CRICKET.

Otago Witness, Issue 1885, 6 January 1888, Page 26

CRICKET.

NOTES BY SLIP.

CaBISBBOOK V. NOBTH DUNBDIN.

The match Carisbrook v. North Dunedin was played on the former's ground on Saturday Drabble won the toss aud elected to bat, but none of his team made much of a stand against J. M'Farlane and Robertson, the innings closing for 48 runs. Johnston aud G. Grieve were the first at the wickets for North Dunedin, but were soon separated, the former being bowled in Butlin's first over. Baker joined Grieve, who after making 11 was caught by Bowler, the second wicket falling for 19 runs. J. M'Farlane was the incomer, and he and Baker made a fine stand, carrying the score to 119 before they were separated, M'Farlane being splendidly taken by R. Austin in the slips. Hutchinson came next and played out time, the score standing at 132 for three wickets. Baker contributed 79 by first-class cricket, without giving a single chance. The fielding of the Carisbrook was decidedly poor, while that of the North Dunedin was a treat to witness. Eight bowlers were tried. Butlin secured two wickets and A. W. Morris one.

Warehousemen v. Wandrrebs.

The Wanderers and Warehousemen First Elevens played a one-day match on the Oval on a fairly good wicket. The game resulted in a draw in favour of the Warehousemen, the Wanderers having only four wickets to fall and requiring 54 runs to win. W. Carver, Best, and M'Crorie were the most successful bowlers; the fielding on both sides was hardly up the mark.

Addington t. Phoenix Mixed

This match was played on the Caledonian ground on the 27th ult. on a very good wicket. Going in first, the visitors put on 108 ruus in the first innings— Caygill, with 47, being top scorer. Though he gave a number of cbauces, he deserved the runs. Duckraanton, an old Dunedia player, made things lively for the field to the tune of 23 runs. No others reached double figures. With nine Phcenix wickets down for 81 it seemed a moral for the visitor?, but the fates willed otherwise. Niven, who was batting very steadily, was joined at this stage by George Olark, the veteran. Both playing carefully, runs came apace, until the score of Addiugton was topped. When Clark went in over 30 ruus were required to win, and before he was taken in the field he saw over 50 runs put on, of which he claimed 29. Hearty cheers greeted both players when they reached the pavilion. Clark had not handled a bat previously this season. Niven well earned his ruus. and deservedly carried his bat out. Harris totted up 16 before he was clean bowled by M'Murray. M'Donald made 11 ; none of the others reached double figures. Two or three of the players would find it conducive to longer life were they to play with straight bats, if they can purchase them. In their second innings the visitors were not so successful as in the first, the scere standing at 58 when the last wicket fell. Having about 25 minutes on hand and 31 runs to make, the home team started with Frith and Harris. The latter, after making 6, put one up, and was well taken by Turner off Halley. Frith hit out merrily for 19 before time was called. A few more minutes would have sufficed for the 7 runs required. As it was the match was decided upon the first innings. In bowling in the first innings M'Murray had the best record with five for 49, though Halley bowled well. For the Phconix, Montgomery secured four wickets for 25 runs, and Frith four for 31. In the second innings Frith bowled well, securing four for 10 ; Harris six for 37. The fielding was very fair on both sides.

Geange v. Oamaru.

The Grange Club Eleven met an Eleven from Oamaru on the 27fch ult. The match was to have been started at 10 o'clock, but owing to some mistake the Oamaru team dia not turn up till half-past 2. Grange, going first to the wickets, totalled the grand score of 330, the largest score made in Dunedin this season. A. Grieve made 100, his cutting and driving being good. Ho gave only one chance while making the century. W. Carson played a faultless innings for 58. Downes played well for 27, as also did Restieaux (29), J. Carson and Crawshaw (25 each), and Parker (16). The Oamaru team did not bat, as time was up when the last wicket of the Grange fell.

A Wellington Midland Club eleven met the Canterbury Midland Club in a two-days' match on the 26th and 27th ult. at Christchurch. The Wellington men put together 178 in the first innings. The Canterbury men responded with 262, of which G. Rayner scored 92 (not out), C. Garrard making 49, and B. Barnes 31. The Wellington men made a good start in their second innings, four wickets being down for 113, but the tenth wicket had fallen with the score at 163. Tindall and Isherwood batted in good style for 21 and 47 respectively. Ashby's bowling analysis again was the best on his side. Ashby got five wickets for 64, and Barnes two for 28. Requiring 79 to win, the Canterbury Club succeeded in their task, but at the cost of six wickets. Rayner and Garrard got small doublefigure scores each, and M'Donald and Washer were not out with 15 and 16 respectively. M'Girr was highest scorer in the Wellington first innings, and he had also the best bowling average in Canterbury Club's first, securing five wickets for 71 runs. Lawson took three for 30 in the second innings.

A Christchurch telegram states that the Pnited No. 1 team made 333 against Lancaster Park No. 3 team (15). Studhojme, bF. Waller, contributed 103. The Park, who have a lead of 64 on the first innings, have lost four wickets for 27 in the second. Midland No. 1 made 282 against Lancaster Park No. 2 (15). Wheatley (c and b Cooke, 114) and Buchanan (b Digby, 66) were the chief scorers. These were the only cup matches played, and will be finished during next week.

" Point," in Town and Country, asks : What has come over the Melbourne cricketers to allow the Englishman to put them to the right-about for such a small score on a first-class wicket ? There is decidedly some screw loose when half adogen of Viptoria's best performers refrain from taking part in the contest. Looking over the list of those who announced their inability

to play for the colony against Shrewsbury's team it will be perceived that the great majority hail from the Melbourne Oricket Club, including

Spofforth, Biackham, Bruce, and M'llwraith.

Verb. sap. The miserable score of 68 is any.thing but a first-class performance even for the eleven which was pitted against Shrewsbury's team. The bowling opposed to them was not so remarkable. Most of the players have distinguished themselves against superior trundling to this before now ; and why they should make such a poor display of batting ia this match in a mystery to me. No one for a moment thought that the Victorians would stand a show of beating Shrewsbury's team. • But very few expected them to be so ignominiously beaten. Shrewsbury's innings was regarded by good judges to be one of the finest, if not the best, of his performances in the colony. But the bowling he had to contend with was not of a very high order,

unless we except Trumble ; and he, I under-

1* stsnd, did not bowl up to his accustomed excellence, What a surprise, it must have been to everybody when the amateur Braon came out

of his shell, and recorded the magnificent score of 118, in fine style, against the Victorians ! This team has given us two or three surprises [ since it has been in the colonies. Its poor display of batting in the first match with New South Wales, the improved batting of Briggs against Turner and Ferris, and the grand performance of Captain Smith, in the second contest, all took cricketers by surprise. And I should not wonder if we have a few more surprises before they leave our shores. If I may judge from the Victorians' form in this match, I should imagine that they can have little prospect of whining the intercolonial match, especially when our bowlers are hi such rare fettle, and our leading batsmen batting in better form than they ever did befere. The following players have been selected to represent Victoria in the match against New South Wales :— Biackham, Boyle, Bruce, Horan, Morris," M'llwraith, Spofforth, Trott, J. W. Trumble, H. Trumble, Worrall; emergencies, M'Shane and Robertson.

A writer in a Melbeurne paper says : — " I have heard with regret of the death in India from cholera of Mr F. M. Lucas, the celebrated lefthanded Sussex batsman, who only left England for the East on Octdker 1. He came f torn a celebrated cricketing family, and was one of the most popular amateurs in England."