not out) 10, sundries 27.

PAVILION GOSSir. (Notes by "Short-Slip.”) The topic of the hour is, of course, the second test- match, and the inexplicable and utter collapse of the South Africans alter having completely outplayed Australia for throe days, and holding an apparently unassailable position. Clem Hill, on whom the mantle of skipper of the Australian eleven has fallen since. Mr. A. Noble’s .retirement, appears to he blessed with that qualification so essential in a captain—luck. As in the fust test at Sydney, the spin of the coin favored him at Melbourne, and Australia had the advantage of first- knock in both tests. The spin of the coin practically decided the first test match, as rain came on after Australia had amassed their big first innings total, and left South Africa no possible chance of making even the semblance of a fight- of it. In Melbourne the weather conditions were perfect throughout. Australia led with 348, a- capital score under the best of conditions against- first-class bowling. The two left-handers, Warren Bards ley (85) and Vernon R-ansford (58), were the chief scorers. The left-handers, it must be -admitted were at the top of tlie tree in this campaign. South Africa, by running up 508 in their first knock, proved that they are all that has been claimed for them as batsmen, and their fine score completely refuted those critics who held the opinion that the springboks were not up to the standard of the Australians. Aubrey Faulkner put the seal of a champion batsman upon himself by scorin’-: 204 runs. This brilliant batsman has aheadv built up a high reputation in two hemispheres, and it will be freely conceded by Australians that he is entitled to rank with the greatest batsman of the day. His scores to date, on the present tour, are:—s4, 4, 50. 69, 74, 1, •34, 73, 70, 21. 62, 43, 117, 204, and S. Australia again batted consistently in their second innings in making 327, thus .scoring a really good double. But 'well as they had batted, South Africa were left with onlv 169 to get to win. Everyone knows they collapsed —utterly and* hopelessly, and were all out for 80 runs! Evervone professes to be unable to account for the rout. When the details are to hand it will likely be found that the wicket had worn considerably. Considering that. 11S1 runs had already been scored on the pitch it would not be surprising if it had worn. The fact that Faulkner was at- the wickets for an hour for the paltry total of 8 runs bears out this belief. Had the wicket been at all respectable, such a capable batsman as Faulkner would, have had a few on the slate in an hours time. "Whittv must have bowled remarkably veil. When the South Australian lefthander was over in -,ew Zealand with the Board of Control Australian team, A. E. Rolf, the Sussex professional, voiced the opinion that- in a couple of years’ time 'V hi tty would lie acknowledged as the greatest bowler in the work!. From his tine performances in the second inings or the second test at Melbourne, it would appear that Whittv was anticipating the Sussex man’s prognostication. Though beaten a second time, the South Africans have proved their ability to meet Australia on level terms, and •the remaining to.vfc matches should be worth going a long way to ' see. The South Africans have popularised themselves with tiie public Dy reason of the sporting game they play, and also for their social qualities. * In any case, their visit has made it apparent that the triangular contest in Britain will not- lie fought out by Australia and England alone ; but that the youngest soil of the Empire to enter the cricket arena will have to be seriously reckoned with.