CRICKET.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXVI, Issue 3265, 23 October 1897, Page 3

CRICKET.

By Telegraph,—Press Association,—Copyright, Adelaide, Otober 22.

George Giffen has announced his intention of retiring from cricket on the ground that his knee is causing him trouble. The main cause, however, is the decision with reference to in connection with the coming matches with the English team. Recently Giffen, Hill Darling and Jones wrote to Major Wardill, .secretary of the Melbourne Cricket Club, demanding a certain som to cover their expenses in tho teat matches. Tho negotiations resulted in all excepting Giffen accepting a compromise, {subsequently Giffen wrote to tho newspapers stating that ho had no intention of playing in the approaching matches or taking.part in first-class cricket, as ho intended to rest for an indefinite period. Giffen will, however, continue to play in club matches. THE OPENING OP THE SEASON. - TO THE EDITOR. Sib, —I sec that the cricket season in We 1 - lington is to be opened to-morrow with a match called Wellington Representatives v. Eighteen Juniors. On reading tho names it would, X think, be more appropriate to call it Wellington and Midland V. Eighteen Juniors, as that is virtually what it is. The Selection Committee has evidently not looked at last season’s averages at all, or, I venture to say, the eleven would have been slightly different. 1 notice that not one man who secured tho highest average in senior matches lash season for bis club is included, while a promoted junior who came seventh in the list is chosen. Since tho team was first published, a player, .who was presumably chosen for his bowling, has intimated that he cannot play, bnt strange to say the player chosen to fill his place does not bowl at all. Under these circumstances there is evidently no oredit in being ohosrn in a representative eleven. Thanking you in anticipation for inseiting this, —I am, &0., Not A Senior Player. Wellington, 22nd October, 1897.