Victoria fall short in thrilling finish

Winning the toss and batting first on a good wicket, the MCC scored rapidly, Hammond making some very large hits, the best of which were two sixes and eight fours. Fleetwood-Smith was severely punished, conceding 19 runs in one over, while from another Hammond hit him for 6, 4, 4, 4. Sutcliffe was third out at 153, after batting two hours and having scored seven fours. Tate came in at five wickets down for 175, and after a slightly uncertain start made some very good strokes through the covers and on the leg side, and altogether hit fifteen fours. He and Bowes added 53 for the last wicket, the Yorkshireman losing his wicket in an endeavour to give Tate the bowling.

Very little play was possible owing to rain on the second day when Victoria carried their total from 9 for 0 to 48 for 1, but on the third day there was some very bright cricket, Victoria's six left-handed batsmen keeping the MCC field constantly on the shuffle. Darling, mainly by means of powerful on-drives and cover drives, hit twelve fours in an admirable innings, while later Ebeling hit out vigorously, claiming 15 off one over from Bowes, and Ironmonger was actually in while 40 runs were added, which must be almost a record for the veteran bowler, who is considered the world's worst batsman.

The final day was most exciting. The English batting broke down and Wyatt gave the home side a sporting chance of victory, leaving them two hours for 178 runs. Rigg and Bromley playing brilliant cricket scored so rapidly that when the last over was called only seven runs were required for victory. Six were scored off the first seven balls and then off the final ball of the match Rigg was caught with the totals level, Mitchell taking an easy catch off Bowes.