THE FIJIAN CRICKETERS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 18, 22 January 1895, Page 5

THE FIJIAN CRICKETERS.

The team of Fijian cricketers who intend making a tour ot this colony arrived yesterday morning by the s.s. TaviunL The team is composed of the following players : —The Hons. J. C. Collins and J.-S. Udal, Messrs H. M. Scott, A. B. Joske, R. Caldwell, J. McOwan, VV. O. Groom, Ratu Kadava Levu, Ratu Temesia, Ratu Tui Venua You, Ratu Nailovolovo, Ratu Tui Saivau, and Ratu Epeli. The first four natives mentioned are Bau chiefs and the last two Rewa chiefs. The native vi&itora are a fine stalwart lot of fellows, and should give the,local men a good dealof trouble on Friday and Saturday nexb. Yesterday afternoon they engaged in practice on the Domain in preparation for the forthcoming match. We hear they show a no inconsiderable amount of ability pbth as bowlers and. fielders, their throwing being particularly good, while as bats some of them are far ahead of any of our local cricketers. The best bats amongst tho native mem bora aro Ratu Kadavu Levu, who is alao a fasb round arm bowler, Ratu Epeli, and Ratu Nailovolovo. Tai Vanua You is the native fast bowler of the toam.

The Fijian?, though notod for being excellent men in the field, are not quite so successful with the bat, the team, we understand, relying principally on the European members in that department of the game. Ib is perhaps worthy of mention in connection with this team that one of the members, the Hon. J. C. Collins, who is considered the beab all-round man the visitors have brought with them, was offered a place by W. 6. Grace in the English team that visited Australia in 1872. He was subsequently a member of the wellknown Marylebone Cricket Club, and in 1889, when he left England, was a member of this Club's Committee.