SPORT AND PASTIME. Cricket,

Evening Post, Volume LIX, Issue 11, 13 January 1900, Page 2 (Supplement)

SPORT AND PASTIME. Cricket,

£Bt Pavilion.l "When Greek meets Greek, etc.;'" sc when Midland and Wellington senior teams are fighting their battles the public can always depend upon a willing go. Saturday's match ended in one of the most exciting finishes that has been seen on the Basin in club matches for-some time. It is questionable whether any team made such a wonderful recovery in the face of overwhelming defeat and so narrowly missed annexing the laurels of victory as did Wellington in this contest. With only three wickets in hand and still five runs to avert an innings defeat, the game looked all over bar shouting for Midland, but as often happens in the fortunes of cricket expectations were wofully upset, and the Wellington representatives made such a plucky and determined fight that in the end they only suffered defeat by a single wicket. For this result they have to thank Wilson and Ashbolt, whose batting figures were in marked contrast to those of tbeir other clubmates, and the exceptionally fine bowling of Redmond. Wilson never played a better innings in his senior cricket career. His exhibition on Saturday will rank as the^best in matches of this description during the present season. Right from the jump, he scored at a fast rate, boundaries coming in quick succession, which gave the fieldsmen a merry time chasing after the ball. * His off driving was superb, each stroke being nicely timed and vigorous, and he made several capital leg hits-. He never appeared in difficulties, treated each bowler with the greatest confidence, and made not a single bad stroke in an innings which was characterised by the finest batting seen on the Basin this season. Time after time the ball was sent skimming at a great pace to the boundaries along the turf to the huge delight of the spectators who gave him a great ovation when his innings came to a close by his turning a. ball from Upham which kept low and straight into his off stump. Ashbolt, who gave valuable assistance by stopping a rot in his side, and subsequently assisted Wilson to pile on the runs from 49 to 158, batted well for his 45. He scored faster than his usual wont, and looked like staying at the wickets all day until he tried to pull one of Tucker's and paid the penalty. How often does it happen that in a big stand the batsmen come to grief within a few minutes of each other. The same thing befell Ashbolt and Wilson on this occasion. Tucker got a severe handling from Wilson, who hit the slow bowler twice clean over the fence and averted the many traps laid for his downfall in the outfield by putting the ball well clear of the fieldsmen. With Holdsworth and Fitzsimons absent, and Stephenson suffering from an injured shoulder, the bowling devolved mainly upon Tucker and Upham, whose second advent at the crease had a decided effect iv steadying the rate of scoring. Upham's figures read well on such a batsman's wicket, while Tucker came out with a xespectable average despite the treatment he got from Wilson. Stumper Williams was not too sure behind the wickets, and lacked his usual dash. The 53 in hand by the Midlanders on the first innings came in very handy at the finish. Wanting only 115 runs to win, and on a first-class wicket the task looked a seemingly easy one. Their most enthusiastic barracisers thought the deficit would be wiped off with the loss of about three or lour wickets. These predictions were doomed to disappointment. A 3hock ran. through the Midland camp as Davis was easily caught off a bumpy one from Ashbolt in the slips and Quee had the hard luck to have his stumps scattered by a ball from Redmond which came off his pads. Then Williams narrowly escaped being caught off a short pitched ball from Ashbolt, which he sent in the direction of Howard, who was stationed on the boundary,, and two balls later Niven should have easily stumped him off the same bowler. He had only made six when Redmond got a "clinker" past him, and three good wickets were down for nine. Williams batted very streakily and never looked like staying. Tucker was to be the saviour of his side as he had been for his province in the recent matches with Canterbury and Otago. He played a cautious game, getting some of his pet strokes, the late and square cuts, at the expense of Redmond. Robertson batted nicely and played correct cricket, which caused the stand of the innings to be made. Tucker's contribution of 49 compiled as it was when his side was in a tight corner was of special merit. His strokes all round the wicket were well executed though there were a few blemishes on occasions. , The Midlandsr is in great form this season, and were a New Zealand team picked to-morrow, he must be in the first six chosen. Eight wickets were do.wn for 99 whea Howard and H. Davis became associated and excitement was at fever heat. Several smartly stolen runs were wildly cheered, though Howard being fleeter of foot nearly ran his partner out. An off-drive by Howard at the expense of Redmond produced three, and' a cheer went up from the Midland barrackers as Davis got well on to an over pitched ball also from the fast bowler, and clouted it to the leg boundary. Two runs were still wanting. " A

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lightning snick off Davis's bat from Redmond's bowling whizzed past the slipsmen and amidst frantic cheering the batsmen started off for the runs. While attempting a fourth run, Davis who apparently had been run to a standstill lailed to regain his creaso in time and his stumps were knocked down. One run was also declarod to have been a snort one, so Midland got to the c6veted post by one wicket after one of the most exciting and well contested finishes it was possible to witness. Redmond, who kept a first-rate length, and was very straight, stuck up the batsmen by bis cannon deliveries. His average was a distinctly fine one. Ashbolt who bowled with hard luck at the start, proved expensive at a later stage. Niven is never seen to better advantage than when playing an up-hill game, and his brilliant exhibition behind the sticks when these clubs met last season is still remembered. He was not, however, in good form with the .gloves in this match. His stopping could, not be beaten, as only one bye on the score sheet amply shows, but at taking the ball he was at sea, and missed several shows of stumping. If the wicketkeeper had been up to his usual form, Wellington would per-haps have Avon. My idea is that Niven sacrificesmuch to stop byes. Midlane played another good innings on Saturday, and put another century to his credit. The bowling was rather weak* and he gave the easiest of chances when he had scored 22. Still his strokes on both sides of the wickets were nicely executed. Midlane would be another certainty for a New Zealand team. The form of this player and Tucker has been one of this season's features. Burton, who played a capital game for his 37, was going strongly until a bad stroke brought about his downfall. The Old Boys v. Phoenix match should prove a win for the latter as they have still 260 runs in hand. It is understood that the Association's takings o/t tho recent interprovincial matches amounted to about £140. This will enable the Association' to send a team to Auckland where the local representatives owe a visit?. When the New Zealand team paid a visit to Australia last year, its players were entertained in princely style by ihe Victorian Association. It is now m established fact that Victoria will send a team to New Zealand this season, yet the local Association refuses to guarantee a paltry £50. After the treaty ment of the colony's representatives by the Victorians, such action seems very ungracious, and I am pleased to, hear that as a result of energetic whipping a resolution is likely to be carried to rescind last- meeting's resolution. If tho Association adheres to its original action, then several local enthusiastsjare prepared to move in the matter by get' ting the requisite amount to ensure a visit from the Victorians, fesling certain that the £50 could be raised three times over. For the credit of the Empire City and our rising players it is to be hoped the Association will see its way to vote the amount.