THE INTERPROVINCIAL CRICKET MATCH.

Otago Witness, Issue 1148, 29 November 1873, Page 13

THE INTERPROVINCIAL CRICKET MATCH.

AUCKLAND V. OTAGO.

This match was commenced on the new Cricket Oval at South Dunedin on Monday. The Auckland players only arrived in town by the halfpast nine train from Port Chalmers, but they proceeded at once to the ground, and commenced practice. The toss haying been won by Mr Meares, the Otago Captain, he elected to send in his men, and at eleven punctually the match began. The Auckland playei's were placed in the field as follows : — Bellars, wicket-keeper ; Alpe, longstop ; Clayforth, point ; Lankham, slip ; Mumford, cover-point and long-leg ; Yates, long-leg and cover ; Buckland, long-slip ; Robinson, short-leg ; Dufaur, mid-on ; and Dixon, mid-off. Meares and Lambert were the first batsmen to appear, the former facing the bowling of Sweet, who is undoubtedly one of the fastest bowlers who has ever appeared on the Dunedin Ground. Before noticing the play, it would be well to mention that the ground never looked better to the eye, but an examination of the wicket showed tliat the new turf is not yet sufficiently consolidated. The late rains, moreover, have had the effect of rendering the ground very soft. Much credit, however, is due to Young for the wicket he had prepared, when the state of the turf is considered. In the outfield, too, the grass had been cut close, and behind the wickets the task of long-stopping was for the first tim c on the Dunedin ground relieved from danger. In the first over Aleares drew first blood by scoring two off Sweet in the slips. Robinson, the Auckland captain, who is a left-hand bowler, took the ball at the other end, and Lambert played Ms second ball on to his wicket without disturbing the bails. Two or three runs were now obtained, when Meares's wicket fell to a trimmer from Sweet. 1 for 6. Allen followed, but he soon had to pay the penalty for hitting at a straight ball from the fast bowler. 2 for 8. MacDonnell joined Lambert, but he was clean bowled by Robinson. 3 for 9. Runs were now more freely got, as Macfarlan faced Lambert. The running, however, slackened, and after a few maidens Lambert's wicket fell when stepping out to Robinson. 4 for 24. Downes followed, and drove his first from Robinson for 3. A separation, however, soon took place, a shooter from Sweet reaching Macfarlan's leg stump. 5 for 28. Garwood now joined Downes, but the latter was soon caught' at long off by Yates. Garwood and Clarke now made the running a little more lively, the former placing a good many to leg, his favourite hit apparently. Buckland now took the ball at Robinson's end, and after some more ran getting, he succeeded in reaching Clarke's wicket. 7 for 53. Lankham now relieved Sweet, and Garwood sent the second ball from the new "bowler over the fence for 4. Thomson, who had joined Garwood, played very steadily — the bowling at this time being apparently hard to collar. After several maidens had been bowled, Garwood made several hits off Robinson, which led to Sweet again taking the ball. The change proved effective, as Garwood's wicket fell in the last ball of Sweet's over. 8 for 70. Garwood succeeded in obtaining the top score of his side — 31 — by free hitting — chiefly, however, to leg. He has a good style of batting, however, is a cool player, and will prove a valuable acquisition to the Otago twra in, the coming Cantwbvuy match, should

he go in for practice. Rhodes, who was ninth man, was taken by longstop, without scoring. 9 for 73. Glen then joined Thomson ; but their companionship was not of long duration, as Thomson's wicket fell to Sweet. This closed the first innings of Otago for a total of 77. With one or two exceptions, the fielding of the Auckland men was excellent, and we would especially notice the long-stopping of Alpe, who never allowed a bye to be run. Sweet's bowling proved very effective, as the analysis wiil show. In batting, as a whole, the Otago players exhibited great weakness. The want of practice prevented several undoubtedly good bats from keeping up their wickets. Some, again, of the team exhibited a style of batting which was far inferior in form to that of the average tails of past Provincial teams. The Match Committee, however, we have reason to believe, selected the best eleven men who were able to play. The first innings of Otago concluded at twenty minutes past one, at which hour the two Elevens, together with the umpires, scorers, and several old cricketers, adjourned to the Imperial Hotel to lunch. After lunch, Mr Meares, in an appropriate speech, proposed the health of ihe Auckland Eleven. Mr Robinson responded, and concluded by proposing the health of the Otago Eleven, and of the people of Dunedin generally. Mr Rattray responded, and in doing so expressed the pleasure which he felt at the Auckland team having visited Dunedin. The healths, we need hardly say, w ere very heartily received.

At a little after half -past two o'clock the Otago men took the field, the men being disposed as follows :—: — Downes, bowler ; Meares, wicketkeeper ; Rhodes, longstop ; Glen, short slip ; Garwood, third man ; Allen, point ; MacDonnell, mid-off ; Clarke, long-leg and cover point ; Lambert, do do ; Thomson, short leg ; Macfarlan, mid-on. The Auckland team were represented at the wickets by Bellars and Mumford, and the former took the first over— a maiden— from Downes. Glen bowled at the other end (over wicket), and Mumford scored two in the slips off the first ball he received from. him. The next ball he hit well away to square leg for 3. Glen soon had his revenge, however, for he caught Mumford at slip off the first ball of Downes's second over. 1 for 5. Alpe followed and played the remainder of the over, which proved a maiden. Off the second ball of Glen's next over Bellars scored a single to midon ; and from the next ball Alpe had had a very narrow squeak from being caught at slip. The catch was a very difficult one, and Downes was quiteto be pardoned for not making it. The last ball of Downes's succeeclingover Bellars hit to mid-on for one, MacDonnell's fielding being far from clean. Bellars thus secured the first ball at the other end, but it lost him his wicket, as he put it up and it was easily secured by the wicket-keepei'. 2 for 7. Dufaur joined Alpe, who scored a single to leg off the last ball of the over. Both bowlers then trundled a maiden, but Alpe spoiled a second maiden from Downes by stealing a run from a hit very close to the wicket. Another maiden from each bowler followed, but the third ball of Glen's next over Alpe cut hard for 2. Downes's next over produced a single, made by Dufaur from the last ball. The same batsman played the next ball he got (from Glen) to leg for one, and his partner at once followed his example. The third ball of the over Dufaur also turned to account for a single. Downes bowled a maiden, and Alpe, off the last ball of Glen's next over, scored a single to leg. The run getting was then completely stopped, maiden after maiden being sent in by both bowlers. At length Dufaur hit one of Glen's to leg for a single, and in the next over lof the same bowler Alpe drew him for one. The third ball of Downes's succeeding over, however, clean bowled Alpe, who had played a very careful innines for 7. 3 for 18. Yates was the next comer. Dufaur scored a two off Glen, and from Downes's next over Yates scored a single. This hit put an end to the succession of maidens that Downes had been bowling. Some idea of his bowling at this time may be formed from the fact that he had bowled eight successive maidens and taken a wicket. Glen having boAvled a maiden to Yates, Downes bowled Dufaur with his second ball. Dufaur had played very steadily for his G. 4 for 21. Clayforth was the next to appear at the wickets, but he soon lost the company of Yates, who put one of Glen's straight up, and was caught by Meares, leaving the score unaltered. 5 for 21.* Robinson succeeded him, and a leg-bye was run. Then came two more maidens, following which Clayforth made a spanking hit off Glen to leg, but owing to the good fielding of Clarke, only one was run for it. Robinson now began to score, making a single off each bowler by forward play, and then a single off Glen to leg, which was again well fielded by Clarke. Clayforth followed suit, and then drove Downes to the off for a brace. He followed these hits by one to cover-point, from which two runs were got, and of these one must be put to the debit of Clarke. Another lull followed, a maiden being bowled from each end, and then Robinson got one of Glen's past the longstop for three, while Clayforth hit the same bowler to the on for three more. He scored a single to leg off Downey's next over, and then a single off Glen for a cut, the ball being smartly returned by Lambert. After a couple of maidens, Clayforth, who was now well set, got a single for a leg hit off Dowues. The next ball but one, however, from Downes, disposed of Robinson, who let out at it, but missed it and was cleaned bowled, aftei making 8 by free play. 6 for 42. Sweet was the next man, and he soon showed he meant to keep the field alive. Clayforth having scored a single for a drive from Glen, Sweet added one for a tip past the long stop, and then opened his shoulders to one 'of Downes's balls, which he hit to square-leg right on to the roof of the pavilion, giving the ladies sitting under the verandah of that building j' a considerable start. For this hit only two runs 1 were reckoned, but it was palpably worth three, if not four. A leg-bye wound up the over, and gave Sweet a chance to have a slap at Glen's bowling. This chance he availed himself of, making <i tremendous hit to the on, right through the bottom feuce, six being reckoned for it. The hit was loudly applauded all round the ground, and considerably enlivened the public interest in the game, which had begun to flag. Sweet a.so scored a single off the last ball of the over, and then treated Downes to a taste of his quality by driving him to the off for 3. Garwood now took up the bowling at Glen's end, and ought to have done so sooner. The change at once proved effective, for the last ball of Garwood's first over took Sweet's leg stump, amid loud applause. Sweet's 13 was composed of a 6, a 3, a 2, and singles, 7 for 57. Dixon joined Clayforth, who

made a single off each bowler, and two bye 3 were then run for a wide by Garwood. In his next over, however, Garwood bowled Dixon before he had begun to score. 8 for 61. The game being now so even, the interest in it visibly increased, and was heightened by each hit. Buckland succeeded Dixon, and Clayforth then made a brace of two's off Downes by a cut and an oft'-drive. Buckland made a single for a draw, off Garwood, and then two for a hit off Downes, the second run being contributed by Macfarlan. A maiden from Garwood followed, and off each of the next two overs Buckland scored a single. Garwood then succeeded in reaching Clayforth's middle stump. He had played a first-class innings for 19, made up of a 3, four 2's, and eight singles. 9 for 70. Lankham was last man. Buckland added to the score a single off Downes, and a two off Garwood, who added a wide. Lankham made one off Downes, and Buckland another. Garwood bowled another wide, making the scores equal, and off the next ball Buckland scored one to leg. In Downes's next over, Garwocd caught Buckland splendidly at slip, with one hand, high up, and the innings thus closed for 78, or just one ahead of Otago. Throughout this innings Downes bowled splendidly, as the analysis given below will show. Glen also bowled very well, though he was not so successful in taking" wickets, and Garwood, as we have already said, was an excellent change. The fielding all round was very good indeed, being the best display on the part of an Otago Eleven we have seen for some time. "We must particularise the fielding of Allen at point and Rhodes at longstop, as being specially deserving of praise. The former covered a great deal of ground and saved many runs, while the latter did not allow a single bonafide bye. Clarke and Glen were also smart in their respectiye fields.

After a short interval the second innings of Otago was commenced at 5.25 by Meares and Thomson, Sweet and Buckland bowling. Thomson took the first over from Sweet, and cut the third ball for one. He also made one off Buckland's first over. Sweet having bowled a maiden to Thomson, Meares played the last ball of Buckland's next over on to his wicket. 1 for 2. Rhodes succeeded him, and two were run for a cut by Thomson off Sweet. Buckland's over was a maiden, and Thomson then scored one for a cut off Sweet, but in doing so all but ran out his partner. The next ball, however, neutralised the escape, as it knocked Rhodes's off stump right out of the ground. 2 for 5. Lambert joined Thomson, who made a pretty two for a draw off Buckland, and then a three to slip from the same bowler's next ball. In Sweet's next over, however, Thomson was easily caught by Buckland at short -leg. 3 for 1&, every one of which had been made by Thomson, who had shown some good cricket. Allen was the next to bat, but before the score was increased Lambert got his leg between one of

Sweet's balls and the wicket, and had to retire. 4 for 10. M'Donnell put in an appearance next on behalf of Otago, whose chance looked decidedly slim. Sweet having delivered a maiden, Allen made a fine leg hit for 3 off Buckland, and followed it up by a single off Sweet to coverpoint. He. missed one of Buckland's next over, however, and was bowled. 5 for 14. Macfarlan succeeded him. MacDonnell spooned one of Sweet's just beyond the reach of Clayforth at point, and one was run for the hit. Macfarlanmade a good run to lee: off the next ball, and added a single for a square leg hit off tlie first ball he received from Buckland. The next ball was hit by MacDonnell, and a run was attempted, but Macfarlan was unable to get in in time and was runout. This was unfortunate, asfromthe manner in which he was batting he seemed to be in for a good score. 6 for 17. Garwood was the next man, and immediately had to do a bit of running for MacDonnell, who puni&hed Sweet to the extent of four by a Kittling off-drive. Garwood now had a chance trom Buckland, and got him away to leg for a couple. Two maidens followed, and MacDonnell then drove Sweet again finely, this time for 3. Sweet's next ball, however, a shooter, settled Garwood. 7 for 20. Clarke took the vacant wicket, and the next two overs only produced a leg-bye. Clarke then began to score, making a drive for two and a single to leg off successive balls from Buckland. after which he made a slashing di ive for 3 off Sweet. At the the conclusion of this over, " time" was called, and the score of the innings then stood at 33 for seven wickets.

SECOND DAY.

Play had been fixed to commence at 10 o'clock on Tuesday morning, but it was not until a quarter to 11 that MacDonnell and Clarke, the "not outs" of the previous evening, appeared at the wickets. Buckland started the bowling, and delivered a maiden for his first. In his next, Clarke was nearly run out by MacDonnell. Four runs had now been scored, when Clarke was caught by the bowler, Sweet. 8 for 37. Downes having joined MacDonnell, the latter drove Sweet to the on for two. Three maidens followed, and in a fourth Dowues was given out leg before wicket without scoring. 9 for 39. MacDonnell added two singles to the score, when Glen, who had joined him, was clean bowled by Buckland — MacDonnell carrying out his bat for 14. The second innings of the Otago having closed for 41, this left Auckland with exactly that number to win.

After an interval of half an hour, Clayforth and Lankham presented themselves, Garwood starting the bowling. Clayforth ran a single to leg, and Gai'wood's next ball shot and reached Lankham's off stump. 1 for 1. Dufaur joined Clayforth, Glen bowling from the south end. A brace of singles were added to the score, when Clayforth was smartly taken in the slips by Downes. 2 for 3. Robinson (the Auckland captain) then joined Dufaur, and a pair of singles were taken off Glen. Garwood had up to this time bowled nothing but maidens, when Dufaur poked him to leg for a single. In his next over, however, Garwood sent down Robinson's stumps. 3 for 6. Runs were now more freely got, as Alpe joined Dufauv. The latter played very steadily, taking no liberties with the straight balls. Amongst other hits, lie sent Garwood to leg for four — the ball entering the tent. Garwood and Glen now changed ends, but the rungetting did not slacken until Alpe was smartly caught at point by Allen off Garwood. 4 for 21. Bellavs joined Dufaur, and after half a dozen balls, the catch of the match was made by Thomson, who was standing at short leg. Dufaur was the victim, he having hit Glen hard to leg, Thomson successfully intercepting the ball with one hand. 5 for 21. Yates was sixth man, and I along with Bellars, he caused the score to reep

Up. Garwood again changed ends, but his bowling at this time had become loose, 8 runs resulting from one of his overs. Meares now determined to try his slows as a last resort, four only being now required in order to secure a victory for Auckland. Bellars at once hit him to leg for three — making the match a tie ; but Yates's wicket fell to the next ball. 6 for 40. Sweet then made his appearance, and he succeeded in making the winning hit off Meares — Auckland thus secured the match by four wickets.

The fielding of the Otago men was scarcely so good on the whole as on the previous day. Allen, however, showed up -well again at point, nothing passing him within reach. The fielding of Clarke and Thomson was also noticeable for its excellence, while the longstopping of "Rhodes was as good as could be wished. The bowling of Otago was well on the spot at the commencement of the second innings of Auckland, but it gradually fell off. Downes unfortunately was unable to bowl, owing to an injury his leg had received ; and his bowling was undoubtedly a great loss to his side, as on Monday it was evident that the Auckland men could make nothing of it. The victory of the Auckland team was chiefly due to the steadiness of their batting in the second innings, Dufaur especially exhibiting a patient defence. Altogether, we are inclined to think that the teams, with an equal amount of practice, would be evenly matched. On both sides there was a noticeable absence of that style of batting which nearly all of the Canterbury men possess. In the case, however, of some of the younger Otago players, a considerable improvement in their play may yet be effected by careful coaching, together with regular practice. It is to ba hoped that the new "coach" from Scotland, who may be expected in the course of a few days, will do something towards strengthening the batting power of the members of the Dunedin Club. Together with the absence of style they appear to have got into a bad habit of hitting at straight balls. On Monday some five or six Otago wickets fell through the men striking at, not playing, balls which were dead on. This defect must strike all old cricketers who have had the opportunity of observing in past years the play of such fine bats as Hope and James Fulton. It was seldom that they failed to punish a loose ball, but the straight ones were played, not hit at as a rule. We cannot well conclude our notice of this match without once more complimenting the Otago men on the marked improvement which has taken place in their fielding. This may be partly dua to the more level state that the ground has been got into. It is to be hoped, however, that they will not regard themselves as perfect, but will continue to practise this branch of the game as assiduously as any other. At the conclusion o£ the match three hearty cheers were given for tlie Otago team, the Auckland men coming in for a ! similar ovation. j The following is the full score of the match :•—

Messrs Mackenzie, sub-contractors for the Round Hill section on the Tuapeka and Tokomairiro railway, have, the Tuapeka Times thinks, set the other contractors a noble example, by sending £4 108 to the Tuapeka Goldfields Hospital. They stop from each workman Is per month, and intend continuing &o doing, provided the Hospital admit any of their workmen who may unfortunately fall sick or meet with an accident.

Lambert, 1 2, 3, 2, 1, b Robinson 9 Allen, 1, 1, b Sweet 2 MacDonnell, 1, b Eobinson 1 Macfarlan, 2, 3, 1, b Sweet 6 Downes, 3, c Yates, b Robinson 3 Garwood, 2, 2, 2, 1, 1, 2, 1, 3, 1, 2, 4, 1, 2, 3, 3, 1, b Sweet 31 Clark, 1, 1, 1, 1, 2, b Buckland 6 Thomson, 1, 2, 2, 1, 1, 3, b Sweet 10 Rhodes, 0, c Alpe, b Buckland 0 Glen, 0, not out.. Leg byes, 1, 1, 1 3 Total 77

OTAQO. — FIRST INNINGS.

Halls. A. Sweet 105 . . Laukham .. 7 .. Robin.son .. 76 .. Buckland .. 60 .. Mdns 10 0 7 G s. J Runs. V 23 .. 6 .. 30 .. 15 .. Widts. V 0 .. 0 .. 0 .. 0 .. ftTct a 0 3 2

BOWLLVO ANALYSIS.

AUCKLAND. — FIRST INNINGS.

Bellar-,, 1, 1, c Meares, b Glen 2 Mumford, 2, 3, c Glen, b Downes 5 Alpe, 1, 1, 2, 1, 1, 1, b Downes 7 Dufaur, 1, 1, 1, 1, 2, b Downes a Yates, 1, c Mearcs, b Glen 1 Clayforth, 1, 1, •>, 2, 3, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2, b Garwood 19 Robinson, 1, 1, 1, 3, 1, 1, b Downes 8 Sweet, 1, 2, G, 1, 3, b Garwood 13 Dixon, 0, b Garwood 0 Buckland, 1, 2, 1, 1, 1, 2, 1, c Garwood, b Downes 9 Lankham, 1, not out 1 Byes 2, leg--byes 3, wides 2 7 Total 7*

BOWLING ANALYSIS.

Downes 145 Glen 112 Garwood 35 JJXB aiuou 16 11 2 us. r nuns, yy 28 .. 38 .. 5 .. uues. itsv 0 .. 5 0 .. 2 2 .. S

ivieurea, v, o suu&utuu .. .. „ . . Thomson, 1, 1, 2, I, 2, 3, c Buckland, b Sweet Rhodeß, 0, b Sweet Lambert, 0, 1 bw, b Sweet Allen, 3, 1, b Buckland MacDonneU, 1, 4, 3, 2, 2, 1, 1, not out Macfarlan, 1, 1, run out Garwood, 2, b Sweet Clarke, 2, 1, S, 1, 1, c and b Sweet .. Downes, 0, 1 bw, b Buckland Glen, 0, b Buckland Leg-bye, 1 .. v .. 10 .. 0 .. 0 .. 4 .. 14 .. 2 .. 2 .. S .. 0 .. 0 . 1 Total .. C £ 41

OTAGO.— SECOND INNINGS.

x>a.ua. luiuuuua, uuus. »r*w, Sweet 68 .. C .. 21 .. 6 Buckland.. 68 .. 9 .. 19 .. 4 AUCKLAND.— SECOND IWNINOS. Clayforth, 1, 1, c Downes, b Glen S Lankham, 0, b Gar wood 0 Dufaur, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 1, c Allen, b Garwood . . 10 Robinson, 1, b Garwood 1 Alpe, 1, 4, 2, c Thomson, b Glen 7 Bellars, 1, 2, 1, 2, 3, 1, 3, not out 13 Yates, 1, 3, b Meares .. .. 4 Sweet, 1, not out 1 Wides S Total 4.1

BOWLING ANALYSIS.

Balls. Madi Garwood ....67 .. 7 Glen 52 .. 6 Meares 3 .. 0 us. j Runs, V 23 .. 11 .. 4 .. maei 3 0 o !S. w i 2 1

BOWLING ANALYSIS.