CRICKET JOTTINGS.

Otago Witness, Issue 1188, 5 September 1874, Page 6

CRICKET JOTTINGS.

By Jack Eobinson,

I have not observed that any notice has been taken of the letter appearing in your insue of the 21st inßt., emanating from Mr W. J. Bunting, Secretary of the South Melbourne Cricket Club. lam surprised that so much apathy should exist in reference to what is considered in every part of the world where Englishmen congregate, whether in arotic or tropical climes, as our great national game. Victoria does not hesitate to apend some thousands of pounds to bring out an English team. Sleepy Auckland has the pluck to send a team all round tbe Provinces to show that her youths are devotees of the grand old game ; but Dunedin, the premier town in New Zealand by virtue of her population, wealth, and modern go-aheadium, docs not seem to care. Are there no fine old English gentlemen — lovers of muscular Christianity and of the noble game — who will not by their moral countenance and pecuniary aid come to its support ? I am sure that they only require their juniors and the playing men to step to the front, and they, in turn, will do their part. Surely our youths are not so degenerate in physique, and become so effeminate that billiards and select balls are more to their taste. Perish the thought, to judge from their athletic and manly appearance. Let the reason be what it may, no response, pro or con, has been elicited to Mr Bunting's communication. To allow the secretary of S.M.C.C.'s letter to pass unnoticed may assume the appearance of discourtesy, and I would be Borry for the honour of Dunedin that such a feeling should be attributed to us by Victorian cricketers. I may say that personally, however much I should like to see a Victorian team giving battle to our New Ztalanders, I am not in favour of opening negotiations for the purpose of introducing one during the incoming season. I am afraid that Mr Hunting's programme could not be adhered to, the time he state 3 to which the visitmg'team must be limitedfive weeks — would not admit of playing at Wellington, consequently Dunedin and Christchurch would be the only two places where matches could be played, say of three days' duration eaoh. The cost of bringing and returning the Melbourne team, inclusive of expenses while in New Zealand, I estimate at £400 at least — £200 for each place. This, I infer, would be a subsidiary matter ; but I should like to look at what we are likely to get for our outlay. Unless we can secure a first-class team, a like amount of dissatisfaction would exist to what did in Victoria, when there it was stated that the Englishman had a very strong tail ; far the following reasons lam strongly inclined to think that we could not possibly expect to secure a strong Victorian team. Unfortunately our cricketing season and theirs happen to be exactly at the same time ; and taking into consideration the immense interest taken in the Cup matches,

where every exertion is used to secure the services of the best men in all parts of the Colony to play with one or other of the Clubs in these contests, and further, as tb.e Sydney Match, was not played last year owing to the visit of the Englishmen, it must of necessity come off next season. Matches are talked of with Tasmania and Adelaide, and as all these places are from 30 to 50 hours' sail of Melbourne, however much the Victorians should like to visit New Zealand other considerations would impel them to visit the adjacent Colonies in preference. I apprehend that unless the different branches of the game were well represented, a pretty general feeling of ab least annoyance would ensue, J f batting could, be represented by snob, as Robertsou, B. B. Cooper. Willie Campbell, Goldsmith, and Boyle ; bowling by Allan and Costick, Gibson or Elliot at the wickets, Kelly at; point, with a selection from Conway, Midwinter, Hodiy, Gaggin, M'Gan, Bishop, Horan, James, and some others that may be named, I *>ay by all meana let us have them, even if the cost is to be in excess of my estimate. I am well aware that the indefatigable Secretary for the S. M. O. C. knowa of no suoh word as " fail," aud would, if communicated with, most certainly send a team, even if it; were a second eleven of South Melbourne.