CRICKET.

Otago Daily Times, Volume 13793, Issue 13793, 5 January 1907, Page 10

CRICKET.

M.C.C. v. OTAGO. j AN INTERESTING GAME, OTAGO MAKES A GOOD RECOVERY. Tho Marylebono (England) Cricket Club's team now- touring New Zealand commenced their fifth match yesterday, when, they met the Otago representative eleven at Oarisbrook. A dull ashen sky, 'holding out a constant tlireat' ol rain, prevailed throughout the dAy, but although tho temperature was much colder than we have lieen aeoustomed to of late, the weather held up, and, on -the whole, was favourable to cricket. Tito slight drizzle 'on 'Thursday night was not sultioient to alfoct the ground in any way. Thanks to the good ofliccs of Watson, tho ground caretaker, a splendid wicket had been prepared. It was, howover, a wicket that favoured tho batsmen, being slow and, especially during the M.C.C. innings, preventing tho -bowlers from getting any work on to the ball. The attendance in tho morning was not very numerous, but in the afternoon it increased very considerably, and for an oif day must have quite come up to the expectations of t.ho management of the association. The details -in connection Villi tho match were very satisfactory, and Jlr E. S. Wilson, secretary of tho Otago Cricket Association, on whom devolved a great deal of work, deserves a word of praise for the forward state of all tho arrangements. The placing of forms all along tho • confines of the ground was a consideration that must have been appreciated by the public. So far, the M.C.C. have not won a match against a province. At Auckland and Wellington the games were drawn, and that at Christchurch was won by Canterbury. Tho win scored was against Wanganui, who hatted 15 and lielded 13 men. In the opinion of Captain Wynyard, however, who has had to relinquish tho tour owing ■ to ■ injuries received at Wellington, the team is an improving one, and capable of better performances 1 han they liavo given up to tho present. They gave a good account of themselves yesterday, knocking up 22i runs before being disposed of. Ucncrally speaking, their batting was pretty, and was marked by clean strokes. Page's display was particularly interesting. Ho hit hard •and prettily, and only gave one chancenamely, when ho had 38 ljins against his name. Twice he made hits for 6, whilst 4's and 2's were of quite frequent occurrence. In fact-, in his total score of 66 there were only 10 singles. Harrison, one of the best bats of the team, had hard luck in being run out at 26, when he was going strong in' partnership with Page. Simpson-Bay-ward is another very useful bat, and his' 47 runs were obtained by good- sterling cricket. Tho Otago fielding was gecd. Very few ehanccs were missed, and, as a rule, tlie ball was taken elennly and well returned. Downes bowled for somo time without much success, but eventually ho got to work and finished up with the very fair average of live wickets for 82 runs. Fisher also bowled well, and with good length, obtaining three wickets at the cost of 85 runs. - Sicdeberg scoured one wicket for 21. Eekholf only sent down fivo overs, but he was rather expensive. 3)\ Williams gave ono of his very best exhibitions behind Ihc wickets. Ho did the correct thing every time. The Otago -innings started very disastrously, Ackroyd being bowled by Burns and Austin by _ May beloro a single run had been registered. Both these bowlers are very fast, Fox, the wicket-kcepcr, standing away back about a- dozen yards. Burns was unfortunate in straining himsejf in his second over, and had to retire, his place in the field being taken by Another player. Great interest centred round the oinder-arm howling of Simpson-Hayward, and it certainly is puzzling stuff that he sends down. This bowler lakes a long run, and appears to spin the ball away from his.side as he gels to the wickets. Sometimes it -rises, sometimes it comcs low down, but almost invariably with a gocd length. At first he had tile Otago batsmen quite tied up, but afterwards they treated him with greater freedom, Wilson in particular opening out to him. Howden and Sicdeberg, who to all intents and purposes opened the batting, made a good stand, arid put on 39 before a separation was effected. Baker made 14, and then was caught. With tho score at 56, and four wickets down, Wilson, tbe Olago skipper, and Howden become associated, and tl-ieso two practically saved the situation. Tho scoring at times was very slow, but the state of the game was too critical for unnecessary chlyices to be taken. They carried tho score, on to 130 before Howden was clean bowled with 45 runs to his credit. He was missed by May when only 10, a mistake which cost the visitors dearly. Wilson and Graham played out time. Tho fielding of the visitors was not so clean as could have been desired. There was a lot of really clever work dono by tho fieldsm-en, but every now and again a ball was missed or not picked up at all neatly. The game now stands: M.C.C., 224; Otago. five wickcts for 138. Messrs J. -Moss (M.C.C.) and J. West (Otago) aro the umpires, whilst Messrs A. E. Titchencr (Otago) and G. Wyoherley (M.C.C.) are in charge of the official scorebooks and regulate tbe telegraph. THE TEAMS. The following are tho respective teams:— M.C.C. - Otago. P. E. Johnson E. Ackroyd - W. P. Harrison CK G. Austin W. B. Burns C. E. Howden C. C. Page 11. G-. Sicdeberg Cr. H. Simpson- J. Baker Hayward C. G. Wilson (captain) W. 11, J, Curwon 11, Graham G. T. Branslon A. H. Fisher C. E. de Trafford A. Downcs (captain) F. Williams P. R. May H. Eekholf N. C. Tnfnell E. H. Fox M.C.C. AT THE WICKETS. In tlio toss of the coin fortune favoured the M.C.C. captain, do Trafford, who elected to take advantage of the wicket and bat. Tho Otago'team took tho field at 11.40, and three minutes later Johnson and Harrison came out to the wickets, tho former taking strike to Downc3, who opened the bowling for Otago from tho southern end. Johnson cut the second ball for a single. Fisher bowled from the railway end, and sent down a maiden to Johnson, Downes's next over being also a maiden. Off Fisher's second over Johnson cut the third ball to the boundary, Austin lotting it go past him. The last ball of tho over Johnson drove for 4. Harrison cut Downcs past Fisher, and Wilson returned promptly, but unfortunately tbe ball went wide and Williams took it about the centre of the pitch, when both batsmen _wcre beside him. He threw hard at the wickcts to tho bowler's ond but missed, and 2 for tho overthrow resulted, making 4 for the hit. This brought 10 up after 10 minutes' play. Johnson ci!t Fisher hard, but Downes brilliantly fielded and prcveutcd a run. Two balls later Johnson lifted Fisher high to the outfield, where Ackroyd brought oft' a fino catch. 13—1—9. Burns came in next. A single and a 2 to Harrison, and 4 Io Burns, from a clean hit to square-leg, brought- 20 on to the board after 20 minutes' play. Burns gained double figures by getting Downes along tbe grass past Graham, the bull travelling to the boundary. Fisher and Downes wero both bowling with a fine length, and tho batsmen were taking no liberties, several maidens being sent down. Burns, however, got a loose ono from the Carisbrook left-hander, and, getting well on to it, sent it clean into tho members' stand, registering 6, and receiving a round of applause. Thirty appeared after 33 minutes' play. A nioe earpct- drivo off Fisher to tho boundary for 4 brought Burns'* score to 20. Harrison drove Downes to the off for 4, bringing up 40. Off tho first ball of Fisher's next over Burns mishit tho ball, and Sicdeberg brought off a splendid one-handed catch high above his head. 42—2—20. Page joined Harrison, and opened his account by outting tho left-hander to square-leg for a brace, Sicdeberg fielding neatly. A succession of singles, some of them off very short hits brought 50 up after 55 minutes' •play, and Harrison then put somo more life into matters by cutting Fisher for 4, Wilson failing to get- down to tho ball, and the next ball the same batman put through the slips for a couple. Pago got Downes nicely away for 4, bringing up 60. and then got him round to leg for 2. Both men showed a tendency to take singles, and the Otago captain-accordingly brought his field closet- in. Page brought 70 on to the board by a fino hit over the rails for 6 off Downcs. and got the next, ball to leg for 4-. With ihe score at 74 Fisher went oft* in favour of Siedebcrg. Fisher's averago at that stage was two for 43. Downcs, who bad no wickcts for 30 runs, gave way to Eckhoff with tho ball, the score being 76, two singles having been got off Sicdeberg. A 4 to Tage off tho Opolio bowler brought 80 up. Pago cut. Siedebcrg very .prettily to the boundary, and Harrison brought up 20 b} a nice oiit for a smartlyrun 3 o'ff Eckhoff, and the following ball ho-sent through tho slips for 4. With the score at 94 Harrison cut- Sicdeberg, and Pago made a call but countermanded it. Fisher when fielding fell, and Page renewed tho call, a muddle ensued, and both batsmen were at tho samo wicket. Fislier, icgaining his feet.r-tlirew .in to Sicdeberg,

who was able to knock the bails off before Harrison got in. 91-3—26. With his score at 38 Pago gave a chaneo to Wilson in tho outfield, but the catch was dropped, no resulting. A single to Pago and 3 to Simpson-Hayward, who had joined Page at the wickets, brought 100 up amidst applause, after an hour and 22 minutes' .play. Siedeberg went off at 102, and Downes look up the howling from tho railway end, Page sending his third ball over tho rails by the pavilion for 6, and bringing up 110 two balls later. Both batsmen were now playing very freely, and hit out with vigour, 120 and then 130 appearing in quick succession. At 132 Fisher went on in place of Eckhoff at the southern end, Simpson-Hayward beautifully carpctdriving the third ball for 4. With his scoro at 18, Simpson-Hayward was badly missed by at inid-off. Tk- board showed 142 when Pago was nicely caught by Williams behind the wicket off Downes. Page had been al, tho wicket exactly an hour, and gavo a lino display of pure classical cricket. 142—4—66. Curwen was the incomer, but. at the second ball he fell a. victiin to the vigilance of Williams behind the wickets, being caught off Downs without scoring. 142-5-0. The' luncheon adjournment was as this stage (1.30) taken. Play was resumed at 2.20, Branston joining Simpson-Hayward at the wickets, and scoring a single off Downes anil another off Fisher, but in ilia next over was cauprlit by Williams off Downcs's bowling. 144— 6—2. De Trafford partnered Simpson-Hay-ward, and signalised his advent by driving three balls from Downes in succession to the boundary, one of them going over the members' stand for 6, registering 14 off threo balk. Simpson-Hayward cut Fisher for 4, bringing up 160. At 174 Siedeberg went 011 in place of Downes, and should have had do Trafford'fi wicket with his fifiih ball, Fisher missing a fairly hot catch. Downes went 011 at the southern end, and with his first ball brought alxnit do Trafiord's downfall, the batsman playing tho ball on. 175—7—18. May. joined Simpson-Hayward, whose score stood at 32. A couple of beautiful drives off Siedeberg for 4 brought, lip 180, and raised Simpson-Hayward's score to 40. With the ecore at 189 Fisher again went 011 at the railway end in lieu of Siedeberg, and 180 almost immediately appeared as a result of a drive by Simpson-Hayward. Tho next ball the batsman returned very Ciofc to Fisher, who, although ho got a hand 011 the ball, Jailed to hold it. It. would have been a brilliant catch if brought off. Smart fielding by Siedeberg saved' a boundary off tho next- ball. In his next over Fisher got even with Simpson-Hayward. The big bat let out at one, but failed to get tho ball full, and sent- it 'high to Siedeberg at point, where it was safely held. The retiring batsman played a pretty innings, although marred by chances at 18 and 38. 197—8—47. rufnell came in next, and, aflcr successfully withstanding an appeal from (lie field for a cat ok behind tho wickets, snicked Fisher to the boundary for 4, bring, ing up 200. May cut Downes high through the slips, but Howden effected ,1 very nice one-handed catch. 203—9—3. Fox was the last msn in, and 1 play became somewhat slow, 210 eventually appearing after a succession of singles at tho rate of about one per over. Threo singles and a 4 to, Fox and a 3 to Tufnell brought 220 on to tho 'board, at which stage Siedeberg again replaced Fisher, threo singles resulting off tho over. Fox's defence was broken through, however : in Siedcberg'9 ncxi; over and he retired clean bowled with 17 runs to his credit. Tho innings closed for 224 runs, and occupied two hours 45 minutes actual playing time. THE OTAGO INNINGS. The afternoon tea adjournment was taken between .the two innings, and it was 16 minutes to 4 when Aekroyd and Austin went to the wickets to open tho batting for Otago. Burns, a fast bowler, opened the bowling for M.C.C., talcing delivery from tho south end, sending down a ir.»iden to Aekroyd. May, a fast bowler with a long run and a jump, bowled from the railway end, and with the. last ball of the over clean bowled • Austin with one that came in from tho off. o—l—o. Howden ivas the incomer. With the first ball of 'his second over Burns clean bowled Aekroyd. o—2—o. Siedeberg filled the vacancy, and opened the scoring by driving Burns for 3 and snicking May for a single. The fast stuff rather appealed to Siedeberg. who pulled May to tho boundary for 4, and drove him for a single. The fast delivery, however, told on Burns, who is not one of tho regular bowlcre, and lie unfortunately ricked himself, and after a couple of overs handed over tho ball to Simpson-llayward, the under-arm bowler, and went off, Fisher (Otago) fielding in his _ stead for an interval until P. Williams came in to make UfJ the team's complement. A 4 to Howden off May brought 10 up. Siedeberg was very uncomfortable with Simo-SOli-Hayward's under-hand (slows, and could only poke at them. Howden got a single off May, and another off the under-arm bowler, and Siedeberg, in attempting to. cut the same bowler, sent one up into the slips, whero May missed what looked like a certain catch. 3 resulting, 2 being for an overthrow. Twenty appeared as a result of 35 minutes' play. Both batsmen played l the bowling very cautiously, Simp-, sou-Hayward's puzzling slow breaks especially. Siedeberg infused some life into the play by driving May ■ twice in succession to the boundary, Tnfnell allowing one to pass between his legs. Thirty appeared, and then, willi the scoro at 39, Siedeberg sent up or.o from May to Tufnell at midoff, an easy catch being effected. Siedeberg had played a serviceable innings, and was greeted with a round of applause as lie walked back to the pavilion. 39—3—27. Baker was tho next man in, and sent his first ball from .May very nicely through the slips for 4, bringing up 40. Branston went on at the south- end in place of Simp-son-llayward, and Curwcn relieved May at the railway end, both now bowlers being mcdinm-p,iced. Baker drove Branston for 4 to the boundary, and again for 2. bringing up 50 after exactly one hour's play. When his score stood at 12 Howden sent ono from Curwcn fair into May's hands, but tho catch . was dropped. Baker sent one from Branston through tho slips to the _ boundary for 4, Simpson-Hayward making no effort to take the ball as it shot past him. The next ball from the same bowler Baker sent high to the off, whero Johnston brought off a magnificent one-handed catch. 56—11—14. Wilson joined Howden at- the wickets, ajid" 60 eventually appeared as Hie result of a 2 and a 3 lo llowden oft Curwcn. Very smart fielding was keeping the runs down to a minimum Wilson was at the wickets for 17 minutes before he made a start, eventually getting a single off Branston. In the same over Howden cut ono to tho rails for 4, bringing up 70. A couple of byes, a single to Howden, and a, 3 a-nd a 4 to Wilson, the Tesult of four overs' bowling, caused 80 ,to appear. Howden gained hearty applause by a pretty leg-glance off Curwcn for 4 (all run oi>t), whilst the next ball he drove to the on boundary for a similar number, bringing 90 up. With the score at 91 Simpson-Hayward relieved Curwcn at the railway end, and Howden got a smartly-run single off the first ball. Wilson poked at the first ball ho received from the under-armer, but after that he stepped ont, and lifted ono right to, tho pavih'9ll for 4, and drove the next for a single. Another 4 to Wilson off Branston brought up tho century after one hour 40 minutes' play—a run a minute. Howden was 35 and Wilson 18. ' Howden stepped out to tho slow bowler, and missed, and narrowly escapcd being stumped. Fox had two shots at the bails, but it, is doubtful whether the batsman's boot was •not in tho crease on the first occasion. At 103 May went on in place of Branston, and Wilson got the last ball of the over to squaro-leg for 4, and put a follow ; -on out of tho question. The next over from Simpson-Hayward was an expensive one, Wilson getting him away for a.4 and two 2's, 110 appearing, and a couple of minutes afterwards 120. as a result of • some fine hitting bv both batsmen. With the c corc at 130 Howden was clean bowled by May. The. retiring batsman had played capital cricket, and with the exception of a chance wlien ho was 12 played a faultless innings. He was at, the wickets two hours for his 45 runs. 130—5—45. Graham joined his captadn, who got a 2 and a single as a result of stepping forward to the slow bowler. A single to Wilson off May and four byes brought the score to 138. when, it being 6 o'clock, plav ceased for the day, Wilson being not out 39. Scores Jf.C.C.—First Innings. P. B. Johnson, 144. c Aokroyd, b Fisher 9 W. P. Harrison, 4121411421113, run out .. 26 YT, B. Burns, 411464, 0 Siedeberg, b Fisher 20 C. C. Page, 21111421611441142116224424, 0 Williams, b Downes 6G G. H. Simpson-Hayward, 31414424112444112131. c Siedeberg, b Fisher 47 W. J. 11. Curweu. e Williams, b Downes 0 G. T. Branston, 11, c Wi'liams b Downes 2 C. K. de Trafford, 44631.,' b Downes .. ]8 P. E. Jhy, 1421, c Howden. b Downes .. 8 N. C. Tufnell. 1431, not out ft 11. H. Fox, 1211111411111, b Siedeberg .. 17 Extras .. .. .. ... „ .. 2 Total ! .. .. .. ..lit

BOWLtNG ASALTSIS. Balls. Mclns. Buns. Wkts. Downes .. .. 174 8 S2 5 Fisher ..... 144 , 3 85 3 Siedeberg .. -14 — 24 1 Eckhoßf .... 30 1 31 0 Otago.—First Innings. E. Aekroyd, b Burns 0 (i. G. Austin, b Jfay .. 0 C. E. Howden, 411111111212314144112313, b May 45 H. G. Siedeberg, 31411341441, c Tufnell, b May 07 J. Baker, 4424, c Johnson, b Branston 14 C. (r. Wilson, 1134414432111211, not out-.. 39 H. Graham, not out" 0 Extras Total for five wickets 138 Play will be resumed at 11.30 this morning. SUMMARY OP MATCHES. Dcecmber li, 15, and 17,-v. Auckland. Drawn. M:C.C., 172 and 241; Auckland, 1,05 and 131 for five wickets. December 21 and 22.—v. Fifteen of Wauganui. M.C.C. won. by an innings and 234 runs. M.C.C. (innings closed with nine wickets down), 453; TVanganui, 124 and 95. December 03, 26, and 27.-v. Wellington. Drawn.' M.C.C., 201 and 250; Wellington,". 211 and 14S for five wickets. December 20, 31, ami January I.—v, Canterbury. Canterbury won by seven wickets, M.C.C, 209 and 156; Canterbury, 241 and 118 for threo wickets. CAPTAIN WYNYARD'S INJURY. A Wellington message received yesterday states that Captain Wynyard'e injury consisted of a broken sinew" behind the knee, which carricd away with it some of tho nerves, the result being that ho will be confined to bed for at least six weeks, and it will be some time after that before he can use ino limb without risk of permanent injury. As to playing cricket, it would be impossible for many months. Under tho circumstances, as lie could bo of no further use to the tea-m, lie has decided he might as well put in his period of enforced retirement in the steamer's cabin, and . return to England. Mr de Trafford will now captain the team. Captain Wynyard is sure that they are a imuch better battling eleven than ihev have yet i shown .themselves, and is, of course, bitterly disappointed at coming 12,000 miles merely, to be laid' aside. He speaks in high terms of the way in which the visitors have been treated and tho golden opinions they havo formed of tho country. ■