CRICKET JOTTINGS.

Otago Witness, Issue 1189, 12 September 1874, Page 7

CRICKET JOTTINGS.

By Jack Robinson,

A raven is not tapping at my window, but the rain is taking most unwarrantable liberties in that way, all around me the bills are clad with snow, and instead of steaming with perspiration I had to request the substitution of Newcastle for Green Island to bring the temperature Up to a degree that would grant me an immunity from being frost bitten. I think that I am not unreasonable < when I protest against this repetition of winter. I don't object to a fair distribution, but 1 feel that I have been deceived in the moat flagrant manner when, after experiencing such gala weather, and although we don't shut up shop at one on Saturdays, f-till, in consequence of my assiduity during the week, and energetic work at night, I had ma3e arrangements for exercising my biceps oa Saturday afternoon ; imagine my feelings now— ray prospects blighted, and I feel a veritable " Timon." I am also annoyed that our rivals in athletics should have stolen a march upon us. You know as much about the matter as I do when I tell you that I refer to that gime where in all climates and in any weather a red coat ia indispensable, and tho demand of energy requires the assistance of a Binall boy to point out the holes wherein to place marbles- I mean the balb. The tout enaemblc of the players is unexceptionable, and I have always indulged in a feeling of envy because I could not vie with them in such costume at my weakness— crioket, I have at last got to one subject I want to talk about j but how ifl it possible with tbe surroundings to

our fast bowler with the Otago costume — leggings, sou-wester and waterproof, retiring in disgust to the flowing bowl for solace. I suggested improvising the Drill-room. — but, as usual, I was opposed. I have heard rnurnmrings of unbounded liberality upon the part of some gentleman in reference to inviting our Victorian bret ren, and ways and means have already been suggested to accomplish the desired object ; but it" I may insinuate a remark— would it not be as well to call a meeting, to give anyone and everyone who takes an interest in the game, an opportunity of expressing an opinion. If there are serious thoughts entertained with the view of getting a team to visit us, there is nothing to be gained by delays ; decide at once what should bo done — for, in the absence of our Australian friends, we surely can arrange with our Maori brethren ? that Auckland should be allowed to say that we would not reciprocate ] ennnot credit. By all means let us decide and arrange a programme for the season. I regret to say that the descendants of the Goths and Vandals still exist ; that any member of the Club would perpetrate such a flagrant violation of decency I can't credit. I refer to the del'bernte wrenching of the staple from the door of the pavilion. The intruders nearly succeeded in affecting the balance-sheet of one of our local Insurance Companies. And, while among the disagreeables, how silly it is for any one — through, I am sure, want of thought —to transgress the rules of the Club by playing on the ground ere sanction was obtained in the usual way. The cost of preparing a ground represents a formidable item, and if only a limited number of members played in the piesenfc unsettled state of the weather, ere the season was fairly started, we would require to petition the Corporation for the use of one of their high-way-i. I can't help feeling envious of those fellows in Victoria. While we are living in hope they are now indulging in reality, and it requires no great penetration to predict the commencement of tho most brilliant season yet experienced in the Southern Hemisphere. The time is not far distant when the antipodes will be represented with credit on the fields of England. "Troltwpe" is not about, so I don't mind gushing ; but I say it in all sincerity, although I don't anticipate the production of a "Grace." I notice that opinions expressed in the Colonies in reference to the aesertiveness of that gentleman have found an echo in Euglaml ; and this reminds me of reading a letter in an English paper containing a tissue of misstatements, in reference to the visit of the Englishmen. I join issue with the writer when he asserts that the Victorians were disappointed winning the first mitch — that would be quite a new feeling in rivalry — and that it was ascribed among other reasons to Mr Grace getting the cheapest eleven he could prooure. There is no doubt that he did not get the best by a ! very long w.»y, and that a Victorian eleven could have held their own with tt l >c Englishmen, bar Grace, requires no stre f ch of the imagination. The large score made at Ballar.it can be accounted for by the smallness of the ground, where liberties in the way of slogging could bo indulged in. The writsr must have a vivid imagination, as I did not hear any apology made by tho representative of a Melbourne daily, nor did I read any. If the statement of one of the professionals can be relied on, the champion had agreed that they should all fraternise in the second cabin. This was nnt the ca9e, and when f]i° team arrived in Melbourne a portion of thorn went to the Port Phillip Club Hotel and the others (che professionals) to the White Harfc. The latter, no doubt, thought that no distinction should have been made. The less said in reference to the action of Mr Grace, in. making private arrangements to play a second match in Adelaide, the better. Large scores in the old country seem to be quite in the fashion — a number of players contributing over tho century.