CRICKET.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 6778, 9 February 1884, Page 3

CRICKET.

TASiMANIA V. CANTEBBURY. [by teleghaph.] Christchtjkch, Friday. The curiously unsettled weather cannot leave our cricket match alone. Again it rained this morning, postponing play till 12 o'clock, and making the ground dead. In the afternoon the sun came out and the weather was beautiful, bringing a large number of spectators down. About 2000 must have been present, and they were rewarded by some excellent cricket. The Tasmanians continued their first innings, the two not-outs of yesterday, Butler and Sams, facing the bowling of Wilding and Pocock. Butler went on in the same lively fashion he had begun, and Sams continued his stonewalling tactics. Fifteen runs were slowly scored, and then Wilding managed to clean bowl Mansfield. The wicket-keeper next came into operation, and put a sudden end to the game by stumping Saras and Kirby in quick succession, the latter having scored nothing. The total was a big one, and with Kendall's bowling in view there were plenty who thought the local men would never save the follow-on. To do this 147 runs were required, a considerable total against good bowling, and as a matter of fact it took seven wickets to accomplish that number. A new wicket was got ready for the Canterbury innings, and a very true one it proved. Lougden, who had been batting in good form lately, was sent in first with the stonewaller Milton. Kendall and Mansfield were the trundlers, the latter bowling with a high easy delivery and very deceptive break and pace. Longden was a disappointment, as a full pitch from Mansfield quickly settled his career. The ever reliable Watson followed, but to the dismay of his friends he was evidently far from home to the slow bowling. Mansfield did not seem at all particular about what sort of balls he sent down, full tosses, half valleys, and yorkers being the rule; but they were always straight. Watson played very uneasily at him, but Milton calmly met both bowlers with an amount of indifference that seemed to highly amuse the crowd, though it produced no runs. Up to lunch time 10 runs only'had been scored, but afterwards the scoring was better, until when 50 had appeared Kendall at last found a weak point in Milton's armour, and the stonewaller had to leave. He was an hour and three-quarters at the wickets for 8 runs, but he had taken so much out of the bowling that his innings was worth quite four times as many. Cotterill came in and made a leg hit for four, but just as he seemed set he snicked one from Mansfield that was nearly wide into the wicketkeeper's hands. Dudney then joined Watson, and the fieldsmen went very deep, while an extra man was put on the on-side. Dudney had, however, received orders to play Bteadily, and these precautions were wasted. Kendall and Mansfield were both changed, in hopes of separating the men, Sidebottom and Kirby taking their places. Another change was shortly made in the bowlers, but 111 was scored before Dudney was dismissed. His 26 were made in very different style to his usual hard, reckless hitting. Wilding went in, but lost bis wicket rather foolishly just as he had reached double figures by trying to pull Mansfield round to the on. Ashby, as was expected, did not stay long, Butler catching him in the long field. Pocock very unluckily got a trimmer from Kendall before he had got his eye in, and when he returned to the pavilion the board showed 7 for 147, just the number required to save the follow-on. Barnes played steadily and caused Mansfield to be changed for Hall, whom he hit well to leg for 4, but the latter in au over or two later bowled him with a very simple ball. Watson, after Dudney's departure, scored more freely than when they were together. Amid all the changes of bowlers and batsmen he played on calmly and confidently, taking no liberties and watching every ball. At 10 minutes to time Fowke went in with instructions to try and play out time, and when the stumps were drawn the score stood at 169 for 8 wickets. Watson, not out, 79. The following are to-day's scores : — Tasmania. — First Innings. Sams, st Fowke, b Ashby 16 Butler, b Wilding 9 Mansfield, b Wilding 7 Kirby, st Fowke, b Wilding ... 0 Kendall, not out ... .. .. 2 Yesterday 'B score 192 Total 226 canterbury. — First Innings. Milton, b Kendall 8 Longden, b Mansfield 4 Watson, not out 79 Ootterill, c Daviea, b Mansfield ... 10 Dudney, b Burns 26 Wilding, b Mansfield 10 Ashby, c Butler, b Mansfield ... 0 Pocock, b Kendall 7 Barnes, b Hall 7 Fowke, not out ... .. ... 9 Extras 9 Total f or 8 wickets 169