CRICKET.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1248, 30 January 1896, Page 30

CRICKET.

FIXTURES. The following fixtures have been drawn : SENIORS. February Ist and Bth—Phcenix v. Rival, No. 1 ; Wellington v. Midland, No. 2. JUNIOR CUP. No. 3, Kilbirnie v. Midland ; No. 4, Wesley v. Phoenix ; College ground, Rival v. Excelsior ; Petone ground, Petone v. Wellington. junior cricket association. The following is the result of the drawings for the second round in the competition for Mr A. Hoby's trophy : February I—Kaiwarra v. Painters, No. 1 ; Vivian v. Thorndon, No. 2; St. John's v. Kilbirnie, No. 3. February B—Kilbirnie8 —Kilbirnie v. Kaiwarra, No. 1 ; Vivians v. Times, No. 2 ; Painters v. Thorndon, No. 3. February 15 —Vivian v. Painters, No. 1 ; Times v. St. John's, No. 2; Kaiwarra v. Thorndon, No. 3. MANAWATU CRICKET UNION. February I—Palmerston1 —Palmerston v. Sanson, at Feiiding. February B—Birmingham v. Colyton, _ at Colyton ; Pohangina v. Carnarvon, at Feiiding. February 15 —Feiiding v. Palmerston, at Feiiding. February 22—Palmerston v. Pohangina; Colyton v. Carnarvon, at Feiiding. NOTES. By "L.8.W." Williams is in a great run-getting humour this season. In his last five innings (the last is not completed yet) he has scored 257 runs. The feature of his play is his fine hitting. If a ball is to be punished he is the man to punish it, and there is no half-heartedness about the punishment either.

From present appearances the Midlanders have the Rivals well under the whip With seven wickets in hand the Midlanders are two runs to the good. Bar the glorious uncertainty, the game is all over. Should the Wellingtons also prove victorious against the Phcenix, the match between them and the Midlanders .vill decide the championship for the season. The Midlanders will put a strong team into the field, and, of course, they will be favourites. Unless the Wellington batting improves considerably they should fall easy victims. At present they are only superior to the Midlanders in one department of the game —fielding. It is extremely doubtful whether A. Blackloek will play in the match against the Wellingtons. One of the most consistent batsmen in Wellington this year is Benbow. He is showing excellent form with the bat. His innings of 31 last Saturday was a capital o»e. Fuller seems to keep a few runs for the Midlanders. If he fails in all the other matches, he generally manages to make a score against the Midlanders. One of the prettiest innings last Saturday was Warren's 36. Two sixes were made on Saturday. Williams got one with a great leg hit from No. 2, and Webb lifted a ball to the on for the same number from No. 1. Howard's score of 24 against the Midlanders was made in his best style. The Wellington batting was as weak as water, and if the Phcenix fielding had been only ordinary their total would have been a long way short of 95. Both Chisholm and Ogier missed very easy chances. And how the barrackers did yell when the Wellington wickets were falling, Niven seems to be quite up to his old and best form behind the wickets. Not a bye did he allow last Saturday, and he took two catches at the wickets in first-class style. True it is that he missed stumping Webb, but an injury to one of his feet had something to do with this. By the way, had he stumped Webb the Phcenix total would have been small, as the large hitter scored 20 after this escape. The play in the Phoenix-Wellington match was slow enough to send the spectators to sleep. What with poor batting and " off theory" the game was made awfully slow. Upham was not on the spot last Saturday. His one wicket cost 30 runs. Smith took his place as a first-class trundler, bagging five wickets for 37. A coincidence ! The Rivals in the first match against the Midlanders made 120 in their first innings. They made the same number in their first innings last Saturday. Page is rapidly improving as a wicketkeeper. He did very well last Saturday, The young left-hander bats very well, too. Although Ashbolt did not get a remarkable average, he bowled capitally. He kept an admirable length, and the batsmen were unable to do much with him. Both Naughton and Chisholm fell victims to the Kirker-Niven off theory combination. It is always pleasing to record the success of a junior. Cuff, who played as substitute for C. Gore, made a very successful first appearance. He scored 23 runs (top score on his side) justf when they were wanted, and when some of the so-called cracks had failed. Baker, too, playing for the Rivals against the Midlands, made l€j (rot out). Gardiner, an old Aiickand player, who,

according to repute, belongs to the quick and lively order, made his first appearance for the Midland this season last Saturday. When he had scored 10 he made a miss-hit, and was easily caught by Eead. Wound up, Gardiner is a great punisher.

Houldsworth will be back from Tasmania on Saturday—in time to play against the Wellingtons.

Benbow quite covered himself with glory last Saturday. He not only made top score on his side, but secured the, best bowling average, and a good one tco —five for 34.

The Midland fielding was very good last Saturday, along way in advance of anything they have previously shown this season. The men were placed better, too.

R. Blacklock's 24 were made as he makes all his runs, steadily and patiently, and he had rather hard luck in having to retire as the result of what seemed a doubtful decision.

Cross was absent in Wanganui last Saturday, and of course could not bat for the Rivals. The Rival captain wanted to fill his place Avith a man from the second eleven, which had just concluded its game against the Wellingtons. Blacklock, who is always courteous to an opponent, was quite willing that he should do so, but on appealing to a member of the Championship Committee, it was pointed out that to play the second eleven man under the circumstances would be against the rule which provides that a club shall not play a man in more than one match at the same time. The Rivals consequently batted a man short.

It is unlikely that the best team will be sent to Auckland. In view of the opinion of members of the New South Wales team that Auckland was next to Canterbury in strength this is a pity.

A capital day's work. Playing for Eltham against Hawera Stars, Elliot made 25 and 16 (in each case not out) out of 64 and 32, and took seven wickets for 16 and seven for 31.

The removal of the popular little " Tiny " Labatt to Auckland will weaken Canterbury and considerably strengthen the Northern city.

Wright, the wicket-keeper, has left Auckland for Waihi, and it is therefore unlikely that he will be available to play against Wellington.

The Melbourne Age selects the following as the best Australian team :—-F. Iredale, S. Gregory, T. R. McKibbin, C. T. B. Turner, T. Garrett, H. Graham, A. E. Trott, H. Trott, G. Giffen, C. Hill, J. Darling, A. H. Jarvis and C. J. Eady. The Argus in its selection replaces Garrett, Darling and Eady with Donnan, Jones and Lyons.

Our London correspondent writes as follows under date December 13tli: —On Tuesday the annual meeting of the first class county cricket section took place in the Lord's dining pavilion to arrange the 1896 programme —a matter of considerable difficulty in view of the Australian visit. Mr Henry Perkins, the secretary of the M.C.C., presided, and in opening the meeting remarked that he had received a letter from Mr John Portus setting forth the conditions under which the Australians wished to play on the occasion of their visit next season, and further asking if they were sure of a hearty welcome from the chief counties, and whether they could have five test matches. Mr Perkins said he had ascertained that the Australians would have a hearty welcome, but, with one exception, the counties were in favour of three test matches instead of five, it being thought that the counties could only be reasonably asked to give up their men for the lesser number. He trusted that every county would loyally give up their men for the three test games. Mr Alcock, the Surrey secretary, then explained that he had been asked to arrange the Australian programme, and asked that the following dates should be agreed to for the test matches, viz.:—June 25, at Lords; July IG, at Manchester; and August 10, at the Oval. The first-named fixture was brought forward three days later on, and the dates named were then decided upon. In asking for the support of the counties for the Australian test games, Mr Alcock remarked that it would be absolutely useless for them to come to England unless the counties gave an undertaking to let off their men for the occasions. Dr Grace supported Mr Alcock, and remarked that it would be nothing short of an insult to the Australians to ask them to come to England to play weak teams on such terms that in the event of English defeats people might remark that the Australians had not beaten our best teams, inasmuch as so-and-so were not able to play. Mr Perkins followed, and suggested that unless the county representatives present would give Mr Alcock a pledge to support the tour in the manner asked, the latter should cancel the tour and explain that his action was due to the fact of certain counties not being prepared to sacrifice themselves in the cause of patriotism. The county representatives, however, gave the requisite pledge to support the Australian tour, and the meeting proceeded to fix dates. The arrangements made for the A.ustralians were as follow: — May 11 —v. Hampshire, at Southampton „ 14 —v. Essex, at Ley ton „ 25 —v. Yorkshire, at Sheffield „ 28—v. Lancashire, at Manchester June I—v. Oxford University, at Oxford „ 4—v. Gloucester, at Bristol „ 11—v. M.C.C., at Lords „ 15—v. Yorkshire, at Leeds „ 22—v. England, at Lords

„ 25—v. Notts, at Nottingham „ 29—v. Yorkshire, at Bradford July 2—v. North of England, at Man-

chester „ 13—v. Leicestershire, at Leicester „ 16—v. England, at Manchester „ 20—v. Derbyshire, at Derby „ 27—v. Surrey, at the Oval Aug. 3—v. Warwickshire, at Birmingham „ 6—v. Kent, at Canterbury „ 10—v. England, at the Oval

„ 13 —v. Sussex, at Brighton „ 17—v. Surrey, at the Oval „ 20 —v. Gloucestershire, at Cheltenham „ 24—v. Somerset, at Taunton „ 27 —v. Lancashire, at Liverpool „ 31—v. Mr C. E. Thornton's England Eleven, at Scarborough Sept. 3 —v. South of England, at Hastings

In addition to these fixtures, the Australians are set down to meet the Gentlemen on June 18th, at a place yet to be settled, and on July 9th they will meet the Players. The onl.y county not in the list is Middlesex, but probably Mr Stoddart will find vacancies for his colonial friends. Cambridge University will probably arrange for a match, also.

SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP AVERAGES. By "-001." Batting. The following are the first twenty-five in the Senior Championship batting averages, revised up to Wednesday, January 29th,

* Not out. f Does not include uncompleted innings against; Rivals. Bowling. Following are the first dozen in the Senior Championship bowling averages, revised up to Wednesday, January 29th, 1896 :

VICTORIA v. NEW SOUTH WALES. Sydney, January 25. In the cricket match Victoria v. New South Wales, the home team, batting first, had lost one wicket for 33 when play was stopped for the day by rain. Sydney, January 27. The cricket match Victoria v. New South Wales was resumed this morning l , and in the afternoon there was an enormous attendance of the public, fully 25,000 people being present. In their first innings New South Walea made 187, the scores being : —McKenzie, 0 ; Doiman, 19 ; Iredale, 56 ; Gregory, 3 ; Walters, 28 ; Rk-hardson, 1; Garrett, 53 ; Kelly, not out, 5 ; Turner, 9 ; Howell, 5 ; McKlbbin, 3 ; extras, 5. Trumble took five wickets for 61 ; A. Trott, one for 23; Harry, one for 24; H. Trott, one for 29 ; R. McLeod, one for 4s. At the close of the day's play the Victorians had lost one wicket for 94 Bruce, 23 ; C. McLeod, not out, 29; H. Trott, not out, 40 ; extras, 2. Iredale and Garrett gave a splendid display of batting. Walters, when well set with the veteran Garrett, was unfortunately run out. After Garrett's dismissal the rest of the team were easily disposed of. Early in the day the wicket was soft, but improved as the game progressed. The fielding of the visitors was excellent, and did much to keep the runs of the local men down. Bruce knocked up his score in fine style. _ Sydney, January 28. In the Victoria-New South Wales match, the Victorians in their first innings made 319, the scores being : —Bruce, 23 ; C. McLeod, 100; H. Trotc, 63 ; Graham, 1 ; A. Trott, 18 Donahoo, 33; Laver, 38; Harry, 31 ; Tt. McLeod, 5 ; Trumble, 1 ; Johns, 3 ; extras, 3. Richardson took two wickets for 50 ; Howell, two for 61 ; Turner, two for 91 ; McKibbin, four tor 114. At the close of the day's play the New South Wales eleven had no wickets down for 22—Donnan, not out, 11; Mackenzie, not out, 10 ; extra, 1. H. Trott's was a meritorious performance. Donahoo showed some magnificent hitting powers, scoring 17 in four hits, including one great hit over the boundary. His innings was a short but very brilliant one. C. McLeod scored steadily. Melbourne, January 27. In the Victoria-Tasmania match the Tasmanian team in their first innings made 224 —Windsor, 45. The Victorians in their second innings were all disposed of for 65 r and thus suffered defeat by an innings and* 58 runs. Eady took four wickets for 32, and* Windsor six for 33,

senißr championship. - Tne Phoenix-Wellington arid Midland-Rival heats for the Championship began on Saturday last. . The weather was threatening, but Fortunately no rain fell. The wickets Were not in the best condition. There Was a very good attendance of spectators. A few details of the games follow : PHCENIX V. WELLINGTON. The Wellingtons went in first, but they made a poor display with the bat, and were all out for 95. Cuff, who played in place bi C.. Core, tlie latter being indisposed, was fop scorer with, a carefully compiled 23. Strange, Levers arid Howell each' contributed a dozen, and R. Gore made 10. Benbow bowled with great success, securing five wickets for 34, and he was well backed up by Mill ward, who took four for 48. The Phoenix did not appear to advantage with the bat, and five wickets were down for 38. Benbow, who had gone in first, and was playing splendidly, and Webb made a very good stand for the next wicket, adding 35 runs. Webb then retired for a well-hit 23, which included a capital hit to the on for 6. Benbow after making 31, by far the best innings of the match so far, was run out, Page also shaped Well in making a dozen. Wheh stumps were drawn the Phcenix had lost eight wickets for 79. Kirker secured four wickets, and Ashbolt two. The fielding of the Wellingtons was good. Messrs Ashbolt and Guise were the umpires. The following are the scores : Wellington.—First Innings. Holdship, b Millward .. ... 1 Ashbolt, c Benbow, b Millward 3 Howell, b Benbow .... }'2 R Gdrc, n Clii3hcirii, b Benbow lQ WoOd,b Benbow 0 Levers, c andb Benbow ... 12 Niven, b Millward ... ... ... ... 7 Strange, b Millward 12 Cuff, 1.b.w., b Benbow 23 Bethune, run out ... ... ... ... 7 Kirker, not out 2 Byes 4; leg byes2 ... _ 6 _ Tbtdi ... i?o BOWLING ANALYSIS. Balls. Mdns. Runs. Wkts. Benbow ... 115 (5 34 5 Millward ... 108 2 48 4 Stevens ... 6 0 7 0 Phosnix. —First Innings. Burton, c Kirker, b Ashbolt 4 Benbow, runout ... ... ... ... 31 Naughton, c Niven, b Kirker 0 Chisholm, c Niven, b Kirker ... ... 1 Page, c and b Kirker ... ... ... 12 Ogier, run out ... ... ... ... 1 Webb, bAshbplt 23 Harris, c Ashbolt, b Kirker ... ... 0 Stevens, not out ... • ... 5 Millward, not out ... ... ... 0 Leg byes ... 2 Total for eight wi(ikets 79 Kirker took four wickets for 33 runs, and Ashbolt two for 20. MIDLAND V- KIVALS. The Rivals batted first, and scored 120, exactly the same number of runs that tbey made in their first innings against the Midlands in the first rotind. Fuller played well for 32, as did Howard for 2i. Baker (lb', not but), and O'Sullivan (li) were the only other double-figure scorers. The Rivals only batted 30 men, Cross being absent. The fielding of the Midlanders was better than usual. Smith, with five wickets for 37, was the most successful of the Midland trandlcrs. The Midland batsmen were in great form, and passed their opponents' total with only three wickets down. Warren, who made 36, showed the best cricket on his side, displaying freedom all round the wicket. Blacklock played steadily and patiently for 21, and Williams hit with refreshing vigour for 44 (not out). Gardiner, an ex - Aucklander, made his firsc appearance with the team this season, just reaching double figures. Messrs Whitehorn and Sampson were the umpires. The scores were as follow : Rivals. —First Innings. Howard, b Smith ... ... ... ... 24 Dryden, c Warren, b Fitzsimons ... 0 Fuller, c S. J. Tucker, b Smith 32 O'Sullivan, run out ... ... ... ... 11 Crawfurd, b Smith 3 Haldane, b Smith ... ... ... ... 4 Ramsay, e Fitzsimons, b Smith ... ... 8 Baker, not out ... ... ... 16 Read, c Gardiner, b Fitzsimons ... ... 2 Pritchard, b Lpham ... ... ... 9 Cross, absent ... ... ... ... ... 0 Byes, 9; leg byes, 2 11 Total 120 BOWLING ANALYSIS. Balls. Mdns. Runs. Wkts. Upham 92 2 30 1 Fitzsimons ... 90 2 33 2 Warren ...18 0 11 0 Smith 72 3 35 5 Midland —First Innings. Warren, c Read, b Crawfurd 36 Gardiner, c Read, b Dryden 10 R, Blacklock, c Baker, b Haldane ... 21 Williams, not out 44 Nicholls, not out ... ... ... ... 4 Byes 2, leg-bye 1, no ball 1 4 Total for three wickets 122 The Junior Cup match Wellington v. Rival was concluded on Saturday, the former winning by seven wickets. The Rivals made 81 in their second innings. The Wellingtons made the 40 runs required to win with the loss of three wickets —Wilson, 22, and Pope, 11 (not out). The Petone v. Kilbirnie match was concluded at Petone, the visitors winning by an innings and 20 runs. The second innings of the home team, who were very late in putting in an appearance, closed for 101, Arnold rattling up 50 in double quick time ; Hincliffe, 14 ; Roberts, 11; and Wynyard, 9, not out. It is only fair to Petone to state that they batted two men short in the first innings and three short in the second innings, besides being handicapped in having to use a wet ball on the two previous Saturdays, so that the result is no criterion of the relative strength of the two teams. . The Phcenix-Wesley heat for the Thirdclass Championship resulted in an easy win for the former by 191 runs. The Phcenix second innings closed for 179, Wallace, who had 66 to his credit on the previous Saturday, carrying his score to 92. Spence made 11 and Houston 17, not out. Haslam was the best ol the bowlers, taking five wickets for 48. The Wesleys were dismissed for 31 m their second innings, towards which Ferkins contributed 1G Deslandes, with four for 12, and Wallace, five for 18, bowled well.. The total scores were—Phcenix, 69 and 179 ; and Wesleys, 26 al The "johnsonville v. Kilbirnie second heat for the Third-c-lass Championship was commenced at Johnsonville, the visitors scoring 86(Kodgers, 25; Emeny, 20; Chambers, 12)

and the home team 80 (A. Pikin, 24 ; E. Robson, 16). F. Moore, five for 20, bowled best for Johsonville, and C. McCarthy, three for 29, and A. Claridge, three for 4, for Kilbirnie. The match will be continued next Saturday. The fifth match between the Rival and Paraparaumtt clubs was played on No. 1 wicket, Basin Reserve, yesterday week, and a i very enjoyable game was won by the town I players by 74 runs. The Rivals batted first, j and were not disposed of until 113 was i reached, Buck (36), Henderson (27), Murray (19) and Port (10) reaching double figures. , The visitors responded with 65, Blackey (20), j J. D. Howell (15), A. Mackay (15; beingtlie principal contributors to the score. The Rivals scored 100 for six wickets in their second attempt, Murray" playing a capital innings for 40 (not out), and he w,~S ably seconded by Buck, who made 31, the innings! at this stage being closed. The country j team obtained 80 in their second issue. A. j Mackay played steadily for 33, and W. Howell scored 17. Buck, Dyer, Frank | McNeil and Henderson bowled well for the . winners, as did Blackey, Sandilands and Mackay for the losers. The two teams lunched at the Caledonian Hotel, the toasts of the Paraparaumu and the Rival Clubs being honoured, Mr W. Howell re- ; plying oh behalf of the t'isitors. Messrs Monk and Connor gave every satisfaction, ass | umpires, the scoring during the day being ' entrusted to Messrs Grapes and Monk, jun. The Rivals have now won three matches, and ; Paraparaumu two. j The annual match bo Ween a team from the ] Wellington Club and the Otaki Club took , place at Otaki on the 22nd, and Was won by the I'Ormei' club, the scores being • —Wellington Cricket For the former; Lever's; ,43 ; Hiekson, 2£ : Sanderson, 19, and Cuff, IS, were th'c' principal scorers, and for Otaki, Messrs Simcox, sen., and jun., did best, their scores being 28 and 18 respectively. Hiekson (who did the hat trick), Ronaldson and Sanderson bowled best for the Wellington Club, and Hart, Bevan and Simcox, sen., trundled best for Otaki. The Otaki people as usual were most hospitable, the ladies being again to the fore, and the visitors are loud in their praises ol' the way in which they were entertained. A cricket match was played on the Basin' Reserve on the 22nd between teams representing Slinn Brothers, bootmakers, Cuba street, and W. and J. Staples, bootmakers, Ghuznee street, Slinn's team winning by 46 runs on the first innings. For the winners, Stinson, 15 ', not out; S. Slinn, 16; T. Slinn, 20, and F. Avery, 21, were the highest scorers, and Pudney, 41; Summerell, 76 ; F. Toomer, 18 ; Binney, 28, for the losers. P. Slinn and Stinson were the best bowlers for the winners, and Pudney, Binney, Cook and Grey for the losers. A mixed team from the Excelsior, Phcenix and Midland Clubs journeyed to Pahautanui on the 22nd, and defeated the local club by five wickets. The town team scored 62 (Bannister 19) and 16 for five Wickets, while Pahautanui made 29 and 47 (Blackey, 22 ; Miller, 11). Miller, who took nine for 22 in the first innings, and Blackey bowled best for the losers, and Millward, Bannister and Stevens for the winners; A match was played on the Basin Reserve on Thursday between teams representing the Bland Holt Company and New Zealand Times. The Times team made 113 (Howe, 67; Grigg, 15, retired) The Bland Holt Company made 192, batting two n.en short (Whalen, 77; Seager, 46; Norman, 37, not out; Terry, 11). Lamb, for the winning team, and Lambert, for the losers, got the best bowling average. New Plymouth, January 22. In the interprovincial cricket match Taranaki v. Nelson, which began this morning, Taranaki batted first, and at the luncheon adjournment were all out for 69. Nelson's total score for one innings was 54. New Plymouth, January 24. The interprovincial match Taranaki v. Nelson was concluded to-day, resulting in favour of Taranaki by 59 runs.

1896 :— G . o3 Batsman. o ic so a bo -r-l O -+3 - ,J 1 § to o3 11 H-§ 03 p o c g^ O P EhP3 O )—( a sg2 •5 A. Blacklock 2 0 53 75 75 37-5 E. Gore 7 l 87* 87 196 29-3 Waters 4 o 31 32 56 28-0 R, Blacklock * 0 m 09 18S 268 Benbow 8 0 76 86 210 26-2 Howard - 8 0 56 62 205 25-6 Cuff 1 0 23 23 23 230 Holdship s 1 42 63 156 22'2 Warren 8 0 G3 (53 107 20-8 Fuller S 1 09 72 139 19-8 S. J. Tucker 7 1 33 49 118 196 t Williams 6 0 5' 75 119 19.6 Fitzsimons 6 1 38* 38 88 17-6 Howell 6 0 32 32 97 161 Cross 6 0 38 50 35 15-8 O'Sullivan 8 0 44 49 121 151 Up ha in (3 0 37 37 91 151 K. Tucker 5 0 51 52 86 143 Aihbolt S 2 52* 53 82 13.P liobertai 8 0 24 36 108 135 Dryden S 1 25 35 91 13 0 Burton 8 0 47 47 102 127 Naughton 9 1 54 68 99 133 Holdsworth 5 1 17* 22 49 122 Strange 7 1 21 40 67 11.1

o m pq a o DO 5 o tJO <o > < Ashbolt 750 27 287 31 92 K. Tucker 10G 3 57 6 95 Upham 938 3i 341 35 97 Bethune 408 19 141 14 io-o Harris 27 2 10-0 Holdsworfcli 104 4 41 4 11-0 Crawfurd 295 5 147 13 113 Millward 262 8 119 10 11-9 Fitzsimons 711 20 22 122 Holdship 370 9 148 12 12-3 Jones 23 i 6 93 7 132 Kirker 669 32 316 16 13-4