CRICKET.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 761, 1 October 1886, Page 13

CRICKET.

BY BLEOTBICJ TELEGRAPH. COPYRIGHT,

THE FINAL MATCH.

(REUTER’S TELEGRAMS.)

London, September 27. The last match of the Australian team’s tour was commenced to-day at Harrogate. The attendance on the ground was small, owing to the unfavorable state of the weather, and the wicket was heavy in consequence of recent rains. The Home team went in first, and when stumps were drawn had lost five wickets for 55 runs. London, September 28. The cricket match was resumed to-day at Harrogate. The attendance was large, and the weather fine. The Home team, who had yesterday lost five wickets for 55 ruES, continued their innings, but only succeeded in compiling 139 runs when the last wicket fell. The Australians then went in, and scored 121. In their second innings the Home team lost three wickets for 107 runs at the close of the day’s play. The match was drawn.

(UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.) Auckland, September 26. The Auckland Cricket Association resolved last night to abandon tbe home and home matches with Canterbury, and play only one match. Re the suggestion from Wellington of a match North v. South, it was thought the plan would prove impracticable ; and ths question of playing a New Zealand team against Australia was left to the incoming Committee.

Auckland, September 29. Respecting the suggestion from the Wellington Cricket Association for an

inter-island match, the Auckland Association have referred the matter to the incoming Committee, and consider it desirable that a match Australian Eleven v. New Zealand team should be played, but deem it impracticable at present. The Association instructed the Committee to guarantee a sum not exceeding L2OO for the match against the All England Eleven.

Cricketers will note with pleasure, as the evenings lengthen, the revival of their favorite game. Already in nearly every paddock and lane may be seen the humble,' but useful, kerosene tin, and tho slid more humble bat and b ill which usually accompany it. It is said to be the intention of the Association to formally open the season with an Association match between two scratch elevens on the 9th of next month ; but the Basin Reserve will in all probability be open for practice on the lot prox. The ground is in very good order, and by the time the. season is fairly open some excellent wickets will be obtainable. The Star Cricket Club are to bs enrl»> in the field, arrangements having been made for a scratch match between two elevens chosen from inemberu of the Club, to be played at I-land Bay on Saturday next, where a good wicket has been tecured. The Midland Cricket Club also intend opening the season on Saturday with o, match, to be played amongst the members of the Club on their ground at Island Bay. All the members are invited tc join in game.

ThePLoeiix .Cricket Cub will open their season next week at Island B iy. The Club has a first-class pitch there, and it is iotended to run a ’bus out to the Bay every S tturday. Mr J. P. Firth, late or this city, has joined tho United Canterbury Cricket Club in Christchurch. In a cricket match played at Hampstead on August 4 between Hampstead and Stoics, R. E. btoddart, playing for the former, compiled the marvellous score of 485, which is the higbe.-t individual innings on record, the previous best b:-iag 419 (not out) by J. S. Carrick against the P-.iory Bark. Stoddart was at the wickets six hours, and the only chance he gave was when he bad made 421. Cricketers will have more opportunities aff irded t’usin this season for playing cricket than they have had during previous seasons. In addition to the Hutt ground, several excellent pitches ha> e been prepared at Island Bay, and it is expected that two or three Club matches will be played these every Saturday during the summer months. Efforts are being made to obtain cheap return fares by ’bus on S iturday afternoons. At a meeting of the Hutt Cricket Club, held on Tuesday, at the Hutt Institute, it was decided that the Club should open the season with a scratch match, to be played on tbe racecourse ground. Mr W. A. Fitzherberfc has very kindly placed a paddock at the disposal of the Club for practice purposes, and the racecourse will now only be used for matches. The Match Committee will at once arrange mafcchts with alt the principal Wellington Clubs. The following are tbe batting and bowling averages of the Australian Eleven now at Home, for all matches up to and inclusive of August 4 h :—G. Giffen, 25’2 ; S. P. Jones, 24’16 ;H.J. H. Scott, 20 39 ; W, Trumble, 17T1 ; G. J. Bon nor, 17’4 ; iV. Bruce, 15T ; F. H. Jarvis, 14’2? ; T. W. Garrett, 14T1 ; J. McC. Blackball!, 13‘24 ; G. E. Palmer, 13T3 ; J. Mcllraitb, 12 6 ; E. Evans, B’lo ; H\ R. Spofforth, 64. Bowlmg : —Giffen, 13 13 ; Spofforth, 15 12 ; Garr.-.tt, 15’36 ; Evans, 17 12 ; Palmer, 21‘3 ; B-ucr-, 27 0 ; Trumble, 39 0 ; Jones, 59 0. Giff -n bowled two no-balls, Spofforth six no-bails, Palmer one no-ball and one wide, Tremble two noballs and one wide, Bruce three wides. It will be seen by the above figures that G. Giffen comes out with the highest average both in batting and bowling.