CRICKET.

Evening Star, Issue 3077, 30 December 1872, Page 3

CRICKET.

&y “ Looker On .” The match on Saturday afternoon, played between two elevens chosen by the practice captains appointed by the Inter-provincial Match Committee, proved an unusually interesting one. With one or two exceptions, all the eighteen recently selected played on one side or the other. Without making invidious distinctions, or compromising the Match Committee in any way, Messrs Rcadc and tait agreed to play a team composed of those among the eighteen who were likely to proceed to Canterbury, against the best efeven that could be got together. The sides were very evenly matched, and some of the best all round play that has been seen this season was shown. Mr Reade, having won the toss,' decided to go to the Wickets first with his team. ' The' opposing eleven took the field, and were placed as follows: —Glen, bowler and short slip at one end ,* Sutcliffe; the 'same at the other end ; Bellicar, 1 wicket keeper; Ferguson, Ipng»top; Hendley, short-leg; Johnston, third man; Allen, point; Macfarlan and Clarke, longdeg and cover ; Morrison, lopgoff; and Tait, long-on. Glon and Sutcliffe both bowled remarkably well, being on the wicket, and the balls a good length, and difficult to play. They were well backed up by the field, and runs came very slowly. Kfttlo and Brown were the only batsmen who got into double figures. Brown played a very good innings, and made 19, Hendley and Johnston both bowled well, and were successful in getting wickets, Johnston’s average, especially, being exceptionally good. The fielding was far and away the best this season. Allen made a smart catch at point, and Hendley one at third man ; while Macfarlan, at long-leg, secured a skyer from Manisty in splendid style, Reade’s eleven made 56. Morrison and Allen were the first to appear at the wickets for the other team, Cairns and Fulton taking up the bowling. Th«e (wo sen made a long staad, Mop

rison played patiently and steadily, while Allen did the scoring. Allen is rapidly improving in form, and his score of 14 was made without giving a chance. Johnston batted well for 10, and was at last bowled by a trimmer from Cairns. Sutcliffe shaped remarkably well, and Glen af o batted in better form than usual. '< hese two men are good all-round players, and with practice will soon rank among rur best cricketers. Macfarlan was singularly unfortunate m snicking a bumpy one from Fulton into Muir’s hands, who was at the wickets. Hellicar succumbed to an undeniable one from Cairns. Tait and Clarke made a stand ; Clarke hit out very freely, and put 20 together in a very short space of time ; five was run for a good hit of his to long-field on. Cairns and Fulton were on the spot, and bowled well throughout. The innings closed for 80, with three wickets to go down. It lies been decided to play this match out on the 2nd January, a holiday. This is not an ordinary practice matchj and it is to be hoped that all the players will turn out on Thursday next and continue the match. There is evidently a better feeling springing up among cricketers generally iu regard to the Inter-Provincial match, and the fears of those who predicted failure are not likely to be realised. There seems to be a disposition to make the most of opportunities, and to do all that can be done to. achieve, success. A great improvement in the play all round was noticeable on Saturday, and this augurs well for future effort. A very fair team ought to be got together to represent the Province, and the sooner it is chosen the better.

Appended are the scores of Saturday’s match—

Kkade's Eleven, Holmes, run out 1 Lam' ert, Il>w, b SutclifFe ... 2 Kettle, c Johnston, b Glen ... 11 Keade, c Allen, b Glen ... 9 Begp, c and b Sutcliffe 0 Cairns, b Tait 4 Brown b Hendlcy .. ... 19 Manisty, c Macfarlan, b Hendley 2 Fulton, c Hendloy, b Tait ... 0 Thomson, not out 2 Muir, b Johnston 0 Yickerman, b Johnston ... 2 Extras 4

<h> Bo\vlin<; Analysis. Balls. Maidens. Runs. Wickets. Glen 60 2 19 o Sutcliffo 42 0 18 o Tait 30 0 10 o Hendley IS 1. 3 2 Johnston 5 0 2 «> Tait's Eleven. Morrison, b Fulton 6 Allen, b Fulton 14 Johnston, b Cairns 10 Sutcliffe, b Fulton 2 Glen, c Manisty, b Fulton ... 4 Macfarlan, c Muir, b Fulton ... 0 Hellicar, b Cairns 1 Tait, e Muir, b Thomson 8 Clarke, not out 20 Ferguson, not out 0 Hendley, to bat Maodonnell, to bat Extras ... 15 Total 80 Bowling; Analysis. Widcs Balls Mdns. Buns Wkts. Fulton... 0 96 6 27 5 Cairns ...3 84 4 18 2 Thomson 0 24 0 8 1 Beeg ... 0 18 0 12 0