CRICKET MATCH.

Oamaru Mail, Volume II, Issue 535, 18 January 1878, Page 2

CRICKET MATCH.

Australian Eleven v. Oamaru Twentytwo. The match may fairly be'said : "to- have finished with the termination of the Australians' innings, there not being sufficient time to play it out, and the Australians winning on the first innings by 43 runs. The result was rather a surprise—not because the Australians won the match, but because they did not leave the Oamaruvians farther behind. The comparative smallness of the Eleven's score, however, was greatly attributable to the state of the ground, which was anything but favourable for run*getting. It was both hard and bumpy, ami the batsman were, in consequence, unable to judg with any degree of accuracy as to whtu direction tlie ball was likely to, take after leaving the bowler's hands. Of course, the same drawback militated, though in a lesser degree, against the Oainaru men making as great a score as, under more favourable circumstances, they might have done. At the same time, it must ba acknowledged that the bowlers could not do themselves entire justice, owing to the uncertainty of the pitch. The same fault with the ground prevented Spofforth and Garrett putting on full speed, and giving us a taste of their fast howling, for, had they done so, biamting at the wickets would have been rendered a somewhat dangerous task to perform, Lowe and Edwards are decidedly to be complimented on their bowling, as they succeeded in doing wftqt \\\a bowlers at Bunedin failed to do. jfearly the whole of the Australians were clean bowled, C. Bannernian, <( the W. G. Grace of the Colonies," being one of the number, The absence of the two Millingtons was to be regretted, though it is doubtful whether they would have made any material difference to the result of the match, which was one that our cricketers have no reason to be ashamed of. It is decidedly to be hoped that the visit from the Australian Eleven will be the means of infusing a little more life into the game, and imbue the Oamaru cricketers with a desire, by practice, to attain a higher standard of perfection. The want of proper practice was frequently noticeable yesterday, more especially in the field, some of the players being decidedly -' all at aeu,." After the ground had been rolled, the Australians again took the field, and the Oamaru men entered upon their second trial of skill with the bat. De La u tour and Lowe were the first to faee the bowling of Garrett and Spoffuvth. lie Lautouiwas caught by Gregory off flu- .second ball of the innings. 1 o—o. Pickett, the next man, was dismissed by Garrett without troubling the scorers, with the exception of running a couple of byes. Neilson took the vacant place, and opened with a brace off Garrett. After a series of maiden overs, Lowe got Garrett away to leg for three, and 10 was recorded on the telegraph board. Although runs were coming slowly, both batsmen were playing carefully, and a stand was expected ; but Neilson having obtained a single and a two, played one back to Garrett, which was accepted, and the batsman retired. Walls joined Lowe, and a hit for three by Lowe was then made, followed by a similar hit by Walls. 20 up was then recorded. Huns now came more freely, but in stepping out to a tempting ball from Spofforth, Walls paid the penalty by being beautifully stumped by Murdoch. 4—'B—3l. Nichols fell a victim to the first ball he received. Taylor joined Lowe ; but the latter was immediately afterwards caught by Boy''' °tf a & ne after scoring a carefully obtained thirteen, (i —l3 34. E-i wards came next, and saw Taylor fiji. Sji'#>n.h u\ the pavilion for three. The same har.sm m m-xt got Garrett away three tiin s, live runs being obtained off the three hits. A change of bowling then took place, A, B i.nuerman going on in G invtt's place. Tne chang • proved a. go.id one, B uiuennan obtaining four wick ts without a run being scored off him. Edwards was c tught in the slips, and Smith succumbed to the next ball from the new-comer. F, Fonwick took vacant place, and played carefully, but, Bannernian proved too good for Taylor. Rice, the next man. went to the wickets, and completed his " pair of spectacles," being clean bowled b}' Bannerinan without scoring. A heavy and continuous downpour of rain then nut a stop to the game. The Oamaru team obtained 43 for the loss of 10 wickets.

Tiie following are the scores : OAMAEU SECOND IS.vrXGS. Lowe, c Boyle, b Spoilorth ... ... 13 [>e I autour. c Gregory, b Garrett ... 0 Pickett, b Garrett ... 0 Neilson, c and b Garrett ... ... ... 5 Taylor, b A. Bannerman ... ... ... 10 Smith, b A Bannerman ... .., ... 0 Nichols, b Spofforth 0. Walls, st Murdoch, b Spofforth 8 Edwards, c C. Bannerman, b A. Bannerman ... .. ... ... ... 0 Fenwick, not out ... ... ~. ... 0 Bice, bA, Bannerman ■-., 0 Byes 7 Total for 10 wioketa 43 We omitted to state yesterday that Mr. Maitland had a large refreshment booth on the ground, and that Mr. Barle provided the luncheon in his usual excellent style.