CRICKET NOTES.

Press, Volume XXIX, Issue 3893, 14 January 1878, Page 3

CRICKET NOTES.

By Not Oct. The Victorians seem to have had a grand cricket week from Boxing Day until the New Year. First with the Intercolonial match between Sydney and Victoria, and then the great match of the season between the Aus- , to—dan Eleven and a Combined Fifteen of the Intercolonial Elevens. The former, in , consequence of several of the best players bang absent farom their respective sides, lacked some of the interest generally token ' in this match. H anything Sydney suffered more from the absence of her players than her opponent, but inconsequence of so many of the best players being out of the game, such a good .display was not expected, and thus the interest flagged. Victoria commenced the defensive, but, strange to say, although the bowling of Coates and Evans was not so very dreadful, they failed to make more than 79, to which Terry 14, Hodges (not ont) 13, and Baker 12, were the chief contributors—truly a small result for Such a good eleven as it undoubtedly was that represonted Victoria. Sydney were more successful at first, not losing a wicket -until 36 appeared on the board; but then three wickets fell in quick succession, four being down for 47, and the Victorians rejoiced, bnt it was not all over, as Nat Thompson was (.till in, and scoring fast. Geary seconded his efforts in a proper manner, and did not leave until SO appeared cm the board. He mode 15 in a very good, a free style. With the advent of Powell, t Victoria were doomed to a lot of leather- r huntuur; the century soon appearing. The t telegraph, underwent frequent changes, not- - withstanding the different styles of bowling which were tried: both batsmen scored fast. At last Thompson got a little too much under a ball from Allen, and was canght at mid-off by Cooper, the sixth wicket thus falling for B 140, of which the retiring batsman made 73 a in fine cricketing style. Burrows did not -j alter the score, and Ooates was nearly bowled by his first balL After four more runs had been been scored, time was called, I learn from the telegraph report that Sydney increased their score to 210, and that Victoria only made 125 in their second innings, thus losing the. match by an innings -j and six runs. The match between , the Eleven and Combined Fifteen must bave been very exciting, as the result was, as I stated last week, a tie. The Australians have arrived at the Bluff, and play there on the 9th and perhaps the 10th inst Their match with Dunedin commences today, and I notice that our Southern neighbours are playing Twenty-two. Nothing definite has been decided here, as the terms offered have not been accepted. I notice, f however, by a telegram in the " Press" that 5 Mr Gibbs says the terms offered by our Association have been accepted. As this is " not according to fact, I cannot imagine how n such a telegram can have been seat Mr ~ <3ibbs, I believe, is on his way here, and W—lmake arrangements, but it is very I onfair to onr players and detrimental to Tfreir interests fer the Australians to have - left the matter in the present unsatisfactory state, but no doubt'ere this appears ia print Mr Gibbs win have arranged matters with - the __ao___ox_ The match on Saturday wffl be between an Eleven, and a Fifteen, I which should produce some good cricket Knee some of our players have been away JSiC-th very little has been done in the game here, and as _Ir Neilson- team have returned tram, the North, there should be * good -__B«_ I suppose that in view of the Aus- o _-_*_ natch, the committee will appoint c

every evening for practice until it be played Our representatives will want all the time that remains to get into their best form. X C. Frith cannot play, it will be a great loss to our team in the Australian match, and a great disappointment to him; but I hope that by the time the match ia played his finger may be sufficiently well to euahle him to bowL The names of the Otago Twenty-two are published elsewhere, and upon looking over the names I notice several playera who have taken part in our Interprovincial contests, hut there are also several thatTl have not seen in the cricket field, who, judging by report, should give a good account of themselves. The result of this match will be looked for with great interest by our I players, as it will give them a better idea of the powers of the Australians. At present Invercargill has not done much against the visitors, but. as I nothing of their play, I cannot express an opinion of the probable : result of the match with Otago.