CRICKEI.

Evening Post, Volume LVI, Issue 154, 28 December 1898, Page 5

CRICKEI.

» HAWKES BAY v. WELLINGTON. This contest eventuated in a draw. Except on one or two occasions, the play did not reach a high level. On the Wellington side the batting honours fell to C. Hickson, who gave a sound and serviceable display for his runs, and in this, his debut in interprovincial matches, made top score for his side, and causes regret that he will not be in the team to play against Canterbury next week. Of the others, Robertson got his runs briskly, but not too safely ; S. Hickson made some nice strokes ; Upham put plenty of vigour into his work, and Richardson played with characteristic patience. In the second innings, Midlane hit forcibly. Again Williams failed to sustain his great reputation, and so did Tucker. It is evident that both of these big guns of last year are clean out of form. On the visitors' side, Lusk, the crack bat of the team, was unfortunate in coming to grief at a very early stage of his innings. The best cricket of the day was shown ry Cato and Wilson. Their play was plucky, cool, and a good all-round exhibition, ond it saved their side from a complete " rot." The pair alone made 76, leaving the remaining batsmen answerable for only 22 between them. Bowling honours for the visitors were carried off by Hallamore, though Hughes got the bulk of the wickets at somewhat heavy expense. Robertson gained kudos' in his first interprovincial game for Wellington by securing a remarkable bowling average. The game could not be finished, and so will count a draw. After we went to press yesterday, Cato and Wilson earned the Hawkes Bay score along by steady and confident play, until 80 was hoisted. Five runs later, their long and valuable association was dissolved by the wicketkeeper catching Wilson off Robertson. Wilson had made most of his runs by clinking off drives. Not a chance did he give during the innings. 85 — 5—36. Gore and Wolstenholme were quickly disposed of, and then Cato was stumped. He had played a sterling innings, his runs coming from admirable all-round strokes. Except for two chances, his batting waa free from serious blemish. The wickets now tailed off, Taiaroa and Hughes being the only other men who scored, and the visitors' first innings closed for 108, or 45 less than the Wellington score. Hughes, who has a nice wristy action, carried <ut his bat. Robertson came out on top in the bowling averages with the fine feat of six wickets for only 23 runs, though weak strokes of the batsmen were really more accountable for this result than special excellence in the bowling. The fielding waat, on the whole good, Ashbolt, Midlane, Waters, Richardson, and Holdship showing up for clean and good work. Behind the wickets, Williams performed v e -y creditably. The Midland pair, Williams and Tucker, opened Wellington's second innings. The former had just reached double figures, when he made a miss-hit off Hughes, and skied a ball, which fell into the hands of Gore. Tucker and Midlane were unconquerable at the call of time. Midlane hit aggressively, scoring four 4's in succession, and had 19 to his credit, while his partner made a modest 7, the total score being 43. The duties of the press representatives were greatly accelerated by the thoughtfulness and courtesy of the scorers, Messrs S Jacobs (Wellington) and Todd (Hawkes Bay). The scores were : — Wellington— First innings ... ... 153 Hawkes Bay.— First Innings. Hill, b Ashbolt 7 Lusk, b Ashbolt ... ... ... 1 Cato, st Williams, b Robertson ... 41 Wilson, o William*, b Robertson ... 35 Gore, b Upham ... ... .. ... 1 Wolstenholme, b Upham .., . 8 Hughes, not out .., ... ... 5 Taiaroa, c Richardson, b Robertson ... 6 Hallamore, o Williams, b Robertson . . 0 Lewis, c Richardson, b Robertson ... 0 Andrews, c Richardson, b Robertson ... 0 Extras ... ..•« 4 Total .". 108 BOWLING ANALYSIS. Balls. Mdns. Runs. Wkts. Upbam ... 126 8 29 2 Ashbolt ... 84 5 21 2 Holdship.., 18 0 14 0 Richardson 36 2 10 0 Tucker ... 24 0 7 0 Robertson 72 4 23 6 Wellington. — Second Innings, Williams, cA. Gore, b Hughes ... 10 Tucker, not out ... ... 7 Midlane, not out « ... 19 Extras ..* •.« 7 Total for one wioket ... >•• 43 BOWLING ANALYSIS. Balls. Mdns. Runs, Wkts. Hughes ... 48 2 19 1 Hallamora ... 36f 2 13 0 Woletenholme 12 1 4 O fßowled a wide.