CRICKET.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 8725, 22 February 1894, Page 5

CRICKET.

NEW SOUTH WALES v NORTH 4SLAND. the visitors' umpire with;dra\vn. (rSXSS ASSOOUXIOS TXUCQKAM.) WELMNGTON, February 2L The Sydney cc-cketers fiaushed up their tour by administering a handsome beating to the North Island team, but their success was marred by »>nie unfortunate decisions in their favour, which not only had a material effect on the coarse of the game, bat nearly led to its abrupt termination. It appears that Miller should have been given oat caught at the: wicket last night, before he scored. Thers was no doubt about the catch which ne admitted himself, but Davis, the Sydney umpfire, excused his decision on the ground that the bowler got ia his way. Miller went on with his innings, and wrecked the Northerners' chance of winning, for whereas seven wickets would have been down for 88, and probably all out that evening, he not only made 18 himself, bub stayed while 61 runs were pat on. Then when Mills ami Blacklock were well set, and there appeared a chance of a devent score, the same umpire gave Blacklock out lbw tor a ball which he played, and shortly after gave Hotdship run out, an equally dubious decision. The spectators gave vent to their dissatisfaction in no measured terms, and at the request of the team the local captain went out and formally protested. The visitors at first declined to change the umpire, and said they would sooner a.bandon the match, but after half-an-hour's delay withdrew Davis and put Se&rle in. his stead. The occurrence was a most unfortunate termination to the trip, and though the decisions certainly had a (great influence on the game, in the opinion of many cricketers it would have been more dignified to have taken no notice of them.

When p.a3 was resumed in the morning Cowley continued his hard hitting, and ran up 55, the partnership between him and Miller adding 61 -to the score at a critical stage. Davis, for the third time iv succession, carried his bat for a nicely -p. ayed 25, the total being 196. This left tbe Northerners 233 to get. Mills played with great freedom at the start, and but for the unlucky decisions referred to, the early batsman would probably have made a fair tcore, as both Blacklock and Holdship were showing good form when given out. Neither Miller nor Austin met with much success at the start, but when the former went on a second time he bowled ove;r instead of round the wicket, and proved practically unplayable, taking the last four wickets for one run. Lusk was the last out to a fine one-hand catch, and again batted well. The total only reached 109,, leaving the visitors victors by 123 runs.

A start Was made at 12.15. Miller, rejoicing in his second lease of life, soon got into double figures, and Cowley kept up his hard hitticg tactics. He was especially severe on Mills, and the score was increasing at an alarming pace. Ashbolt was given another try. Each man hit him through the ropes. McDonough took the ball from Uphatn, and the last ball of the over Cowley drove high to long-on, where Blacklock held it—l49—7—ss. Cowley played a determined innings just when wanted, and nine 4's show the character of his hitting. Without any change Miller was splendidly caught at mid-on by J. Mills, who had to ruu a long distance to reach the ball. A. Noble drove the slow bowler twice to the boundary, and then Holdship went on. There was some lively running between wickets and with the total at 174 an adjournment was made for lunch. Noble did hot stay long when the players came back, as he jumped out to Mills and was stumped. 181—9—19. Searle came in despite hia wounded hand, but could do little more than block. Davis, however, got Mills nicely to leg for 4. Upham went ort again and. after Davis had added a few runs, succeeded in getting Searle lbw. Davis carried his bat for a capital 25. Upham came out with an excellent average, and should have been made morn use of to-day.

The Northerners ' started their- task of geting.233 at 3 p.m. * As before, CrosS and Mills were the first pair, bub the former after being missed behind the wickets, Was quickly caught off Austin at third man. 11—1—-5. Mills began in a way that was a great contrast to . bis first innings, hitting Miller repeatedly to leg and bringing 20 up. With Blacklock as his partner the scoring slowed a little, 24 overs producing 6 runs. Blacklock cut Miller for 3, and at 46 Cowley took the ball from him. The change was effective, as Blacklock waa given out Ibw to the third ball, a decision which the batsman was very unwilling to. accept. 49—2—13. Holdship cut Cowley's second ball sharp to Austin, and was dropped. .Both men seemed bent on hitting, and 60 appeared within an hour, but one run later Holdship was runout. The spectators showed much diasatisfaction at the decision, and after Holdship had protested Davis withdrew, andSeatle went out instead. McDonough joined Mills, but never seemed at home, being eventually taken in the slips. Four for 73. Mills trying to drive Cowley, got under the ball, and was easily caught behind the wicket 75—5—58. The early part of his innings . was a refreshing contrast to his batting yesterday, but he afterwards relapsed into his original style. Lusk was not long in reaching double figures with the help of a straight drive to the ropes. At 85 Gould went on in place of Austin, and Gore again retired without scoring. Six for 85. Miller then came on for the second time, and the remaining men were disposed for next to nothic-g. .Lusk appeared likely to carry his bat, but at 109 was beautifully caught low down by one hand by the bowler. The following are the scores:— NEW SOOTH WALES. First Innings ... .-'• _ 220 Second Innings. Mackenzie, b Mills ... ... —. 11 Moore, b Upham ... ... ... 11 Gould, c and b Upham ... — 19 Walford, cG. Mills, b Upham .„ 5 E. Noble, b Upham... a ••• — 15 Cowley, c Blacklock, b Mcdonough ... 55 Austin, b Upham ... ... ... 2 Miller, cJ. Mills, b McDonough ... 18 Davis,-not out .... ... ... 35 A. Noble, at Williams, b Mills ... 19 Searle, lbw, b Upham •«*'.' ... 3 Extras ... ... ... 13 Total ... ... «. 196 BOWLING ANALYSIS. Balls. Mdns. Runs. Wkts. Upham ... 166 9 57 6 G. Mills ... 132 2 61 2 M'Dcnough... 90 4 28 2 Asbbolt ... 36 1 30 0 Holdtihip ... — 0 7 0 NOKTH ISLAND. First Innings. ... ... ~ 184 . Second Innings. Cross, c CoWley, b Austin "... ... 5 J. Mills, c Miller, b Cowley ... ... 38 Blacklock, lbw. b Cowley ... ... 13 Holdship, run out ... ... 6 M'Donough, cE. Noble, b Austin ... 8 Lusk, c aud b iiiller ... ... 21 Gore, b Gould ... 0 G. Mills, c and b Miller ... ... 5 Williams, b Miller ... ... .« 7 Uphiin, b Miller ... ... .- 0 Asbbolt, not out .. ... -. 0 Extras ... — — 6 - Total ■ .„ '■ ... ...109 BOWLING ANALYSIS. Balls. Mdns. Runs. Wkts. •Miller ,„ 60 4 25 4 Austin ... 102 4 36 2 Cowley ... 66 2 26 2 Gould ... 30 0 16 1 •liiller bowled one wide.