HAWKES.BAY v. WELLINGTON.

Evening Post, Volume LVI, Issue 153, 27 December 1898, Page 6

HAWKES. BAY v. WELLINGTON.

Yesterday's stormy weather prevented a single ball being sent down. The wicket has suffered greatly from the effects of the heavy rain, and is to-day very spongy. The bowlers should have much the best of the deal, and, in cricketing parlance, will make the ball " talk " should a light sun exercise its influence on the pitch. Holdship, captain of the Wellington team, won the toss from Lusk, skipper of the Hawkes Bay players, and sent his opponents into the field. Messrs. A. Ashbott (Wellington) and J.^ Hughes (Hawkes Bay) are the umpires. Canning (wicketkeeper) and Fanning (one of the best of the Hawkes Bay bowlers) were unable to make the trip. At 10.10 a.m. to-day the visitors took the field, Richardson and C. Hickson (Midland) opening the Wellington innings The ex-Sydneyite took first strike from Wilson, whose first two overs were maidens, and Andrews — the other trundler — followed suit. The first big hit of the match was made by Hickson placing Andrews to leg for 3 ; and the same batsman brought 10 up by hitting Wilson between third man and point to the fence. His pai/*ner, who had three singles •to his credit, swung round to a high ball from Andrews, and despatched it' to the fence. Some nice strokes were made by Hickson, and he gained applause by driving Andrews to the boundary, whereupon 30 was posted. A double change was made in the bowling, Hughes relieving Andrews and Hallamore taking Wilson's place. Off Hughes's first over Hickson registered 3 in two hits, and caused 40 to appear by smacking Hughes over the head of the umpire and on to the ropes. Then Richardson hit a long hop from Hallamore to long leg right into the hands of Lewis, who, however, refused the catch. Immediately afterwards Hickson spooned one from Hughes to Andrews at mid-on. Hickson had played good cricket for his 27. The telegraph board read 46—1—27 wxien Williams came on the scene. Eight runs later Richardson vafc caught in the slips by Andrews, a hop from Hallamore coming off the shoulder of his bat. .54 — 2—20.2 — 20. Holdship stepped into the breach, only to see Williams clean bowled by Hughes. 54 — 3—2.3 — 2. The next man was Tucker, who, thanks to bad fielding, got 2by a straight drive off Hughes. A similar and pretty stroke, al&o at the expense of Hughes, travelled to the, ropes, and 60 was on the board. The Wellington captain opened his shoulders to hit Hughes to the boundary, and also drove the same bowler for 3. Tucker's turn had now come, for he put one from Hughes softly into Cato's hands at point. A round of applause from the spectators signalled Robertson's advent. He got to work with strokes for 4 and 2 off Hallamore. At 82 another Avicket fell, Holdship sending one back to Hallamore, who accepted a smart catch. 82-— s— ll. The newcomer was S. Hickson. Nearly all the scoring was done by Robertson, avlio banged Hughes twice to the Caledonian end fence, and the century Avas hoisted. But for a bad return from the field Hickson must have been run out. The visitors were in general fielding well, Cato especially so. A good-length ball from Hughes upset Robertson's timbers, and ended an innings of rapid scoring.' 104 — 6—24.6 — 24. Midlane made his appearance, and cut Hughes for 2 amidst applause. Reckless returning from the field gave Midlane a let-off, and put 3to his partner's • credit.- Overeagerness to secure an impossible rim brought about the lad's dismissal directly afterwards. 115 — 7—2.7 — 2. Waters joined Hickson, and the latter drove beautifully to the off for 4. Then Wilson replaced Hallamore, a change which Waters greeted by clouting the bowler's second ball for 2. Hughea then bagged another victim,

Hickson retiring clean-bowled. Eight wickets had fallen for 123, Hickson's contribution being 19. Ashbolt took his club-male's place. Water.s got round to one from Hughes, and sent it to the ropes, but the bowler had his revenge next ball by dislodging his timbers/ 135^-9 — 10. <v ham (last man) went in, and bunged Hughes to the ropes and to the fence in succession, and in the game over scored a triplet through blundering on the part of the fieldsmen. A fine piece of clean fielding by Lusk off a hot drive from Upliam \v>\h deservedly applauded. Meanwhile A«hboll was stonewalling. At 150 Hallamoro replaced. Wilson, and his second ball upset Upham's stumps, the innings closing' for 153. Wellington. — First Innings. C. Hickson, c Andrews, b Hughes ... 27 Richardson, c Andrews, b Hallamore 20Williams, b Hughes 2 Holdship, c and b Hallamore ... 11 Tucker, c Cato, b Hughes 9 Robertson, b Hughes ..? .... .... 24 Midlane, run out... ... ..4 1... 2 Waters, b Hughes ... r ..-?, t... 10 Ashbolt, not out ..„ ... *.. 3 Upham, b Hallamore ...■ ... ... 15 Extras ... - ... en ►•• H Total w •...• ••-< ■••• 153

The Wellington innings had terminated a few minutes before the time fixed for luncheon. Owing to rain, play was not resumed until 2.55 p.m., at which time there was a good attendance of spectators. Hill and Lusk started for the visitors, Hill taking strike from Upham. Ashbolt was deputed to bowl at the other end, and in his third over bowled Lusk, the ball coming oft' the batsman's. pad. 4—4 — I—l.1 — 1. Caio was the next, batsman. Soon after his opening, a chorus of " How's that?" from the field for a catch by Williams from Cato off Ashbolt failed to receive the expected answer from the Hawkes Bay umpire. With 15 on the score-sheet, Hill dragged one of Ashbolt' s on to his wicket, after having scored 7. Wilson was the incomer. . At 3.30 the score was— Hawkes Bay.— First Innings. Lusk, b Ashbolt : ... ••• J Hill, b Ashbolt... -...• ••••• ••• ' Cato, not out ...• >••• •-••: t>.. 9 Wilson, not out..< „..• •••• '•■* 1 Byes i ..- ••• (••» 2 Total for two wickets . ? »< 20

Bowling Analysis. Balls. Mdns. Runs. Wkts. Wilson ... 96 7 19 0 .ndrews 54 4 16 0 [ughes ... 126 2 80 6 [allamore 36 3 27 3