THE ENGLISHMEN IN SOUTH AFRICA.

Otago Witness, Issue 1958, 30 May 1889, Page 26

THE ENGLISHMEN IN SOUTH AFRICA.

The following e*tractf from a. letter written by a South African cricketer give's e'ome idea of how the Englishmen have fared from a cricketing point of Tiews— "So fatf Wa'rtbn's team have not been very successful. They lost their first match, v. 22 of Western Province, by 17 runs. Three men won the match against them, Milton, the Mariborough captain,. who tn&de 36* and 40 by really good free cricket, and Theorist sen and Ashley, the bowlers. The second match the Fifteen should have won, bnt the English played up vtiy hard, and their bowling was really good, so they just did us on the post by 11 runs. They then came up here to play 22 of Port Elizabeth. They lost by 55 runs. The ' Port has iome nseful bats, and made a good score first* innings — 193—- not bad that, against Briggs, Fothergill, and Smith. Their fast innings was sensational, as we got. four wickets down for 10 and six for 24. Brig'gs and Wood then came in to the rescue, the latter playing good cricket, but he was badly : missed when he had made 30. Bcigge scored both innings, but he was rather lucky. ■< Read played a fine second innings. One of: our bowlers, Innes,' quite & boy, bowledjwonderfully well to begin with, and at one time had four wickets for six runs only. He bowled Abel and Hearne, beating them clean, and had Maurice Read and M'Maater caught off him. Innes is a slow left-band bowler, nice easy action, with great break both ways. His off break is not quite under control, but he got Abel with one which entirely non-plussed him. He ,is also an improving bat, and when he gains some strength he will; in my opinion, be about the I best cricketer in South .Africa; Briggs has, of [ course, been getting most of the wickets, and is quite invincible when he is against the ordinary 22 man. Bowden's wicket-keeping has been marvellous. I have seen all the great wicketkeepera, both English and Australian, of the last 16 or 17 years, and I never saw such keeping as Bdwden showed in the first match in Cape Town. It' was rather hard line* for Wood to have to follow him. The team generally have had a tremendous reception, and I think they are all pleased with the country so far. The attendance at all matches has been very large, and the spectators have been most 1 impartial in their applause. An English success is moat genuinely well received in spite of a certain amount of pride which we naturally feel at having made such a good show. The Englishmen are, perhaps, not quite settled down to the new surroundings, clear atmosphere, matting pitches, &c. Wood and Fothergill are such fearfully bad sailors that the trip round from Cape Town even upset them a lot. Read does not like the matting, and Bays you can't get set on it. I think he will alter his opinion before he leaves. Briggs is as fit and merry as possible, and does the lion's share of the work, without any seeming exertion. It is, perhaps, rather a pity that the team was not slightly stronger, as I think we should learn the most by getting well licked. I daresay the team will go on victorious, but they are rather down now, and evidently did not expect such good cricket against them. UJyetfc, who is now on the way out, will strengthen them tremendously, and I think what they really want is bowling."