THE CANTERBURY CRICKETERS.

Evening Star, Issue 4952, 16 January 1879, Page 2

THE CANTERBURY CRICKETERS.

TO the editor. Bomew hat severe reverses met with Dy tne Canterbury men in their matches. against Mel* bourne and South Melbourne, their heavy scoring against East Melbourne has naturally put fresh hepe « j , supporters at home, as a result of which wo find it telegraphed here that their victory Is supposed •° * fflonous one, gained over the crack dub of • Australia. Without wishing to disparage their victory in any way I, as on old member of the East Melbourne Club, uesire to state that the eleven selected to play Christ* church was the weakest eleven, as regards bowling. ' East Melbourne h..s ever got together. Most old residents of Victoria know that when playing their full strength East Melbourne is quite capable of defeating Melbourne, and holding their own with South Melbourne ; but In their match against canterbury not a single man In the team, except Boyle, has the slightest pretensions to be considered • a bowler; and five of the team (bats), who kave’never before played In the first eltvev, are elevated from the ■ second eleven to play In (his particular match. Had the full strength bo»n played, we should have seen ' the well-known bowiere such as Ben James. Walsho Searcy, And Terry to the fob, besides Additional , lasting talent in the persons of Ooggln and Elliott. •! the well-known wicket-keeper. The easy victory gained, by the other clubs put East Melbourne off 4 their guard, and they paid the penalty-* fate I am 5 very much mistaken if Bohemia Imitates; Playing a do^SlL* 1 * 4 fastwlcket P roved Melbourne's „ Melbourne (oven with its fullest possible strength) being the best club in Australis, it '

is, no doubt, when playing its proper eleven, next to £puth Melbourne as regards Victoria ; but Sydney has to be thought of, and a team that includes Spofforth, the'Oregorys, Murdoch, Evans, Sheridan, and Tindall must be considered the crack club of Australia. The club I refer to Is the Warwicks, next to whom come the Alberts and University. < Should the Canterbury Eleven play a return match wltlvEast Melbourne we shall ace her represented by her lu 1 strength, in which case I opine things will be slightly reversed —I am, &c., . , Jolimont. Dunedin, January 16.