Scotland v Australia 28 & 29 June 1909 by Cricket Scotland

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Ground:	Raeburn Place, Edinburgh
Scorecard:	Scotland v Australians
Event:	Australia in British Isles 1909

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DateLine: 31st January 2013

 

 

Day 1:
After a full day's cricket yesterday at Raeburn Place, Edinburgh, the match between the Australians and Scotland was left in a most even state, practically as it was at the beginning of the game before a ball had been bowled. When both sides had completed an innings the Colonials were 28 ahead, but on going in again the arrears were wiped off and Scotland finished the day 5 runs to the good with all ten wickets in hand.

 

For this condition of affairs the state of the pitch had much to answer for, and if the Glasgow match showed the Australians are great batsmen on a hard wicket yesterday's play was additional evidence of the fact that on a pitch affected by rain they are no more comfortable that their neighbours. Tom Sellars had prepared one of his best wickets on the Grange ground, but the rain of Saturday night and Sunday ruined it from a batsman's point of view, if it had converted it into something like a bowlers paradise.

 

With the Scotsmen going out so cheaply, one had the feeling that it was the old story of nervousness, combined with rank bad batting, that was responsible rather than good bowling, assisted by the state of the ground, but when the Australians fared little better that view of matters had to be considerably modified, so that in the face of the dismissal of the Australians for 121, the getting of 93 by Scotland was quite a creditable performance.

 

It has to be borne in mind too, that while the wicket continued difficult to the end, it was slowly improving as time wore on, and that the Scotsmen had to bat upon it when it was at its worst. Noble won the toss for Australia, but put Scotland in to bat, which was a clear indication that he expected the wicket to be difficult at the start and to get easier as the day advanced. Perhaps, however, it did not improve so much as he anticipated and hoped for, and in any case, Macartney was the only one of the Colonial eleven who faced the bowling of Ringrose and Broadbent, both of who, by the way, are Yorkshireman, and have played for their County, with any degree of confidence.

 

The Forfarshire professional was a regular member of the Yorkshire eleven two or three seasons ago, and Broadbent got his first trial with the first eleven quite recently. The former's work yesterday should help him greatly in his endeavour to get a permanent place in the County side.

 

It is interesting to note that Ringrose, who had the better figures of the two, and Broadbent bowled unchanged throughout the Australian innings, a performance which constitutes a record for the tour, for neither the Colonials nor their opponents have had a pair to previously accomplish such a thing.

 

The only excuse the Australians can put forward for the fact that on the day's form they were well matched in batting, bowling and fielding, is that they were without some of their best men - namely, Gregory, Armstrong, Carter, Rainsford, and Laver, all of whom are likely to play in the Test match at the end of the week. But even without these "cracks" no one ever imagined that Scotland would put up such a splendid fight. It is by far the best display, so far as it has gone, that a representative Scottish team has given against the Australians, and certainly one of the best on record against any opposition.

 

The runs got by Tait, who was successful in both innings, were, under the prevailing conditions, worth far more than they would have been on a dry fast wicket, and the same remark applies to Macartney's not out contribution. Tait has once more proved himself to be a "big match" player.

 

Apart from the cricket too, the match was a decided success, and it would seem as if the Scottish Union are to have a substantial income from their first important engagement. On Sunday, and even yesterday morning they must have had their doubts about the weather, but the early dullness gave place later to a nice day, and the conditions were alike favourable for players and spectators, though some of the Colonials were still wrapped up in their sweaters, which have been so freely in use during the tour.

 

There would be close upon 5000 spectators, with drawings of about £200 and if there was nothing sensational in the cricket, it was always highly interesting, and the crowd denied the pleasure of some heavy scoring by the visitors, which, no doubt, they had come out in the full expectation of seeing, were obviously delighted with the turn the game took. If runs were scarce - only 248 were got in the five hours that play lasted- there was lots of good bowling on both sides, and spectators were certainly never allowed to weary.

 

Twenty wickets in all fell, which gives an average of but 12 runs a wicket. Added to that, the fielding all round was excellent, and the home men in that respect, and notably Dickson and Peel, together with the splendid work by Chalmers at wickets, were little behind their more noted opponents. Not a real catch that came to hand was dropped during the whole day, and the keenness and closeness of the work in the field had not a little to do with the low scoring, The crowd indeed, must have been well satisfied with the fare provided, and none the less so as much of it was of a surprise character, and another good day's sport may be looked for if the weather keeps fine.

 

Play started at five minutes to twelve, and it was soon seen that the batsmen were in for a troublous time. Noble and Whitty opened the attack, and both got a lot of spin on the ball, Noble cutting across from the off every now and then in a most disconcerting fashion, while Whitty, whose deliveries required ever more careful watching, was breaking both ways. The left-hander has a nice easy action, is more of a medium pace than slow, and occasionally sends down a fast one.

 

At this time the wicket was doing all sorts of tricks. Both the opening batsmen were in difficulties with Whitty, and from the uneasy manner they shaped it was surprising that they got as far as 18 before Anderson was the first victim. Great things were hoped from Dickson. He was carefulness personified, and although he was at the wickets nearly twenty minutes all he scored was a single.

 

Tait, however, had not been idle meantime, and when the Scottish captain was all at sea to an off "breaker" from Noble, the total stood at 37. At the same total Tait also left. He had never been comfortable with Whitty, and it was the left-hander who got him easily caught in slips by Trumper.

 

With Peel and Bowie together, a double change in the attack was tried, Hopkins and O'Connor going on, and it was not long before it took effect. Hopkins also found a "spot" and he soon found the way through the defence of both men, and fourth and fifth wickets falling at 47 and 58 respectively.

 

Keigwin had a dangerous shot through the slips for a three, and Bowie in pulling a short one from Hopkins round to square leg put the ball perilously near McAlister. At 60 Keigwin seemed to forget that there was a fieldsman at short square leg, and he obligingly turned a ball round to Hartigan, who jumped forward and brought off a good catch. This was in Hopkin's fifth over, and at that point he had three wickets for 7 runs.

 

Lindsay and Broadbent then stayed together till the lunch interval, at which time the total stood at 69 for 6 wickets. Broadbent soon got to work on resuming, driving O'Connor for 2 and 4 in the first over, but two balls later he went the way of the others. The end was soon now. Chalmers had a few smacks, and was then caught on the ropes from a big drive at 93, and the innings closed at the same total after lasting just over two hours.

 

The task set the Australians did not seem a very formidable one, but, as events proved, it was one they just managed to accomplish with very little to spare. Ringrose and Broadbent bowled, and in the former's second over, with only 7 on the board, Bardsley was neatly taken by Lindsay at square leg close in. That was about the first crumb of comfort the Scotsmen had got all day, but it was not by any means the last, for when the total had been exactly doubled Hartigan was beaten by Broadbent. Thus two of the century-makers at Glasgow were disposed of, and the score was only 14.

 

Scotland was doing well, McAlister and Noble were cautious, and no liberties could be taken with the bowling, the batsmen being often in difficulties, Noble had some fine cuts off Ringrose, and the only way he could get Broadbent away was by turning him to leg for a single or two. The two put on 30 for the third wicket, when a general appeal for a catch at the wicket was answered against McAlister.

 

The proceedings began to get very interesting when, without another run scored, Noble was out for obstruction - a decision he seemed surprised about. Trumper and Macartney took to stealing runs, but that game was a dangerous one with the fielding good, and the great Trumper had not really got settled when Broadbent found a way to his stumps, and half the side were out for 59.

 

The game continued to go well for Scotland, but Macartney was playing well - better, indeed, than any of his colleagues had done. Without him the Colonials would have fared very badly. He, however, soon lost Hopkins, out to a smart catch at point. Cotter at once set to work to get runs, and lashing out at almost every ball, he had 25 to his credit before he was beaten. His stay was of but fourteen minutes duration. It was his hitting that spoiled the averages of the Scottish bowlers, for 9 were hit off one over from Ringrose and 11 from one from Broadbent.

 

Cotter had one or two good strokes, but most of them were of the fluky order, and many a time the ball dropped just wide of the fielders. It was a pull to the boundary that took the Australian total beyond the Scottish, and the hundred went up immediately afterwards, after the innings had lasted ten minutes under two hours. The others did nothing, and Macartney carried his bat after a stay of one hour and fifteen minutes.

 

Scotland went in for thirty five minutes batting. This time Cotter and Whitty had charge of the bowling, and though the former trundled at his fastest pace, Tait and Anderson, who again opened the batting, were able to play out time. Tait did practically all the scoring, and if he had one dangerous stroke through the slips, he had some fine strokes. He played capital cricket, batting with much greater confidence than in the morning, and Whitty this time gave him no bother.

 

It was a pretty stroke to the boundary by Tait that enabled Scotland to clear off the arrears, and stumps were drawn for the day soon afterwards.

 

However the match goes today, there will be, weather of course permitting, a full days cricket. It may be hoped, however, that the Scotsmen will continue to do well, and that they will give the Colonials enough to do on the second day to win without any exhibition play being necessary.

 

Last evening was spent by the two teams at the Lyceum Theatre, whither they had been invited by the management.

 

Day 2:
An eventful match between the Australians and Scotland was brought to a finish at Edinburgh yesterday evening, and it was a remarkable fact, strange though it may seem, that towards the close of play the Colonials had to put forth all their energies to escape defeat and secure a draw. That was just what the Scotsman had been hoping and striving for the greater part of the day, and as a drawn game was the ultimate result all, no doubt, would be satisfied.

 

The Scottish side had certainly every reason to be so, seeing that they followed up their excellent work of the first day by taking their second innings total from 34 for no wicket to 230 all out, and then getting rid of seven opponents for 147. The Australians who had a lead of 28 on the first innings, were thus 55 behind when stumps were drawn.

 

It was a splendid day's work for the home team, and the satisfaction was all the greater seeing that honours were shared in by so many members of the eleven, and that Bowie was unable to bat on the second day, and Ringrose, who was the outstanding success on Monday could not bowl. No fewer than six of the Scottish eleven got 20 or over, and Tait, who was the top scorer of both sides in the first innings, again occupied that position with a well-played 52.

 

The bowling honours of the second day went to Peel, who, inspired by an immediate success on getting his first chance with the ball did some splendid trundling, and had the best figures of the contest. Whether Scotland would have done better had Bowie and Ringrose been available and fit is, of course, a moot point, but the Scottish team have every right to put these misfortunes to their credit account.

 

Bowie, it seems, strained himself while practising in the morning, and Ringrose got such a smack from Cotter on the leg just above the knee he had to receive medical attention, and it is just possible he will be an absentee from the Forfarshire-Perthshire fight on Saturday.

 

The best and brightest cricket of the Colonial innings, and perhaps of the match, was that shown by McAlister and Macartney. While they were in the play went all in favour of their side, and for cautiousness at a critical time, and for dour determination not to be beaten by Scotland, Noble's innings was a noteworthy one. But when a good nerve is wanted Noble is the man to show it. He has done it before in big Test match cricket, and he did it yesterday in smaller "Test" play.

 

The fielding on both sides was again good, and the Scottish players made a distinctly favourable impression in that respect. Indeed, all over, they acquitted themselves with every credit. For the second time in succession Scotland has drawn the Colonials.

 

The bowlers yesterday morning when play began were Macartney and Cotter, and the not outs, Tait (28) and Anderson (2) soon got to work, or at least Tait did, for the Perthshire man was singularly inactive. Tait, in quick succession, had four 4's, and another boundary hit, this time to square leg, took him past 50.

 

So much had the ex-Aberdeenshire man monopolised the bowling that he had made 52 out of 66 during the hour the first wicket partnership had lasted, and in the same time Anderson had only managed to put together seven. Then O'Connor took the ball from Macartney, and in his first over Tait's splendid effort was brought to a close. It was the break of the ball that beat the batsman.

 

He had played a most attractive innings, and had hit seven 4's, six 3's, and one 2. Tait did not bother much about singles, but on Dickson joining Anderson hits for one were the order of the day. Both were as cautious as they could well be, and when Anderson put O'Connor round to leg for 4 he broke a long sequence of singles, while Dickson started with eight such strokes.

 

At 101 the Perthshire man survived an appeal for lbw, but the next ball found a way through his defence, and his long stay of just on two hours thus came to an end. He had shown wonderful patience, and included in his total were three 4's and one 2. Peel stayed with Dickson for fully twenty minutes. Then he was out to a wild shot, and at the interval the score stood at 131 for three.

 

On resuming, runs came more freely from Noble and Whitty's bowling, but in the former's fourth over Dickson was beaten by a ball which whipped across from the off. He had been at the wickets an hour and forty five minutes, and though he hit five 4's and two 3's, his batting had been characterised by great patience and restraint. Again, Dickson showed how valuable a man he is for such a match.

 

For the second time Lindsay failed to come off-he was neatly taken at the wicket at 153-and five runs later Keigwin, who had been playing so well and so easily, was bowled by a ball that kept low. He had been at the wickets for forty minutes.

 

Chalmers had some good drives, and Broadbent was wonderfully quiet. With the total 2 short of the second hundred, Chalmers played far too late to a "yorker" from O'Connor. The seventh wicket had put on 40 runs. Bailey and Ringrose helped Broadbent to take the total to 230. At that total, however, the Forfarshire man was badly hit on the leg by Cotter, and he was bowled the next ball. Bowie being unable to bat, Scotland's innings closed for the highly creditable total of 230, got in three hours and a half.

 

The game was still in a most interesting state, for the Australians were left with a good deal to do to get 203 to win in just under two hours. In the absence of Ringrose, Keigwin opened the bowling with Broadbent, and A.W. Duncan fielded for Bowie.

 

McAlister, one of the veterans of the side, began briskly, and two 4's in the first over gave the impression that the Colonials were out for a win. After some nicely placed strokes by the same player, Bardsley was given out for obstruction in Keigwin's second over. McAlister and Macartney, however, played beautiful cricket, their placing, especially of the former, being delightful, and they got runs very easily. So much so that one began to feel that the visitors might get the runs without further loss.

 

Fifty went up in three minutes under half an hour. At 57 Bailey went on for Keigwin, and the run-getting was not quite so brisk, though both batsmen continued to play with the utmost freedom.

 

It was when Peel bowled for the first time in the match, at 71, that the turning point in the game was arrived at, and he at once broke up a troublesome looking partnership, his first delivery finding McAlister all at sea. Then came Trumper, and this great cricketer got one ball and no more. It was from Peel, and Trumper played a perfect stroke to leg. The ball went within a yard or two of the boundary, and the batsmen had run three. Keen on runs, however, Trumper called Macartney for a fourth. It was going to be tight enough for the batsman to reach his crease in safety, but he would have done so had not Broadbent been lucky enough to throw down the wicket.

 

Trumper was thus run out, and that such a batsman should have been dismissed in such a fashion was a bit of rare good fortune for Scotland. Three wickets were then down for 74, and Bailey met with his first success four runs later when he got rid of another dangerous customer in Macartney, and one who had shown some of the crispest cricket of the side.

 

Cotter, who was again fluky, did not stay long, and soon after he left Noble sent one to Broadbent, who caught the ball. Unfortunately for Scotland, it was bumped, but Noble seemed to be under the impression that he was out and he was walking away. Had it been a catch it would have had a great effect on the game,

 

With half the side out and 109 still required to win and less than an hour to play, the game had reached a most interesting and critical stage, and when at 104 Hopkins was caught at the wicket and Hartigan bowled in successive balls from Peel, the question was not, Would Scotland save the game? but Would Scotland manage to win? At that point Peel had thee wickets for 10 runs.

 

A victory for the Colonials was then out of the question, for only about forty minutes remained for play, and during that time the Australians were content to play for a draw, and they achieved their purpose, Carkeek was never too sure, and it looked as if Chalmers might have stumped him off Bailey with twenty eight minutes to go, but the ball went so near striking the wicket that the keeper was deceived and a four bye was the result.

 

Broadbent was tried again at 126, and beat Carkeek more than once without touching the stumps, and Lindsay went on with "googlie" stuff at 132. Noble, however, was not to be tempted. He was playing a masterly game for his side, and was at the wickets an hour and ten minutes. He was largely responsible for saving the side from defeat, and he and Carkeek were still together, and had added 43 for the eighth wicket when time was called.

 

The attendance yesterday was again most satisfactory. There would be between 5000 and 6000 present, and the drawings would again amount to about £200, making £400 over the two days, and that sum is irrespective of tickets sold. The Australians get half the gross gate and there should thus be a substantial sum for the Scottish Cricket Union to put to their bank account.

 

Last night the Australians and several of the Scottish eleven were at the King's Theatre on the invitation of Mr Jack Morris. They leave Edinburgh for Leeds today for the Test match on Thursday.

(Article: Copyright © 2013 Cricket Scotland http://cricketscotland.com)