CRICKET.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume 29, Issue 1528, 10 February 1899, Page 2

CRICKET.

(Br Our Owx Correspokdext.) XASEBT v. rjLTEAEOA. The tlnrd match of the season between your men and ours was played here on Saturday last, and resulted in a close win for Patearoa by one wicket. The teams, as the result proved, were well matched, a fairly even distribution of all round skill amongst the local men being contrasted by a strong head and a rapidly weakening tail on the part of the visitors. The top -corers for their respective sides were J. Marslin and Schnck, their contributions being the out-come of correct and steady 1 cricket in each case. Captain Christaizi was unfortunate in being run out in his first innings before he had a chance to score, but his 11 in the afternoon were the result of free and taking play, while Fisher spoiled a promising severe in the second innings through choosing the wrong ball to have a bang at, Malcolm, although plainly out of practice, batted in his customary artistic manner, and Hutt's effective round-the-corner take-it-or-leave-it strokes put on a speedy and welcome dozen in the first innings. I Each succeeding match shows a. distinct improvement in the batting of the majority of the home players, the value of a straight bat as opposed to that of a cross one as a bail-preserver having been demonstrated to them in the first instance by the more prominent of their ivasebv opponents in p<ist matches, and in the second bv ejjgful experience. Experience at first hand is a good thing, at second hand, in the way of advice, it is also good, but no amount of either variety seems to convince some players of the necessity for running their bat along the groun 1 during the tin.il .lash for a short run and to see a safe batsman like our stalwart hon, sec. run out through the nevjiect of that precaution is enough to give the toothache. The bowling during the day ranged from middling to very good, some first-class overs being sent down by both sides, while a determined leaning to the leg side at times on the part of the ball was not taken advantage of by the batsmen. What should prove to be a valuable object lesson to the younger bowlers was provided by Malcolm during the day, bis successful utilisation of head as well as hand as made manifest in his frequent change of length, flight, and pace, combined with skilful placing of his field, showing his thorough knowledge of the finer points of the game. Had his bowline been backed up by fielding of the quality to which former teams have accustomed us the result of the game would have been different. However, several bright flashes lit up the pervading gloom of dropped catches, the ambidextrous b isher bringing off a ably cool catch with his tenacious left at forward point, while Hutt took the measure of a warm drive at mid-on with a style and fit that can be guaranteed. Joe Hore must have been picking up some wrinkles in the wicket-keeping liue during his trip to Coolgardie, his taking off legs balls especially being very clean. Little Ben also fielded well, and will be a good man yet. The fielding of the I'atearoa men was very fair all round, but I have seen them do better. Captain Wilson promptly accepted every oiler of a catch, and King behind the wickets showed a lot of excellent and fearless work. A substantial lunch was partaken of at Mr W. A. Grieve's hotel. The vigour infused iuto the partiug cheers of the visitors for the home team was quite refreshing, aud showed the possession by them of that true cricket spirit which gives such a charm to the rare old game. Scores : Nabkbt—lst Innings. J. Marslin. b Johnston .. .. .. 16 Joe Hore, b Johnston .. .. .. 2 Malcolm, run out .. .. .. & J. Hore,runout .. , .. 2 Christian, run out .. .. .. O Fisher, b M'Lean .. .. .. 5 Davis, o b Johnston-. .. o Anderson, b Schrick .. .. .. 0 Hutt, c Wilson, b Chirnside .. ..12 B. Hore, b Cbirotririe .. .. .. 0 Nicholson, not out .. .. „ o Extras * ~ .. ..8 51 Patsaboi—lst Innings. J. Johnston, c Ji«e Hoie, b Marslin .. I W. Chirnside, c Hutt, b Maloolm -.8 O. Cambridge, b Valcoltn .. ..0 J. Wilson, o Jack Hore, b Maloolin .. 1 D. Chirnside, b Marslin.. .. .. ~1 F. Schrick, not out . .. N ..17 w. Kitur, e Fisher, b Malcolm .. "• .. O W. Hall, c Malcolm, b Fisher .. .. I. W. M'Lean, b Malcolm .. .. 2 F. b Malcolm .. ..0 W. Johnston, b Malcolm .. 0 Extras.. ... .. ..10 41 " Naekbv—2nd Innings. Marslin, b M'Lean .. .. .. 1 Joe Hore, b Johnston .. .. .. O Malcolm, b M'Lean .. .. .. 7 John Hore, c W. Johnston, b J Johnston 8 Christian, c Wilson, b M'Lean .. ..11 Fisher, b M'Lean .. .. .. S Davis, b M'Lean .. .. .. O Anderson, oW. Chirnside, b Johnston .. O Hutt, c Wilson, b M'Lean .. .. O B. Hore, not out .. .. . . 0 Nicholson, c Cambridge, b Johnston .. 8 Extras.. . ..2 37 I Patkakoa—Sod Innings. J. John'ton, run out .. .. .. 2 W. Chirnside, b KJsher .. . . .. a Cambridge, b Fisher .. .. .. 12 Wilson, b Malcolm .. .. ..10 D. Chirnside, b Malcolm .. .. 0 Schrick, b Malcolm .. .. ... O Kin];, c Fisher, b Malcolm .. .. 2 Hall, not oat .. .. .. .. S M'Lean, run out .. .. .. O Ledinrham, b Marclin .. .. .. 2 W. Johnston, not out .. .. .. 2 Extras.. .. .. .. 9 Total for 0 wickets .. .. 48 Bowuxo Akaltss. fulnntu. Overs. M'dns. Runs. Wkts. J. Johnstou .. 21 10 S3 7 M'Lean .. ..21 7 33 7 Schrick.. ..6 1 11 1 W. Chirnside 3 2 1 2 liatebp. Valoolm .. 23 5 33 11 Marslin .. ..10 S 23 S Fisher .. ..13 4 18 3 Fatearoa, February 6.