THE INTERPROVINCIAL CRICKET MATCH.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LI, Issue 5599, 4 February 1879, Page 6

THE INTERPROVINCIAL CRICKET MATCH.

TO THB EDXTOB OF THB X.TTTEXTOH TIMES. Sib,— ln view of the near approach of the above contest, might I be permitted to trespass on your kindness and to ask you to allow me space for a few remarks. A mere outsider, I can only urge a warm interest in the game as an excuse for thrusting my opinions forward, though I should say that lam not singular in holding the views set forth below. It is well known that for several years past Canterbury has been signally victorious in the Interprovincial matches. So much has this been the case that, just as Nelson’s sailors looked upon Frenchmen as being provided by Providence in order that there might le somebody to thrash, so our men have come to look on the Otago Eleven as men created for the purpose of improving our hatting averages. But this year a change has corns over the spirit of our dream. There can he little doubt, after making all due allowances for exaggerated reports, that the visiting team will be the strongest that has appeared in Hagley Park for years, and after the Melbourne matches, the confidence so long placed in our bowlers has been woefully and justly shaken. Tiro short months ago, and anyone could ; have run off the Eleven like a string of beads, but now it is no light task that awaits the Selection Committee, nor 'at whatever decision they may arrive can they, hope to escape without a treble allowance of growls, criticisms, and complaints. The- first seven names in the Eleven present little difficulty, for few will be found to. deny the claims possessed by Corfe, Leach, Moore, Ashby, Neusoni W. Frith and OUivier to take part in the match. But then comes the rub. : In myhnmble opinion the eighth and ninth men might well he W. Leach and Secretan, for both are excellent fields, good stylish bats, and Leaoh is also a fair wicket-keeper. The tenth man should undoubtedly be Beard. His howling through-, out the season has been always fair, sometimes very difficult indeed, and he will have the advantage that the Otago batsmen wiU be complete strangers to him. Who the last man should he admits of much argument. There are some who think that no Canterbury Eleven is complete without B. Fowler. He certainly did not come up to expectations on the Victorian grounds, but if ms hand has recovered he would earn his place in the team if he did nothing but take the ball from the field. Nothing demoralises an Eleven so much as the want of a reliable wicketkeeper. It will at once be seen that several wellknown names are absent from this proposed list. For every omission, however, a good reason can, I think, be given. To play Fuller with his Melbourne analysis staring us in the face would be simple madness. If C. Frith’s bowling is to be judged by the stuff he sent down last Saturday, then has his right hand utterly lost its cunning. Watson is not of the stuff that first Elevens are made of, and Hartland’s time has not yet arrived. The services of Baker and Lee will unfortunately not be available, and Godby’s migration has thrown him out of the hunt. Should the Committee determine to leave B. Fowler out, then Stevens would be about the best remaining bat; but J. Fowler’s fielding cannot be overlooked, and he would save more runs at leg and cover in one day, than the other player would make in two. Given the above team and a good wicket, the Southerners ought never to be in it,- but, as I have said before, they will bring up a nice team, and should any hut our best men meet them a disaster might take place which would ruin our cricket prestige for years.—l am, &0., "BLACK HAMBLBDON."