THE CRICKETERS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume I, Issue 17, 22 October 1878, Page 3

THE CRICKETERS.

Of tlio Australian cvicktt.-rs the lloa»e News suys: — " Tin? oau'or o!' >.hs Auß'raliiin cricke't'rs, which- ha-.

wjmm illiu'iiiniited b) s'HiietSiin--; liki ltreteoric bi-iiliunc^*, is d ay. i.-r io a close. Having boon f.t'-d . i>. \ auulo much of on every skle, l'o !->wi'<l h\ crowds as iucpiit>itiveJy juliniriiig 1 i ;S those who j-ay liomago V> reiyuiug beauties in the Park, their lending spirit recoiviug his upotheosia Irom the hands of ' Ape.' in a cartoon of Vanity Fair, they have been treated last of all to a lag banquet at Willis 1 E00m.5, the culminating honor of overy true British heart. In reply ing to the graceful compliments of the Duke of Manchester, the Captain of the Klevoa, in. manly terms, confessed that the, success which had attended their efforts far exceeded their wildest dreams. They had thought perhaps to meet and hold then own against country cricketers, but had scarcely Juoped to beat some of the be£t teams in ihe land. Their performances have certainly been no less a surprise to their opponents than to themselves. Only at the lt»st . moment has; Cambridge come in with her splendid eleven to redress the balance, and prove that the science of cricket has not entirely deserted v?. The Australians were ' bad to beat,' although worsted in the last «fcand most closely oon tested mutch, ■they will take back their laurels unand with them many good wishes from all whom they encountered here."

A letter has been received from Boyle, the Victorian cricketer, in England, stating that $i;. L. D, Walker/has relinquished t£e idea of bringing out his team of gentleman cricketers, in consequence of the 6U* periority~Bhowh by~tlie "Australians. Mr Boyle, however, states that the I. Ziugari Club intend sending a team to the colonies. Surely the vaunted pluck of Englishmen hns diminished if fear of a thrashing prevents the gentlemen of England visiting the colonies. We fancy that there must bo something moro in the alteration than the dread of a beating. Besides, tho Melbourne Club have already entered into engagements for them. :