THE AUCKLAND CRICKETERS

New Zealand Herald, Volume XIX, Issue 6573, 11 December 1882, Page 6

THE AUCKLAND CRICKETERS

THE MATCH AT WELLINGTON. [BY TELEGR VPII. —PRESS ASSOCIATION". 1 Wellington", Sunday. The match between Auckland and Wellington was resumed yesterday afternoon. The weather was favourable, and if anything, better than on the previous day, the attendance b2ing estimated at a little over 1500.

At 11.20 Yates and Gardner, the not outs of the previous day, went in to the bowling of Firth and Luxford. Yates opened at once by putting Luxford out of bounds for 4, but after a couple of singles had been added he gave a chance to Firth in slips, and the offer was accepted. Yates played a splendid innings of 49, and received quite au ovation on retiring to the pavilion. 6—49—15 i. Lankham joined Gardner, and in attempting a short run the former nearly lost his wicket. The ball was returned smartly by the mail at square leg. and among the spectators there \»asnot the sli "ht.-st doubt but that was out bv = fullv two feet. However, the Wellington umpire" was of a different opinion, and the batsman remained. This was the second or third occasion oil which the decision of the Wellington umpire (I'age) was questioned. L3ukiia:;> was not allowed to remain much longer, Firth finding a way amongst Jiis timbers when the score was at lf>s : 7 —7 16">. Gill followed, and Luxford dismiised him with a trimmer after he had scored a single: S—l — 171. Dufaur was the next, but' Luxford, who was bowling splendidly, sent him back to the pavilion without any miditiou whatever to the total : 9—o—ld. BuckUnd, who was the last man, gave an easv' chance* to Lynch at mid on, but it" was mulled. Seldom has such wretched fielding as that of Lynch been seen a first eleven of Wellington. Several vsry simple catches wore given to him, hut he declined every one ; and when he nad a ball to tield it was allowed to pass through his legs and out to the boundary line for 4. With the exception of Lynch the fielding of Wellington was admirable. The bowling, too, being well on wicket kept the score down. When 174 appeared, Luxford tipped Gardner's bails, the innings closing for 174. being SO ahead of Wellington on the tirst innings. Gardner showed a splendid defence, and punished the bowling. The following is a complete score : —

ArCKI.AND-rir.sT Innings. Barton, b Luxford .. .. .. •• - • Robinson, c Kreeft, b Firth .. .. .. " Testro. b Kreeft.. .. -- -• -• ..34 Arn.nl. S firth .. .. .. -- -- •• 3 O'Brien, b Kirth.. .. .. •• •• •• ® Yates, c Firth. b Luxfon! .. .. ..49 Girln-er. b l.'ixfortl .. -- " "I b Firth •• •• " Gill, b I.nxford ... .. .. .. -■ •• 1 DaX vjr. I Luxfenl ® EackUnd, no: out 1 Bve-i .. .. .. .. - • • ■ 1 l/egbrea .. .. __3 Totil !"•» BowliXi. Analysis. Hills. I'.uns. Maidens. Wk's. Firth .. 2W T4 10 4 Krtvft <5 83 :l 1 I.ux'ord .. 135 • 40 l'-i Lynch ..10 17 0 0 The nelding of the local team was excellent, and to this is to be attributed the speedy disposal of ths remaining Auckland plavcrs. B'acklock, Salmon, and Heenan Sjjain distinguished themselves in the tield. The innings o: the visitors conclude 1 shortly after I!"m, and wis followed by a spell of JO n.ii:.iies during which the ground was roll."!.

The match was resumed at half-past twelve o'clock, tiie Auckland representatives taking up nearly the same positions as on the previous occasion. Yates took liis place as umpire. Mr. Hlair having other business to transact during the morning. Mr. Shove, of Bjliemian Club, fielded lor Yates, who was prevented from running owing to an injury to his ioo:. Salmon and Alpe were the first men. but the latter, who had scored well in the tirst inning", was neatly caught in the slips by Bueklaud when he had scored 8. This cat jh was pronounced to be the best in the match. I—S —11. Lynch went iu and a good stand was made, and '50 appeared before Salmon spoone.l Buckland into Robinson's hands at short-leg. 2—ll—oO. .Firth, the Wellington skipper, followed, and with Lynch kept up the wickets until an adjournment was made for lunch. On resuming at 2.10 Lynch gave Gill a rather easy chance at mid - on, which was refused. The next ball, however, from Robinson was too much for Firth. 3—6—iSO. It was evident now that a one innings defeat had been saved, the local team having to make only-30 runs, with 7 wickets to fall. Heenan, from whom great thiugs were expected, took the place of the captain. Shortly after he went in, he gave Gill another chaucs which was declined. Robinson and Lankham changed ends, but a separation could not be effected, the batsmen being well set and playing the bowling with ease. Lynch wai clean bowled by Robinson after scoring 32 ; 4 — 32—75. Lynch's innings was a good display of cricket, although at times a little flukey. Brown was next, and in the same way as Heenan, opened by giving Gill a chance to catch him, but for the third time Gill would not accept it. Nothing was lost, as Brown in playing Lankham placed his leg where his bat should have been, and had to retire ; s—l—7S. With only two to make, to save a one innings defeat, Knapp went in, and scored a single when Lankham scattered hia stumps : C—l—SS. Blaeklock, who followed, was stumped by Dufaur otF Robinson after a baker's dozen was added : 7—4—101. Nicholls was next, and brought up 110 by sending Robinsou twice out of bounds for 4 each time. Heenan'send had now arrived, playing a bumpy one from Lankham : S—27 —113. Heenan, who is out of practice, played a nice innings, and made the hit of the match bylanding a ball close to the monument on the eastern side of the basin. Kreeft came in, and Arneil relieved Lankhain. The change was not beneficial, 10 being scored of! the first over. This was quite enough for the Aucklauders. for Buckland at once replaced Arneil. Gill who had previously taken Robiuson's end displaced Nicholls' bails : —14 — 129. Luxford, the last man, returned to the paTilion without scoring, the Wellington second innings reaching up to 134, or an increase of 40 on the first innings. The following is the score t —

WELLINGTON*. —Skuowi* In*in<;s. Alpe, c Buckland, b I,ankham .. .. S Salmon, c Robinson, b Auckland .. .. 11 Lynch, b Robinson .. .. .. .. ..32 Firth, b Robinson .. .. .. .. •• <> Heenan, c and b Lankhara 27 Brown, lbw, b Lankham 1 Knajip, b Lankhnm .. .. .. .. 1 Rlacklock, st Dufaur, b Robinson 4 Nicholls, b Gill .. .. .. ..14 Jvroeft, not out .. .. .. .. •• ..11 Luxford, b f«uck ; and .. .. .. 0 Extras 19 Total 134 Bowling Analysis. Balls. Runs. Maidens Wkts. BuckUnd 100 20 0 2 Lankham { X> 41 4 4 Jlobinson S» 37 4 3 Gill.. •£» 1 4 1 Arneil .. 5 10 0 0 With 55 to get, to win, Auckland sent Robinson and Bartou to do the batting to the bowling of Firth anil Luxford. Robinson was clean bowled by Firth when 16 had teen scored: I—7 —10. Arnoil followed, and with the assistance of Bartou, knocked up the necessary number of runs. The Auckland captain, however, after claiming the match, decided to play on for the amusement of the spectators, and at 5.50 the stumps were drawn, the visitors being declared the winners by nine wickets. The following is the score : — AUCKLAND. -SECOND Ixsixcs. IJ»rlon, not out iJI Robin Hon. b Kirth .. .. 7 Arneil, not out .. .. ..17 Total M liowixto Amalyhis. Halls. Ituns. Mclns. Wkts. I.nxfori as 2i 0 0 Kiith .... M 23 11 Kreeft .... 14 10 0 0

BANQUET TO THE TEAM. In the evening the visitors were antertained at a banquet, Mr. Pearce, president of the Wellington Association, being in tiie chair, supported by the Premier and Mr Levin, M.H.R. Only half of the Wellington team were present. Mr. Levin, in proposing the health of the visitors, said their victory was due to their energy, determination, and perseverance. The Premier proposed the "Health of the Wellington Team," and in doing so said he was an old cricketer, and took a very great interest in the game. He was convinced all cricketers in New Zealand had something to learn, and he was sure that now that Wellington had a decent ground, they would do better in the future. If he criticiscd all the players, he would not please all present, but there was one man he could not help noticing. He referred to Blacklock (who fielded point for Wellington), whom he considered one of the best fielders in New Zealand. As far as regards Auckland, it was not well off in the way of cricket rounds. He would like to aee all places in

New Zealand as well oft as Canterbury. Dunedin, he thought, came next, and Wellington probably last. There was not the slightest doubt that where there was a good cricket ground within easy distance trom town, in that place good cricketers would be found. He paid Firth (the captain of the Wellington team) a high compliment for the manner in which he had captained the team. , . ~ £100 was taken at the gates during the match. The team leave for -N'elson tomorrow.

Our own correspondent telegraphs : — Gardner and Yates took their places at the wickets, and it was found that water had been put on the wicket the evening before, makin" the ball kick and shoot. Yates was soon caught at slip off a bumpy one. Lankham followed, and was bowled by a shooter. Gill took his place, and was well bowled by Luxford. .Dufaur shared the same fate. Buckland, the last man, joined Gardener only to see him bowled by the same bowler, who was doing good execution. The innings closed for 174. No time was lost in resuming plav. Alpe and Salmon, for Wellington, faced Buckland and Lankham. After a couple of overs Alpe was beautifully caught with one hand by Buckland in the slips. Lynch joined Salmon, and 20 runs having been added, Salmon was caught by by Robinson oil Buckland at short leg. Firth came in next, and both played steadily until luncheon time came. After lunch Robinson and Buckland changed ends, Lynch and Firth playing botli bowlers vcrv carefully. Buckland was bowling with good length and straightness, and Robinson evidently was puzzling the batsmen with a variety of pace. The lefc-hander at length beat the Wellington captain with a good break back. Lynch got his revenge two overs later, by driving the same bowler to the boundary for 4, but lost his wicket to Robinson, after being missed by Gill at mid-otT—a hard chance. Lynch played good cricket for his runs, lleenan had previously joined Lynch, and gave auother chance to Gill, who was suffering from a bad hand. Brown came in, and Lankham relieved Buckland, and soon got Brown leg before. Knapp gave a chance to Gill oft' Kobinsoii, this being the third off the Auckland skipper no: taken. Lankham bowled Knapp, and Dufaur stumped Blacklock, who ran out to hit Robinson. Nicholls followed, and this young wicket-keeper made ten ofl the remaining four balls, bringing on the Auckland fast bowler, who send down five grand overs for 1 run, four maidens, and one wicket. In the meantime, Arneil was deputed to try an over at Lankham's end, and it resulted in two threes, and a four. Johnny did not continue, Buckland getting the office, and bowling Luxford, Kreeft being not out with a pluckily won score of 11. Nicholls also got his runs well ; he is a good wicketkeeper. Heenan played a good innings. During the innings Testro had his thumb hurt, and Dufaur had his split, both accidents occurring at the wicket. The innings closed for 134, leaving the Aucklauders ."m to get to win. Robinson and Barton sat about the task to the bowling of Luxford and Firth, after the wicket was rolled. The match was played right through on one wicket. W hen sixteen runs had been got Robinson was beaten by a bill, which came across from leg, getting up -juickly. and retired for 7. Arneil joined Barton, and these two, by excellent cricket. wiped otV the runs, getting 17 and 31 respectively. As there were a great many people u:i the ground, the game was continued to amuse the spectators, but no official score was kept, Auckland winning by nine wickets. The fielding of the home team was better than the Aueklanders In fact, the bad fielding of the Northern team has been noticeable everywhere, except in Canterbury, where the ground is so easy. With regard to the howling, I think tho Aucklauders have more variety, and a little better quality, though the Wellington bowling is very straight. The Aucklauders' batting, too, is bettor, although in their team the Wellingtonians have several very good men. The ground is a fine run getting one, and the wicket lasted remarkably well, considering it was only laid down last year.