CRICKET.

Press, Volume XXII, Issue 2628, 8 January 1874, Page 3

CRICKET.

ALL ENGLAND v. VICTORIA.

First Day. —December 26,

Tbe following report is condensed from the " Argus " :— Some of the players were down on the ground for a last practice before the first of the spectators began to arrive. The Victorians having met together, Robertson was chosen captain, and every confidence was felt that tbe team with which Victoria was to take the field would give a good account of .itself. There was a well-grounded fear on the previous Wednesday that Robertson's duty would keep him atColac, but his father, whose illness suddenly called him from town, insisted that he should play in the match; and the "difficulty was removed. A few

minutes before 12 o'clock the two captains.

W. G. Grace and Robertson, tossed for choice of innings. Fortune decided in favour of Victoria, and Robertson determined to take advantage of the well-prepared wicket, unspoiled by a single run having been scored off it, by giving his own men the first innings, or, as one of the All-Englanders humorously suggested, the Victorians thought it best to go to the wickets while they had the chance. Punctually at noon the Eleven, accompanied by the umpires, Mr. Boult, for England, and Colonel Ward, for Victoria, appeared in the field, headed by their captain, and there was a warm greeting of applause from the pavilion, the grand stand, and the dense ring of spectators round the cricketing arena, aa everyone endeavoured to settle into a position to view the play.

The Victorians were represented at the wickets by by Gibson and Goldsmith—the old and the young stager—the qualities of the former as a bat being"chiefly those of steadiness and patience, while the latter is a very rapid run getter. The Eleven at once took their places in the field to suit

the bowling of M'lntyre. Bush kept wickets, W. G. : Grace was point; Jupp, cover point; G. F. Grace, long-leg ; Greenwoodj mid-on ; Oscroft, mid-off ; Humphrey, short-leg ; Southerton, short-slip ; Gilbert, long-slip ; and Lillywhite, long-stop. Goldsmith received the first over from M'lntyre, the fast round-arm bowler of the team, and ' all eyes were directed to the game, to see i what chances the Victorians might seem to have against this redoubtable assailer' of their wickets. Goldsmith stopped the first three balls without being able to score, but to make amends for lost time, put the last of the over to leg for 4. Southerton took up the bowling at the other end, and there was a new disposition of the field, which was placed more forward and close to the wickets, for catches from the twisters. M'lntyre's place in the field was third man. Gibson received the first over of Southertou's medium-paced round-arm. Off the second ball he scored 1 for a forward drive. He followed this up with a single off M'lntyre, and then played a maiden over from Southerton. Goldsmith next got a chance off M'lntyre, and made a fine hit to long-leg for 2, the ball being well taken by G. F. Grace. This was presently followed by a pretty cut past cover-point for 2. Gibson, :not to be outdone, though very much on the defensive, added, 1 for a drive off Sontherton,: In'eatly, stopped and rapidly returned by |Greenwood ; and another single for a forward hit, the ball splendidly fielded and returned by Jupp. Both batsmen then jplayed a maiden over each. In the next lover Gibson scored a single for a forward hit, and, by way of a change, got a brace behind the wickets. Goldsmith put one away to : cover-point, counted another for a forward drive, and Gibson, who was warming to his work, made his first hit for a. This brought 20 up on the telegraph board and a change in the bowling. Lillywhite, the left-handed slow round arm bowler, went on at M'lntyre's e n d, and the field was spread out to suit" him. Goldsmith made a couple of singles off him, and Gibson scored a third. The latter then received a puzzler from Lillywhite. The next ball he lifted high over the bowler's head, and the chance Was easily taken by Oscroft. The first wicket fell for a total of 23 runs, Gibson having made 9 of them. Cooper, the next man, opened with a neati draw off Southerton for 2, and getting opposite to the other bowler, scored a single in thie same way. Goldsmith, who was step, ping' but to* the balls, and batting very freely, had just made a good cut, off Lillywhite for 3, when a shower of rain fell, and it was necessary to suspend operations for a short time. ■ Ori '■ the game being resumed, Goldsmith stepped out. to a tempter from Lillywhite, .missed it, and had the mortification of seeing the wicket keeper knock off the bails. The second wicket was now down for 29 runs, Goldsmith haying rattled together 17 in very good style. : Boyle filled the vacancy, and received the remainder of the over without scoring. Two of the finest bats in the team were now together. Those who expected a good exhibition of cricket were not disappointed. Cooper played back to all the slow bowling and Boyle forward, but both very soon collared it.' Boyle began with a splendid straight drive nearly to the chain fence at the north end of the. ground* but it was taken by Jupp with one hand in magnificent style, and only 1 run was counted. The two batsmen were presently hitting the ball all over the ground. Twos, threes, and fours followed each other in rapid succession, and the score rose rapidly, in spite of the admirable fielding at all points. There were occasional lulls, however, and a good deal of patient defensive play. There were never more than two maidens bowled successively, however. When the showed 40 nine, M'lntyre again went on in place of Lillywhite, but without any better luck. When 60 runs had been scored, Lillywhite changed ends, relieving Southerton at the south side ; but with M'lntyre at one end and Lillywhite at the other, the batting went merrily on. Boyle made one fine cut, the ball going between point's legs. Then there was another' brief interval while a shower of rain passed over. On the resumption of the game W. G. Grace relieved M'lntyre with the ball, Gilbert taking his place at point. In the first over, Boyle made a' cut for 4, Gilbert being doubtful about the advisability of stopping the ball. Cooper followed this up with a splendid leg hit for 3 off Lillywhite. In the next over from W. G. Grace, Boyle hit the ball very smartly towards the bowler, and It waa caught, hnt upon the ground. Off the next ball he was taken by Lillywhite, how fielding at point, who effected fine catch, the ball being hit very hard, and to one side of him. Boyle's innings closed for the very satisfactory total of 30, all got by clean hitting and in excellent style. His score included three fours, two threes, and three twos. The best hits were to long-field and long-leg. Greenwood prevented several straight driven balls from going under the chain-fence. 'When the game was resumed, Coates, the new arrival from Sydney, who is a lefthanded bat, joined Cooper, the total score being 83. After a couple of maidens, Cooper made a cut off Grace for 2, then-a drive off the same bowler for 1. Coates got a single, then a goo* leg hit for 2, and waa laying himself out to do execution, when his career was suddenly cut Bhort by a magnificent piece of fielding. Coates made a Splendid hit off W. &. Grace, high in the air in the direction of long-field. Jupp, who was near the chain fence, ran some 16 yards at full Bpeed, and caught the ball. ■ There was a great round of cheers for this feat. The fourth wicket fell for 95 runs, Coates having oh3y contributed 3.

er I Kelly Tiexlr joined Cooper, who was batting he ! very freely, and with an impregnable defence, ie Kelly began in a lively style. First, a cut off i- Lilly white for 4 (which brought 100 on the board), then a drive oil Grace for 3, and il another off Lilly white to the tune of 4 again. When 110 runs had-been recorded, M'lntyre c went on to bowl at the south end, and bowled ' exceedingly well— very much better than in the earlier part of the match—but m but without any luck. The first chance n that was not taken was now given. If the )r wicket-keeper had taken the ball, Cooper, h who had made about 40 runs, could have been stumped. Lilly white also had what „ looked very much like a chance from Kelly - in the slips, but he failed to hold the ball. After the two batsmen had run up a dozen more between them with twos and threes, Mr W. G. Grace retired in favor of Southerton at the north end. In the next over Cooper started to run for a hit. The ball was fielded by Humphrey at short-leg, and was returned to the wicket when the batse man was six yards away, but—Shade of Tom Lockyer I—the bail was hot taken, and the c wicket stood. This was a clear life to Cooper. * Kelly made his third hit for 4, and a single, " and was then disposed of by the bowler B Southerton, who caught a ball which looked 8 like a drive for 3. Kelly's innings closed 8 for a rapidly-made 26, and the score showed fc 5 wickets for 120 runs. 1 The next arrival was Conway, whose apJ pearance was signalised by special cheers » from the spectators all round. M'lntyre's > bowling at this time was very good, and » Cooper was blocking nearly every ball. There r were 12 overs for 4 runs, and for some time > the scoring was very slow. Cooper presently : got a good hit for 4, and Conway made a few ■ heavy drives, but only scored singles for ! them. After a no-ball from M'lutyre, Conway sent one to long-field for 3. The bowling being ineffective, Gilbert was tried, but he i was punished more than any other, and Cooper made one fine leg hit for 4. When 1 the 180 th run had been got G. F. Grace took up the bowling, relieving M'lntyre at the south end, and W. G. Grace took Gilbert's place at the opposite end. Conway, after 2 1 singles, got a splendid drive to the on for 49 Greenwood failing to stop the ball for the firet time. In the third over from G. F. Grace, Cooper, who is very fond of back play, had the misfortune to hit his own wicket. He retired in the midst of enthusiastic plaudits with the splendid score of 84, which included Bix fours, two threes, and 14 twos. The best hits were to long-field and to ' but there, were some very pretty cuts past cover-point. Cooper's innings was as good a display of batting as has ever been seen on the Melbourne ground. He did not give a single chance off his bat, and there was no i : loose hits, but all clean- and Btraight along 1 the turf, . while he showed the utmost patience with the straight balls. < The sixth wicket feli.for 195 runs, showing 1 a remarkably good average —much to good 1 to last. There, were loud cheers when 1 Robertson, the captain of the Eighteen, took j his stand at the vacant wicket. He com- < menced with a fine straight drive for 3 s off Gilbert Grace. This, with a couple of < byes, brought 200 on the board, a point in 1 the game which was marked by much ! clapping of hands. Conway scored 4, and < then ■ 3 for a couple of drives off W. G. s Grace, Jupp saving the fourth run for *. the second hit in splendid style. The bats- £ man having now made 32, gave himself t up to heavy hitting, and stepping out to a t loose ball from W. G. Grace, struck over it, t and was bowled, the seventh wicket falling r for 213 runs. This event brought Gaggin t and Robertson into partnership. The former "J shaped very well at a few balls, and was a then, unfortunately, caught by Gilbert Grace r at mid oh without scoring. The eighth " wicket fell for 215 runs. Midwinter came s next, and was getting along nicely, when F without lifting his bat he played to block r a ball which went into ,< the ; wicket- t keeper's hands, and the umpire said n he ;was out, mtich to his astonishment. 1< Results, 9—7—224. M'Gan and Robertson c together kept the field alive for some time, h and the latter had just made a fine leg hit £ fdr 4, when he was clean bowled by G. F. n Grace. The tenth wicket fell for 229 runs, ri of which number Robertson contributed 14 b in very pretty style. Carr and M'Gan were n now together. When time was called they p had scored 13 between them, the partner- a ship remaining undissolved, and the total c: score stood at 245 for 10 wickets including 8 n byes, 1 no ball, and a wide, just bowled by J G. F. Grace, a Second Day—Decembee 27th. c ' The play was Tesumed punctually at 11 ? o'clock; When the game was discontinued . 11 , on Friday evening, it will be remembered ?, that the Victorian Eighteen in their first i innings had scored 245 runs, with the loss of ten wickets, M'Gan and Carr having made 7 and 6 respectively, and not out. The two ?; Graces took up the bowling, and the field was 1 placed very much as on the previous day. s The batsmen played a maiden over each, p and in the next over from G. F. Grace, Carr J* 1 put the ball to leg for 2. The first ball from 'J W. G. Grace in the next over took the fi wicket of M'Gan, who retired without ~ having added to his previous day's score, .1 This brought the eleventh wicket down for 1 247. There were cheers all round when £ the veteran Cosstick filled the breach. , He only arrived just in time to see Carr ™ clean bowled by. G. F. Grace. Twelve -'*' wickets and not another run. Bishop having U J appeared upon the scene, Cosstick stopped a few balls, and then opened his shoulders *=>' to a fine square leg hit. The ball rose high P] in the air, and was beautifully taken by. ,! Humphrey, who had to run a dozen yards .' to reach it. 13—0—247. Hedley joined 81 Bishop, and four having been counted for 7 ! byes, succeeded in scoring a single for a snick, This ended his brief career, for he * r was then caught by Oscroft at raid-off. J] Allan, who came next, appeared tp he in a ' merry mood, but his gay capers were soon ® changed for the funeral march back to the pavillion, with a large "0" staring him in n ' the face all the way. After larking round a few balls, he played one into the hands of ¥ the bowler, W. G. Grace, and made a place ° for Horan. who ' immediately gave a chance P. to Oscroft at short leg. The ball was not * held, and the batsman" made a very risky run. Oscroft sent in the ball when Bishop , was a couple of feet out o! his ground. The rj wicketkeeper, thinking, it. would take the .. wicket, let it pass between his hands, but it ™ did not touch the stumps, and Bishop had a W1 life. In the. next over, Horan was stumped c by the wicketkeeper ; and it was left for ,° Wyndham, the last man, with Bishop to re- „. trieve the rapidly-falling fortunes of the Vie- Jf' torians. The English captain, knowing W.s ?° propensity for slogging, placed his field B for long catches, and pitched the ball up to the batsman in an irresistibly tempting * way. Bishop put together a few singles, , chiefly for hits to leg and long-field. Wyndham played a lively inning i, making some ' fine hits, one of which to the on, good for 1 ~. with ah ordinary field, was beautifully " stopped by Greenwood. Then he fell a V_ victim to the trap set for him. G. F. Grace j,, and two others were specially placed for him * . in the long-field. He hit a tempting ball for , a fourer, and G. F. Grace closed the innings °. by making a magnificent catch near the ° "northern end of the pavilion fence. Bishop, . } Who had put together 5 singles in a very j"' cricketer-like manner, carried out his bat. . The innings "closed for a total of 267. The . last seven wickets fell for 22 runs, showing Tt a very miserable falling off as compared with . the batting of the previous day, when there , were 245 runs for 10 wickets. A reference to .. the analysis of the bowling will show that tfa nearly all the mischief was done by the two Graces. It would have been better for the ng English if these two bad taken a more pro- gg< minent part in this department at an earlier ha period of the game. W. G. Grace, who bowls chiefly for the: field, took 10 wickets, . and 4 fell to his brother. The former had 18 ye maidens out of 173 balls, and the latter 7 th out of 106. Southerton had a very good & . bowling average—l 64 balls for 41 runs and 22 maidens, though only one wicket fell to ■ . his share.' The ground was Tather more £ lively than on the first day of the match, a -^ circumstance which told in favor of the . bowlers and against the last seven batsmen. *" On the whole the Victorians were very well pleased with their total of 267, and felt that eh they would have a fair chance of winning th<