CRICKET.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 4023, 9 January 1875, Page 3

CRICKET.

Cricketers have really passed their Christmas and ISTew Year holidays with plenty of their game. The Albion Club, of whom little has been heard of late, have again woke up and tried ineffectually to wrest from their old antagonists, the "Toko" men, a victory. The town club was assisted materially by Rhodes and Macfarlane, while the up-country team had the valuable assistance of Downes. The game terminated in favour of Tokomairiro easily. I hope next season that oiir country friends will bave a decent ground ready ; they have splendid •.•hances to obtain one, and it only requires a little energy on their part to work up a firstclass club. Mr Tait, in his remarks attb c lun eheon to our Invercargill visitors, dwelt very pertinently on the topic of the town clubs takingup the encouragement of clubs throughout the Province. Our lovercargill opponents met with a very rough reception in the cricket field. In ray previous remarks I mentioned there would be strength enough "left in Duredin after the selection of the Oamaru team to beat them, but I scarcely anticipated such a one-sided match. However, we may live in the hope that when the club visits them next year, the anticipations of their captain ma}'be realise 1, and that we may find it may not be so eas37 next time. The eleven who visited o«maru did not fare as well as their brothers in town, as far as the game is concerned, they having been to play only half a match, not feeling

disposed to be wet through with "fresh water" I suppose, though they got plenty of salt afterwards. However, for what they did not do in the field they made up over the festive board I hope, having been very agreeably entertained by the Oamaru Club. I feel sure, also, tbat although the Invercargill team were unfortunate, they will retain a warm recollection of their visit here.

The greatest subject of interest now will be our annual match with Canterbury ; and those of the twenty-two picked are .awaiting the final choice anxiously. lam sure the Committee, as I before remarked, have no easy job in selecting them, so as to represent the Province thoroughly; however, I suppose we shall shortly know. The Canterbury papers appear to be down upon the team chosen and their method of practice, but I think a little-differently as to the re suit anticipated by them, and believe Aye shall meet a very strong team in every respect. There can be no doubt we can select a strong team this year, and thould the best team go, this year's match may be looked forward to with more than ordinary interest, aud some tall scoring expected to be indulged in. In Victoria this has been the rule—the Cup match, for instance; and also in the intercolonial match with Sydney, which, to the disgust of Victorians, appears a moral for Sydney, especially as everybody anticipated an easy victory for Melbourne; but the "glorious uncertainty," you know, upsets us all, like an outsider winning the Cup. Melbourne appears to have got a very good man behind the sticks in Blackham, who, in the Intercolonial as in the Cup match, has pro >*ed himself a terror; in the big match, he has already secured five wickets, three in the second innings in succession. I notice the Corporation have placed some very neat seats in the Oval, which will doubtless be found a boon by many of the visitors ; and I also notice that the water has been laid upon the ground ; doubtlessthis will sometimes prove of great use, but should the weather continue like yesterday morning, I think 'twould be a greater boon to get some of it off the ground, if convenient.

Leg Guard.