LADIES AT CRICKET MATCHES.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 81, 30 December 1907, Page 3

LADIES AT CRICKET MATCHES.

Sir, —Is there such a thing on the market as a cricket phrase book, that one could give to one's lady friends before the holidays? I took my two nieces to the match at tho Basin Reserve to-day. They sat, opera glass in hand, on either side of me. My old friend Crease sat immediately behind, and kept up a running firo of comment on tho gamo. He is deaf, and speaks loud. "They're going in," he remarked. "Who's going in?" demanded Mary. "Otago," said I "I thought you said those wero Wellington men." "So they are; these two going out are going in." She was silent, but I could seo sho was thinking hard. "A fast pitch;" said Crease. "Yes, Mary," .said Tot, "doesn't he pitch it fast; I can scarcely see it?" "A good length," bawled Crease. Presently one got past tho wicketkcepcr, and went to the screen for four. "Oh, Tot," said Mary, "wasn't that a good length?" "Yes," she. replied, "it was a fast pitch." "There's a boundary I" cried Crease. "Whoro's a boundary?" askod Tot. "Don't you see that rope? ' That's the boundary." "Well, but it has been there all the time," sho objected. "It's a very good wicket, I hear," remarked Crease. "'tt hich is a good wicket?" demanded Mary; "I thought they wore botli alike." "Is that oyer?" asked Crease. "I think so," I roplied. A few seconds later Tot said, "Didn't you say it was over? If it's over, what are they going on for?" I was trying to explain when iCrease shouted, "Ho's out!" "Who'sout?" demanded Mary. "Why, that man who is coming in." Sho looked scornful, and retorted, "When they were going out, .you said thoy wore going in, but now ho's coming in you say he's out!" "Ilike to see either runs or wickets. I hato a stone-wall in tho gamo," remarked Crease. "Do thoy ever have a stone-wall? .What's that for?" queried Tot. "It's for the boundary, instead of the rope, of courso," answered Mary. "And a good deal better, too, for it would stop the ball. Isn't that right, uncle? Isn't a stone-wall to stop the ball?" I said of course it was. "That's a log-break," said Crease. "It was an awfully fast pitch," said Tot, " but would it really break his leg?" I explained that ho had padu 011, and "Short log's got it," broke in Crease. Tot oxaminodtho man who fielded the ball with her dass. "I don't seo anything tho matter with nis leg," she exclaimed. "What do thoy call him that for? Has he had a leg-break?" A swift 0110 passed tho wicket-keeper, and Crease reflected, "He ought to havo a lor.g stop." "Who ought to nave a long stop?" demanded Mary. "Why, tho man behind the wicket."' "But lie's been there all tho tirno. Surely that's a long stop." "By Jove, ho's got iivo wickets!" cried Crease. "Who? Where? Five wickets 1 I thought there wero only two?" said Tot. I had begun to explain, when Creaso continued, "He's a yefy good change bowler. I've seen him do the hat-trick." ' "What's the hattrick?" broke in Mary. "Does ho chanpo bowlers with somebody?" "How could he:"' objected Tot. "You soo thoy don't wear bowlers." Tho game got going again, and Creaso jerked out, "There's a maiden over." "Whore? Where is she?" exclaimed the. girls in a breath. They raked the fiold with their glasses, and said, with ail air of relief, "I don't seo her." This, sir, is but a glimpse of what I suffered. I have omitted my patient efforts to oxplain, not one of which I was allowed to finish. As wo walked homo, Mary said, "I'm coming with you every day, undo. 1 novor thought it was such a splendid game." "So am I," said Tot; "when you como to understand it-you' can't wonder at the enthusiasm that is felt for the national game." Sir, I appeal to you, on tho broad ground of humanity, can you help us sufferers?—l am, etc., 1 ONE OF THEM. December 28.