THE ENGLISH CRICKETERS' TRIUMPHS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12591, 19 February 1903, Page 4

THE ENGLISH CRICKETERS' TRIUMPHS.

Although from the very first there was little hope of Otago scoring a win against Lord Hawke's team, yet it was never anticipated that the defeat inflicted by the visitors would have been of quite so crushing a nature, It may be taken for granted, however, that an inuings and 230 runs does not at all represent the respective merits of the two teams, for although tho Englishmen won their form was by no means of the best. Unfortunately, with one or two individual exceptions, thc'Otngo nieuwere at their worst. Catches which in an ordinary club match would have been firmly held were muddled and dropped, and this, of course, -discounted to a tremendous extent tho excellence of the home team's bowling. The lost chance which should have disposed of the English captain at C, instead of wMnh he made ihe record

score of 211, is a sample of the misr fortunes which marred the game, and ended in the complete collapse of Otago. It is a source of considerable mortification to the cricket lovers of this province that of the four principal matches already played and won by -the Englishmen in the colony, the Otago team made tbe poorest stand and gave the worst exhibition of the game. It has been stated that owing to the loss of gate money consequent on last week's match failing to extend over the third day' the Otago Cricket Association will be thwarted iii their intention of bringing a professional coach out from England or Australia for next season's play. Seeing that this latest defeat has brought home so forcibly the decadence of our local cricketers, it is to be hoped that the financial difficulties will be overcome in some other way. Here is a good opportunity for patrons of this favourite and manly sport to exhibit their liberality and aid in taking away the reproach which now lies somewhat heavily upon us. It is manifest that if Otago is ever to retrieve her fortunes in tne cricket field, it will only be by such professional assistance as will substantially elevate our staudard of play. But although for the present Otago must hide her diminished head, yet there is a reasonable hope that in the match with the South Island team to be commenced on Saturday next colonial players may show a good front and to some extent make up for defeats of Now Zealand teams during the tour. The selected players are a strong combination, who can be trusted. But the uncertainty of the game is proverbial: in cricket it is never safe to prophesy until after the event.