CRICKET.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXVI, Issue 5213, 1 March 1904, Page 5

CRICKET.

THE FOURTH TEST MATCH. (Received February 29, 6.13 p.m.) SYDNEY; February 29. It has been raining steadily all day, and tboro is a lot of water on the wicket. Play in tho test match was postponed from hour to hour till 4 39 p.m., whnn it was decided not to play to-day, Tho “Sydney Morning Herald” says in reference to the Australians’ play on Saturday:—■“ Hill and Duff wore tho only ones tO' show any batting was .an unsatisfactory exhibition. When tho light was not at its worst play was blocked because the umpires decided so. and later on play was continued when the batsmen thought there was not sufficient light. Penns might have been obtained which are now badly wanted.” Tbo “Daily Telegraph” says;—“There is no accounting for tho failure. It is true tho light was poor during the last half-hour, and bowling and fielding were good, but that is hardly a sufficient explanation of the rapid fall of the host batsmen in Australia. The misty rain, though it made tho outfield slow, did no damage, and, indeed, it assisted the batsmen to tho extent'that it rendered the- ball slippery for tho bowlers and fieldsmen.” (Received March 1, 1.6 a.m.) SYDNEY. February 20. After clearing for a few hours late this afternoon a steady drizzle again set in to-nicht. Tho prospects for to-morrow are gloomy. SATURDAY’S DEMONSTRATION. (Received February 29, 11.13 p.m.) LONDON. February 29. "Sporting Life,” dealing with the incident during the test match at Sydneyon Saturday —in which spectators, annoyed at tho interruetion of play through rain, threw empty bottles on to the ground—says it is a pity the Sydney larrikin does not turn his attention to an amusement nearer his heart, namely, cock-fighting. Tho “Standard” says it is regrettable that in connection with athletics, not in Australia alone, more and more are conditions favourable to rowdyism, recalling the finally insufferable surroundings of the old prize ring. The “Sportsman” emphasises the canker threatening all that is best in cricket.