THE WORLD OF CRICKET

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 9336, 20 October 1893, Page 6

THE WORLD OF CRICKET

THE INCOMING AUCKLAND SEASON. '■' AN EVENTFUL PROGRAMME. The decree has. gone forth from the headquarters of Auckland cricket, as has been already stated in the New Zealand Herald, that the cricket season is to be formally opened ' to-morrow afternoon, when the inaugural fixtures for the Auckland championship will take place. The following is the opening programme :— Seniors: United v. Parnell, Gordon v. Auckland. Jniors; Auckland A v. Auckland B, Wanderers v. Gordon, Belmont v. Parnell, North Shore v. Pitt-street Mutual. Second juniors : Selwyn v. North Shore, St. Andrew's v. All Saints', Roller Mills v. St. John's, Grammar School v. Belmont, Parnell v. Gordon, Belmont 111. v. Wanderers 11. The incoming of the new season will make the heart of the young and eager players leap for joy, and give a more sober, though none the less real delight, to the veteran who is growing old at the wickets. That great company of enthusiasts, also, who, though for various reasons, they do not or cannot play, take a loving interest in the grand old English game as spectators, will also greet with approval and pleasure the coronation of King Cricket. " The King is dead ! Lone live the King 1" Thus by custom immemorial were loyal subjects called upon, almost in the same breath, to transfer their allegiance from the dead monarch to the monarch living; so now are the good citizens of Auckland invited to turn their affections from the hurry and rush of the football field to the more rational and not less keenly-interesting and healthful game of cricket. Human nature delights in change, and as the season closed all were growing, players and spectators too, weary of the weekly round of football matches; but Now, let out the wind, put the shrivelled case by, To rest on the «helf till next season, comes round. Just oil it to keep from Rawing too drv, For Football in done and Kin« Cricket in crowned. Ho's driven his rival rijfht out of the fl<*ld, And bids all the subjects prepare for his reign, And once more the cane-handled willow to wield, And shooters, and yorkers, to trundle again. It is not necessary now to speak of the advantages of cricket, or of its popularity throughout the English speaking world, and especially in the mother country, who finds her greatest rival in her Australian daughter. Australia has taught England very much in the way of cricket, more especially in bowling." In 1878 when the Australians first came to England, as has been well said by the Hon. R. H. Lyttletou, " Spofforth and Boyle began a new and glorious era. Spectators rubbed their eyes at what they saw. They saw two bowlers of consummate skill adopting quite a new method. On the hard dry wickets at Sydney and Melbourne these bowlers had found out what English bowlers had not yet discovered, that to get batsmen out on modern wickets it was no good trusting to any assistance from' the ground,.but. to your own head. They bowled differently, and they placed the field differently. They dispensed altogether with a long stop, they bowled many balls off the wicket, and no two consecutive balls were bowled with similar

paces. The famous M.C.C. match, when Spofforth and Boyle got rid of a strong M.C.C eleven for 33 and 19, may well be taken as a starting point in the new era of cricket. From this time, slowly, perhaps, but surely, the English learnt from the colonists, and now they have beaten them on their own ground. From 1860 to 1870 bowling was mainly fast: from 1870 to 1878 it became mainly slow ; from 1878 onwards it cannot be accurately classified under either of these heads." The English first acquired the Australian style, and then used it to defeat the Australians upon their own ground. THE RECENT ENGLISH SEASON. Since the nineties have been entered upon there has undoubtedly been a great revival of public interest in English cricket, and the 1893 season, just concluded, was one of the most interesting and exciting of which there is any record. Tins was not due to the visit of the Australians, for it cannot be said that there was even any great desire in England that a team should be sent, on account of the interference which such a

tour would have upon the all-absorbing county cricket contests. The past English Bummer was one of the finest ami dryest in the recollection of present day players ; and as there can be no doubt that the general public prefer brilliant batting either to good fielding or good bowling, in 1893 their desires in this respect were gratified. The counties played 72 matches amongst themselves, the total number of runs scored being 49,172 for 2412 wickets, whioh shows an average of about 20 runs per wicket. The struggle for the championship was never more exiting. Early in the season it became apparent that Surrey was likely to lose the proud position it had held since 1887, and this had a healthy effect, Yorkshire took up the running, but Lancashire, Kent, arid Middlesex were uncomfortably close up. The first position eventually lay between Yorkshire and Lancashire, but a defeat in the last match but one shattered the latter's hopes, while a win for Yorkshire, on the same day, secured for that county the championship. Then, as to individual scores, Stoddart, and Albert Ward all made over 1000 runs in first-class cricket, and Gunn and Stoddart were nearly a tie for the first place, each having an average of over 47 for each played innings. To J. T. Hearne belongs the honour of having secured the greatest number of wickets, and this record is all the more remarkable, considering the splendid wickets which Lord's ground furnished nearly throughout 'the season. Hearne first came into prominence in 188S, and in 1890 was recogrw nised as a coming bowler; but, few were prepared for the immense improvement he manifested in 1891. Against Yorkshire, in that season, he took 14 wickets for 65 runs, and from that time forward, he met with nothing but success. His record in fourteen county matches was 118 wickets, at a cost of 1039 per wicket, and in the bowling averages in first-class class cricket, lie had the great distinction of coming out absolutely first, taking 129 wickets, and by a fraction, beating Lohmaun on the average. An extraordinary feature of the bowling of 1893 was the success of W. Humphreys, the Sussex lob bowler, who took 122 wickets at a cost of just over 16 runs each. The highest score in county cricket for an innings was 674, made by Notts against Sussex. : There were 43 individual scores of over 100, and of these 14 were made by members of the Ifytts (jlub. Auckland's LOSS AND gain.

In writing of the incoming season the question naturally arises, has our cricket strength increased or has it fallen . away ? Well, numerically we are certainly stronger than we were last year—in fact, stronger than we have ever been since the year 1889, Here we have very good grounds for hopefulness ; for the materials are, at any rate, to hand, and who knows how many brilliant stars may burst forth from the ranks of the Auckland cricketers of the season 1893-4? So much for our actual gain aud our hopes of further gain ; but how about our losses ? They have been severe indeed. Perhaps no other year in the history of Auckland cricket has witnessed such an exodus of absolutely first-class players. Almost every senior club has the same tale of heavy losses, though perhaps this will have the effect of heightening the interest in the championship matches, by its levelling down process. The pity of it is that the process is not one of levelling up. The departure of H. Goulstone for Queensland has deprived us of the services of the batsman who, with W. Gardiner, headed the Auckland senior averages of last year ; while Gardiner, the late Parnell captain, one of the best bats and one of the finest all-round men of the colony has gone. The loss of Miller, Harkness, and Meldrum will also be severely felt. These five men are representative players, and thus at one - blow Auckland is robbed of nearly half a representative team. Taking all things into consideration, and striking a balance, the result seems to be that the losses outweigh the gains; but there is strong ground for hope in the number of promising young players that are fast coming to the front. The Onslow Club has dropped out of existence, but this is by no meaus altogether an evil, as there are hardly enough players for live senior teams, and with four teams it is not necessary for any of the seuior players to stand out of a Saturday. WELLINGTON V. AUCKLAND. The 1893-4 season will be one full of interest for players and spectators alike, inasmuch as, besides a keenly-contested series of cup matches, there will be several interprovincial matches for all to look forward to. Early in December Auckland is to receive a visit from our old opponents in cricket, football, and athletics generally— Welhngtonians. This fixture is sure to be awaited with the intensest interest in athletic circles in both of the, provinces immediately concerned, aud indeed throughout New Zealand. The Aucklanders have an old overthrow to wipe out, for the representatives of the Empire city inflicted an overwhelming defeat upon them in January, 1891, winning the game by 10 wickets and 39 runs. In the first inning's Auckland made only 48, Wellington following with 119. In their second innings Auckland showed improved batting form, and knocked up 109 runs, but their opponents, only requiring 39 to win, put that total together without the loss of a wicket. Up to the present, Auckland and Wellington have met on seven occasions, twice in Auckland, and in every match except the last—that played in January, 1890—the Nor-

therners have come off victorious. Wellington is already making preparations foivtne coming fray. The season opened there on Saturday laat,and the voluntary contributions received at the gates on that occasion are to go towards paying the team's expenses m cne Auckland trip. The selection . -coram have already been requested to obtain tat names of those players who (m the event ot their being chosen) are willing to go, to Auck land, leaving Wellington on or about Wo vember 28. Aucklanders must be..up. and doing, or they will be found wanting when the day of trial comes.

A SOUTHERN TOUR. # Perhaps the greatest event of the coming feason will be the tour of .an Auckland representative team through New Zealand daring the Christmas and New Year holidays. The last team sent from Auckland on a similar journey played in the season of 1889-90, and was composed of W. Stemson, H. P. Kissling (captain), W. Gardiner, A. O'Brien J. Fowk«. D..Lynch, H. B. Lusk F. V. Kelly, W. Hawkins 1. A. Moresby, Rev. I. Richards, R. McPherson, and A. Rees. Since then great changes have taken place.' and only six of these men are still playing in Auckland. Mr. 8. a.. McKinney, the popular secretary of the Auckland Cricket Association, who has worked so hard and successfully to arrange for the coming tour, went with the previous team, and as a gentleman who travelled with them at the time said, "he made a. most energetic and economical manager, doing all in his power, and often robbing himself ot pleasure to see to the comforts of the team. The tour was a fairly successful one. J-" 0 match with Otago was a complete collapse, being finished in one day. Auckland winning by 8 wickets. At Canterbury Auckland was once more victorious, winning by 5 wickets ; but at Wellington, as has been already pointed out, a check' was put to, their victorious career, and the representatives ot the Parliament city won by 10 wickets. Up to the present Auckland and Otago have tried conclusions on five occasions. Auckland has won four times and Otago once, Ihe defeat of Auckland took place last season, and was in a great measure duo to the good effect upon the Otago men of the coaching they had received from an English professional, whose services they had secured. Wine matches have been played between Auckland and Canterbury. Auckland has won tour and Canterbury three, bat one of the teams defeated by Canterbury was not a representative one. The last Auckland team that went South , was regarded as # the youngest that ever represented the province, but it was considered a good one. They scored 514 runs for 47 wickets against their opponents' 50 wickets for 513 runs. A VISIT FROM A SYDNEY TEAM. Negotiations are at present going, on for the introduction of another interesting arid unusual feature this season in the form of a visit of a team from Sydney. Mr. Coleman Davis, of Sydney, is prepared to undertake the risks involved, but' hopes the New Zealand Cricket Associations will make the most liberal terms possible. He says he is nearly sure he can get a team together, and lie proposes to play in each of the larger contres, and would like matches arranged for Sydneyites to meet a combined New Zealand team in Christchurch and Wellington. Mr. Harman, of Christchurch, however, is of opinion that it would be better to meet a South Island team in Christchurch, and a North Island eleven in Wellington. The last time New Zealand had a visit from a Sydney team was in the 1889-90 season. Although the Welshmen were strong, an eleven representing New Zealand would have made a good match against them, and it seems a pity one was not arranged. The result of the tour of the Sydney men was as follows :-— Auckland, drawn. Canterbury, N.S.W. won by 109 runs. Oamaru, N.S. IV. won by an innings and 55 runs. Otago, N.S.W. won by an innings and 69 runs. South Canterbury, N.S.W". won by 9 wickets/ Wellington, N.S.W. woo by 8 wickets and 4 runs. Auckland. N.S. W. won by 8 wickets and i runs.

It will be seen from the above table that Auckland acquitted itself on that occasion better than any other New Zealand centre. A FIJIAN TEAM. The visit of a Fijian cricket team composed for the most part of Fijian native players, would certainly be a great novelty, and would very probably take well. Such a visit has been suggested from Fiji, but the negotiations so far have not been altogether satisfactory. The visitors desire to be guaranteed against any loss, but this, it is thought by several of the New Zealand associations, would throw too heavy a burden upon their members. They fear the team would not by any means pay its way. Mr. McKinney, of Auckland, had an interview with one of the promoters of the scheme, who was recently in Auckland, but could not hold out any great hopes to him. The Wellington Association, however, is prepared to guarantee 50 per cent, of the net proceeds in the event of the team coming to New Zealand ; but nothing definite has yet been settled. THE AUSTRALIANS. There was some talk and correspondence some time ago with reference to the possibility of a visit from the Australians to New Zealand on their way home. However, the idea has been allowed to lie dormant for some time, and it is not very probable that the seheme will come off, though it has not, perhaps, yet been entirely abandoned. THE CRICKET GROUND.

It is very much to be regretted that the condition of the grass on the Cricket Ground will not be all that could be desired for tl\e opening matches. This is owing to the fact that the mowing machine is still incapacitated from taking its share in the promotion of successful cricket. This unfortunate machine has had many ups and downs, and it was found necessary a considerable time ago to send to England to replace certain parts that had been broken, which parts are now somewhere between London and Melbourne, though the Council authorities promised to have everything in good going order for the opening of the season. The matter was recently explained to the Mayor of Auckland, Mr. W. Crowther, who undoubtedly takes a lively interest in the welfare of the local cricketers, and he _ was asked to consider the advisability of hiring the Auckland Racing Club's machine. However, he thought that the cost would be too great; but he was not goiug to leave the cricketers in a hole. Mow, Mr. Crowther is eminently a practical man, aud is the happy possessor of a brain so fertile in .expedient." that he is never at a loss. He soon made up his mind, how to act, and a. few days ago he caused some surprise by appearing upon the scene armed with his reaping machine, bent on reducing the grass to even and reasouabielproportions. He manipulated the machine himself; but— It would not do; The scheme fell through.

It left the grass almost high enough to bide a cricket ball. His Worship succumbed, and the grass has for the present to be mowed by hand, which is a most unsatisfactory method by reason of the ridges which are left. The complaints of the players are loud and deep. Taking into consideration the extra cost to which the Council is beintr put for mowing, it seems that it would be as well financially, and a thousand times better from a cricket point of view, to hire the A.R.C. machine when required until the Council's mower has been once more made / ready for action. Cricket in Auckland has so many powerful rivals that discouragements of this kind may alienate the affections of more than one promising player. It is rather an unique experience when the ball is lost in the grass in the middle of the field— this occurred in the Domain the other day. WHAT AUCKLAND WANTS. It is absolutely necessary for the Auckland cricketers, if they aspire to take a leading place in the cricket world, to engage a master of the game as a coach. The Otago players, beaten upon every previous occasion by Auckland, imported a, coach from England a couple of seasons ago, with the result that they defeated us decisively upon our own ground last year. It made an enormous difference to their play. Without a guiding mind players are only too liable in practising to simply perpetuate their errors, and get proficient in bad styles. It is certainly time something was done in Auckland in this respect. Of course a great impetus would be given to Auckland cricket if another suitable ground could be obtained in a different part of the city. As things now are it is almost a necessity, if a player wants to become a first-class man, to live in the neighbourhood of the Domain; for without continual practise one can never reach the front rank in cricket.