CRICKET.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1194, 18 January 1895, Page 27

CRICKET.

FIXTURES. The following fixtures have been drawn for the second round of the Senior ChamP 1 January 19 and 26—No. 1 wicket, Midland v. Rival; No. 2 wicket, Phoenix v. Wellington. , February 2 and 9—No. 1 wicket. Midland v. Phoenix; No. 2 wicket, Wellington v. Rival. The remaining Junior Cup fixtures are as follow : _ , . January 12th and 19th. —Excelsior v. Rivals, No. 3: Star v. Kilbirne, No. 4 ; Phoenix v. Midland, College Ground. January 26th and February 2nd.—Wellington v. Excelsior, No. 3 ; Midland v. Rival, No. 4; Phoenix v. Kilbirnie, College Ground. . . February 9th and 16th.—Kilbirnie v. Rivals, No. 3 ; Phoenix v. Excelsior, No. 4 ; Wellington v. Star, College Ground. February 23rd and 9th March.— Midland v. Excelsior, No. 3; St. Patrick s College, v. Rival, No. 4; Phoenix v Wellington College, College Ground; Wellington v. Kilbirnie,-No. 2. , March 16th and 23rd.—Phoenix v. St. Patrick’s College, No. 3 ; Star v. Rival, No. 4 • Wellington v. Wellington College, College Ground; Kilbirnie v. Midland, No. 2. March 30th and 6th April.— Star v. St. Patrick’s College, No. 3 ; Midland v. Wellington College, College Ground. THE ENGLISH TEAM The following are the fixtures for the English team’s tour in the colonies : Jan. 18-19—Against Broken Hill Feb. 1-5 —Test match in Sydney Feb. 15-19—Against Brisbane Feb. 22-25 —Against Bulli and Wollongong’ March 1-5 —Test match in Melbourne March —Tasmanian tour March 22-26 —Farewell match in Adelaide TO GEORGE GIFFEN. So they jeered you, George, in Melbourne ; no wonder that they seem So snarhsh when they see you, and so sore ; What have you put together ’gainst the cabbage team ? A dozen double hundreds or a score ? They’ve a tidy troop of trundlers, but when you’re on the job They don’t improve their figures very much ; Though they tackle you with “ Hughie,” or try you with their “ Bob,” You thump them like an uncle who is Dutch. And then you belt their batsmen, till you’ve got them all abroad, (And that’s enough to cause a lasting feud). If you snavel all their wickets, and score two hundred odd, How can you, George, expect their gratitude P

Then in the tour ju3t over, the freedom of your “tip” . . ' Has pained some gentle spirits m the crew. For every man’s a model, who has made the English trip, And needs a dirty halo —barring you ! And there are some around yiu, whom your long success offends ; The verm'n of their envy swells pur gorge, Whilst many a fairish player has got a knot of friends To put his powers by yours, my matchless George. But let them bark behind you—’tis the trick of ev’ry cur, Yet when you meet the Melbourne team again, You may make a cool five hundred, the barrack bile to stir, And may they face your dropping ball in vain. Good luck, king George of cricket ! Of your prowess we are proud, And may you ever have at your right hand Big Jack, the giant hitter—the joy of every crowd — Who lammed the lightning Lockwood to the stand. And Adelaide, the handful shall possess the Sheffield shield, With, big and braggant Melbourne fairly purled ; Whilst the white and tiny city can send into the field, The hitter and the champion of the world. Cecil W. Pierce Somerset. The Snowy River, near Mt. Kosciusko, January 14, 1894. By “ Point.” Enthusiastic South Australians think they could put a champion province-team into the field without including Lyons or George Giffen. Each of the English pro.’s took away a lump of the Sydney putty wicket which so largely contributed to their firsi international win. They are sending ’Ome bits of it to be placed under glass cases in the various county cricket pavilloons.—The Bulletin. A writer in the Bulletin says :—I saw the ladies' cricket match at Bathurst on Boxing Day, and it really wasn’t half bad. The fielding was the weakest feature, for the dear girls wouldn’t back up. The batting was capital, the Misses Gregory rattling up over a hundred between them in no time. I expected underhand bowling and was agreeably surprised to find it the exception. A Miss Keene took the bowling honours with a capital delivery, moderately fast and a decided break !! ! What do you think of that ? But the dressirg (ordinary length of skirt) was all wrong, and until it is improved on ladies’ cricket won t gee. The skirt, if the wind is kind to the batswoman, blows in front of the wicket and makes an effectual shield. One lady was given out leg before wicket, and I trembled for the umpire. To sum up, no girl should play after she is 20 at the most, for when that age is reached they don’t like sacrificing dignity for speed. The younger girls all through the match were the best players, always, of course, excepting the Misses Gregory, who are “to {be manner born,”

Most of the English batsmen say the same thing of Australian fieldsmen that most Australian batsmen say of the English ; —“ I’ve no luck— the first chance I give it's snapped up all right.”

Do Maus scored 125 not out for Lancaster Park against the warehousemen on Saturday week. This is the highest score the popular Canterbury ever made, has ever made, his pi’evious best score being 113 against N.S.VV. last season, which, however, was a more meritorious performance than the 125.

The following cable message appears in the Australian papers:—* 1 Major H. W. W. Renny-Tailyour, late commanding engineer, New South Wales, suggests that a subscription should be raised for the purpose of presenting a testimonial to Stoddart’s English cricket team in commendation of their victory over Australia in the recent test match at Sydney.' Referring to this the Melbourne Argus says: —“While in no way desiring to belittle the noteworthy achievement of the English team, it may be pointed out that the London papers seem to have, scarcely understood from the brief accounts cabled to them the whole circumstances of the maich. They appear to claim more than Mr Stoddart himself claimed when he publicly stated after the game that *of course his team knew that the Australians had been robbed of a victory by the bad weather/ ”

Mr I. Hyams, treasurer of the local cricket association, is an enthusiastic amateur photographer, and he is particularly fond of “taking ” cricket and football teams. He has turned out a capital group of the Wellington and Midland elevens.

“ Felix ” (T. Horan), one of the best writers on cricket in Australia, says that S. Gregory’s 101 against Victoria has not been surpassed since the day Charlie Bannerman made his 165 (retired hurt). The little Sydney man scored 20 off one over from H. Trott, and 12 off the next.

In the second innings of New South Wales against Victoria the two Trotts had a hand in getting rid of every man in the New South Wales eleven. I This is how the score reads :—ha '/ • Newell, c A. E. Trott, b H. Trott Kelly, b A. E. Trott Donnan, e A. E. Trott, b H. Trott Iredale, b A. E. Trott Gregory, c A. E. Trott, b C. M’Leod M’Pherson, b A. E. Trott Callaway, thrown out A. E. Trott Turner, b A. E. Trott Camphin, b H. Trott Howell, c H. Trott. b A. E. Trott -Garrett, not out.

On the subject of the protection of wickets, the writer of “ Topics of the 'A eek ” in the Australasian says :—A wise man has written a wise letter to the papers on the subject of the day, and this being a department in which we can discuss cricket free from bondage to the idols of the scoring-box, or the cave, or the ground (as Bacon would say), or from the prejudice of tradition, we tender him thanks. His letter amounts to a great discovery. He observes that immense pains are taken to render the turf, or pitch as it strangely called) as smooth, level, and true as a billiard table or bowlinggreen. The soil is manured, sown, watered, rolled for weeks and months ; the grass is clipped off with nail-scissors, and on the eve of play the. pitch is shaved with a razor (or seems to be) by a professional barber. All this trouble is gone to in order to present the competitors with a “ perfect wicket '* — wicket being a term which signifies many things, including the turf to be played upon. But once the game is begun, the pitch, wicket, ground, turf, or whatever you like to call it, is left to itself. If the winds and eains of heaven choose to descend and beat upon that wicket, not an umbrella is held up to shelter it. On the contrary the rigour of the game requires that it should be utterly wrecked, and the labours, fatigues, anxieties and expenditure of months destroyed in a night. Why should be so? Cricket, like other serious other serious occupations of the raee, is governed by superstition and precedent. It is not lawful to depart from customs 100 years old until the CEcumenical Council in London, otherwise known as the Marylebone College of Cardinals, issues a bull or decretal authorising change. It would he regarded as heresy, sacrilege, &c., to stretch out the hand to save the wicket during rain without the sanction of a law made by the “ M.C.C.” Cricket must be played as our forefathers played it ; and present unwillingness to keep off the wet carries the game back far beyond the date usually assigned to its origin—the latter part of the 18th century. Cricket goes back for teons of time, even to a period when prehistoric man did not care two straws Avhether he played on Keilor Plains or Koo-wee-rup Swamp. We have reached a stage in the development of the national pastime when it seems appropriate to urge that the care now expended in preparing “ wickets ” should be supplemented by means for guarding the * ‘ wickets ” from untoward weather by stretching, say, a tarpaulin 120 ft square over the centre of the ground. To begin on a smooth, perfect green aDd finish up in a stockyard, as was done in Sydney, is a reproach to our prudence, ingenuity, and invention, and proof that we are slaves to barbaric precedent.

“Notcher” supplies the following notes on the Midland-Wellington heat: —The Midlands are certainly to be congratulated on their win against the Wellingtons on Saturday. Of course the wet weather had produced a wicket which was decidedly in favour of the bowlers, but that the Wellington players did not do even as well as they should was evidenced by the fact that some of the Midlands knocked up veiy fair scores, even though the wicket was bad.

The Midlands, with 5 wickets down for 109, continued their first innings, which closed for 165—an excellent score considering the state of the wicket,

THE THREE TEST MATCHES. (Specially Compiled for the Mail.) Batting Results of First Three Test Matches, 1894-95. Australians.

Notes on the First Three Test Matches. In the three test matches there have been 13 “duck’s-eggs” English. Peel is the only batsman on either side who has a “ pair of specs in any match. Four batsmen have been “not out” in both innings—viz., A. Trott, Turner, Lockwood and Richardson. The Englishmen have scored 1510 runs “off the bat —an average of 25 17; and the Australians have scored 1810 —an average of 30T7 ; but the Englishmen have obtained 69 extras, against 47 for the Australians. The Australians have made three “ centuries,” the Englishmen two. The English fast bowler, Richardson, comes out, after all, with about the best average, considering the number of wickets he has taken. His average is 25‘2 for 21 wickets ; Giffen also taking 21 wickets for an average of 25‘9. Eighteen of Richardson’s 21 wickets were clean howled.

Nicholls and K. Tucker, who promises to be a capital bat, made a fine stand for the last wicket, the junior carrying out his bat. They laid the wood on to anything loose in fine style The bowling of the Wellingtons was not up to the mark, and although frequent changes were resorted to, thev were not attend to with success. Betbmie, with 3 for 22, was the most successful bowler. He bowled really well at times. C. Gore and Ashbolt batted first for the Wellington Club, and the former was quickly dismissed for a duck by Fitzsimons, whose bowling has considerably improved of late. Ashbolt was the next to go, being neatly caught by A. Blacklock, and Izai'd, who went in next, soon joined the mournful procession. However, he hit freely while he was in, and knocked up eight in a very few minutes. Holdship was beautifully thrown out by A. Blacklock, and then Wood made a short stand for nine runs. He played in fairly good style, but with the example of his fellow-clubmen before him, he should have exhibited more caution. The rest of the Wellington men were quickly despatched, and after about half an hour's play the innings closed for 29. The splendid bowling of Upham and Fitzsimons was frequently applauded by the spectators, while the fielding of the team was also good. The Bishop-designate of Wellington (Dr. Wallis) was among the spectators on the Basin Reserve on Saturday, and appeared to take a great" interest in the play. One of the most promising junior players in Wellington just now is A. Staples of the Excelsior Club, A glance at the scores he

has made is sufficient to show that he is a capital bat. Here they are :—4l, 28 not out, 73, 24, 54, 29, S2, 34, and 7. The first seven innings were played in cup matches. Players of such promise as Staples should be encouraged and brought to the front.

It really seems remarkable that such a fine player as A. E: Trott could have been omitted from the first two test matches. For the sake of Australian cricket it is to be hoped that he will not accept the offer to go to England. The committee of the Junior Cricket Association have awarded the Kaiwarra v. N.Z. Times and the Kaiwarra v. Thorndon matches to the Times and Thorndon Clubs respectively, on account of the Kaiwarra Club having played a man who was ineligible according to the rules. The Thorndon Club therefore win the trophy. The Nelson Association are unable to send a team to Wellington this year. They intend to make special efforts to send a team over here next season. It is stated that the English professionals for winning the first te'st match against the Australians were rewarded by the Marylebone Club with .£SOO. Centuries are as plentiful as blackberries in Australia this season. Fourteen have been scored in international and intercolonial matches. The English and Australian batsmen have scored seven each. Gregory and Iredale (Australia), Stoddart, Ward and Brown (England) have each reached three figures on two occasions. Trumper, ' the Sydney schoolboy who made 67 against the Englishmen, was telegraphed for from Melbourne by the New South Wales team to represent the latter,

Colony against South Australia. Trumper, who is only 17 years old, is the youngest pliyer who has ever taken part in intercolonial cricket in Australia. Callaway, who bowled so well against the Englishmen in their first innings in the test match now being played in Adelaide, visited New Zealand with the first New South Wales team. THE ENGLISHMEN IN AUSTRALIA. Adelaide, January 10. The third combined Australian team was picked late last night, and is as follows : —Gregory, Iredale, Callaway, G. Giffen, Darling, A. Jarvis, H. Trott, A. Trott, Bruce, Worrall and Harry ; emergency, Turner. As Turner is now confined to bed with a severe sore throat, it is likely another emergency man will be chosen. Adelaide, January 11. The weather was excessively warm today, without any breeze. A splendid wicket was prepared, and the attendance was good. Gay and Humphreys stood out of tlia English team. THE PLAT. Stoddart being unfortunate enough to again lose the toss, Bruce and Trott began operations against Peel and Richardson. The left-hander hit two 4’s, and gave McLaren a chance, before being dismissed by the fast bowler. Giffen followed, and the partnership became productive of runs. Trott effected several late cuts for 3 each, and as the Australian captain began cautiously, most of the scoring was left to him. The Melbourne man played a brilliant game, and at 1 o’clock Brockwell replaced his fellowcounfayman, who was being freely hit. Unfortunately, a misunderstanding between the batsmen led to Trott being easily run out, Giffen starting to his partner’s call too late. With Iredale and Giffen together play became slow, the very fine fielding making it difficult to get runs. At 79 Pore 1 relieved Peel, and at the luncheon adjournment only one more had been added. Upon resuming, Giffen hit two 4’s, but the Parramatta man succumbed to a fast one from Richardson, who had taken the ball again. Scoring was brisker when Darling came in, and a hundred went up, but he had only just reached double figures when Phillipson snapped him up behind the wickets. The wicket did not play as well as was expected, and Richardson being well on the spot, quickly bagged two more men, Gregory and Harry. Worrall foolishly ran himself out, a smart return by Richardson causing his disappearance. Jarvis began hitting merrily, and caused Lockwood to come on for Richardson. The change was effective, the Adelaide man being cleverly caught low down by the new bowler.

Eight wickets were thus down for 157, rather a dismal outlook for the colonials, and matters were made worse five runsllater, when Giffen was also caught by Lockwood. His 58 were made in the patient stylo which he has adopted in all the big matches this year. When Callaway, the last man, joined A. E. Trott, an unexpected stand was made, though neither of them is by any means a poor batsman. Both played excellently, and the second century appeared amid applause. Both continued to peg away, and scored at an even rate until Richardson proved too much for the Sydney man. The partnership added 76 runs, and prevented the innings being a failure, but the total, 238, is still much below what might have been expected. Richardson secured five wickets for 75, Peel none for 43, Brockwell one for 30, Ford none for 19, Briggs one for 34,. and Lockwood one for 33.

After rolling the wicket, there was just time for Briggs and McLaren to make 5, and stumps were then drawn for the day.

THE SCORES. The following were the scores : Australia. —First Innings. Bruce, b Richardson ... 1] H. Trott, run out ... ... ... ... 4S Giffen, c Lockwood, b Brockwell 58 Iredale, b Richardson ... ... ... 7 Darling, c Phillipson, b Briggs ... ... 10 Gregory, c Brown, b Richardson ... ... 6 Harry, b Richardson 2 Worrall, runout ... ... ... ... 0 Jarvis, c and b Lockwood ... ... ... 13 Callaway, b Richardson ... ... ... 41 A. E. Trott, not out ... ... 33 Extras ... ... ... ... ... 4 Total , ... 238 England.—First Innings. Briggs, not out ... ... ... ... 4 McLaren, not out 1 Total for no wickets 5 Adelaide, January 12. The weather was very hot and oppressive to-day when the third test match was resumed. The attendance of the public was very large. THE PLAY. McLaren and Briggs resumed batting to the bowling of A. Trott and Callaway, and Briggs narrowly escaped being caught off the first ball. A few minutes later Giffen relieved Trott, and after several maidens were sent down, Callaway beat Briggs with a beautifully pitched ball. Brockwell followed, and both batsmen added a few singles, and then a smart piece of fielding on the part of Bruce nearly sent Brockwell back, he just getting inside the crease as Bruce knocked the wicket down. McLaren opened out and sent Giffen to the fence, and from the next ball registered the first score against Callaway, though Harry could have prevented a run. The latter, however, made amends by making a brilliant catch off the Sydney bowler, which disposed of Brockwell. Callaway at this time had an average of 2 wickets for 1 run. Giffen kept pegging away, and, although his bowling was not so effective as Callaway’s, he stuck up both Ward and McLaren several times. Runs came slowly, and the Australians were fielding magnificently.

As the day wore on, the Lancashire man ondoavourod to improve matters, and hit out vigorously, but iu trying to send Gillen out oh' tho ground gavo Bruce a chance at Ipng-on, which ho accepted. Stoddart was next, and alder ho had scored a single, Giffon scattered his timbors, tho English captain’s downfall croating a groat outburst from tho crowd. Brown now joined McLaren, and tho lattor snickod Callaway for a couplo, and narrowly escaped being run out. 110 showed his gratitude by sending tho same bowler for 4, but in attempting to repeat the performance was clean bowled. Tho departing batsman bad boon at the wickets for an hour and a quarter in compiling his 25. As ho walked oil* tho field tho teams adjourned for lunch. . On tho gavno boing resumed 800 l jomod Brown, and tho lattor cut Gillen twico for 4, but in tho next over Callaway beat Peel, who retired for a duck’s ogg. Ford came next, and though each batsman made sonio fine strokes, tho fielding of tho colonials militated against tho scoro being raised any considerable oxtont. Brown, howovor, appeared quite at homo at Giffon, and drove him to tho fence repeatedly. Hero Ford was nonvly thrown out by Worrall, who was putting in excellent work in the field. With tho scoro at a century tho same batsman laid another narrow escape from boing run out, but when another 11 runs were added, lie gavo Worrall a chance, which was eagerly snapped up. Worrall’s star was evidently in tho ascendant, for no sooner had Lockwood joined Brown than tho former skied Gillen to him, which ho secured, after a great run, at mid-off. ■ A change in tho weather now took placo, and for a short spaco a southerly Imstor •• -which raised clouds of dust mado things a little bit unpleasant for tho players, but mado tho temperature more endurable. Phillipson followed Lockwood, but after ho had knoclcod up seven Gregory caught him prettily in the long hold. Richardson was the last man, and had hut a short life, as almost immediately he hit Callaway high to long-on, whore tho overwatchful Worrall again scored, and tho innings closed for 124. „ SECOND INNINGS OF THE AUBTBAUANS. After a briof adjournment 11. Trott and , Bruce began tho Australians’ second innings. Peel’s fifth ball sottled Trott. Giffon followed, Bruco meanwhile shaping well at .Richardson, who bumped a good deal. Gill’en, after driving Richardson for 4, gavo Peol a liot chance off tho same bowlor, but it was missed. Tho Australian captain then bogan to scoro rapidly, but tho Yorkshire professional was not long before ho had his rovongo by sonding Giffon a beauty, which caused him to givo Ford n chance of making a magnificent catch, and tho champion retirod. Irodalo foilowod, and tho game continued to bo lively, Bruce especially fooling at homo, and sent tho fast bowlor oneo to tho pavilion and another time to tho scoring-box. Horo Stoddart mado a change in tho bowling and Pool retired in favour of Brookwoll, but still boundary hits came in rapid succession from both batsmen, who wore playiitg with tho greatest confidence. Lockwood thon took the ball from Richardson, but tho desired effect was not attained, and tho century appeared amid cheers. Still another change was mado in tho English bowling, and Broclcwell gavo way to Briggs, with tho result that the partnership was at length dissolved, as off tho first ball of tho littlo Lancashire man, Bruce mado a magnificent bit to log, whore Brookwoll, by running back right on to the chains, settled the pretensions of tho Victorian. Bruce had played genuine cricket, and received quite an ovation on returning to tho stand. Darling vent in almost on time, and, after scoring 3, snicked Lockwood to Phillipson, and thon stumps woro drawn. the booties. Tho following aro tho scoros : England.—First Innings. McLaren, b Callaway ... ... 25 Briggs, b Callaway 32 Broclcwell, o Harry, b Callaway 12 Ward, o Bruoo, b Giffon *> Stoddart, b Giffon ... ... ' * Brown, not out ... ... ... 39 Peol, b Callaway ... ... ... ... <> Ford, o Worrall, b Gillen ... ... 21 Lockwood, c Worrall, b Giffon ... ... 0 Phillipson, o Gregory, b Gilfon 7 Richardson, o Worrall, b Callaway .... 0 Extras ... 2 Total • . .••• ••• *24 Callaway took five wickets for 37 runs, Giffon five for 7G, A. Trott none for 9. Adelaide, January 14. The weather to-day was fine and overcast, with a cool broozo, when tho international cricket match was resumed. Tlio wicket played very woll, and there was a largo attendance of the public. .THE PLAY. Both Gregory and Irodalo got in some fast work, and with his score at 42, Irodalo gavo Peel a hot roturn, which ho failed to hold. Lockwood at this limo was temporarily disabled through an injured finger. Frequent changes were made in tho bowling, but it was not long boforo the littlo Sydney man playod ono into his wiclcot. . ... Harry followed, but was not at tlio wickots for moro than a f ew minutes, and with tho scoro at 21.5, Richardson found tho weak spot in his dofonco, and with a fast yorlcer caused his retirement to tho pavilion. Worrall then came in to assist Irodalo, but liis stay was also brief, for alter gotting into double figures ho put Briggs easily into Peel’s hands at mid-off. _ Jarvis followed, and Irodalo received an ovation on passing Bruce’s total. Both batsmen were apparently quito at homo, and though boundary hits woro not frequent, a rapid succession of singles brought about a change in the bowling, Briggs giving way to Broclcwell. Tho South Australian wicketkeeper marked his appreciation of the change by scoring 7 runs off tho first two balls of tho Sussex man, whilo Irodalo,

who was still travelling, brought up his century oil: tlio last ball of the over. Tho latter’s performance was tlio signal for a groat outburst from tho public. Richardson now handed tho leather to Pool, and this cliango brought about tho downfall of Jarvis, who up to this time had played excellent criokot, for in reaching out to tho Yorkshirom.au ho gavo Brown an easy cliauco at point After lunch Broclcwell opened to Irodalo, and tho Sydneyite sent him to the fence for a quartette, repeating tho dose in the samo over. A. Trott, who had filled tho gap, bogan operations off Pool, and on trying a second run had a narrow squeak of losing his wiclcot. Tho third century was brought up by Irodalo, who drovo Pool for a triplet, amid elioers. Tho batsmen woro evidently woll set, for 'Trott was also batting with groat confidence, and was gotting some pretty strokes in, while Irodalo was taking things easily. Lockwood relieved Broclcwell, oif whom 50 runs had been scored without his bagging a wicket. Pool was kooping down the scoro, and .sent down four successive maidens, but Lockwood, who was being noballed, was taken off in place of Briggs. Tlio young Molbournito resisted all the offorts of tho bowlers to tempt him. Irodalo knocked oif a couple of boundary hits, which took his scoro past that made in tho match in Sydnoy, when ho made 134 for New South Wales against tho Englishmen. His end, however, was closo at hand, as by a bad stroke he sent tho ball back to tho bowler and retired. Tho Sydneyite rocoived tho greatest ovation ever heard on tho Oval.

Callaway joined Trott, and some lively hitting ensued, fours boing run up in fine stylo. With a view of stopping tho fast scoring, Stoddart again put on Richardson in ordor to givo Pool a spell; but tho fielding at this time was not up to tho mark, and sovoral runs woro thus obtained. Tho newcomor left most of tho scoring to Trott, who was thoroughly sot, and playing tho bowling with tho utmost confidence. Callaway, too, showed oxcollont defence, and managotl to givo his comrade sufficient time to raise his scoro from 25 to 72, whon ono of Richardson’s fast onos got past tlio Sydnoy man, and tlio innings cloaocl for 411 runs, which loft tho Englishmen 52G to got to win. the Englishmen’s second innings. After a short interval, Mae Laron and Ward stoppod forth to do battlo for tho Old Country, and tlio forinor was not slow to got to work, rattling up a scoro in fine stylo. Ho was beginning to scoro at a groat rate, when lie playod A. Trott to Irodalo, which was hold, and it was not long boforo tho young Melbourne bowlor causod Ward’s retirement. Phillipson was noxt, but Giffon disarranged. his stumps after ho had scored a singlo, and tho prospects of tho visitors became anything but bright. Stoddart and Brown played out the time, tho former acting on tho defensive. THE SCORES. Tlio following aro tho scoros : Australia. First Innings ... ... ... 238 Sooond Innings. H. Trott, b Pool ... ... 0 Gilfon, o Ford, b Pool ... ... ... 24 Bruoo, o Brookwoll, b Briggs 80 Darling, o Phillipson, b Lockwood ... 3 Irodalo, o and b P 001... ... ... ... 140 Gregory, b Richardson ... ... ... *2O Harry, b Richardson 6 Worrall, o Pool, b Briggs H Jarvis, o Brown, b Pool ... ... ... 29 Callaway, b Richardson ... ... ... 31 A. Trott, not out ... 72 Extras ... ... ■ 15 Total _ ... 411 Pool took four wickots for 9G, Richardson thvoo for 89, Lockwood ono for 70, Brookwoll nono for 50, Briggs two for 53, Ford none for 33. Eng lis a MEN. First Innings ... ... ... ... ... 124 Sooond Innings. MoLaron, o Irodalo, bA. Trott ... ... 35 Ward, b A. .Trott 13 Phillipson, b Giffon ... ... ... ... 1 Stoddart, not out ... ... .. ... 3. Brown, not out ... ... ... ... 2 3‘Jxtras ... 4 Total for throe wickots... ... ... 50 Adelaide, January 3 5. Tho weather was delightfully cool today, and the wicket playod well, although showing signs of tho ordeal through which it had passed. THE FLAY. A. Trott and Giffon resumed bowling to Stoddart and Brown, but at 62 Trott clean bowled Brown before ho could increaso his score. 624 —6. Broclcwell joined liis captain, and both played with great caution. Boforo tho now-comer had reached double figures Giffon missed an opportunity of catching him. After his escape Brookwoll began scoring rapidly, boundary hit after boundary hit brought up tho century, but thon tho Surroy man sent ono hard hack to Trott who mado a lino ono-handod catch. 102—5—24.

Peol [came noxt, only to softly pat tho first ball back to Trott. 102—6—0.

Ford thon partnered his captain, but after getting into doublo figuros ho cut Albert Trott to Harry Trott.

Tho procession had now bogun, Briggs only coming in to go down boforo tho redoubtable young Victorian, who was trundling brilliantly. Lockwood, who followed, ossayod to lift him out of tho field, but ho foil a proy to Irodalo in tho long field. Richardson was the last man, and he bogan hitting merrily, till 1.43 was on lho sheet, when ho gavo 11. Trott a chanco at point, which was eagerly snapped up, and amid tromondous cheering the Australians wero roturnod victors by 382 runs. Stoddart carried out his bat for 34.

Ono tiling worthy of note is the fact that the Trott brothers had a hand in tho dismissal of all the Englishmen in tho second innings with tlio exception of Phillipson.

THE SCORES. Tlio following aro the scoros: — Australia. First innings 238 Second innings ... ... ••• ••• 'HI Grand total ... ... ••• 649 England. First innings ... ... ••• 324 Second Innings. McLaren, o Irodalo, b A Trott ... ... 35 Ward, b A. Trott 33 Phillipson, b Giffon ... ... ... ••• 3 Brown, bA. Trott ... ... ... ••• 2 1 Stoddart, not out ... ... ... ■ 34 Brookwoll, c and 1> A. Trott ... ... 24 Pool, o ana bA. Trott; ... ... ... 0 Ford, oH. Trott, 1) A. Trott . 34 Briggs, 1) A. Trott ... ... ... ... 0 Lockwood, o Irodalo, bA. Trot’j ... ... 1 Richardson, eH. Trott, b Giffon ... ... 32 Sundries ... ... ... ... ... 7 Total ... ... ... ... ... 143 / Grand total ... ... ... ... 267 A Trott took eight wickots for 43 ; Giffon, two for 74; and Callaway, none for 19. A. Trott has been offered.an engagement, by Humphreys with tho Sussex County Club, but will not decide until ho gets back to MoJbourno. | A public meeting is boing hold to-night ; to arrange for a testimonial to recognise in a suitable manner Geo. Gillen's long cricketing career. Adelaide, January 36. Stoddart mado yesterday one of tho biggest hits over soon on tho ground, ! the ball falling close to tho odge of the asphalt in front of tlio scoring-board—l2o yards from tho wiclcot. When 11. Trott caught Richardson, it was tho work of a second to transfer tho | ball from his hand to his pocket with tho remark, “ That’s worth keeping.” It is not too much to say that A. E. Trott’s bowling was almost unplayablo. Novor since Palmer, in 1870, took nine wickots for 09 against Lord Harris’ eloven, has an Australian colt bowled with such astonishing success against an English olevon.

Spoalcing to a toast, Mr Stoddart said lie had boon beaten not by tho wiclcot or by luck, but by tho best all-round cricket, lie heartily congratulated Trott on his success.

Sydney, January 10. Tho total takings at tho gatos at tho thvoo tost matches amount to 137200.

Moses will play in the noxt test match at Sydnoy. Melbourne, January 10.

" Obsorvor" in the Argua says that the batting of tho Englishmen in the third tost match was very disappointing, and that there was nothing in the wicket to got rid of thorn so choaply. Ono factor in their failure, ho states, was the marvollous succession of catches tho Australians brought off. In this respect tho homo team rivalled tho host traditions of Australian cricket, and Blackham avers that in all his oxporienco ho novor saw such a brilliant exhibition. " Mid-on" in the Leader says tho poor performance of tho Englishmen can only bo accepted as ono of those inexplicable disappointments which will crop up at times so long as cricket lasts, and that any attempted explanation must bo fallacious and misleading. London, January 15. Tho evening papers felicitato tho Australians on their victory over tho Englishmo ii. The Pall Mall Oaaaita aays it is evident that the elevons are ovonly matched. London, January 10. Tho Daily News, referring to tho defeat of Stoddartfs eleven in Adelaide, declares that in that match they wore outplayed at every point. The paper oxprossoa tho opinion that Albert Trott is a coining man. Tho Standard comments on tho value of tho new blood included in tho colonial team, especially Trott and Callaway. SENIOK'cII/IMPiONSirTP. •WIiiIiMNUTON V. MIDLAND. Tho contest between tho abovo teams was concluded on tho Basin Besorvo oil Saturday afternoon in tho presence of a largo crowd of spectators. Tho wickot was dead and treacherous, and greatly in favour of tho bowlors. In their first innings, a week previously, tho Wellingtons had made 00, and when play concluded for the day their opponents had five wickets down for 109, Holdaworth (20) and Upham (0) being the not out men. After a maiden from Bothuno Holdsworth was beaten by Ash bolt's second ball, and Lash, who aueojodod him, was tin-own out by Woon when ho had only added two to tho scoro. Tucker then joined Upham, and runs came pretty freoly, Tucker knocking up 20 by dint of careful play, while Upham hit freoly for 20, and Nicholls made a well-oarned 15. Tho innings closed for 105. Tho bowling honours foil to Bothuno and Holdship. The second innings of the Wellingtons was practically a procession of tho batsmen, tho bowlers dismissing them in rapid succession. Tho total number of runs scored was 29, which is wo beliovo tho smallest scoro evor made by a senior team in championship matches in Wellington. Upham and Eitzsimons both bowled splondidly, and tho fielding of tho Midlands was also oxcellont. Tho scores wero as follow : Midland. —First Innings. A. Blaeklook, st Izard, b Kirker 5 Warren, b Bothuno ■•• ••• 32 Fitzsimons, b Luokio ... 25 Williams, b Bothuno 7 14. Blaoklook, b Bothuno ... 13 Holds worth, b Aahbolt 20 Upham, c Kirkor, b Holdship 18 Lash, thrown out Woon 2 Tuokor, not out ... ... ... ... 20 MoGirr, b Holdship 0 Nieholls, b Holdship 15 Extras ... ... ... ... ... 8 Total 105 HOWLING ANALYSIS.

WElling ton. —Second Innings. C. Goro, b Fitzsimons 0 Ash bolt, cA. Blacklook, b Fitzsimons ... 0 lloldship, thrown out A. Blacklook ... 4 Izard, o Tucker, b Upham 3 A. Duncan, c Holclsworth, b Fifczsimons... 4 Wood, c Nicliolls, b Upham... 9 R. Goro, st Williams, b Fitzsimons ... 0 LuckivS, o Holds worth, b Upham ... ... 2 Kirkor, st Williams, b Fitzsimons ... 1 Botlmno, not out ... ... ... ••• 0 Extras 1 Total 29 BOWLING ANALYSIS. Balls. Mdns. Buns. Wlcts. Fitzsimons ... 55 3 22 5 Upham... ... 54 5 0 3 Midland v. Phoenix. The boat between the Midland and Phoenix first elevens, which owing to the holidays and bad weather has lasted over a month, was rosumod on the Basin Resorvo on Monday. With three wickets down for 134, tho Midlanders continued their second innings, B. Blacklook 00 (not out) and If. Tucker 30 (not out) being tho batsmon. Tho pair scored freely from tho outset. Waters, who sent down a lot of rubbish, being severely punished. When tho score had reached 105 the partnership, which had produced 1.18 runs, came to a most unsatisfactory termination, the “colt” being badly run out. Tucker had scored 45, an excellent performance for such a young player under tho circumstances. Fitzsimons eamo next, and after assisting his captain to add 20 to tho score, tried to drag a straight ono round to leg, and was - clean bowled. 185—5—8. Upham followed, and after scoring half a dozen was smartly caught at tho wiokots by Niven. 195 —o—o.0 —0. Lash, who then joined his skipper, was especially instructed to “ koop his wicket up,” and he obeyed tlio instruction to tho letter, treating the bowling with tho greatest respect. Thoro was considerable oxcitomont as Blacklock’s score approachod tho contury—it would have boon his first, and a well deserved ono too — but when tho scoro had reached 205, and his total was 98, stumps were drawn for tho day. Blackloclc's innings was one of tho best lie has over played. Lash scored 5 (not out).

The unfinished Midland-Phoonix hoat for the Championship was resumed Tuesday night. R. Blacklock (98, not out) and Lash (5, not out) wore tho batsmen, the sooro boing 205 for six wickets. 'Tho fact that the Midland captain only requirod two runs to bring- his score into throe figures gave additional interest to tho play, and there was a good attendance. Indeod, a good many pooplo wont up to the ground especially to see " Bob got his century." It would have boon a very popular success, but fato willed that it was not to bo. Bonbow opened tho bowling, and very gonorously sent down a leg ball to Blacklock, who missod it, and his chance of scoring the hundred, tho next ball bowling him. Century or no century, it was a splendid innings, and it was all tho more moritorious seeing that there were so many breaks in it, which necessitated tho batsmen getting sot oach time. Blacklock was groototl with rounds of enthusiastic applauso as ho came back to tho pavilion. Taylor followed, tho board showing 205 — 7—98, but ho did not remain long, being badly run out when the score was 208. Nicholls came next, and immediately proceeded, in tho language of an enthusiast, to " have a go " at the bowling. Ho got to work very quickly, but when ho had made 7, lie failed to got cleanly hold of one from Taylor, and was easily caught in the outfield by Webb. 218—9—7. McGirr joinod Lash, and the pair carried the score to 220, when tho former was caught and bowled by Taylor. McGirr, who made 4i, was badly lot off by Waters. Both Taylor and Bonbow bowled well towards the finish. The former, with ilvo for 03, had tho best average. Tho Phoenix, requiring 125 runs to win, started batting with Ogior and Bonbow. At 0 tho former was beaten by Upham, and Burton, who partnered Bonbow, also succumbed to a good one from the fast bowler when tho scoro was 22. Waters joinod Bonbow, and although ho was extremely uncomfortable when opposito Upham, ho managed to keep his end up until stumps wore drawn, tho scoro boing 30 for two wickets. Bonbow is 10. Ho gave a hot chance to 11. Taylor which waa not accepted. As tho light was good stumps wore not drawn until 7 p.m. Tho following aro tho scoros : . MIDLAND. —Second Innings. A. Blaolclock, c Bonbow, b Waters ... 23 Salmon, b Bonbow ... ... ... ... 0 Warren, 1.b.w., b Taylor 2 ft. Blacklock, b Bonbow 98 W. Tuokor, run out ... ... ... ... 45 Fitzsimons, b Taylor ... ... ... 8 Upham, o Niven, b Taylor ... ... ... G Lash, c and b Taylor ... ... ... 12 Taylor, ran out ... ... ... ... 3 Nioholls, o Wobb.b Taylor... ... ... 7 MoGirr, not out ... ... ... ... 'l> Extras 18 Total 220 BOWLING ANAuYSIG.

Phoenix. —Sooond Innings. Ogior, b Upham ... ... ... ... 3 Bonbow, not out ... ... ... ... 10 Burton, b Upham 9 Waterh, not out ... ... ... ... 1 Extra ... ... ... ... ... 1 Total for two wiokota ... 30 The Midland-Phoonix boat for tho Junior Championship, which was to have boon played at tho Collogo ground, was commenced at No. I wicket on tho Basin Reserve, owing to tho wrotchod state of the former ground, which was literally tinder water. Tho Midlands batted first, and soored 58, towards which S. Tucker contributed 31 by careful batting, and Latta 10 (not out). Mill ward (5 for 2(5) and Ellison (3 for 14) bowled well. Tho Phoenix's first innings totaliod 82, of which Johnson made 20, Stevens 19, and

Millward 15. Latta (3 for 2), C. Taylor (3 for 24), and Robertson (3 for 32) secured tlio best bowling averages. In their second innings tho Midlands liavo scorod 22 without tho loss of a wicket, of which IT. Taylor has mado 15. The ground fielding of both teams was fair, though several catches were missed.

In tho match Bival second v. Excelsior for tho Junior Cup the latter mado 108 in their first innings (A. Staples, 42; Bannister, 15 ; Parsons and Phelps, 11 each). Tho Rivals made 78 (Newbold, 21; Thompson, 17). For tho Excelsiors, Wyatt, Staples and Martin bowled well, and for tho Bivals, Dwyer (four for 5) and Jones were tho most effective trundlers. Tho Star v. Kilbirnie heat for tho Junior Cup was commenced on No. 4 wicket on Saturday, tho former getting a lead of 35 runs on tlio first innings. Kilbirnie scored 71, of which Hutchings made 22, Savage 13, and Baron 10. The Stars replied with 106, J. Weybourno compiling an excellent 59 (not out), A. llowo with 23 being tlieonly other double-figure man. D. Parton (four wickets for 25) and Davis (six for 17) bowled effectively for last year’s champions; Bestieaux (four for 28), Greenfield (three for 37), MoMpnamin (two for 19) and Pudnoy (ono for 10) dividing bowling honours for Kilbirnie. Tho Phoenix third forfeited, to tho Kilbirnio second eleven for tho Third-class Championship.

Potono commenced their heat at Karori against tho Bivals on Saturday for tho Third-class Championship, and on tlio afternoon’s play havo all tho best of tho match, thanks to tho poor fielding of the town players. Potono knocked up 183 (Pickin. 54, Baumbor 31, Dalgleish 30, Tripe 24 not out, Arnold 18, Matson 12), and their opponents only 32 and 20 for four wickets. Arnold and Dalgleish bowled splendidly for Potone; Longmoro and McNeil being the most successful trundlers for tho Bivals. The game is to be resumed next Saturday.

Tho Kaiwarra C.C. defeated tho Thorndon C.C. by 14 runs, and tho Vivians were defeated by tho Melrose by 65 runs. Tho port and starboard watches of tho Wellington Navals played a match on Saturday, tho latter proving victorious by 16 runs. Tlio scores were : —Starboard, 35 (Sharpe, 10; and Gamblo, 11), and 47 (Rogers, 11; Sharpe, 13 ; and Harris, 10). Port, 32 and 34 (Malcolm, 10). Malcolm and Mundlo proved most destructive with the ball for tho port watch, and Arnold and Sharpe got tho most wiekots for tho winners.

Tho Times C.C. dofoatod tho Railway C.C. on Saturday by 83 runs. Tho Bailway mon knocked up 76—Cooney, 30 (not out); Mason, 21; Bourko, 10. Tho newspaper mon, batting ono man short, replied with 159. Lowe performed splendidly with tho willow, and put up tho fino scoro of 84 before bo was dismissed by a catch in tho long-field. Franco (25), Castle (24) and Mills (15) also got into double figures. Beale secured six and Bourko three of the Times’ wiokots. Lowe (who secured three wickets with tln-oo successive balls) got sovon Bailway wiekots for 20 runs. A match between the United Tradesmen first eleven and an ole von captained by Mr N. W. Worry was played on tho Basin Beserve Wednesday, and resulted in a win for the latter team. Tho scoros were: — Tradesmen, 60 and 76 ; Mr Worry’s eleven, 96 and 43 for four wickets. Tho contest for tho Downes and Turner Trophy was continued on the Basin Bosorve on Wodnosday afternoon, tho To Aro House olovon meeting tho Thorndon Opon. Tho 'J’oAro House first innings realised 87, Rowlands (37) being- tlieonly one able to reach double figures. The Thorndon Open responded with 90 foroig-ht wickets, Gibson (19), Clator (19) and Wallace (18) being tho double-figure scorers. To Aro House team in thoir second innings have sovon wiekots down for 49. Skolly (25) and J. G. Smith (16) reaching- double figures, A. Smith (4) and Mansfield (1) being not outs at tho call of time. Tho match is to bo resumod on January 30th. Tho match betwoon tlio Tolograph and Waiwotu,pluyod on tho Basin Besorvo Wednesday, rosultod in a draw. Tho Telegraph batted first, and scorod 169. Percy (42), Tucker (30), Chisholm (22), W. Howard (20), Martin (11) and A. Howard (11) were tho principal scorers. Tlio Waiwotu team had lost four wickets for 63 when stumps wore drawn.

A match was played at Porirua on tho 16tli between tho second eleven of the United Tradesmen and the Porirua Club, and resulted in a win for tho local team. Tho scores woro:—Porirua, (52 and 69 ; Tradesmen, 20 and. 59. The principal scorers wero: Porirua : D. Payne, 40 ; W. Windloy, 29; J. Dixon, 14. Tradesmen: Shepherd, 11 ; Bernasconi, 12. W. Windloy bowled best for tlio winners, and Atkinson (six for 10) for tho losers.

Sydney, No. 1. Melbourne, ■ Adelaide. Name. 1st 2nd 1st 2nd 1st 2nd Total. Avrge Inn. Inn. Inn. Inn. Inn. Inn. A. Trott Gift en 161 41 32 43 *38 *72 58 24 110 359 59-83 Iredale ... 81 5 10 63 7 140 311 51-83 Gregory ... 201 16 2 12 6 20 257 42-83 Blackham ... 74 2 76 38‘00 T3ru.ee — — 4 54 11 80 149 37-25 H. Trott ... 12 8 16 95 48 0 179 29-83 Callaway Darling 0 53 32 5 41 11 10 3 52 103 26-00 1717 C. McLeod .. ... 15 *2 17 l7 - 00 Turner 1 2 *1 *26 30 15"00 Jarvis — — 11 4 13 29 57 1425 Jono3 ... *11 1 — — — — 12 1200 Lyons ... 1 25 2 14 — —. 42 10-50 Reodman ... 17 4 — — 9 & 21 10*50 Conningliam Worrall — — 10 3 0 11 13 11 6"50 5-50 Harry Trumble ... 1 2 2 6 8 3 4'00 1-50 574 159 121 326 234 396 1810 30-17 Extras ... ... 12 7 2 7 4 15 47 7-83 Total ... 583 166 123 333 238 411 1857 30-95 * Signifies not out. Englishmen. Sydney, No. l\ Melbourne No. 1. ’ Adelaide. Name. 1st 2nd 1st 2nd 1st 2nd Total. Avrge Inn Inn Inn. Inn Inn. Inn. 53-20 Stoddart ... 12 36 10 173 1 *34 266 Ward ... 75 117 30 41 5 13 281 46"83 Brown ... ... 22 53 0 37 *39 2 153 30-60 Briggs ... ... 57 42 5 31 12 0 147 24" 50 Ford ... 30 48 9 24 21 14 146 24'33 Brock well ... 49 37 0 21 12 24 143 23-83 Lockwood ... 18 29 *3 *33 0 1 84 21-00 Gay McLaren ... 33 ... 4 4 20 0 15 25 35 37 99 18*50 16-50 Peel ... 4 17 6 53 0 0 80 1333 Phillipson — — 1 .30 7 1 39 9-75 Richardson ... *0 *12 0 11 0 12 35 8’75 304 415 64 469 122 136 1510 2517 Extras ... 21 22 11 - 6 2 7 69 11-50 Total ... 325 437 75 475 124 143 1579 26-32 * Signifies not out. Bowling Averages for First Three Test Matches. Australians. Name. Wickets. Runs. Average. A. Trott ... ... 8 43 5-4 Callaway ... 5 ' 56 112 Bruce 1 21 ,210 Giffen ... 21 544 25 9 Turner ... 11 298 27T Trumble ... 3 87 29-0 Conningham ... 2 76 38-0 McLeod ... 2 92 48 0 H. Trott ... 3 144 48-0 Jones 2 102 51-0 Englishmen. . Name. Wickets. Runs. 1 .'. Average. Richardson ... 21 ' 529 ‘ 25-2 Peel ... 17 454 26-7 Stoddart ... 1 31 310 Briggs ... 8 288 360 Brockwell 5 191 38‘2 Lockwood ... 3 222 74"0 Ford 1 106 106-0

Bnllfl. Mdna. Runs. Wkts. Aahbolt ... ... 1216 2 GO 1 Kivlcor ... U 0 27 1 Botilnino ... ... 1S.6 10 22 :$ Hokltliip ... ... 01 0 i«i 3 Luokio ... 72 4 22 1

Balls. Mdns. Runs. Wkte Taylor ... ... 108 8 63 5 Boubow ... 168 (> 55 2 Waters 84 1 41 1 Clusholm 114 <> 35 0 Roberta 30 2 7 0 Ogior 18 1 3 0 Wobb 6 0 4 0