OLD-TIME CRICKET

Evening Star, Issue 19067, 9 October 1925, Page 4

OLD-TIME CRICKET

AUSTRALIAN ELEVEN, 1878 FIRST REPRESENTATIVE TEAM TO VISIT HEW ZEALAND No. XXVTf. The Australian cricketers arrived at the Bluff at .5 o’clock in tho morning after a very stormy passage in the Arawata. Several members of the team had a bad time, and the effects bad not quite disappeared when they took tho field. They created a very good impression with their gentlemanly manner. They were a very wiry-looking lot, though they had not tho physique of tho Englishmen. Commenting on their appearance at the luncheon table, a writer said: “ Most of them are Good Templars, and my cricketing friends up North -must not expect to find any of them so easy a prey as they did several members of another cricketing team on a recent occasion. They made a most favorable impression hero, and so I am sure they will wherever they go, both in the cricket field and out of it.” Tho atmospheric conditions wore against a brilliant display of tho game. A much better display may bo expected under more favorable auspices.

Tho first match of tho tour was against Twenty-two of Invercargill. The morning was disagreeably boisterous, with showers of rain, accompanied by bitterly-cold wind. The wicket was not too good, being very rough—quite a contrast to those in vogue in Australia. Taking all things into consideration, they did remarkably well for their first venture. The chief feature of the play was the excellent display of batting by Charlie Bannerman, who carried his bat for a very meritorious 125. Ho hit tremendously hard for one so small, but made up in vigor for his want of reach. Ho was one of the prettiest players imaginable, all Ills actions being machine-like in whatever direction ho sent the ball. Ho had one life at covbrpoint, otherwise lie played a flawless innings. Horan, who made the next highest score, had a very, pretty style, with plenty of wrist play, and his log hitting was very effective. Murdoch, one of the principal bats of the team, did not get going properly, but showed enough merit to satisfy tho spectators of bis capabilities. The Twenty-two wont to tho wickets first, and were disposed of for 89 runs. AVesney crowned himself with honors, making a very creditable display with the bat and being not out with 39 to Ins credit. Stead was the only other player who made n stand, scoring 10. Tho Twenty-two fared very badly in their second venture, making a total of only 39, with no double figures to their credit. Morrison and Levy were highest with 7 each. Tho Australian bowling figures were; Spofforth, fourteen wickets for 25; Boyle, five for 44; Garrett, six for 6; Bailey, five for 8; Blackham, six for 10; Murdoch, two for 11. Tho Australians’ score was 267. C. Bannennan’s innings of 125 hot out was a. masterly display. Horan made 53, Bailey put together 22, and A. Bannerman and Murdoch 13 and 10 respectively. The Australians won by an innings and 139 runs. The bowling of tho local men was very poor indeed. Morrison (six wickets for 87), Ross (one for 27), Buchanan (two for 34), and Reado (one- for 35) were the pick.

The, second match of the tour was played on the Caledonian Ground. Dunedin’s weather on the occasion of the first day’s play was ono of samples, the conditions varying from brilliantly warm sunshine to a hailstorm, with a touch of a biting sou’-wester, which was hardly cricket weather. Carisbrook carried off the honors of the day in batting. MacNcil, by patient, steady play, was very effective, and Ids contribution of 28 was Otago’s highest score. Next in merit were Sutcliffe’s and Clarke’s efforts with 13 and 10. The innings closed for 124 runs. Spofforlh (seven wickets for 17), Garrett (seven for 25), ; Kendall (ono for 10), and Boyle (four for 45) were the howlers. The batting of the Eleven was disappointing, and fell short by 52 runs of Otago’s score. Horan was top with 24. His play was brilliant at times. Both his offensive and defensive -'play was grand. 1). Gregory xnado 19 by very careful play, and A. Banneman and Spofforth made 13 each. The innings closed for 92. Millington took five wickets for 33, Austin one for 18, Moore one for 25, and Glen throe for 16. Otago’s second .innings calls for little comment. Clarke 15, Rhodes 14, and Haskell 10 were the top-notchcrs. Garrett howled splendidly, and took thirteen wickets for 13, Spoiforth four for 34 ; and Boyle two for 9. Much disappointment was felt at the result of tho match, which ended in a draw on account of the rain. Tho visitors were entertained at a banquet in the Criterion Hotel, which was largely attended. They made a host of friends during their brief stay. They were very modest about their capabilities, and gave unstinted praise to tho Otago players who did well in various departments of the game. The next match was against twentytwo of Gam am.' The weather was in keeping with that in other (ibices visited. Tho morning opened with splendid weather, but as tho day advanced a thunderstorm came on which interfered with the game, and tho afternoon became very cold. Under the circumstances anything like first-class cricket was out of tho question. The wicket was a now one and did not play well, being rough and humpy, whilst tho outfield was bare and rough. Oamaru took first strike, but with tho exception of Neilson (for_ many years captain and mainstay of intorprovmcial cricket in Canterbury) and Smith, tho hatting was mediocre. Neilson made 18, the result of patient defence and clean hitting, making it look ns if tho bowling; was not very formidable. The Australians’ innings totalled 113 runs. With the exception of C. Banneman, tho visitors’ display was of a very poor description. With the rough wicket to contend against, not ranch more could bo expected from them. At first Bannerman did not seem at home, but ho made son®) very bard hits, ono of which lifted the hall clean out of the ground. A, Banneman and Bailey made 12 each. The bowling and fielding of the local men were not first class. Oamaru in their second innings had tbn wickets down for 43 runs. Lowe and Taylor were credited with 13 and 10. respectively.. The Australians won by 43 runs on the first innings, ‘Only the first innings bowling of the Australians is given, and this reads; Spofforth, nine wickets for 83 runs; Garratt, twelve for 24. For Oamaru, Edwards four for 39, Lowe six for 56 were the wicket takers. Much interest was maififestod in tho long-looked-for match between tho Austrauaris and fifteen of Canterbury. Tho game took place on Ilagloy Park, where there was an attendance of about 4,000 people. The wicket was a pretty picture, a little bit fiery, hut quite good enough for the most fastidious. The Australians won the toss and went in. A large score was fully expected, but very few anticipated a speedy col-, lapse ot such a brilliant batting .side. As it stands on paper, one is, inclined

to think that tho bowling must have been superb and. of an order very seldom exliibited. It was the same trio that played havoc with the Auckland team when in the second innings the eleven were all out for 12 runs. To get such a formidable side out for 46 runs is a feat which will linger long in the memory of all who take an interest in cricket. • A. Bannennan was highest scorer with 14, Gregory coming next with 9. G. Frith bowled 12S balls for 22 runs and three wickets, \V. Frith 42 balls for 2 runs and three wickets, Ashby 88 balls for 19 runs and two wickets. Canterbury’s innings realised 135 runs. Ollivier played Spofforth with confidence, negotiating his “ workers ” with case. Jl.o played a much more vigorous game than was his wont. Ncilson’s innings was_ a meritorious one, and came at tho right time to inspire, confidence in the remaining haLsmon. Tho remaining double-figure scorers were: Baker 15, Moore 13, and Leo 12 not out. Kendall three wickets for 12, SpofForth nine for 77, and Boyle two for 20 bowled best for Australia. With 89 to the bad tho Australians commenced their second innings. They put quite a different complexion on the game, giving a splendid exhibition of all-round cricket. Horan carried his bat for a superb 58 made in fearless style, and at the conclusion of tho innings Neilsoh presented him with a bat in recognition of bis splendid innings. C. Bannerman made 25, hut was much more cautions than usual, playing for a win. Murdoch played a fine, clean-hitting innings of 21. A. Bannerman scored 11 and Spofforfch 10. Tho end came quickly after Murdoch retired, and what appeared likely to be a close game was nipped in the bud, tho tail failing to assist the score. Fuller; who bowled exceedingly well, bagged eight wickets for 35 run's, C. Frith and Lee took one each for 34 and 9 respectively. The innings dosed for 143, leaving Canterbury with 55 runs to win. This was accomplished with the loss of eight wickets. Corfc, Moore, and Leach got double figures with 15, 13, and 11 respectively. Garvatt two wickets for 7, Gregory one for 6, SpofForth four for 29, and Kendall ndne for 12 were tho bowlers. So ended one of the best matches ever seen in New Zealand. Canterbury’s team consisted of players, both batsmen and bowlers, who have never been surpassed ns representatives of that province. They were truly a great side and worthy of this great victory. Tho next match was against twentytwo of Wellington, when the weather was beautifully fine and tho wicket good. Tho visitors won the toss and sent their opponents in. There were a good many who failed to score. Tho redeeming features were the batting of Salmon and Knapp, who managed to keep their wickets up for some time, playing pretty and careful cricket. The former scored 15 and the latter 11. Garratt took two wickets for 4, Spofforth fourteen for 40, and Kendall four for 36. Six of the Australians managed double figures, Bailey claiming 33 not out, Gregory 31, Horan 28, C. Bannennan 19, Murdoch 13, and A. Bannennan 10. The batting was a decided improvement on anything so far shown, and, with tho improved conditions of ih© weather, better play was looked for. Those who took wickets were: Fbrdham"two for 3, J. A. Salmon one for 6. Lockett two for 21, 1. J. Salmon one lor 16, and Armitago one for 28. With a deficit of 75 runs Wellington look their second strike, and when tho last wicket fell the score stood at 84, leaving the Australians. 10 to win. As in the first innings, many failed to add runs to the total. BlacklocK r.nd Howard wore the successful batsmen, scoring 13 and 11 respectively. Murdoch and Blackburn did most of the bowling, and wore rewarded with very good averages. The former took ton wickets for 33 runs, and tho latter eight for 34. Spo(forth got one for 1 run. The Australians to win required TO runs, and those they obtained for the loss of nno wicket, thus winning by nine wickets.