CRICKET. OTAGO v. WELLINGTON. Yesterday.

Evening Post, Volume XLV, Issue 2, 4 January 1893, Page 2

CRICKET. OTAGO v. WELLINGTON. Yesterday.

"When stumps were drawn for the day Wellington held a lead of 13 runs on tbe first innings. The attendance towards the latter part of the afternoon gradually ircreasod, and at 3.30 o'clock fully 12C0 persons wore present. The spectators weie most impartial in their applanse, treating the visitors in a,i liberal c. measure as the local men. The feature of the match was tho magnificent stand made by Cross and A. Blacklock, and seldom has a better exhibition of defen-ive play continued with vigorous hitting power been displayed in any important Wellington match than was shown yesterday. Both men played very steadily at first, Blacklock especially so, nntil the sting was taken out of the bowling. During their partnership no less than 13 changes cf bowling were rung on. It was a truly grana display, and both men deserved the ovation which greeted theni irom both visitors and spectators on retiring. After the adjournment for afternoon tea, a complete collapse to jk place, and tbe chance of topping Otago's total seemed now to be equally remote. Fitzsimons, however, by plucky batting, and steady play by Upham, left Otago in a minority. Hope bowled well throughout, and was well supported by the field. When we went to press yesterday, tbo score was — Cross, not out, 43 : Blacklock, not out, 22 ; extras, 1 ; total, C 6. At thu. stage Cross gave a difficult chance to Williams off Lawton, which was declined, and A. Blacklock was nearly run out, owing to his own bad judgment. Hope relieved Parker at the southern end, and his first ball Blacklock drove for 2, bringing 70 up. A leg-bye to the boundary, and a beautiful drive by Blacklock under the ropes were tho nest items. Fisher took Lawton's place at tho northern end, but the runs still came. A fine bit of fielding on the part of Stronach was applauded. Eighty now appeared on the board, by means of a drive by Blacklock off Fisher. Still another change in the bowling, the Otago captain relieving Fisher. A chance to stump Cross off his third ball was missed by Croxford. By the aid of byes 90 was shown on tho board. The long partnership between the two batsmon was now to come to an end, as Blacklock was given out l.b.w. to Harper. The outgoing batsman had given a perfect exposition of cricket, marked by a stubborn exhibition of defensive and offensive play. Ho was heartily cheered on returning to the pavilion. 90 — 1—32.1 — 32. Gore, who filled the vacancy, shortly afterwards ran himself out very foolishly, with only two added to the score. 92—2—0. Izard partnered Cross, the latter driving Hope fcr three and following it by another very lucky snick for two. One to Izard off Hope, and two more to Cross off the same bowler, brought the century up amidst applause. Harper was now relieved by Lawton, and Cross heralded the change by driving his first ball totheboundaryforfour. Threemore to Cross and a single to Izard off the fame bowler brought 110 on the board. About this time rain came on, rendering the ground and ball very greasy. Izard should have been caught out by Fisher, but tho latter declined to accept. A nice hit by Cross for 2 and a boundary hit by the same batsman off Hope were the nest items. Immediately afterwards Cross's long innings came to an end, as he was stumped by Croxford off Hope. His score of 07 was made by sterling crickot, comprising excellent cutting and driving, and on retiring he met with a perfect ovation for his grand play. He gave two chances, and this is the only thing that can bo urged against him. 118 — 3—67.3 — 67. The rain still continuing, it was deemed abvisable to adjourn, and advantage was taken to dispense afternoon tea to the players and ladies. Fuller joined Izard, and a liberal supply of sawdust was brought into requisition, owing to the state of the ground. Hope clean bowled Fuller without scoring. 118 — 4—o. R. Blacklock filled the vacancy. A drive by Izard for 2 off Lawton brought 120 up, and then Blacklock drove Hope prettily twice in succession to leg to the boundary, which caused 130 to appear. Stronach was applauded by the spectators for smart fielding, and then Parker, by slipping, lost a chance of running Blacklock out. At 131 [stard was beaten by a ball from Hope, which broke right across. 131 — s—B. Drj « 3en was the incomer, and drove the lost ball of Hope's over under the popes. Blacklock was given out lbw to Lawton, with the score at 135 — 6—B, Niven joined Dryden only in time to see Dryden's stumps scattered by Hope by a 3imilar ball which took Izard. 135 — 7—4, Frith, tho incomer, was clean bowled first ball by the same bowler. 135 — B—o. Both Norton and Hope were now simply unplayable, and little could be done with the bowJing, backed up by good fielding. Fitzsiraons partnered Niven, but soon lost the latter, being beaten by one from Lawton. 135 — 9—o.9 — 0. Thus the last three wickets had fallen witlout a single run being added to the scorr. Upham joined Fitzsimons, and both men played very steadily. At length Fitzsimona drove Hopo successively to the boundary, amidst great applause, which was renewed when he lifted tho same bowler for a magnificent hit over theropes for 6, and Otago's score was passed amidst great oheering. Two to Upham brought 150 up. Fitzsimons received a nasty hit off one of Hope's, but, onirecovering, had his revenge by driving him nicely for three. Cvoxford had a chance to stump Fitzsimons off Lawton, which was not accepted, and then a few singles brought 158 up, when Fitzsimons was beautifully caught by a right-hand catch by E isher off Lawton. His innings was marked by plucky play combined with vigorous hitting powers, and both he and Upham deserve praise for their excellent stand— lsß—lo—l7— or a lead of 13 to the Wellington team on the first innings. Tho bowling of the Otago team, notably that of Hopo and Lawton, was good, especially in the latter portion of tho afternoon, and their fielding, particularly that of Parker, Stronach, and Fisher, was excellent. Ten minutes beforo the time fixed for the drawing of stumps, it was decided to adjourn until this morning at 10.30. Following are the complete scores of the Wellington team's first innings :—: — Wellingi ON— First Innings. C. Cross, st Croxford, b Hope 67 A. Blacklock, lbw, b Harper . ... 33 C. Gore, run out (I K. B. Izard, b Hope 8 D. M. Fuller, b Hope 0 R. Blacklock (captain), lbw, b Lawton 8 C. Dryden, b Hope .. ..4 R. C. Niven. b Lawton . 0 W. Frith, b Hope . ... 0 E. Fitzsimons, c Fisher, b Lawton ... 17 E. Upiiam, not out . 6 Extras — Byes, 11 ; log-byes, 4 ... 15 Total 155 BOWLING ANALYSIS. Balls. Mdns. Runs. Wkt?. Lawton . 148 14 41 3 Hope 150 13 68 5 Fibber 30 1 IS 0 Parker 30 2 13 0 Harper 20 3 2 1 Tc-dat's Play. Tho match was resumed at 11 a.m. to-day, tho Wellington team, as is usnal with them, failiug to put in an appoaranco until lialf-an-hour after tho time announced, keeping everyone waiting. The wicket, despite tho rain of the previous night, was in fairly good condition, though rather soft at the | northern end^ A fresh pitch had been prepared by Twist. At tho time of starting, about 200 persons wero present, and tho woathor, though gloomy and overcast, gave promise of keeping fine. With a minority of 13 runs, Otago started their second venture by sending in Johnston and Parkor to tho bowling of Drydon and Upham, Parker taking tho first ball from Drydon at tho southern end. Tho batsman * commonced operations by a drive for 1, which Fuller fiolded well. A single to Parker off Upham, and 2 byes followed, and then Parkor cut;

D"vden xirottily to tho hoiwdnrv. iiftei-um-dq pi .:ing him l.oulh to losr f .r .5, l>i,n;n,y id np. A maiden to Upham folloivi-H, and Jjhnston drove Dryden to leg under the npes, through Izarrt", who attempted to stop i". slipping. Pii'-ker got n lucky 2 off Upham. and followed it up with a singlo, Johnston repeating the latter score— 20 np. A «»ngle ti each bataman. and Frith relieved Drvden, Johnston driving his first ball for a single. Runs came slowly, both bowlers being on the spot, and the local men fielding excellently. Johnson at length got Fritji away for a c juple, but almost immediately retired for a short time owing to an injury to his linger. The finger was attended to, and he resumed play only to sco Parkor olean bowled by Upham. 25 — I—l 3.1 — 13. Tho outgoing batsman hid played very carefully for his i-ontribu-t'on. Lawton filled tho vacancy and drove Uoham for a singlo, a similar number being aided to Johnston's total. Singles to both batsmen off Frith followed, and Lawton, placing Upham to leg for a conplo, brought 3) up. Johnston, by a nice hit placed U»hiiu again for 2, and Lawton repeated tho performance. A byo and a drive by Lxwton off Frith followed, and Niven missed a certain chaneo of stumping Johnston. Cross fielded a hot ono by Lawton, and was applauded. A singlo to Johnston nearly resulted in that player being run out, as Dryden returned tho ball very smartly. With 40 up, Lawton was neatly stumped by Niven off Frith. 40-2—9. Bell partnered Johnston. At this stage a shower of rain cime on, which made it unpleasant for tho fielding team. Johnston repeatedly failed to got hold of somo log balls, and a drivo by him was neatly stopped by Cross. Bell drove Frith for four, and then a single. A bad return by Drydon gave Bell a life, as he should have boon run out. Tho spectitors woro of opinion that he was out. A log-bye brought 50 up. Singles became the rule, "both men batting carefully. Johnston relieved somo monotonous play by placing Frith for two nnd a single, but soon afterwards was bowled by Upham with a beauty. His contribution of 22 was mado by excellent cricket, and he mot with a warm reception on retiring. 5G— 'J — 22. Harpor (••iptaiiO joined Bell. A hit by tho hitter off Frith to leg only produced ono. A s.nglo to 801 l and a log-byo off Frith followed. The wickot at tho northern end was playing very badly, the ball rising from tho pitch. A conplo to 801 l off Upham brought t>J up. Harper was evidently not at homo with the bowling of Frith, but presently got him away for n single. Ho was, however, dismissed by a daisy from Upham for only a single. G2— 4— l. Williams followed, and hit Frith fora single, but was shortly afterwards caught by Frith off Upham. 61—5 — 1, Fisher, tho big hitter of the team, made his appearance, and the field, remembering yesterday's porformanco, spread ont. Upham was now bowling splendidly, nnd no liberties could bo taken with him. Without any addition to the score, Bell was caught by Cross off Frith, and the Wellington's hopes rose considerably. 6t— G— lo. Bell had been a long time in for his contribution. Croxford, another merry hitter, joined Fisher, and commenced operations by driving Frith to leg for a singlo. Fisher was nearly bowled at this stage by a hot ono from Frith, which completely beat him. Croxford gave a chaneo to Izard, but tho leather declined, and a couple resulted. Fisher, liko Johnston, failed to take advantage of several leg balls, but presently, by a 'fine boundary drive off Frith, brought 70 up. Another boundary hit for 4 by Croxford off Upham followed. A single was next recorded by each batsman, hishor epooned ono of Friths up, but nobody was near. A maiden to Frith followo 1, and then Croxford's stumps were scattered by Upham, who had cvidontly meant to lift that particular ball over the fence. 77 — 7—B. Tho Wellington team wero exceedingly glad to see the back of this vigourous' littlo hitter. Hope took his placo at the wiokot,and a big hit by Fiaher off Frith resulted in a single. Hope spooned one of Friths up. but Cross was unable to reach it, and a single resulted, followed by another off Upham. Fiahor pa.ye a warm chaneo to Cross but it was too Sofc to hold, and SO went up. Three boundary hits for Fisher oil' F?"ith was the next feature, and 90 appeared, but the Otago Bonnor was caught by A. Blacklock immediately afterwards, who made ono of the finest catches ever seen on tho Reserve. 93 — B—l9.8 — 19. Fielier's contribution wa& made by very hard hitting of the best description. Stionach partnered Hope. A couple of singles to Hope off Frith followod, and two more to Stronach off Upham, and then both teams adjourned to the Caledonian Hotel at 1 o'clock for luncheon. On resuming at 2.15 p.m., Hope drove Frith for a single, nnd the century appeared onthoboard, Strouach was apparently caught by Fitzsimmons in the slipb off Frith, but the Otjigo umpire thought otherwise, and loud groans arose from tho spectators. Hope, however, was beautifully caught by Niven behind the wickets off Upham's last tall immediately afterwards. 100—9—7. Tiattray, the last man, joined Stronach, but lost the (latter, who was clean bowled by Frith without any addition to the score, the innings closing for 100 — 10—2, leaving Wellington 88 to make to win. The fielding of the Wellington mon was a great improvement on that of yesterday, Niven, Cross, Frith, and A. Blacklock in particular distinguishing themselves. Upham bowled splendidly, keeping a fine length throughout, and the batsmen were unable to take any great liberties with him. He bowled through tho innings unchanged, and his average, 6 for 37, speaks for itself. Frith also bowled well, taking 4 wickets for 43. Tho Wellington captain elected to bat on the wickot prepared yesterday, and. after tho necossary rolling had been done, sent in Cross and A. Blacklock, to tho bowling of Lawton and Hope. Some delay ensued owing to a heavy shower of rain coming on directly the Otago team took the field, which compelled their withdrawal for abont ten minutes. Harper, the visiting captain, also objected to the ball used by tho Wellington team, and refused to go on until a now ono was obtained, and another delay took place. Owing to Johnston's injury to his hnnd, which prevented him from fielding, his place was filled by a substitute. Lawton opened the proceedings by bowling from the northern end to Cross. Otago— Second Inning?. Parkor. b Upham . . 13 Johnston, b Upham . . ..22 Lawton, st Niven, b Frith . . . 9 Bell, c Crosa, b Frith 10 Harper (captain), b Upham .. 1 Williams, c Frith, b Upham ... . 1 Fisher, c A. Blacklock, b Frith ... 19 Croxford. b Upham .. . ... 8 Hope, c Niven, b Upham . 7 Stronach, b Frith 2 Eattray, not out . . 0 Extras — Byes, 3; leg- byes. 5 . 8 Total 100 Bowling Analysis. Balls. Mdns. Runs. Wkts. Upham . . . . 125 9 37 0 Frith . 109 4 43 4 Dryden 20 1 12 0 At 3 45 the Wellington scores were : — Cross, b Lawton ... . . . 14 A. Blacklock. not out 30 C. Gore, not out 15 Byes 2 Total for ono wicket . ... 61