AUSTRALIANS V. HAWKE'S BAY.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3010, 17 February 1881, Page 3

AUSTRALIANS V. HAWKE'S BAY.

This match was commenced at Fastings yesterday under somewhat unfavorable circumstances. It was intended to begij play soon after noon, but the heavy rain which'fell in town in the morning deterred the two teams from leaving by the train it was intended to go by. Although the showers had been heavy and frequent in town during Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday morning, very little rain had fallen at Hastings, which was fortunate for the players, as the ground had been thoroughly watered during the recent dry weather, and was just in proper condition for play. The weather during the afternoon was anything bnt perfect cricketing weather, and a cold damp wind blowing made it anything but pleasant for spectators.

The eleven arrived on the ground soon after 2 p.m., and after a short spell of practise the captains tossed and the choice lay with the Hawke's Bay captain, who very wisely elected to go to the wicket.

Dixon and Craven were first at the wickets to the bowling of Spofforth and Palmer. Three runs were made in the first four overs, but Spofforth in his third over slean bowled Dixon, who retired with only one to his credit. One wicket for 3. Fulton came next, and and when the score was 8 he was dismissed by Palmer. Murray followed, but did not increase the score, he also retiring before a troublesome one from Palmer. Bostock succeed him, and immediately afterwards lost his companion, Craven being clean bowled in Palmer's next over without scoring. Atherton then handled the bat, and the game assumed a less monotonous aspect. Atherton hit his first ball from Spofforth to leg for 3, and in his effort to make the third nearly lost his wicket. Liddle was soon afterwards bowled by Palmer. 6 out for 17. Watkins, Tanner, Gilberd, and Luke followed, but did not increase the score materially. When Luke retired the score stood at 39 for 10 wickets. J. Martin then joined Atherton, and the scoring went on steadily until Atherton skied a ball to Groube and retired with a well-earned 20. Clunie took his place, and after scoring 2 was given out lbw. G. Croase followed, and added one to the score. Brathwaite came next, and after making five in a way peculiar to himself made way for Kendall, who got his Jegs in the way and stopped one of Spoffbrth'e. Dewes came next, but retired without scoring. 16 out for 68 Martin was scoring steadily all this time. Pram came to the front, and after he and Martin had continued tegether for a short time the latter was caught by Slight off Spoffbrth. 17 for 76. Edwards, Mountier, H. Martin, and Gibbons followed rapidly, only increasing the score by 2 runs, which were credited to Mountier. The innings closed at about 5 o'clock for 79.

The features of the game were undoubtedly the free hitting of Atherton and the careful batting of Martin for 17. The latter gave two easy catches, but they were not taken advantage of, and his innings altogether was highly creditable. The fielding of the Australians was disappointing; it may have arisen in some measure from the rough nature of the fielding ground, but the missing of some of the catches could only be the result of carelessness.

The Australians commenced their first innings with Spoffortb and Palmer to the bowling of Liddle and Edwards. (Soon after play commenced Palmer, in attempting a run, gave a chance to Clunie at the wickets, but it was mulled, and another run wa9 added to the overthrow. After 4 runs had been made, Spoffortb lost his wickets to Edwards. Murdoch, who eucceeded him, was loudly cheered on coming to the wicket. Careful play followed, and 6 more runs were added when time was called. The bowling of Edwards and Liddle was well on the sticks. It the weather holds up to-day some good cricket may be anticipated, as the ground is in good condition for the batsmen. The arrangements on the ground, thanks to Mr Luke, were everything that could be desired, the convenience of players and scorers having been carefully studied. Mr W. Routledge umpired for the Australian team, and Mr Mayo filled the same office for the Hawke's Bay men. Mr Johnson supplied a capital lunch for all who required it at the grand stand. The following are the scores in full, with the analysis of the bowling : — Hawkb's Bat—lst Innings. Craven, b Spofforth 2 Dixon, b Spnfforth ... ••• •■• 1 Fulton, b Palmer 2 Murray, b Palmer ... 0 Bostnck, bPalmer ... ... ... 0 Liddle, b Palmer 2 AthTton, c Grnube, b Spoffortb. ... 20 Watkins. b Spoffortb. 2 Tanner, b Palmer 2 Gilberd, run out ... ... ... 0 Luke, b Palmer ... ... ... 1 J. Martin, c Slight, b Spofforth ... 17 Clunie, lbw, b Spofforth 2 Crosse, b Spofforth ... ... ... 1 Bratbwaite, b Spofforth ... ... 5 Kendall, lbw, b Spofforth 2 Dewes, b Palmer . ... ... ... 0 Pram, b Spofforth 3 Edwards, c Palmer, b Spofforth ... 0 Mountier, b Palmer 2 H Martin, not out ... ... ... 0 Gibbons, b Palmer 0 Byes 10 Leg-byes 5 Total 79 BOWLING ANALYSIS. Bnlls. Mdns. Kuna. Wkts. Spofforth ... 132 15 31 11 Palmer ... 131 11 33 9 Australians—lst Innings. F. R. Spofforth, b Edwards 2 G E. Palmer, not out 2 W. L. Murdoch, not out 6 BOWLING ANALYSIS. Balls. Mdna. Runs. Wkts, Edwards ... 24 4 4 1 Liddle ... 24 2 8 0 THIS DAY. The Australians commenced batting at 12.30 with one wicket down for 10 runs, Murdoch and Palmer facing the bowling of Liddle and Edwards, At 1.30 Murdoch had scored 21, not out, and Palmer had made 12, not out; total, 36 for one wicket. The weather is fine and the attendance good. At the adjournment for lunch Murdoch was caught by Clunie for 27 ; Palmer was bowled by Pram for 13 ; McDonnell, not out, 5 ; Slight not out, 2; total, 51, with three wickets down.