CRICKET.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XVII, Issue 1379, 1 March 1861, Page 4

CRICKET.

We are glad to observe a growing tendency in favor of this truly manly and healthful recreation., Than Cricket, there is perhap9 no amusement to well calcuculated to become generally useful to the well-being of a community : the exercise is not confined to any set or series of muscular movements, but brings into play all the varied powers of the body, developing and invigorating those powers, and rendering important aid to the mental faclties : it is a pastime too which happily does not, like many others, terminate with the period of youth, and many men in middle and advanced life, who indulge in it, find that it contributes not a little to their physical and general good by rousing into activity those parts of their muscular frames and intellects which piofessional duty does not call into motion, affording agreeable relief to their frequently overtasked brains and enfeebled constitutions. A writer in a recent work entitled " British Rural Sport 1 !," speaking of this game says, "There are several peculiarities in which Cricket stands unrivalled at piesent, and which 1 trust may long be preserved to it. These are : first, its uniting all classes ; for the peer and the peasant are constantly seen in the same eleven ; and in a county match the best men will be selected let their position in society be what it may : secondly, the general absence of gambling, for though betting cannot be entirely prevented, it is less associated with Cricket than than with any other sport of the same degree of popularity ; thirdly, its healthful tendency ; and fourthly the absence of intempeiance as an adjunct." A sport, then, which is so productive of extensive good, is entitled to our warmest approval, and -worthy of every encouragement : such it will always receive at our hands, and we make these few general remarks because we sincerely desire to see parents, and all those who have the care of the rising generation, countenancing and promoting it in every possible way. The special event which is now to engage our attention came off on Wednesday, the 6th ultimo, in the Albert Barrack Square, between an Eleven composed of members of the ' Rutland' Company of Rifle Volunteer Corps and an Eleven not member* of that force. Considerable interest, as will be readily supposed, was manifested with respect to this match. The day was as fine as could be desired, although a cooler temperature would have been more agreeable. The time named for pitching wickets was 10 o'clock, but unforeseen circumstances delayed the commencement of the game until past eleven, when the,"Rutlanders," having won the toss, determined to put their opponents in , and accordingly placed themse^ve* in the field, delegating the bowling to Messrs. Turton and Russell. At the wickets Messrs. Young and Barnard appeared as the representatives of " All Auckland," and very able ones they proved themselves : the latter gentleman, after a drive for 3, a cut for 2, and four singles, failed to prevent a good ball from Turton making the acquaintance of his wicket. Mr. Lanckham succeeded him ; and now a very pretty exhibition of cricket commenced ; it was the veteran Young's firit appearance this season, and he soon made it clear that time had not seriously impaired his powers, for ht, played forward with a confidence and style which called forth general admiration ; and Mr. Lanckhain, who bye the bye is * very valuable accession to the strength of any eleven in which he may be chosen, played with a coolness and judgment deserving of all praise : we especially noticed that he plays "leg balls" with great facility according to the • latest and most approved principle in England, — a principle worthy of the attention of young aspirants to cricketing honours. These two players gave such constant trouble to the icoreii that a change in the bowling was eventually made, Mr. Beale going on at Turtons end ; still the score continued to increase, and it was not till Young put a good length ball from Russell into the hands of Turton, who stood at " point," that these gentlemen were parted, having scored between them no fewer than 45. Mr. 3?ormff while in company with Mr. Barnard icored 8, by * pretty cut for 3 and a drive for 5j which made his contribution to the score the greatest of the day, viz. 33. We need scarcely lay that on returning to the tent he wat received with deserved acclamations : his coadjutor succeeded in placing 3 singles after their parting, thereby raising his score to 22, and eventually succumbed to a ball from Beale, which took hi* centre stump. Mr. Stedman followed Mr. Young, and after placing 1 got his leg in front of the wicket, which interfered with a ball from Russell. If we mistake not, a similar contte tempt prevented this gentleman from •coring several times, last season. Mr. Hamley took the bat from Stedman, and speedily added 8, including three twos, and then gave a catch at ".point," which was smartly handled by Turton. Mr. Rayner, a "new chum," and one likely to prove an advantageous addition, succeeded Stedman, placed 9, and' wqs caught, by Sutcliffe, behind , the wicket, from a ball by Turton. Mr. Raymond, who played for the first time this season, vras unfortunate, being disposed of immediately after taking block by a very fine ball from Turton, which lifted both bails. Mesirs. Harris and Campbell both contributed 10 ; the former allowed a shooter from Ruisell to take his "inner and leg," the latter was neatly caught at slip by Mr. B. Ireland; Mr. Storey (a Mongonui "new chum" we are informed) placed 4, carrying out hi* bat, Mr. Alpe having v beea oaught at slip by Mr. B. Ireland. The score-book now »hewed a total of 119 in favour of " All Auckland," 12 of that number being the result of wides and byes. During this innings the fielding of the " Ruts" was exceedingly good, notwithstanding that a f evv " let offs, " in the way of missed catches occurred. Mr. Fountain, ox long stop, and Mr. Sutcliffe, a? wicket-keeper, acquitted themselves very cieditably. A short respite only was given and places weie reversed, the " Rutlanders" sending to the wickets Messrs. B. lieland and Kissling to do battle on their account, Messrs. Lankham and Stedman being pitted against them, the last named gentleman at "coyer point" took care of a ball which had been bowled by Lankham and ele- , vated by B. Ireland. Mr. Russell followed and batted very nicely for 18, including a 5, a 3, and three twos, when his successful career was interfered witb» by a

good ball from Stedtnan. Mr. G. Ireland, after placing 2, became a victim to miscalculation on the part or Lankham. Mr. Beale gave a drive for 3, and and was then cleverly caught at "point" by Barnard. Mr. Kissling was also very cleverly caught byHamleyat "cover slip," after an exceedingly. ■ oreditable contribution of 12. Mr. Turton who sue- , ceeded Mr. G-. Ireland, batted very prettily, obtain- I ing a 5, three threes, and two twos, besides sundry singles, amounting in all to 22, and then got bis own " stumps " in the way of the ball. Mr. Fountain whose style is much improved, by a drive for 4, a 2, and singles added 10, and was oared for by Stedman. Messrs. Sutcliffe and L. Simpson both scored 5 each. Mr. R. Simpson carried out his bat. Total for the "Rutlanders" 86, a donation of 8, being contributed by byes. The bowling of Messrs. Lankham and Stedmnn throughout this innings is deserving of especial notice, being of excellent length and well on the spot, not one wide being given. — Mr. Barnard's agility too in the field, "did the "state" some service." An interval of twenty minutes or so, occurred and All Auckland were again before the wickets, represented by Messrs. Storey and Barnard, the former retired before a ball 'from Beale, after troubling tlie scorers for 3, the latter was not so easily disposed of, although he eventually had his wickets disarranged by the same bowler, after he had put on paper a score of 16, which included two threes, and three twos, the result of some "very slows " from Mr. Beale. Mr. Harris contributed 15, composed with the exception of one hit to leg for three ; of singles and then gave a catch to Kissling, who stood at "long field on," whioh that gentleman caught most dexterously. Mr, Alpe who enpassant was exceedingly effective as long stop, was unfortunate as a batman, being caught first ball at "point" by Turton. Mr. Stedman scored one and was smartly stumped by Sutcliffe, haviug overstepped the chalk. Messrs. Young and Campbell both batted very nicely for 17 each, the latter being eventually bowled by Turton, the former being very cleverly caught at sbp by B. Ireland, whose fielding throughout the day was highly praiseworthy. Mr. Hamley added 5 ; Messrs. Lankham and .Raymond 2 each. The last named gentleman carrying out his bat. Total this innings, 87, four of this number being wides and 5 byes, the grand total on behalf of all Auckland amounting to 206, their opponents having to get 121 to win. No time was lost, all Auckland immediately going into the field, the bowling again being entrusted to Messrs. Lankham and Stedman, Meisrs. Kissling and G-. Ireland being placed "on guard " by the "Rutlanders," and the game recommenced, the latter scoring 4by 2 hits for two each, and was caught by Harris at slip. Mr. R. Simpson followed and contributed 6, including one fine hit for 4, and then returned a ball from Stedman into that gentleman's hands. Mr. Russell supplied his place and commenced scoring in right earnest, 10 appearing against his name after three hits. Mr. Kissling from the beginning had been exceedingly busy, making three f ours, two threes, sundry twos, and a host of singles amounting in all to 29. At tins point, Mr. Harris appealed to the Umpires for more "light," which they being The following is the correct score,

It may piove interesting to many of our readers, if we endeavour to intimate the probable forthcoming matches of the season. The first on the list to be played on Thursday next, the 14th mst., the precise time for the remainder has not yet been fixed. i Married v. Single. An Eleven of Auckland v. Any sixteen. Return Match Auckland C.C. v. PamellC.C. Eleven Civilians v. the Gainson of Auckland. Return Match Rutland Comp. v. Any Eleven. These are in addition to the Provincial Return Match, " the Province of Auckland v. the Province of Wellington," which cannot fail to be the most exciting match of the season, if the airangementi entered into last season are honourably earned out.

Ist Innings. 2nd Innings. Young c Turton b Russell 33 c Ireland b Fountain 17 BArnard b Tnrton 9 b Beale 16 Lankham b Beale 22 c Turton b Russell ... 2 Stedman b Russell 1.b.-\v. 1 stumped by Sutcliffe 1 Hartley c Turton b Russell 8 c Fountain b Turton 5 Raynerc Sutcliffb Turton 9 b Russell 0 Raymond b Turton 0 not out 2 Hans b Russell 10 c Kissling b Tiirtou . 15 Campbell c Ireld. b Rusl. 10 b Turton 17 Alpe c Ireland b Turton 1 c Turton b Russell . 0 Storey not out 4 b Beale 3 Wides A. ...8 Wides 4 Byes 4 Byes 5 119 87

All Auckland,

"Rutland" Company Rifle Volunteers. Ist Innings. 2nd Innings,

Ireland c Stedman b Lankham 1 Kissliug o Hartley b Stedman. 12 not out 29 Kussell b Stedman 18 not out .. ..10 G. Ireland, run out 2 c HarnsbStedn. 4 Beale c Barnard b Lankham .. 3 Turton b Stedman, l.b.w 22 Fountain b Stedman . . 10 Sutchffe c Barnard b Stedman 5 L. Simpson b Lankham . 5 It. Simpson, not out 0 c Stedn. b. Stedn. 6 Varty b Lankham. . 0 Wides 0 Wides 2 Byes 8 Byes 2 on ko