CRICKET.

Otago Witness, Volume 05, Issue 1928, 5 February 1891, Page 28

CRICKET.

NOTES BY SLIP.

A one day's match between the Albion and

Wanderers Clubs was played on the North ground Son Saturday, and resulted in a win for the northern club by 24 runs on the first innings. The

scoring was very poor on both sides, only one

of the Albion batsmen reaching double figures ; while not one of the Wanderers secured that

honour. The Albion, batting first, Bcored 46,

of which Ritchie made 13 by good patient play. The Wanderers could only respond with 22, the bowling of M'Kinley|and the veteran Carr being too good for them. The latter was most destructive, but M'Kinley was more difficult to score from, as only 6 runs were ecored off him for three wickets, while Carr'a seven wickets cost 16 runs. In their second venture the Albion lost b\x wickets for 41 runs. Gollar made 19, and Ritchie, who had batted well in the first innings, after scoring 7 had the misfortune to get his finger broken from a bumpy ball off Carver, and was forced to retire. The fielding of both tesm3 was very good, the Albions showing a decided improvement on their usual form ; while Croxford behind tho sticks was all that could be desired. A match between the Carisbrook A and Warehousemen teams was played on Saturday afternoon on the Carisbrook ground, and resulted in an easy win for the home team. The Warehousemen went to the wickets, but thair three first batsmen failed to score, all falling to Butlin. Williams (11) and M'Crorie (10) remained in company for some time, and Stephenson helped them to add a few runs, but none of the others except Fish, who hit up 11 at the close of the innings, troubled the field much. Butlin found a " spot " in the pitch from which bis deliveries —at all timeß troublesome— got up very nastily and were practically unplayable, as hia average of six wickets for 12 runs shows. The innings closed for 49, which number was obtained by the Carisbrook before their first wicket fell. This was Beck's, who had scored 10, and Johnson then partnered Morice. The latter scored rapidly and left with the score at 70, of which he claimed 52. Johnson was bowled for 10, and later in the innings Bell subjected the bowling to severe punishment, compiling 71 before he was caught. The score was 179 for nine wickets at the call of time. Th 9 matoh between the Grange and Edendale Clubs was finished on Saturday. The Btate of the game on the previous week was— Grange (batting three men short), 47 runs; Edendalo, 39. The second innings of the Grange produced 114 runs, Restieaux scoring 40 by good play, including two hitß out of the ground. Downes (25) and Johnston (22) also showed good form. The Edendale succeeded in totalling 54 runs for the loss of seven wickets, Currie (17) and M'Kenzie (18) playing well, the former particularly co. The match thus ended in a draw in favour of the Grange. Haydon (four wickets for 21 runs) and Dobie (four for for 16) bowled best for the Edendale, while for the Grange Frith secured five wickets for 10 runs in 19 overs, of which 12 were maidens. The return game between the B and C teams of the Cariebrook Club played on Saturday resulted in a draw. The latter going first to the wickets scored 110, T. Austin beiDg top Bcorer with 18, Harraway next with 15. Both Rose and Harper played well for 14 each, and Smith also got double figures. The B team lost six wickets for 88 runs, to which Clayton (not out) contributed 27, Fisher 20, and H.

Strbnach 12. , The Opoho Club's ground presented quite an animated appearance on Saturday, when they met an eleven from the North Dunedin Literary Society. The visitors had the privilege of batting first, and made a very fair stand, as 92 runs were placed to their credit before the last wicket fell. Among the batsmen were" some old Waverley veterans, and they showed they had not lost their cunning. No time was wasted by the home team in commencing their batting, bat, with two or three exceptions, they did not play aB well as was expected, and their total only reached 65 runs. By this time the result of the match was decided, as it was toolate for another innings each, but the Literary Society Bent in a few batsmen, and at 6 o'clock they had three wickets down for 46 runs, and thus ended a very pleasant game for both sides. M'Lean batted very carefully for his 26 runs, 1 and got fair support from Crawford (9, not out) and Drew (12), but the rest did nothing. For the winners, Adams (28, not out), White (7 and 19), Hunter (9 and 7), Duncan (18 and 4, not out), and Dagger (7 and 15, not out) displayed very good form. The match Warehousemen Second v. Edendale Second was not played on Saturday, the latter not putting in an appearance. In a soratch game played the following batted well: — W. Hawke (22), M'Robie (20), and Hellyer (10). W. Hendley bowled well for his side, capturing six wickets for a very few runs. Duthte and M'Robie were the other successful bowlers.

A smoke concert was given on Friday night by the North Dunedin cricketers to the Ofcago Eleven, in honour of their recent victory at Christchurch. Mr James Allen presided, and there was a large attendance. The toast of •' The Otago Cricketers' Association " was proposed by Mr Henry Rose ; that of " The Otago Team "by the Chairman ; and " The Mayor and Corporation of Dunedin" by Mr R. G. Stone, the latter toast being acknowledged by Councillor Cohen. During the proceedings the chairman made presentations to Messrs Baker, Bell, and Croxford, which are elsewhere referred to.

On Saturday afternoon Messrs C. Beck and J. C. Lawton were presented by their clubfellows of the Carisbrook Cricket Club with slight souvenirs of their performances in the recent interprovincial match between Canterbury and Ofcago. Beck's fine play in the first innings of his province received recognition in the shape of a handsome mug, and Lawfcon was presented with a walking stick in recognition of his admirable bowling throughout both innings of Canterbury. The want of a cricket ground, worthy of the name, at the North end of the town was referred to by all the speakers at the smoke concert tendered the Obago team on Friday last, and the hope was expressed that the Cifcy Council would assist the cricketers in their endeavours to procure a suitable ground. Councillor Mark Cohen, in respoudtng to a toast, said ifc would rest with the ratepayers of the city to say whether the cricketers of North Dunedin would get such a cricket ground. There was a movement on foot some fcime ago for the purpose of obtaining that portion of the reserve opposite the Botanic Gardens for a cricket ground. That movement had not been successful so far, bub he did not despair of its beisg carried out yefc. Ib depended for its enccess not so muoh upon the youug men as upon their parents. If tho young men could persuade their parents to back up those who had been trying to work the Cricket Association m the past, and created a public opinion m favour of getting j* cricket ground, tho ground to which he alluded would be got. TheSanior Cup match at Wellington beween the Phoenix and Rivals Clubs resulted in

a rather e»By victory, by 95 runs, for the former toam, although they were left 23 to the bad on the first innings. The scores were :— Phamix, 87 (Moorhouße 33, Da via 14, L. M. Harris 11), and 228 (Moorhouse, not out, 108, W. Frith 36, Harria 28, Webb 16, Davia 10) ; Rivals, 110 (Dryden, not out, 50, Fuller 24, Lynch 15) and 110 (Fuller 33, Holdaworth 18, Dryden 18, Reid» nofc out, 13). Moorhouse's batting in thia match, and in some previous matches this season, entitles him to be regarded as one of the finest batsmen— probably the finest batsman — in the colony.

There waß some ('spirited batting on the Carisbrook ground, and several players gained double figures, although owing to the deadness of the ground nothing like their full value was I obtained for the majority of the hits. Morice's ! score of 52 was the result of on innings of a kind that bas great attractions for onlookers. It was in the match between tho Carisbrook team and the Warehousemen, and he went first to the wickets with Beck, The latter left with the score at 49, of whioh he contributed 11, but Morice remained till 70 was on the board, all but 18 of whioh came off his own bat. His departure was due to a piece of bad luck in bitting over an off ball and dragging it into his wickets. At the beginning of hia innings he made a few uppish strokes, but none were within reach of the field, and when he got set he hit all round .'with great freedom, treating several bowlers with soant respect. He gave no chances to mar his display, unless a bit which want in the direction of M'Crorie in the slips (who would, however, have required the reach of a Barnes to get hia hand on the ball) can be construed into one. Morice, who waß a member of the Wellington representative team for two or three yeara, and was credited with a century in a Cup match last season, was loudly applauded from all parta of the field on hia retirement, Bell also hit about him very freely, while at the other wicket it was gratifying to notice that, among others, two of our veteran cricketers— Rose and T. L. Austinshowed that their hands had not lost thfeir cunning. The latter made a gallery hit while he was at the wickets, getting well on to one of Clayton's slows and driving it \over the members' pavilion. •. The recent victory of Ofcago over Canterbury has given to cricket in Dunedin a much-needed stimulus, and Las aroused— even in the most unexpected quartere— a spirit of enthusiasm that, when contrasted with the apathy that has been manifested by the public and by the playeiß. themselves of late years, is moßt remarkable. It has also done something more, from which good results may not unreasonably be expeoted to flow— it has tended to weld the section of oricketers belonging to North Dunedin into a union, almost aB marked, as the disunion . formerly was with the section which has its home on the grounds in the southern portion of the city. North and South, have combined to laud the achievements of Baker, Oroxford. Lawton, Bell, and Beok, and the rest of Harper's merrie men, and there has been [a most agreeable exhibition of good fellowship between cricketers that promises well for the future of the game in our midst. Since the return of the cricket team presentations have been the order of the day. As reported in last week's notes, Baker was presented by toe Crioketera' Association with a bat in reoognirion of his brilliant batting. Since then at? a aaitdeamus held by the clubs of North Dunedjn bats, donated by the proprietor of the Evening Star, were presented to Bell and Croxford, and the services of Baker and Croxford, in pulling the matoh out bf the fire, were further recognised by the presentation to them pf another bat a piece, the gift of the captain of the team. On Saturday afternoon, Beok waß the recipient of a handsome mug and Lawton of a walking stick from the members of the Carisbrook Olub,and the Albion clubmen contemplate presenting Oroxford (who, with Baker, will have, when all is over, numerous tangible souvenirs of the match) with a gold medal, and Gollar is also to receive a bat from the club of which he is captain. ,

In the course of some very generous commentß upon the match, "0.TT.T.," in the Weekly Press, says :— " The advices that we received from the Southern capital in respect to the team were fully borne out, as it proved a very strong combination, especially as regards bowling and fielding. In Lawton the visitors certainly have a good man, one that I am confident will improve cricket down South. He bowla with exceedingly good length, rises fast* from the pitch, is always on the wicket, and has one of those nice easy styles of delivery that it is a pleasure to watch. Besides this, he is a batsman of the dashing order; aqd smart between the wiokets j although he was not quite smart enough in one instance during the matoh. Downes and Parker assisted him in the trundling in right good form ; in fact, the trio were a bit of a surprise for our men. In fielding the team showed excellent form on both occasions, and the smart wicket-keeping of Croxford should not be passed over without a word of praise being bestowed upon it. In the first inningß he oaused the downfall of four of our men, and in the second two had to retire through his agency." "The totals," continues the Press contributor, " reached on either occasion did not afford muoh opportunity for a bit? display of batting, but still we were treated in two or three instances during each innings to some nice exhibitions. In the first; our old friend Beck played a good game for 82, and would doubtless have followed it up in the second if he bad not been enticed into attempting to cut a high one of Cuff's. The otberß to distinguish themselves were Stephenson (who came up in place of Clayton), Gollar, and Harper, each batsman showing good cricket. The only man to score the ignoble 'o'in the first inninga was Baker, a ' trimmer ' from Wilding proving too muoh for him ; but how did he have revenge in the second ? He stepped into the crease when thinga were in a very unpleasant state for bis side, 85 wanted to win, with three wickets to fall. Baker set to work in a very determined manner, and by making the game fast Boon had a creditable total to his name. Bell, his partner, was also busy putting up an account, and the spectators felt that at last a saviour had turned up." We have already heard a lot about the dosing soenea of the match, but Otago people at anyratejwill not object to some further remarks upon it being served up to them. After paying, a just tribute to Stephenson for the assistance he gave Baker, "O.TJ.T." says:— "When Croxford filled the breaoh 25 runs were wanted, and the excitement was getting up to fever heafc. Tho newcomer was not to be tempted, for ba played the careful game, contenting himself by scoring off the loose ones, and Baker bad in a measure altered his tactics, playinpr cautiously, although he did not lessen his so verity on the bail, a»d between them the much desired total was reached amid thunders of applause. For a really excellent innings commend me to Baker's. He played the game from start to finish ; at no time during it did he exhibit a blemiah, every hit being hard, well timed, and nicely placed, and the heavy treatment be served out to at least one of the trundlera was a treat for the spectators, ; though soineweai annoying to the bowler. The placing of some of his leg bits was also good,

and the understanding that existed between him and his partners about running was of the best. Altogether I think lam right in Baying i that his exhibition, considering the circumstances under which the runs were made, is the best that has taken place on Lancaster Park, and he richly deserved the reception accorded him as he returned to the pavilion." Several of the victorious Ofcago interprovinoial team displayed good form last Saturday in olub matches. Bell's was the most noteworthy performance, as he obtained 71 by elegant cricket for bis team of the Oarisbrook Olub againßt the Warehousemen. True, the bowling he had ty meet was rather poor stuff, and Morice bad already taken away most of its sting by the punishment he meted out to it before Bell went in, but for all that the latter's innings was one of sterling merit. Beck exhibited his usual patience in an innings of 10 runs, and Stephenson, who was playing on the opposite side, was batting nicely when he reoeived a nasty knock in the most vulnerable of plaoes from one of Butlin's fast deliveries, and he was bowled shortly after this, He was not very successful with the ball, his three wickets costing 48 runs, but he was distinctly the best trundler on his side. On the other wicket on the Oarisbrook ground Lawton, Harper, and Fisher were among the players. The professional was bowled early in bio innings, but subsequently did good aervioa with the ball, the opposing batßmen treating him with the utmoßt respect. Twelve of the 26 overs he sent down were maidens, and his three wickets cost 26 runs. Harper and Fisher both scored double figures, and the latter bowled with fair success, though Clayton got a better average. On the North ground Groxford only got 13 runs in two innings against the Wanderers, but he did not let hiß opponents have an extra, and disposed of two men at the wickets. Gollar was more successful with the bat, as, after being got out for two at the first handß, he made 19 at hie second effort. Bake* was not playing for the Grange, but Downee and Parker were. The former failed with the ball, not getting a wicket, while 22 runs were tnade off him, but he rattled up 23 runs off his bat. Parker only got four before he was caught, and his two wickets cost 18 The captain of Oxford University for 1891 will be M. R. Jardine, of Balliol College, and the Light Blues will be led by G. M'Gregor, the international wicket-keeper. O. I. Thornton, the Bonnor of England, so far as big bitting (not height) is concerned, is in Australia, visiting some friends. "Felix" hears from Castlemame that Costello, the local champion, has performed marvels with bat and ball tbiß Beason ; His batting average up to now is 358. How is that for high? For some time past there have been doubts about G. Giffen's age. The South Australian crack seems to have been under the impression that he was born in 1861, but Bomeone has turned up his birth certificate and dißoovered that be was born on March 27, 1859.