THE INTERCOLONIAL CRICKET MATCH.

Evening Star, Issue 5914, 23 February 1882, Page 4

THE INTERCOLONIAL CRICKET MATCH.

On the first day of the match the attendance numbered about 5,000. The feature of the play was the brilliant display of batting exhibited by Murdoch and Jones, who, after settling to work, completely collared the bowling, all the Victorian bowlers trying to effect a separation between the batsmen, but with no effect. Spoilbrth, although on the ground, declined to play, his reason for which did not transpire. Consequently Downes, the twelfth man, was selected to play in his place. The first wicket (Massie's) of the New South Welshmen fell for 21. Murdoch then joined A. Bannorman, and the partnership was a long one, the New South Wales captain doing nearly all the batting. At 149 the stonewaller skied a ball from Turner. C. BaiiHerman, after getting 3 singles, was given out Ibw. Jones joined his captain and runs came freely, the bowling being completely collared, both men showing splendid cricket. They treated the bowling with the greatest confidence, and it was evident that some " glorious uncertainty " alone would be the means of disposing of them. Murdoch next got one to the oil' for 3, and drove Palmer to the grand stand fence for 4, followed by 4 to Jones for a hard drive io long field, which brought 270 up. This rapid scoring produced another change in the bowling, but without avail, as the scoring continued, 280 and 290 appearing on the board in rapid succession. When the stumps were arawn for the clay the score was at 350 for three wickets.

On the second day the attendance was very large, it being estimated that nearly 15,000 spectators were present. (Jreat interest was manifested by the public as the game proceeded. When the stumps were drawn on Friday evening the score of the New South Wales eleven stood at .350 with three wickets down, and Murdoch and Jones not out, the former with 183 to his credit aud the latter with 91. On play being resumed, however, Jones was somewhat easily disposed of after adding 18 to his score of the previous day. Murdoch, who again displayed brilliant form, remained at the wickets the greater part of the afternoon. The scoring in this match has rarely if ever been exceeded, either in Australia or in England. Murdoch's grand score of 321 has been surpassed on one or two occasions in the Old Country, but never south of the line in any important match. It was composed of thirty-eight 4's, nine 3's, forty-one 2'a, and the remainder singles, and with the exception of one chance when he had scored 120, the innings was faultless from beginning to end. At the termination of his innings several gentlemen in the pavilion initiated a subscription for the purpose of presenting a testimonial to him in recognition of his brilliant performance, and LI2O was subscribed. The amount will probably be increased to 200 guineas. (larrett was also in brilliant form, his 75 (not out) being one of the best exhibitions of batting he has ever given. His play was characterised by great judgment and patience. I). Gregory also obtained his 21 in good style. It is admitted that notwithstanding the disheartening way in which the total kept mounting up on Saturday the Victorians stuck manfully to their work, thebowlingand fielding beingiirstclass. At 401 Jones was taken at short-leg. The University colt retired after a splendid display of cricket, and was loudly cheered on entering the pavilion. Davis filled the vacancy, and opened play in pretty style. When the score stood at 420 Blackham appealed for a catch behind the wicket off Palmer, Murdoch being the batsman, but "not out" was the response. Davis, after scoring 4, hit one from Baker to shortleg, giving a chance, which Boyle eagerly accepted. 5-4—423. Shortly atter the 500 was telegraphed, Murdoch completed his third hundred by a splendid drive. Vociferous applause greeted this extraordinary performance, and cheering from thousands on the ground was prolonged for

some two or three minutes, the play being suspended. Meantime Garrett had not been idle. The bowling was now very true, and the batsmen were placed on their mettle. Murdoch got Baker in the slips for 3, and with some singles caused 550 to be telegraphed. Turner now donned the gloves, and took Blackham's place at the wickets. Blackham went on to bowl. Murdoch drove his first ball for 2, and the next to the grand stand for 4. Horan, who had relieved Baker, faced Garrett, and off his last ball the batsman got 2 for a nice leg hit. 560 up. A single was obtained by each batsman off the next over, and then Garrett got Hora» away for 2. The game now became rather monotonous. Eight maidens were bowled in succession, and then Garrett got a single for a hit off Blackham. Horan's next over produced four byes, but the last ball resulted in the dismissal of the great batsman, who was caught by Blackham at leg. 6-321-572. Murdoch, whose innings was undoubtedly one of the finest displays of cricket ever witnessed in the colonies, or even in England, retired amidst loud cheers, in which the Victorians heartily joined, and on entering the pawlion received quite an ovation. 1). Gregory and Garrett played out time. On the third day there was only a moderate attendance. At 652 D. Gregory, who had shown some of his old form, was well taken in the slips. Hiddlestone joined Garrett, and for a time the scoring was slow, the bowling being too good. At lunch time Garrett was credited with 147 and Hiddlestone with 28. Shortly after play was resumed Hiddlestone was easily stumped. Evans joined Garrett, who treated the bowling with the greatest freedom. At 765, however, M'Shane found his way to Garrett's timbers. Then, to everybody's surprise, Spofforfch, who had previously declined to play, left the pavilion and filled the vacant wicket. At 775 M'Shane cleaned bowled him, and the extraordinary innings closed. Every man in the Victorian team except M'Donnell, who, for some unexplained reason declined to go on, tried his hand with the ball. For New South Wales Spofforth and Evans commenced the trundling. After 10 was up M'Donnell knocked Spofforth over to the pavilion—the biggest hit of the match—for which 5 was scored. At 35 Blackham ,vas smartly taken at long-slip. Horan was caught in the slips off the first ball he got from Evans. At 48 M'Donnell was cleambowled by Spofforth. His play was somewhat unsafe occasionally, but he succeeded in compiling runs in a comparatively short space of time, and his hits as a rule were well-timed and clean. Baker filled the vacant wicket, and for a long time the play was rather monotonous, the bowling being dead on. Baker commenced batting very carefully, but soon gained confidence, and made several fine hits. GaVrett went on to bowl at the south end in place of Evans, but the change was in the batsman's favor. The score mounted gradually, and the century was soon afterwards posted. Slight had two narrow escapes from being caught—once through being badly missed at square-leg by Garrett, and next through returning a hot ball to the bowler, who was unable to hold it. Spofforth's next ball knocked the wicket down, but the batsman did not strike at it, and it appeared that Slight was not looking when the ball was delivered. At 136 Slight lost his wicket; at 160 Baker was twice badly missed, but in the next over he received his comj6 from the demon. He played a somewhat flukey innings. Bonnor and Palmer played out time.

Nkw South walks. A. nanncrman, c Palmer, b Tuifier .. .. 30 Massie, h Palmer .. 17 Murdoch, c Blackham, b Horan .. .. 321 C. Bannerman, lbw, b Baker .. 3 Jones, e Boyle, b Baker .. 109 Davis, c Bo'ylo, b Baker .. 4 I). Gregory', c M'Donnell, b Palmer .. 28 Garrett, b M'Shane .. 103 lliddlestone, st Blackham, b Cooper .. 27 Kvans, not out.. 3 Spofforth, b M'Shane .. — .. 8 Extras .. 02 Total .. .. 775 EOWMN'Q ANALYSIS. Balls. Mdns. Runs. Wkts. Palmer.. .. 320 28 1(51 2 M'Shane .. 172 12 91 2 Boyle .. ..208 31 115 0 Cooper .. .. 230 20 120 1 Turner .. .. 120 10 GO 1 Baker .. .. 270 20 109 Vt Koran .. .. i'2 15 23 1 Slight .. .. S 0 8 0 Blackham .. 48 8 11 0 Bonnor.. .. 8 0 8 0 Palmer bowled 2 no-balls and Baker 1