Australian Eleven for England.

Auckland Star, Volume XVII, Issue 43, 20 February 1886, Page 8

Australian Eleven for England.

[From our London Correspondent.]

London, December 21. Monday week's cablegram confirming the rumour that the Melbourne Ulub would after all, send a cricket eleven to England in 1886, was reoeived with satisfaction. No doubt the leading colonial club will now find difficulties standing In the way earlier, smoothed out, and they are sure to collect a first-rate team. Already fears have been expressed that our professionals will seek to make excessive terms for playing against antipodeans in matches outside the county programmes. It is asserted,but fortunately on doubtful authority, that members of the Shaw, Shrewsbury Company will demand a mimimum fee of £20 per man for taking part in players or players of England matches and there is talk of their requiring to rank as Bharers with the proprietors of the grounds and the Australians. Tbe "Globe," discussing the point, says:— "How far the labourer s worthiness to make his own bargain for remuneration can bo equitably carried is a question that it is most fervently to bo hoped will not be tried at such a time as this. The right view to tako is to dissociate tbe impending expedition from the colonial trading companies, who, be it remembered, were, with all thoir keenness for money-making, not such hard bargain-drivors as our men. There is not a cricketer, amateur or professional, hailing from the old country, visiting Australia, who has not had to thank the Melbourne Club for kindly courtesies, Any gentlemen touring in the colonies, if members of an English club, are systematically offered hospitality and treated with extreme friendliness.

Undor these circumstances it was their positive duty to do everything to make the visit of tho Club's eleven pleasant and successful. A very full meeting of county clubs was subsequently held at Lord's for the purpose of arranging a series of matches for the Australians, and a very promising programme made out. Altogether the visit of tho Club's eleven pro mises well.