TOUR OF THE NEW SOUTH WALES TEAM.

Otago Witness, Issue 2085, 8 February 1894, Page 33

TOUR OF THE NEW SOUTH WALES TEAM.

THE CANTERBURY MATCH. First Day — Thursday, February 1. The long-looked-for cricket match New South Wales v. Canterbury was commenced to-day at Lancaster Park. The weather, which had been very unsettled for some time, cleared up on Monday, and very fine days have been experienced since. The wickefc, consequently, was iv first-rate order. The day, was cloudy but fine, and 2000 persons were present during the afternoon. The play at first was against the Canterbury men, who went to the wickets firsb. Cuff, Lawrence, and Harman were all out for 45 at the luncheon adjournment. Afterwards De Maus and Labatt, by magnificent cricket, completely defied the New South Wales bowling, despite frequent changes, and as, after the departure of these two latter batsmen, the others showed good form, Canterbury held possession until the drawing of the stumps, when the total was 295 for the loss of eight wickets. De Maus played magnificently, hitting hard and clean all round, and only giving one chance, a particularly difficult one, to the wicketkeeper, when he had scored 12. Labatt also played in his best form, and had bad luck in being run out when well set and scoring freely. Pearce hit well and cleanly for his runs, and Wilding played in characteristic style for his total. Several of the others also played the bowling easily, and every man scored more or less. The visitors were somewhat turpri&ed at the quality of the batting shown, oven despite the tact that they had been warned to look out for some leather-hunting in Christ' church. The game started at 11.45 a.m. Cuff having won the toss, weub in with Lawrence. Play was at once steady and careful. Austin, bowling particularly well and beiDg full of tricks, needed great caution in negotiating. Just

after 10 was reached, a short bumpy one was just snicked by Cuff and well held by E. Noble in the slips. 12—1—5. A. Harman was next, and started carefully, and all the field being placed on the off-side to Miller's bowling, and .Austin keeping a good lengtb, runs came slowly. At 19 Searle snapped Harman up at the wickets, and he made way for De Maus. Soon after his arrival, though, Lawrence was beautifully caught, exactly in the same way as his captain had been, and 23 — 3—12 was signalled as Labatt came in. The new comer started very steadily. De Maus scored cautiously, and with his total at 12 gave Searle a hard chance at the wickets, which was not taken. The score rose slowly until (at 45) an adjournment for luncheon was taken — De Maus (not out) 17, Labatt (nob out) 6. On resuming a great stand was made. Both men appeared strengthened by the adjournment, and scored rapidly, 10 after 10 appearing, De Maus monopolising most of the bowling, and consequently scoring fast. Any amount of fine hits from both men On the offside were resultleis, owing to the extra fieldsmen and M'Kenzie's solid and sterling work there. Davis changed and rechanged the bowling, but without effect. Both men were playing perfect cricket and scoring freely, 100 wag signalled, and still the game went on without a Canterbury disaster. At 140, though, De Maus cut a ball hard to M'Kenzie, and Labatt called him for a run, which would have been a sharp one in any case. De Maus refused, and in consequence both men were at one wicket and Labatt was run out. 140—4—42, The Warehousemen's skipper showed fine batting, only one almost impossible j hot drive back to A. Noble being debited as anything like a chance to him. Palmer was next in, and started steadily. De Maus meanwhile scoring well, the tens mounted again steadily but surely— lso, 160, 170, 180, and 190 going up without a separation. With 170 on the board De Maus completed his 100 amidst universal applause, but at 196 lost Palmer, who was bowled by a break from Austin after playing a useful innings of 19. Ridley came out next, and soon got to work, 200 going up by the agency of a fine straight drive of his to the boundary off Gould. Eight runs later De Maus ended his grand innings, being caught off a skier at short leg. 208 — 6—113.6 — 113. He received an ovation upon his return to the pavilion. Wilding's appearance was the signal for cheering, and the veteran was soon at home to the bowling, and as Ridley was very brisk the score reached 224 rapidly. At that point Ridley fell a victim to the off theory, splendidly caught by Davis at point off Gould. 224 — 7—15.7 — 15. Pearce next joined Wilding, and began laying about him in great style, and as Wilding was not asleep another good stand eventuated. 230 soon appeared, almost immediately followed by 240. Pearce had a narrew escape from being run out, and also lifted one of Austin's just clear of M'Kenzie in the long field, but was making a number of fine strokes and showing good defence as well. 250 was signalled, and at 256 Wilding gave A. Noble a possible chance off a hard drive back, which the bowler could not hold. The veteran then hit Noble for 4 and 5 in the same over, bringing 270 up. At 272 Austin went on again, and got Wilding caught at mid-on off a full pitch, which the batsman tried to pull. Collins came in and finished the over confidently. The scoring still continued steady, Pearce doing most of it) ; and 280 went up, with both men still in possession of the creases, and the bowling being changed and the positions of fieldsmen altered. As the time approached for drawing stumps the batting of both men quietened Sown a good deal — evidently playing for not out. Just before the finish Pearce let out at Cowley and drove him well for 3, and after Collins had scored a single Pearce cut the same bowler in good style for 3 more. The end of that over was the end of the day's play, stumps being drawn at 295 for eight wickets, Pearce, not out, 37 ; Collins, not out, 10. The fielding of the visitors was fairly good, but nothing extraordinary. Davis, at point, and M'Kenzie, anywhere, were very good. A couple of fine catches were made, but some fumbling was apparent now and then. Austin was the only bowler who appeared to trouble the batsmen much. De Maus's score was made up of one 5, six 4's, ten 3's, eighteen 2's, and the rest singles. Second Day — Satubday, February 3. No play was possible on Friday, owing to heavy rain, all traces of which, were, however, removed by a strong hot nor'-wester which set inon Friday night, and continued without intermission throughout the night and Saturday morning. At midday on Saturday, when the game was resumed, the wicket and turf were in splendid order — indeed, many good judges thought it a trifle faster than on Thursday. Despite the fact of the favourable surroundings in the shape of good turf and a bright sunny day, only marred by the strength of the wind, the New South Welshmen were outclassed at all points. Pearce and Collins, the twonot-outs of Thursday, found no difficulty in adding 35 runs to the score of the first day's play, and 295 for eight wickets was easily turned into 330 before Collins left. One run later Pearce was caught, and the innings closed for 331. The New South Wales bowling had been severely handled throughout, and Mr Coleman Davis, the manager of the team, wa* bo impressed with the quality of the batting shown that he cabled at once to Sydney for Newell or Coningham to strengthen the team in the match New Zealand against New South Waleß. Pearce'B total amounted to 54, the second highest in the innings, and was the outcome of plucky, resolute batting, good hitting being blended with stubborn defence. Collins reached 26 before being bowled, and, considering he was comparatively out of practice and Buffering from a blistered hand, he did well. After luncheoD, at 1.50 p.m. New South Wales sent M'Kenzie and Moore in first to wipe off the large total opposed to them. Robertson and Labatt bowled, and runs came only with difficulty. With 10 up, mostly made i by singles, Robertson beat Moore with a beauty, and the crack retired. Cowley was next, and was soon busy. M'Kenzie plodded along steadily, but at 33 Robertson broke through his j defence, and ho left with 11 to his credit. Walford stayed some time with Cowley, who was batting briskly, but at 48 Robertson clean bowled Cowley with a grand ball after he had played very well and freely for 28. With the total unaltered, Walford and Gould left without having scored, both caught off Labatt, and Austin and E. Noble got together. A slight stand was made, and the score taken along to 77, when Noble was beaten by Robertson. Six out for 77. Searle joined Austin, and started ' very cautiously. The bowling was well on the spot. Robertson dropped in a loose one now I aud then, but more as an incentive to the batsmen than anything else. Labafct k^pfc a grand lengih, which made it a matter of extreme difficulty to score oi£ him, and the fielding all through was magnificent. Runs came gradually, and at 4 p.m. a short adjournment for refreshments waß made, Austin being nob oufc with 26, and Searle not out 5, the total being 94 for six wickets. Upon resuming Austin dropped on to a long hop from Robertson, and des-

patched it to the boundary. Singles brought iOO up, but almost immediately Robertson bowled Austin, and the board showed 100 — 7—31.7 — 31. Austin had played good defensive cricket. Davis came and went, sensationally caught by Ridley with the left hand at deep pquara leg off a fine clean hit. 104 — B—o.8 — 0. A. Noble next partnered Searle, who had hit Labatt to leg for 4, before Davis left. Play became slow, and Searle's patience gave way at last. Letting out at Labatt, he was well caught at third man. 107—9—13. Miller, the last man, came in, and leg byes brought 110 up. Noble got hard on to Libafcfc for 3, and after some singles Pearce caught him in the slips, and 118—10—6 was posted. There were 3000 spectators present at this time, taking a deep interest in the proceedings, but they were disappointed at the poor show of the New South Wales batsmen.

After a quarter of an hour's adjournment Canterbury again took the field, and M'Kenzie and Cowley came out to start the task of wiping off the deficit of 213. Robertson and Labatt again took up the bowling, and singles came to each batsman. Cowley cut Labatt tremendously hard to Palmer at point. The fieldsman missed the catch, but the ball flew off to cover, and Ridley making a smart return, Cowley, who had started to run and slipped, was run out. 3—1 — 1. Walford came in and commenced well with a single and fine equaro cubs off Robertson for 4 and 3 in successive balls. Then the bowler had his revenge by sending him home lbw off a full pitched ball. 12—2—8. Miller, not out in the first innings, joined M'Kenzie. The latter was troubled by Robertson a good deal, and should have been stumped. A lot of slow play followed, and 20 appeared. Miller jumped out and drove Robertson to the pavilion fence for 4 ; but in trying to repeat the performance next ball was clean bowled. 24 — 3-6. Searle joined M'Kenzie, and the pair played out time without any further scoring.

The play of the visitors was extremely disappointing. No fault could be found with the wicket, which played very well all through, and whilst not, perhaps, being quite as fast as the one on which the late Auckland match was played, was a very good one, and had recovered from the effects of Friday's rain in a wonderful manner. The visiting team seemed unnerved and bewildered by the excellence of the bowling and fielding. Robertson's curling and twisting deliveries completely beat man after man, and as Labatt kept an excellent length at the other end, with a few inches of an offbreak on, scoring was a matter of great difficulty. At the same time the Canterbury team and supporters were greatly surprised at the performance. The batting of the visitors lacks dash, with perhaps the exception of Cowley, and back cutting is a forgotten art with the team. Balls outside the off-stump, that New Zealand batsmen would cut through the slips aro pulled round to the on-side by the visitors, and almost every man in made numerous unsuccessful attempts to hit Robertson to leg. Scores :—: — Canterbury.— First Innings.

BOWLING ANALYSIS.

Miller bowled one wide. New South Wales.— First Innincs.

BOWLING ANALYSIS.

Third Day — Monday, February 5. In the remaining stages of the cricket match between New South Wales and Canterbury the New South Welshmen made a bold effort to save a one-innings defeat, and once or twice during tho game such seemed easy of accomplishment, but the Canterbury men battled on steadily and secured the honour of a one-innings victory with seven runs to spare. Saturday's successes in the bowling line, Robertson and Labatt, were comparative failures ; but both men, the former especially, had good reason to complain of want of support in the field. Pearce and Palmer, the first changes, secured the bowling averages. The fielding was nothing like as good as on Saturday. Collins, the wicket-keeper, was absent for some time at the start of the play, and Cuff took the gloves, only to show his inability to fill the position, as he missed two or three chances of stumping that an ordinary wicket - keeper would have availed himself of. M'Kenzie played excellently, giving, however, more than one chance of stumping. Gould played a nice innings. He gave a chance to slip, but showed great ability in the way of pulling anything short pitched. Davis showed some pretty cricket, and made several beautiful strokes. He was beaten at length by a grand ball. E. Noble pleased all with his graceful and powerful play. Austin again played Bouadly, and Searle, who had some luck, is nevertheless a difficult man to get rid of. Tho following are the details of the play : — The weather for the continuation of the match was glorious, and at the opening of play there were about 200 spectators present. The game was resumed at 10 minutes to 11. Collins and Pearce were temporarily absent, and Orchard and Clark fielded for a while for them, Cuff taking the gloves. Lawrence bowled from the pavilion end, and sent down a maiden to Searle. Robertson bowled up to M'Kenzie and was hit to leg for 3, and Searle sent the next ball to leg, just past De Maus, for a single, and M'Kenzie sent 30 up in the same over with » brace in the usual direction. Labatt resumed bowliug — Lawrence having only gone on to justify the change of ends. Searle j>layed Labatt nicely to square leg for 4 — a well-timed ntroke — aud snicked the next ball for 3, and Pearce took his place iv the fiuld — Orchard retiring. Starle drove Robertson for a single, and M'Kenzie landed the same bowler to the boundary and 40 went vp — the fast scoring arousing interest in the game considerably. Three more to M'Kenzie in Robertson's next, and Cuff missed an easy chance of atumping Searle.

Singles brought 50 up, 26 runs having been added in 20 minutes' play. De Maus missed an awkward chance of catching Searle at short leg off Robertson, and the New South Wales wicket-keeper celebrated his escape by cutting the Midland bowler square for 3, and the next over clumped Labatt to deep square leg for 4— 60 up, and Palmer relieved Robertson at tho south end. His firsb over gave M'Kenzie a single. Labatt bowled a maiden to the big man, and in Palmer's next over he bowled Searle with a full pitched ball. 63—4—17. Moore camo next, and played Palmer round to leg for 4 right away, and Collins took his place behind the wickets. Singles and a couple more to Moore put 70 up, and Labatt very nearly bowled M'Kenzie with a good one. A strong drive for 3 to M'Kenzie off Palmer was next noted, and with the two cracks in, scoring well, the chances of New South Wales making a good stand appeared very rosy. Bub after a single or two the hopes of the visitors received a severe facer by Moore being snapped np in the slipß by Labatt off Palmer off a bumpy one— 77— s— 9, and Austin in. The new comer sent 80 up at once by a good off drive, and after some alow play M'Kenzie opened his shoulders to Palmer, and drove him hard for 4, bringing his own total to 40. Three more to Austin sent 90 up. His partner again drove Palmer for 4, and Robertson book up bhe bowling in place of the left-hander. Three singles came off the over, and Pearce gave Labatb a rest at the pavilion end. M'KeDzie placed the first ball past square leg for a quartet, bringing 100" up amidst applause from about 400 spectators. Austin ran inbo double figures by cutting Robertson for 3, and M'Kenzie lifted the next ball but one high and dry over the bowler's head to the cinder path. Iv running for the hit M'Kenzie slipped in his crease and fell with his weight on his arm, straining it at the elbow joint. He adjourned for a little while, but soon resumed, and scored a siDgle in the next over, and with a neat couple off Pearco put 110 up. Two more off the next ball, well fielded by Lawrence, and then Robertson caught him beautifully after a very fine innings. 113 — 6—60. Gould was the next man, and Austin snicked Robertson for a single, and Gould pulled the same bowler for 3. Singles and a couple to Gould sent 120 up, the total of the first innings having been passed. Austin i then cut Robertson for 4, and in the next over repeated the hit for 3, bringing 130 up. I Singles and a couple to Gould through the slipß brought him into double figures. After a maiden from Pearce, Palmer took up the bowling with the total at 135, and sent down a maiden to Austin. Two more to Gould, and Palmer clean bowled Austin with a good one. He retired after making 21. 137—7—21. Davis, the New South Wales captain, came next, and Gould hit Pearce beautifully to the boundary for 4, bringing 140 up. Davis got a risky one in the slips, and after a couple of singles to Gould he hit Palmer nicely past cover for 2. Gould pulled Pearce for 3, and an adjourment for luncheon took place. At 2 p.m. the game was resumed in the presence of about 500 spectators. Palmer bowled from the south end to Gould, who at once brought 150 up with a couple past mid-on. A bye was run, and Labatt bowled from the opposite end and sent down a maiden. A few singles, and Davis played Labatt neatly under his leg for 3, and Pearce missed Gould in the slips in the same over. Maidens from each end followed, and play was very monotonous. Gould at last skied Labatt on the leg side, but the ball fell clear and 2 runs were noted. Davis brought 160 up with a neat cut for 2 off Palmer, and play then relapsed into tameness again until Gould pulled one of Labatt's high to the on for 4. Davis snicked Palmer for 2 and cut the next ball neatly for another couple. Gould dropping hard on to an overpitched one from Labatt, drove it to the pavilion fence. 170 up, and the prospect of saving the one-innings defeat looked closer Robertson went on again at the south and, and some singles were made. Palmer gained applause by smartly stopping a very hard cut by Gould. Labatt, who was bumping a little, sent down his usual maiden over, and Gould clumped Robertson to fine leg for 3, and a single to the captain brought 180 in tight. Two more to Davis brought Pearce on at the south end, Robertson's bowling having been fairly easily coped with. Pearce opened with a maiden, and Labatb followed suit. Two more to Gould brought his total to I 40, and then Gould aroused enthusiasm again after a spell of quietness by playing Labatt to the on for 3, but in the same over the bowler laid Davib't) leg stump prostrate. The retiriDg batsman had played very pretty cricket for his runs, and his good play ctae at an opporbune time. 188—8 — 17. E. Noble was the next batsman, with 25 required to save the one innings defeat. He at once rubbed 3 off that number with a pretty back cut from the first ball, and brought 190 up. In the next over he played Pearce round to leg for another triplet, and in Labatt's next he scored 2 more for a cut past cover, and 4 for a grand leg hit — bringing 200 up, amidst applause. Then Wilding caught Gould at the third or fourth attempt. 200 — 9—45. Gould played very fine cricket. The last man, A. Noble, joined his brother, with 13 required to save a one innings defeat ; and some excitement was manifest as to whether the home team would be compelled to bat again or not. E. Noble scored a single and cut Pearco for 3, and his brother drove him for a couple. A maiden or two strung out the agony a little, but Pearce ended it all ab last by bowling A. Noble off his pads at 3.15 p.m. (206 — 10 — 2), and Canterbury was victorious by an innings and 7 runs. E. Noble took in his bat for a well-played 16. Scores :—: — New South Walks.— Secoad Innings.

BOWLING ANALYSIS. Balls. Mdns. Runs; Wkts.

Corbett won the fight (which lasted only 10 minutes) against Mitchell, who was badly punished. Lady Masters of Hounds. — There are 378 packs of stag-hounds, fox-houuds, harriers, and beaglea in the United Kingdom this season. Two of tho Masters of Hounds are ladies. The Comtesse de Paris is Master of the Wood Norton Harriers, and Mrs Cheape is Master of the Bentley Harriers, with her daughter as whipper-in. Last season Lady Ileene Hastings officiated for a time as master of a pack of foxhounds in Ireland.

h. A. Cuff, cB. Noble, b Austin ... 5 F. D. Lawrence, cE. Noble, b Austin 12 \. F. Harman, c Searle, b Miller ... 1 [I. de Maus, cA. Noble, b Gould ... 113 \. M. Labatt, run out 42 E. V. Palmer, b Austin 19 k. E. Ridley, c Davis, b Gould ... 15 F. Wilding, c Walford, b Austin ... 29 W. Pearce, cE. Noble, b Gould ... 51 L U. Collins, c Gould 26 W. Robertson, not out 1 4 Extras (byes 8, leg-byes 5, wides 1) 14 Total 331

Balls. Mans. Runs. Uistin ... Hiller ... L Noble Jould ... Hoore ... ... 282 ... 216 ... 108 ... 126 ... 24 9 11 5 1 0 110 78 40 69 8 5 1 0 4 0

M'Kenzie.b Robertson 11 Moore, b Robertson 4 Cowley, b Robertson 28 Walford, c Harman, b Labatt 0 Austin, b Robertson 31 Gould, c Palmer, b Labatt ...**■ ... 0 E. Noble, b Robertson 13 Searle, c A. Harman, b Labatt ... 12 Davis, cA. Ridley, b Robertson ... 0 A. Noble, c Pearce, b Labatt fa' Miller, not out 3 Extras (byes 6, leg-byes 3) ... 9 Total 118

Robertson ... abatt Balls. I ... 216 ... 216 Mdns. . 10 18 Runs. 72 37 6 4 :ts.

M'Kenzic. c Robertson, b P Uowley, run out Walford lbw, b Robertson Miller, b Robertson Searle, b Palmer Moore, c Labatt, b Palmer A-ustin, b Palmer GJould, c Wilding, b Pearce Davis, b Labatt [£. Noble, not out (V. Noble, b Pearce Byes Leg bye 'earce ... (50 ... 1 ... 8 ... 6 ... 17 ... 9 ... 21 ... 45 ... 17 ... D 6 ... 2 ... 3 ... 1 Total First innings ... 2(K> ... 118 Grand total ... 324

Robertson ... jabatt Liawrencc . . . D almer Pearce ... 132 ... 240 6 ... 114 ... 105 4 IS 1 5 6 72 60 0 42 28 1 1 0 3 3