CRICKET.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 10869, 19 January 1901, Page 8

CRICKET.

CANTERBURY v WELLINGTON. This match will be played at LancasW Park this afternoon, starting at 1.3Q p.m., and on Monday and Tuesday next, . and will prove one of the most interesting cf all the interprovfocial contest* of the year. As Canterbury has already succeeded in wresting the laurels from Otago and Auckland, it'will practically decide the question as to which province is entitled to claim the premiership in cricket for the colony.

The visitors will arrive by the Taluae this morning,/and during their visit here will stay at Warner's Hotel.

That there is' an unusual amount of interest being taken in the matuh is proved by the fact that tho chances of the r-pi__en_{. tive teams are being freely discussed by all : classes of the community, and with'fina weather there is even- prospect of a record attendance of spectators at Lancaster Park, Both provinces are strongly represented' and are equally confident of victory, so thttt the game gives every promise of being fought out in the very keenest spirit by both teams. The following notes regarding the play 0 | the members of the visiting team may be of interest:— Clark.—Undoubtedly the most brilliant bat in New Zealand when in form, also an excellent field. Crombie.—A young player of great promise as a batsman, with free style and.gqpcl ■ punishing powers. " ■* '■ Hales.—A fast left-hand bowler, commanding good length, and considerable amount of break. Also a punishing batsman and smart field. Hickson.—A good all-round man, Bound bat, and good field. Hold-worth.—A first-class medium pace bowler, good field. Duncan.—A sound and punishing hatsman; line field. A member of the wellknown family famed in other branches of! sport. Midlane.—A dashing young batsman, with free and attractive style. One of the iest bats in the Wellington team; also a fine field. Upham.—Best fast bowler in tho colony; has represented New Zealand ou several occasions ; also good bat'and safe field. Tucker.—Best all-round man in the team, excellent bat. with strong defence; good slow bowler, breaking both ways. Weybourne.—Good batsman "and bowler. One of the most useful men in the team. Wright.—First-class wicket-keeper. Dan* gerous batsman when going. (PRESS ASSOCIATION- TEI__GBA_-_ ,\ WELLINGTON, January 18. The Wellington cricket team, which pkys Canterbury to-morrow, Mt to-night by the Talune. The team was the same as originally chosen, but some difficulty was experienced at the last moment in arranging for Midlane's departure, he. liaving met with an injury to one of his hands. However, after having his hand attended to, Midlane went south, but the injury will likely affect hi* batting.

On Thursday afternoon a very pleasant game of cricket was played at between teams representing the"sßpßuh.Bim Industrial School and the "Veteran's Cricket Club." The "old boys" Avon by the narrow margin of 4 runs." Scores—7l and 67. . Mr G. Willmer, the oldest cricketer in the world, captained the Veterans, and Mr Noel Peat the Burnhatn School Club. It will be interesting to note that the combined ages of the "Veterans" totalled 781 years, or an nverage of 65 years for twelve players, while ;he Burnhani boys' ages totalled 162, average 13 years. This is probably a record for cricket. Mr Arelicy was present with the boys during the afternoon, and at the conclusion of the match thanked the members of the Veterans , Club for tlieir hospitality to the boys. During the afternoon the members of the club very kindly got up a subscription, and two running races ' were held, a very small boy, diaries Evans,, winning one race, and G. Reid the other. Mr Wfelter Fuller invited the boys to an evening's amusement at the Oddfellows' Hall, but as the boys had to return by the evening train, s?r Archey was unable to accept the invitation on their behalf. The boys showed thtir appreciation of Mr Willmer and his club's kindness by giving hearty cheers for them when leaving the ground.