Cricket.

Otago Witness, Issue 1418, 25 January 1879, Page 10

Cricket.

• ■ THE CANTERBURY CRICKETERS. (I'ROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT. ) Melbourne, 14th January, 1879. After a hard time of travelling, the Canterbury team, on Friday, 27th December, commenced their campaign at Ballarat, where they began play within two hours after the termination of their journey, which was very much against the prospects of success. However, they made the fair total in their first innings ofc 133, chiefly by tte aid of Ollivier, 31 ; Watson, . 21 ; Neileon, 17 ; and C. Erich, 15 (not out). The local team collapsed in their first innings, only putting together 42, of which Nettle and E Figgis made 15 and 12 respectively— they being the only batsmen who made any stand against the bowling of the visitors. A fol-low-on was therefore necessary, and it was soon apparent that the Canterbury Eleven were now feeling the effects of their constant travelling, as they did not field or bowl anything like so well as in the first innings. Ballarat, thtrefore, made a much belter show, as over 50 runs were pufc together that evening without the loss of a wicket. . The next day, however, found the visitors in better form, and the total only reached 135, of which Nettle contributed 32; E. Figgis, M'Gregor, and Williamson, 27. This left Canterbury 45 runs to get to win, which they easily accomplished for the loss of two wiokets, Ashby playing in fioe form for 32 not out. The bowling of the local team was very good, Morey and E. Figgis being the best, although nob so successful aB Oleverley and Herbert. The fielding of both sides could have been improved upon, but in this de> partment the visitors showed to best advantage. On Monday morning the Eleven returned to Melbourne to find that the dates arranged for the Australian and English Eleven match prevented their playing on the Melbourne ground as arranged, and that seme of the best players for East Melbourne could not play on the" dates arranged. It was therefore decided to postpone these matches— that with Melbourne until the 7tih and Sth, and East Melbourne to the 13th and 14th, but owing to the early termination of the English matoh a commencement was made, at the request of the Melbourne r Club, on the Saturday afternoon. This was against the Canterbury team, as they were unprepared to play, and the heat was intense, being 100 degrees in the shade, with a hot wind. However, a commencement was made, and, .chiefly by the hard hitting of Alexander, the Melbourne Club made 143, of which Alexander contributed 77. Lee and W. Frith bowled very well for Canterbury in this innings. The New Zealanders then took the bat, but, after the fall of the first four wickets, collapsed entirely, the total being only 87, of which Watson contributed 27, and Ashby and Neilson 17 each, these being the principal &corer3. The bowling of Kendall was very effective. Matters went favourably for Canterbury in the second innings of Melbourne until Kendall and Tennent became partners. The former slogged up 54 very quickly, and the latter played well for his score of 75. They were both not out on the Monday night, but three bills sufficed to finish the innings on the next morning, the total remaining unaltered from the previous night's score, which was 236. This left Canterbury 293 to get to win— a task which was too much for them, as Alexander was in fine form with the ball, and . was much assisted by the wicket, which did not play at all tine in this innings. Watsoa again ecored well, 29 being his total; Ollivier contributed 27, Neilson 23, and W. Frith 19, not out. The innings closed foiJl23, or 169 to the bad. The fielding of neither side was up to the mark. The next match was with South Melbourne, when the local team proved tod much for the visitors, though it is but fair to state that some of them were etill suffering from the intense heat they had jußt experienced, and this could not be wondered at when the local inhabitants complained of the hot weather. Canterbury went first to the wickets, bat although they commenced we ll — their Bret wicket realising 35— very little resistance was offered to the bowling of Cooper, who bowled slow round with immense work. Ninety was the total of the innings— Oliivier 27, Watson 13, Baker 12, and Lee 10, being the only doable figures. South Melbourne thi-n went in, and wire not disposed of until 317 had been put together. Baker played a fine innings for 105, hitting the bowling to all parts of the field ; he only gave one r very difficult chance. Major 66, Woolf 41, and English 41, not out, were tbe other chief scorers, but the last two »ere both palpably run out early in their innings, and W. fl. Cooper (the cap tain) was out as caught for a bamp-ball, all three decisions being given .by tbe South Melbourne umpire. However, they did not affect the result of the match, although it might have been more favourable for Canterbury. In the second innings Ashby and Baker played in good style for 33 and 30 respectively, but the latter was badly run out by Watson when he was well set. Fowler played well for his score of 20. The total only reached 134, whica left South Melbourne victorious by an innings and 93 runs. The local team were undoubtedly the best, but not so much as the result would lead one to suppose, the visitors being* out of all form, and showing very little confidence in playing the slows. The match against East Melbourne is regarded as ths strongest here, and against these Canterbury are making a better show, having disposed of themfor 188, of which Goldsmith contributed 44 by hardhitting, Trapp3B |(not oui), Groube 25, Dobson 24, and Horan 15 ; Lee and W. Frith being most successful in getting wicket b. Canterbury commenced their first innings, and have made 182 for six wiokets. NeiJson played in fine form for his 48, but should have been stamped early in his innings. Olivier played better than usual for in* 37 ; W. Frith is not out for 34, and has *hown good defence and hittu.g power ; Auhby, aB usual, played well for hu runs, 25 ; and Baker, 16, was well in when be was ran out. Th« Canterbury fieldiug was au improvement on their previoat per?

foroiauces, but yet not so good aa they show on their own ground.