CRICKET IN CANTERBURY.

Evening Star, Issue 4620, 19 December 1877, Page 4

CRICKET IN CANTERBURY.

A correspondent, who is a well-known member of one of the principal Christchurch clubs, writes to us, under date December 14, as follows:

"Crieket ia going ahead here this season. It certainly was never before se popular, or entered into with such a will. Clubs have sprung up on all sides like mushrooms. Yesterday and the day before a regular County match was played, Ashley and Ashburton sending two teams for a two days' straggle to Hay ley Park, just as two English counties would send out the might of their cricketers to do battle. Long scores are as plentiful as gooseberries. Up to the present time but four scores exceeding the century had ever been made in Canterbury. This year already two oi 121 and 106 have been

credited to Leach, the well-known batsman, and named Whitby. Both were made in minor matches. Corfe has made a 91, and several 60's and 50's, while plenty of scores from 40 to 60 have been totted up in the few first class matches already played." Thelatst matches at Hagley Park have been Married v. t-'iogle and the World v. the Universities. The first mentioned ended in a draw, but some gor.d individu-.il scores were made, A. M. Ollivier contributing 49 for the benedicts and Neil son 44 for the- bachelors. In the other match the World made 120 and 32 for foar wickets. Skelton made 28, Ashby 37, and Allan (not out) 17. For the Universities, whose total in the first innings was 96, Ollivier made 20, Lea.'h 15, and M. Godby 30. Neither match will be pbyed out, because many of the players have left for Auckland in the Waoaka. Respecting the Auckland match the ' Lyttelton Times' say 3 Mr Neilson has had many difficulties to c>>n tend with of no small magnitude iu getting together a team; but, although not able | to get such a strong array together as j he at one time anticipated, he will no doubt have no reason to be ashamed of those who are now going with him. The following list of name? stamps the team as unusually strong in bowling, if rather weak in batting, whilst in the field all are well able to hold their own, viz , C. Frith, W. Frith, Ashby, E. Fowler, Neilson, (captain), Godby, Wilson, Perry, Millton, and Wood. The eleventh man was not definitely fixed on In the early part of last evening, but will probably be Austen, who is a good field and fair change bowler as well as a stylish batsman. The team play in Auckland ou December 2S and following days. Wellington will be played against on the return.

Respecting the interprovincial match which has been fixed for January 14, 15, and 16, "Longstop," writing in the 'New Zealand Sun,' says:—"The Dunedinites wanted it earlier, but the other side could not see their way, and as it is a standing arrangement that the match should be played between the 12th January and 12th February, the Otagoans had to accede to the dates fixed. The Canterbury team will be very strong, *iz., Corfe, Moore, Godby, Neilson, Sweet, C. Frith, Ashby, E. and J. Fowler, Ollivier, and Leach. Should any of the above be unable to get away, our Association can fall back upon W. Frith, Lee, Alpe, Watson, Wood, Allen, Stevens, M'DonnelL and a good few others all of equal merit. Taking it even that the best cannot go, a very good lot can be got together."