CRICKET.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XV, Issue 5173, 15 June 1878, Page 5

CRICKET.

The progress made by the Australians in the noble game since the time when H. H. Stephenson's Eleven visited them first, in 1801 02, contrasts most favourably with that made by the Americans since they received George Parr's Eleven in 1859. At that time the eleven, or rather, twelve best players chosen from the two great clubs in Kngland (A. E. and U.A.E. E.), six from each, comprised, perhaps, the strength of England, unless there bad been added to them Mr. V. E. Walker or F. P. Miller (the latter played in Auckland not ruauy years ago). With these it was a case of veni, cldi. cici, as far as the Americans were concerned, for every match was won or drawn in favour of the Englishmen, and the subsequent elevens which visited America—Wilsher's Eleven, in 180S, aud Mr. Fitzgerald's Eleven, in 1872— found no improvement in the cricket they saw, and au apathy existing amongst cricketers, which seuined to shew they hardly care to improve. Thus Xorley, a fair Kentish bowler, "could hardly make a living out of the place," aud returned to England. Fardifferent was the case in Australia. Though in 1801, taking out a very weak team, scarce one of whom at that, time, with the exception of Griffiths and Caffyn, should have been picked in the strength of England,—H. H. Stephenson oaine to Australia and won nearly every match—always playing against odda-—in which he played, and losing none. From this team Lawrence and Wells remained behind, and perhaps by them some of that good seed was sown which, under Caffyn three years later, has produced the players whose doings on Monday against the gentlemen of England are eagerly expected. Coming out with George Parr's Eleven—the best certainly that ever visited Australia, — William Caffyn, by the offer of £300 a year, was induced to remain, and it is to him in a great measure that the success of the Australians is due. Though never very successful himself, he taught those who wished to learn, aud hence we have in the Southern Hemisphere D. Gregory, aud through him Bannerman and Murdock. Caffyn returned to England aud played for Surrey, but his old form knew him no more ; his bowling was all off, and Mr. Grace did with it what he willed. Yet Caffyn was a good man in his day, and if his hitting partook somewhat of the" wind and water" style, we cannot forget that be got 157 v. Sixteen of Cambridge University, and 121 v. J. Walker's Sixteen, at a time when big scores were by no means the everyday performance «f now. The next eleven that visited Australia was that brought out by Mr. Grace, and then, for the tint time, was seen the great increase in point of excellence Australian cricket had made. Mr. Grace himself, from what his brother (Mr. E. M. Grace) had told him, believed the moderate team he brought with him good enough to win ; but, instead of having to contend with such bowlers as he met in America, he was forced to confess that in Allan he encountered the moat difficult bowler he

had ever seen. Few big scores were made, though, only a few years previously, men of such average stamp as E. S. Carter and Lieutenant Gordon had scored 63 and 121 in intercolonial matches. The last team was that which visited us, and, for the first time, Australia played England "level" and won. The history of their doings is too fresh to need recapitulation.

A few words more. Much interest is taken in these matches, and the backers of Australia are jubilant. That they will tend to promote the tie which should exist between the colonies and the mother country is much to be hoped for. England, regarding with pride the progress her children have made, will say, " Bless the boy ; 1 taught him."