TOUR OF THE NEW SOUTH WALES TEAM.

Otago Witness, Issue 2086, 15 February 1894, Page 32

TOUR OF THE NEW SOUTH WALES TEAM.

THE SOUTH CANTERBURY MATCH.

Second Day — Thuiu>day, Febbtjary 8. The match between the New South Wales team and South Canterbury Fifteen was continued last Thursday, when Gould and Walfc rd, the visitors' not-outs of the previous day, continued their innings. At 3.40 the visitors closed their innings with eight wickets down,, the total btitg 222. Gould scored 105 (not out). The South Canterbury Fifteen were not all disposed of at the call of time, 12 wickets being down for 83. The match thus ended in a draw greatly in favour of the visitors, who would probably have won with an innings to spare. South Canterbury's score in the first innings was 119, so that with only two wickets to fall they required to make 20 runs to save the one-inning's defeat. Scores : — New South Wale3.— First Innings. Cowley, b Smith 11 E. Noble, run out 2 \V. Moore, c Sfcudholme, b Smith ... 0 Searle, b Snath 31 Austin, b Smith 6 Gould, not out 105 Wai ford, c and b Smith 36 Davis, c Postlethwaite, b Smith ... 14 Hopkinson, b Poatlothwaitc 8 A. Noble, not out 4 Extras 5 Total for eight wickets (innings closed) 222 South Cantkhijuhy.— Second Innings. Jefferson, b Gould 2 Rothwell. h Gould 0 B. R. M'Donald, b Gould 27 H. W. Moore, st Searle, b Gould ... 4 Lane, c Davis, b Gould ... (i O Perry, c Cowley, b Austin 10 Ilargreaves, b Gould 12 Beckett, run out 0 Smith, c Searle, b Aubtin 12 I >cnshire, Bt . Searle, b Gould 0 Postlethwaite, c Seaile, b Autstin ... 0 AY. M'Donald, c Noble, b Gould ... 1 Frasor, not out 0 Extras 9 Total for 12 wickets 83

NEW SOUTH WALES v. OTAGO. First Day — Saturday, February 10. The rain which began on Friday afternoon continued not only without abatement but with increased force through Saturday forenoon, and at midday there appeared to be very little prospect of the cricket match between Mr Coleman Davis's New South Wales team and the representatives of Otago being commenced that afternoon. The captains agreed at 11 o'clock to postpone the match until 2 o'clock with the understanding that if the weather had not cleared up then the idea of playing at all in the afternoon should be abandoned, and that the match should be commenced on Monday morning and continued over Tuesday. About half -past 1, however, the clouds broke and the rain suddenly stopped, and announcements were posted in prominent places in town to the effect that play would be commenced at 2 o'clock. There were probably a good many people sceptical as to the authenticity of this declaration, but a large crowd wended their way to the Carisbrook ground, which was found to be in surprisingly good condition after the downpour ot rain, and there must have been nearly 1000 persons present at 3 o'clock, wheu the play was commenced — a number that would, "without doubt, have been largely increased in moie favourable weather. The wickets which M'Lsnuan bad prepared had been covered with tarpaulins, and though the rain had soaked through in some places they proved to be in good order. As, moreover, the ball was bound to get slippery through contact with the wet grass of the outfield and thus to be difficult for the bowlers to handle, much depended upon the toss. The gloomy supporter of Otago, who always is a wet blanket to his companions, averred that while the New South Wales captain, J. Davis, had been unsuccessful in the spin of the coin in all the previous matches of the visitors' tour, he was sure to win here ; but this evil prediction was falsified, for MacNeil, the Otago skipper, beat Davis on the toss, the latter, who has now lost the toss on six successive occasions, having obviously forgotten to bring his lucky penny over from Sydney with him. This was a decided slice of good fortune for the Otago team, who utilised their advantage to the full and remained at the wickets for the afternoon, only six of their wickets having been captured by the time stumps were drawn. Though there were intervals of dulness in the play, a distinctly sound rate of run-getting was preserved, 210 runs being recorded in the three hours' play, in connection with which it must not be forgotten that while the wet grass in the outfield made the ball greasy, ib also checked the speed at which it was travelling, and many hits that would on a fine day have reached the boundary failed to do go. The batting honours rested with Lawton, whose contribution of 58 was compiled by sound cricket and good hitting on both sides of the wicket. He put up a few balls, but they fell in safe places, and the only blemish that can be urged against his performance is a chance of stumping which he gave when his score was 38. His innings was terminated in an unlucky manner. Boddington had played a ball to the on, and Lawton, evidently supposing he had been called, ran hard up the pitch and joined the Opoho player at the latter's wicket, from which he had not stirred, the result beiDg, of course, that Lawton was run out. A partnership between him and Boddington seems unfortunate, for it will be remembered that in the Auckland match Lawton ran Boddington out, and now, through a misunderstanding with the same player, he ran himself out. Fisher treated the spectators to some lively hitting of the kind which is always appreciated. He was missed at square-leg off his first ball, and when he had scored 10 Mackenzie might have caught him in the long field, while later on he was granted a life at the wickets. While his innings was marred by these chances, his score of 39 was got by clean, hard hitting of an attractive description. By contrast with Fisher's display, Boddington's batting was slow and uninteresting, and yet, though the latter's play was unusually cautious, a reference to his score shows that it was principally made up of big hits. He was at the wickets while 99 runs were made, his share being 27. A chance to Searle was noted against him, and the visitors' wicket-keeper also granted a life to Baker, who hit hard for 24, and then was easily stumped. Clarke got quickly into double figures, and then played a ball, which got up unexpectedly, into the hands of short slip. Harper batted in a crisp and attractive fashion for 24, and ■was, at toe termination of the day's play, not out with Downes, who rattled up 19 quickly, his hitting so impressing the visitors that three men were placed along the rails for him — a similar compliment having earlier in the innings been paid to the hardness of Fisher's hitting. The only batsman who did not secure double figures was MacNeil, the Otago captain being caught out with 5 runs to his credit. He had before this had a narrow escape of losing his wicket in attempting a short run, the decision of the Otago umpire that he was not out being unfavourably received by the fieldßmen, who declared that MacNeil was 4ft out of his crease when the wicket was put down. Austin was the most successful of the bowlers, his tricky deliveries puzzling the batsmen considerably, and Gould, though he did not get a wicket, sent down a lot of troublesome balls. Only two other trundlers were tried — a fact which suggest* that the bowling of the New South Wales team fc not strong — these being Miller and A. Noble, each of whom is a fast bowler. They attempted the off theory, and had eight men placed on the offside of the wickets for them, but these tactics were not conspicuously successful — nor was it likely that they would be when Noble bowled to leg, as he did in his first over. The fielding was distinctly patchy. Gould did splendid work at mid-off, and Mackenzie's fielding at extra cover and his smart and true returns to the wicket-keeper were greatly admired, while Davis, at point, standing very deep, stopped several hard cuts. Though he only let a ball or two past him, Searle's wicket- keeping did not sustain his reputation, and he missed no less than four chances. Moore and E. Noble were the pick of the others. A few minutes before 3 o'clock the New South Wales team, who were warmly applauded on emerging from the pavilion, filed into the field, accompanied by the umpiresMessrs S. Hopkinson (New South Wale*) and H. Rose (Otago)— the local captain having won the toss and elected to bat. MacNeil aDd Lawton were the pioneer batsmen, and Gould and Austin had charge of the attack for New South Wales. Gould started the bowling from the south end to Lawton, who cut the first ball for 3, the third Bmartly run. Austin sent down a maiden, but four runs came in singles from Gould's next over, and a lucky double was scored in the slips to Lawton, off Austin, the ball passing between E. Noble and Cowley, out of reach of either. MacNeil then had a narrow escape, being all but run out in getting a single off Gould, and being thus brought opposite Austin, scored a couple from an uppish tip behind the wickets. Lawton put Gould to the off for 3, well run, and drove Austin prettily for a brace. MacNeil drove Gould ! nicely for a single, Moore saving the boundary

hit by good fielding, but in the next over was smartly caught by M»i kenzie at forward cover. 18 — I—s.1 — 5. Clarke, who was the incomer, cut his second ball late for a couple, and drove Austin in the same over for two. The next incident of note wag a fine leg hit by Lawton off Gjuld for four — the first boundary hit — which he followed up with a pretty drive for three, bringing 30 up. A few runs later Lawton put one up above the bowler's head, but Gould could not reach it, and in the same over got four by a drive to the far boundary, causing 40 to be signalled. Clarke pulled Austin cleverly for two, but played the next ball into E. Noble's bands. 44—2 — 10. Baker joined Lawton, who back-cut Gould for a treble and then cut Austin for two. A leg-bye, in running which Lawton nearly lost his wicket, brought 50 up, and Baker opened his account with a single off a lofty drive, the ball going to Cowley, who misjudged the hit and made no attempt for the catch. Lawton got a couple off each bowler with uppish hits, and Baker despatched Austin to the rails for 4—60 up. Miller, a left-hand fast bowler, then took the ball from Gould, and each batsman scored a siDgle off his first over, while Baker put him away for a quartet in the next one. Slow play followed till Baker hit Austin to leg for 4, the previous ball, which was driven very hard, being splendidly fielded by Gould, who was loudly applaudtd. At 72 Lawton stepped out to Miller and missed the ball, but Searle failed to take it. A. Noble then relieved Außtin, with the field placed— with two exceptions — on the off side, but his first ball was glanced to leg by Baker, 3 being run, and two singles were scored, also on the on side, in the same over. Baker lifted Miller clear of the field for 3, briuging 80 up, and Lawton drove him for the same number. Baker went out to and missed the next ball, and paid the penalty. 83 — 3—24.3 — 24. Boddington supplied the vacancy. After slow play, the wicket apparently becoming difficult under the influence of the sun. which was now shining, Lawtou drove Noble for a sharply-run three, and a couple of overs later scored 10 off the same bowler by driving him twice to the rails and cutting him for 2 in successive balls. By cutting Miller square for 4 Boddington opened his account and raised 100, and Austin then resumed bowling at the pavilion end. In his first over Boddington played a ball to the on, and Lawton travelled fast up the wicket, but his partner, whose call it was, refused to move, and the professional lost his wicket. 104—4—58. Fisher joined Boddington, and Gould resumed bowling at his old end, vice Miller. Fisher pulled the first ball from Gould to leg from a couple, Cowley missing a catch, and drove the bowler cleanly for 4 and cut him for a brace in the same over. He then cut Austin for 2, and in Gould's next over lifted a ball high to the rails, where Mackenzie missed a somewhat difficult chance, while singles brought 120 on the board. Boddington hit a full toss from Austin to the rails on the leg side, and then had a life off the bowler at the hands of the wicket-keeper. Fisher evoked applause by lifting Austin brilliantly over the fence at the pavilion, 5 runs being scored, and then coming opposite Gould hit him to the grandstand for 4—1404 — 140 up. This rapid scoring brought about a double change of bowling, A. Noble and Miller again going on. Off the latter's first ball Fisher had a life from Searle, and the batsman showed his gratitude by hitting the bowler for a 2 and a 3 in the same over, the latter stroke bringing 150 up. The Carisbrook player lifted Noble to long off for a treble and cut Miller for 2, but, with the addition of a run or two, placed a full toss from Noble into M'Kenzie's hands. 157—5—39. Harper, who came in next, got a streaky 3 in the slips off the first ball he received, and Boddington scored a like number in the same way, which he supplemented by a lofty drive off Miller for 3. Harper raised 170 by driving Noble nicely for 4, this being the only noteworthy incident that occurred for several overs. Harper then got a brace off Miller through the slips and snicked the same bowler for a quartet, while Boddington drove Noble for a treble, bringing 180 up. Austin was then brought on in place of Miller at the south end. The change proved immediately effectual, Boddington driving the last ball of the over into Gould's hand. 182—6—27. Downes, who was the incomer, scored a single off his first ball, and then drove Gould, who relieved Noble at the pavilion end, for a quartet. A cut for 2 by Harper, off Austin, brought 190 up, and Downes, for whom three men were placed against the rails, lifted Gould for 4, A Noble being unable to get under the ball. Austin tried the off theory with Harper, who, however, refused to be tempted, and allowed ball after ball to pass him without hitting at them, but though the run-getting slackened j down for an over or two, at a few minutes before the time appointed for the drawing of stumps a loud cheer proclaimed that 200 runs had been reached, a drive by Downes, off Gould, for 3 taking the score into the third century. Harper helped himself to a couple of 2's in the same over, and after Downes had driven Austin prettily for 4, a couple of singles brought 210 up. The play was then suspended for the day. Second Day — Monday, February 12. After the heavy rain which fell on Sunday I night it was feared, that the Carisbrook ground would be in a sloppy state on Monday, but it was found, on the contrary, to be in capital order, although the outfield was somewhat heavy. The wicket was in very fair condition, a little dampness being, however, noticeable at one end. The weather in the forenoon was fine, if dull, but during the day all sorts of weather were experienced. The Otago innings had just been concluded when a sharp shower of rain fell, which caused M'Lennan and his assistant to cover the pitch with tarpaulins ; but no sooner had the task been accomplished than, the shower having passed away, they were directed to take them up again. Then, after the luncheon adjournment, there was an interval of blazing sunshine, but not long after this ominous clouds passed over the ground and there was a fairly heavy shower of rain, during which the visiting captain wished to cease play, while later on a howling tempest of wind raged for about 10 minutes, succeeded by some more rain. It was irritating to have such a match played in snch peculiar weather, but the spectators forgot this discomfort in the play, which they followed with unusually keen interest. When play terminated on Saturday night the Otago Eleven had lost six wickets for 210 rune, and the remaining wickets increased the score to 264. Harper, one of the not-outs who resumed batting in the forenoon, was soon disposed of, well caught out ; but Downes played like an artist, and hit up the runs very quickly without making a poor stroke before that which brought about his dismissal. Hope's wicket also proved difficult to secure, and was, as a matter of fact, not captured; but Parker shaped poorly, and Currie was run out quickly. The New South Wales team had 20 minutes' batting before lunch, and in that time lost a good wicket, Moore playing indifferently to a ball from Lawton and skying it. The weather was beautiful when the play was resumed in the afternoon, and Mackenzie and Cowley both batted in fine style, and brought about a change of bowling before the former was completely beaten by Lawton, who

earned the distinction of bowling the first man in the march. Cowley was dismissed almost immediately afterwards, and then there was a collapse on a small scale. Austin was run out by brilliant fielding on Fisher's part — the batsman loudly complaining of the umpire's decision — Searle and Davis were both bowled by Hope, and Walford, whose style is certainly not elegant, was caught out. With seven wickets down the score was only 90, and the spectators imagined that the close of the innings was at hand, and that the visitors would have to follow on. The partnership of Gould andE. Noble, however, which was the great feature of the day's play, was then inaugurated. The former was prostrated with illness an hour previously, and was allowed to have Cowley to run for him. The play was for some time slow, not to say tedious, Lawton's bowling being particularly troublesome; but both batsmen exhibited sound cricket, and after a while their tactics became aggressive. Ten after ten was added to the score without a separation being effected, and the adjournment for 4 o'clock tea — an adjournment at which the public were manifestly impatient, but which wa3 insisted upon by the visitors, who urged that such an interval was customary in Australia — found the pair still together. A sharp shower of rain fell shortly afterwards, whereupon the umpires consulted respecting the desirability of another adjournment. The New South Wales official (Mr Coleman Davis, sen.) favoured the ad journment, but Mr Rose took the opposite view. However, the players left the ground amid loudly-expressed dissatisfaction from the spectators, and a somewhat warm argument ensued in the pavilion as to the course to be pursued. The Otago captain was emphalic in pointing out that where the umpires disagreed play must proceed, but the visitors' captain declined to send his batsmen out. MacNeil thereupon referred the New South Welshmen to the rule bearing on the subject, and informed their captain that if they 6till refused to play on he would claim the match. The upshot was that the players resumed their places at the wickets, Cowley contemptuously wearing a macintosh ; and the pitch having been rendered easier by the rain, runs came more freely, principally from Noble's bat. The latter twice, after having played the ball, knocked it back to the bowler, and on the second occasion a cry of "How's that?" was heard from Harper in the long field. The appeal was not answered by Mr Davis, to whom it was addressed, but later on that umpire explained that he did not hear the appeal, but that if had heard it ho must have given the batsman out. The impression among the public was that the Otago captain did not manage his bowling judiciously — that he persevered too long with Downes, who could evidently do little with the ball, and that he might have tried Parker to dissolve the dangerous partnership. Fisher had a few overs and Clarke had a turn, and the latter, after receiving some punishment, brought about a separation. Gould was the Qrst to go, after having played a patient and extremelyvaluableinningsof43runs— aninnings which, under the unfavourable circumstances that affected him, is deserving of high praise. He had assisted B. Noble to put on 88 runs, and to bring the total to 5 runs short of the number required to save the follow-on. A. Noble joined his brother, but the latter was finely caught out 6 runs later. He had shown capital defence, combined with splendid hitting powers, and his score of 51 was made without a blemish of any kind. Miller was the last man, but A. Noble and he managed to play out time, the score standing at 195 for nine wickets — a onsiderable change from 90 for seven wickets. The fielding of the Ofcago team was very creditable. Fisher was decidely the best of the lot, his picking up and returning being admirable ; but Clarke, Baker, and Parker also did good work.

It was 20 minutes to 12 before Harper and Downes, the not out batsman, with the score standing at 210 for 6 wickets, resumed their places at the stumps. Gould took up the bowling from the pavilion end, and Harper cut his first ball for a couple, repeating the stroke on the third ball, and driving the last of the over for a single. Miller trundled from the south end, and his last ball was driven by Harper into the hands of Gould, who effected a neat catch. 215 — 7—28.7 — 28. Hope was the incomer, and Austin took the next over, which produced a single to Downes from a neat drive. Slow play brought 220 up, and then Downes drove Miller for 2 and scored another couple off the next ball, smashing his bat with the stroke. The new bat possessed good driving powers, as Downes proved when in Austin's next over he drove a ball finely to the boundary. A single to Hope brought 230 up, and then Downes drove Miller off successive balls for a brace and a quartet. Three overs later Hope played Austin to leg for a couple where there was no fieldsman, and this caused 240 to be signalled. Downes drove Austin nicely for a couple, well run, and hit the next ball finely to the rails on the off side. This treatment caused Gould to be given the ball in place of Austin, and off the new trundler Hope got a sharply-run couple for a leg hit — the fieldsman having to run half-way in from the boundary to secure the ball. With 250 on the board the play became slow, a string of singles being varied by a neatly-got couple to Hope ; but with the score at 259 Downes got under a ball from Gould and skied it to Mackenzie. 259 — B—4B. Parker came in, saw Hope score a single, and played the second ball he got into short slip's hands. 280—9 — 0. Currie joined Hope, who scored a single off each bowler. Currie then cut Gould nicely, and in attempting a third and risky run for which Hope called him lost his wickot, the innings closing for 284 runs.

At 12.40 p.m., the Otago team took the field, and were quickly followed by Cowley and Moore, the pioneer batsmen for the visitors. Downes opened from the south end to Cowley, who snicked the second ball for a brace, and scored a single off the next one. Lawton bowled from the other end, and sent down a maiden to Cowley. A single to Moore off Downes brought him opposite Lawton, whom he played neatly to leg for a couple, and glanced for the same number, while a single to Cowley off the Grange bowler brought 10 up. Moore played Downes prettily to long-leg fer 3, but then in attempting to hit Lawton to leg struck the ball with the edge of the bat and skied it into the slips, where Fisher secured it. 13 — I—B.1 — 8. The luncheon adjournment was thtn made. On the resumption of play, Mackenzie accompanied Cowley to the wickets, and opened his account with a single off a no-ball from Downes. In the same over Cowley clumped a ball hard to shortleg, where Hope stopped it sharply. After a few singles Mackenzie played Lawton nicely to the leg boundary — 20 vp — and in the next over from Downes the tall batsman added a couple by a pretty stroke through the slips. Some sharply run singles helped the score along till 30 was reached. Mackenzie placed Downes neatly to leg for 2, then drove- an inviting ball prettily for 4, and brought 40 up by hitting the same bowler to leg for a brace. Cowley got a streaky single off Lawton, and theu bkied Downes to the off for two, which he supplemented with a single, while Mackenzie drove the bowler safely for a couple. This punishment caused the substitution at 48 of Hope for Downes. Cowley out the new bowler'a

second ball for a couple— so vp — and placed the next through the slips for another brace. In Lawton's next over Currie made an unsuccessful appeal for stumping against Mackenzie, who thereupon scored a couple of 2's off successive balls, but in the next over the professional clean bowled him. 56—2—29. Walford came in, but, without addition to the score, lost Cowley, whose stumps were scattered by Hope. 56—3 — 17. Austin joined Walford, who glanced Lawton for a single and then hit Hope neatly through the slipß for a couple and clumped the same bowler to leg for 3. After an interval of slow play Lawbon sent up a slow full toss to Walford, whose imperturable stonewalling and peculiar style were causing some amusement, and the batsman promptly clouted him to the boundary for 4. The next ball was one of the same sort, and was despatched for a couple. In the next over from Hope a ball was played to the off by Austin, who called his partner for a run. Fisher, whose fielding had been evoking rounds of applause, picked the ball up smartly, and returning it sharply threw out Austin, who had made too sure of the run. 72—4—2. Searle joined Walford, who skied the next ball to mid on, where Clarke eagerly accepted the catuh. 72 — 5—14.5 — 14. Gould, who was the noxt man, was suffering from illness, and had Cowley to run for him, but with only 2 added Hope beat and bowled Searle. 74—6 — 1. Davis supplied the vacancy, and play became very slow, both batsmen finding that the bowling was too good for them to take any liberties with. Eventually Davis brought 80 up by despatching a full toss from Hope to the leg boundary. Lawton, who had found a spot from which the ball bumped, delivered seven maidens in succession, but then the string was broken by Gould scoring 3 runs off one over. The same batsman was applauded for a fine leg hit for 3 off Hope, sending 90 up, but in the same over Davis played a ball on to his wicket. 90—7 — 7. E. Noble was the incomer, but his arrival did not alter the monotony of the play for several overs. The incomer then got Hope to leg for 3, after which there was another period of inaction, until Lawton sent up a loose one, which Gould hit to leg for a couple, sending 100 up. The next ball gave the batsman a nasty crack on the fingers. Noble enlivened the proceedings by hitting Lawton finely to the rails, and at 106 Downes resumed bowling at his old end, but the only effect was to increase the rate of rungetting. In his second over Gould pulled him cleverly to the leg boundary, and singles brought 120 in view. An adjournment for ten minutes was made ou account of the rain at 4 55 p.m., the public resenting the stoppage, and ou resuming Noble scored 5 runs off one over from Lawton — 130 up. Gould placed Dowues nicely to the leg boundary, and at 135 Lawton was relieved by Fisher, in whose first over 3 byes were run. Gould raised 140 by cutting Dot* ues for a brace and his partner cut Fisher prettily for the same number, wbich was supplemented in the next over by another 3 to Noble through the slips and by a couple to Gould for a nice hit past cover point. A drive for 2by Noble off Fisher brought 150 up, and the same batsman was applauded as he cut Downes to the rails. At 158, Clarke took the ball at the pavilion end, relieving Fisher, and his first over produced 3 runs to Gould, while in his second over Noble drove him for a quartet. Gould cut Downes for 2 and then played him prettily to the rails at square leg — 170 up. Noble hit Clarke to the off for 4, and then put him nicely to leg for 3, but in the same over Gould lost his wicket, being bowled. 178—8—43. The outgoing batsman, who had played sound, defensive cricket, was warmly applauded all round the field on returning to the pavilion. The partnership with E. Noble had' been an exceedingly valuable one, putting on 88 runs. A. Noble was the incomer with 5 runs wanted to Save the follow-on, Lawton took the ball at the south end and delivered a maiden, but Clarke was punished to the tune of 5 runs in his next over. With the addition of a single E. Noble was sharply caught off Lawton at short leg. 184—9—51 Miller was the last man, and a single to A. Noble was registered. Miller played Clarke to leg for 2, and with singles off each bowler brought 190 up. Noble cut Clarke nicely for 2 and clumped him to leg for 3. Hope was called on to deliver the last over of the day which was a maiden, and when stumps were drawn the New South Wales team had, with one wicket to fall, made 195 runs.

Third Day— Tuesday, February 13. The weather for the third day of the cricket match between Mr Coleman Davis's New South Wales team and the representatives of Otago, though occasionally threatening, was fine throughout, and that the public interest in the match was well sustained was shown by the satisfactory attendance. The match had on the second day reached such a stage that there was very little prospect of a definite issue being arrived at — more especially as the visitors refused to commence play before noon or to consent to any curtailment of the luncheon adjournment. The New South Wales first innings was terminated with an addition of four runs to the overnight total, the last wicket being secured by Hope, who secured such a splendid average as to suggest that MacNeil did not make nearly enough use of his bowling on the previous day. The Otago team were Jeft with a lead of 65 runs, and it was obviously their game to force the runs in the second innings and get the visitors in again as early as possiblo. With this object in view the punishing batsmen were sent in first. Lawton was dismissed, however, before he had scored, a sharp chance being snapped up in the slips. Baker, who succeeded him, commenced to hit oufc, but had only scored 7 when he hit a ball on to his wicket ; while Fisher and Downes each got a double before they were disposed of. Clarke was the most puccestful of the lot with his forcing tactics, but was let off on no fewer than thrte occasions before he failed to get thoroughly under a ball from Austin, and retired with 37 runs to his credit. Boddington had also some luck, and was eventually out to a splendid catch ; but Harper, who had started to score quickly, was peculiarly unlucky in the manner in which he was run out — his dismissal being brought about by one of those accidents which occasionally occur on the cricket field. MacNeil, also, suffered a measure of hard luck in kicking a bail off as he stepped back from playing a ball, Hope led the field a merry daDca wh)le he was id, through his propensity for stealing runs ; and Currie, who Btruck out freely, was got rid of by a fine catch, leaving Parker to take in hia bat. The innings realised 114 runs only, in explanation of which it is to be said that, besides the fact that the batsmen hit recklessly, it was played on a fresh wicket, which turned out to favour the bowlers. Austin and Miller were unchanged, and although the former secured the best average, it was the latter whose trundling offered the greatest difficulties to the batsmen. The visitors were left with 180 runs to get with less than two hours to obtain them in, and it was the general impression that they would make an effort to secure the requisite number. This impression was confirmed by the fact ttuvk Mackenzie and Gould were told off to open the innings, for which Davis elected to go back to the wicket on which both teams had batted first. Disaster speedily overtook the New South Welshmen, for Gould was badly

run out in the first over. The batsman was disinclined to leave the wicket, holding to the opinion that it was -Mackenzie who should go, but after some discussion on the point the little man was persuaded that it was he who had lost his wicket. Cowley was the next man, and he remained in for a considerable time, but Downes and Lawton both bowled so effectively that it was a matter of extreme difficulty to obtain runs, and only 10 had been secured when in the fourteenth over of the innings the incomer lost his wicket. It was by this time apparent that the New South Wales team could not win, and when Moore was oufc with 2 runs added, it became a doubtful question whether they would escape defeat. At anyrate, on E. Noble joining Mackenzie it was clearly seen that the pair were merely playing for a draw. The play became tedious to a degree, and the batsmen were subjected to a good deal of "barracking" from the spectators, who, when there were no runs coming, commenced to applaud the bowlers, the latter now and again completely beating the batsmen, both of whom were fairly stuck up. A spell of monotony was broken by a single, which was ironically and frantically applauded, whereupon Mackenzie scored 4 runs in three overs. MacNeil then began to ring the changes upon his bowling, and the desired separation was at once brought about, Hope diaposing of Mackenzie, who was at the wickets for 65 minutes in making 13 runs. Another change was made in the attack before Walford, who was the next man in, was dismissed, Fisher bowling him in his first over with a trimmer. The draw was, however, safe by this time, and on Searle joining Noble the latter began to hit out in fine style, 13 runs coming to him in one over from Lawton. Further bowling changes were resorted to, but the pair kept their wickets intact till stumps were drawn, when the visitors, with five wickets in hand, had 106 runs to make, the match ending in a draw in favour of Otago. Play was resumed punctually at noon, Lawton opening from the southern end with a maiden to A. Noble, while Miller, the other not out batsman, took strike to Miller, whom he played to the on for a single. Four maidens were then delivered, in the third of which Miller put up a ball that Lawton would have secured if he had followed up his bowling. Miller got a couple for an uppish hit through the slips off the professional, and in the next over put one up over the bowler's head, for which a single was run, but Hope, who had sent down five overs for one run since play started, then clean bowled him, the innings closing for 199 runs.

Ofcago, with a majority of 65 runs ou the first iuuings, commenced their second venture at 12 35 p m., Lawton and Clarke being the first pair of batsmen. Austin and Miller had charge of the bowling, the former starting with a maiden from the pavilion end. The latter's first ovor, however, proved fatal to Lawton, who snicked the fourth ball sharply and was nicely caught in the slips, o—l—o. Baker was the inoomer and, after half a dozen singles, each batsman playing carefully, the Grange man scored three through the slips off the fast bowler, while in the next over from Austin he brought 10 up by a straight drive along the carpet. Clarke placed the same bowler neatly to the on for a couple ; but then lost the company of Baker, who, after carefully patting down the pitch, played a ball from Miller on to his wicket. 12—2—7. Fisher supplied the vacancy and scored a couple second ball from an uppish hit to the off, but this was the last contribution before the luncheon adjournment was taken. On resuming Clarke scored a single off each bowler, and then Fisher drove Austin to the rails, A. Noble letting the ball go past him. This hit sent 20 up, and in the next over from Austin a ball was returned to him by Clarke too hot to hold. Fisher lashed out at Miller but failed to get on to any of the fast bowler's deliveries. Clarke glanced Austin for a couple and drove him prettily for a single. Fisher followed suit off the next ball, and then got a lucky three off Miller, while Clarke brought 30 in sight by placing the fast bowler to leg for 2. Fisher was out in the next over, putting his leg in front to a ball from Austin. 31—3—10. Downes joined Clarke, who drove both bowlers nicely and then saw the incomer hit Austin cleanly to the off for 4. Clarke, after getting a life from A. Noble off Miller, placed the bowler nicely to leg for a couple, sending 40 up, while in the same over the batsman had another escape, this time at the hands of Searle at the wickets. Downes drove Austin for a single and Clarke put him away in a safe place for 2. Downes scored three to leg in Miller's next over, the field for that bowler being almost entirely placed on the off, and Clarke scored a lucky quartet behind the wickets in the same over— 5.0 up. Downes hit Austin for a couple in the next over, but was then clean bowled. 53 — 4—lo.4 — 10. On Boddington coming in, Clarke placed Miller nicely to the on for a brace, while his club companion opened with a, single off Austin. In Miller's next over 60 was signalled, and then Boddington. seemed to give a chance to the wicketkeeper, which was refused, the batsmen declaring, however, that the ball struck his leg. Clarke, jumping out to Austin, despatched him to the off rails for 4, and the visitors placed an extra man in the long field for him, but the preoaution was unnecessary aa, with the addition of a single only, he made a mishit to Austin and was nicely caught by Mackenzie. 68 — 5—37.5 — 37. Harper, who was next in, played Miller to the off for a single and brought 70 up by putting Austin for a brace, which he supplemented by a nioo drive to the raits. After a few singles 80 was raised by a cut for three off Austin to Harper, the third run smartly got, but he was then out in a very unfortunate manner, for Boddington drove a catch hard back to. Austin, from whose hand the ball glanced on to the wicket, Harper, who had backed up, being out of his crease. 82— 6.— 12. Hope was the incomer, and in the next over spectators and players alike were convulsed with laughter as Hope got two runa for separate overthrows from one hit to Boddington, the latter being chased up the wicket; for each run by Hope, who enticed the field to have a few throws at his wicket before the ball became dead. A few runs later Boddington was finely caught with one hand by Miller. 88—7—9. MacNeil joined Hope, who brought 90 on the board with a couple of singles. Small hits and sharp running helped the score along till 96, whou Miller tried hard to catch MacNeil from a lofty hit which went for 2, while in the next over a brace (one from an overthrow) to Hope sent 100 up, but the next ball took the latter's wicket. 100—8—5. Parker joined the local captain, who was out, however, in the next over, knocking a bail off with his foot after he had played a ball— (100— 9— 8) and this let in Currie, who was applauded for driving Austin neatly to the boundary. Three byes were run in Miller's next over, and Carrie drove the fast bowler for a single. A sharply run single to Parker brought 110 up, but with the addition of 4 runs Currie was admirably caught by Moore on the leg boundary. The fielding of the visitors was again somewhat patchy. Miller this innißgs divided the honours with Mackenzie, besides bowling in admirable style, but Moore also fielded in a clean and businesslike fashion. At 4.10 p.m. the New South Wales team, with 180 runs to get and lesa than two hours tq

bat, commenced their second innings with Mackenzie an t Gould. Downes opened the bowling from the south end, and his fourth ball was played to the on by Mackenzie, but misfortunes set in early, as Gould raced up the pitch For a second run, and, as his partner refused to move, lost his wicket. I—l—o. Cowley supplied the vacancy, but the rnns came slowly, 10 coming in 13 overs, after which Cowley pulled a ball on to his wicket. 10—2—6. Moore placed the first ball he received for a single, and drove Downe3 for one, but then was bowled off his pads by Lawton. 12—3—2. E. Noble, the highest scorer of the first innings, was then sent in, and the play became very monotonous. Both batsmen W6re fairly stuck up by the bowling, and maiden after maiden was delivered. Having no run-getting to cheer, the spectators began to applaud the bowlers. Lawton twice appealed against Mackenzie for leg before, and when the batsmen at last changed ends, through the tall man playing Lawton for a single, they were ironically cheered all round the field. At this point Mackenzie had been batting 50 minutes for 6 runs, but after this he got two singles off successive overs, and he then drove Downes for a brace, sending 20 up. At 22, in the hope of effecting a separation, MacNeil resorted to a double chaDge of bowling. Parker going on at the pavilion end with Hope at the other wicket. Parker started with a maiden, but Mackenzie cut Hope for a couple in the first over, and then was cleverly caught by the bowler from a ball which rose high on the blade of the bat. 24—4—13. Walford took the place of Mackenzie, who had scored at the rate of one run in exactly five minutes. After the addition of four singles, Walford h't a full toss from Hope to leg for 2, sending 30 up. Noble snicked the same bowler luckily for a couple of 2's and placed him to leg for a quartet, Clarke failing to stop the ball. At 39 Fieher was tried in place of Parker, and with his fourth ball scattered Walford's stumps. 39-5—4. Searle joined Noble, and the play again became slow, only five runs being made in as many overs. At 44 the original bowlers resumed. The change was greatly relished by Noble, who evoked loud applause by hitting Lawton for three fours in succession, and adding a single in the same over. Noble hit Downes finely to the rails in the next over, sending 60 up, and Clarke then went on at the south end. Searle played the new bowler to leg for a couple, and Noble punished him for five in the next over. This was the last incident of note, the stumps being drawn when the score was 75 for 5 wickets. There were very few mistakes made in the field, in which Fisher and Harper did good work, while Currie kept wickets, as in the first innings, in a way which won for him high praise on all hands. Scores :—: — Otago.— First Innings. J. C. Lawton, 3112321431111143222133111442, run out 58 H. MacNeil (captain), 1121, c Mackenzie, b Austin 5 A Clarke, 221212, cE. Noble, b Austin ... 10 J. Baker, 11411414313, st Searle, b Miller ... 24 H. Boddington, 41111411123313, c Gould, b Austin ... •• 27 A H. Fisher, 242212111541223321, c Mackenzie, b A. Noble 39 F Harper, 3142422221221, c Gould, b Miller ... 28 A. Downes, 141143411122142412411111, c Mackenzie, b Gould 48 J. Hope, 111122112111, not out 15 W. Parker, c E. Noble, b Gould 0 13. Currie, 2, run out 2 Byes 2, leg-byes 4, wide 1 8 Total 264 BOWLING ANALYSIS. Balls. Mdns. Runs. Wkts. Gould 123 4 82 2 Austin 165 5 76 3 Miller 125 6 61 2 A. Noble 65 3 37 1 Miller bowled one wide. New South Wales.— First Innings. O. Cowley, 2111111121122, b Hope 17 L. Moore, 1223, c Fisher, b Lawton 8 A. C. MacKenzie, 111421111242222, b Lawton ... 27 S. R. Walford, 1231142, c Clarke, b Hope ... 14 A. Austin, 11, run out 2 J. Searle, 1, b Hope 1 J. Gould, 1112113111211411124222124, b Clarke 43 J. Davis (captain), 1411, b Hope 7 E Noble, 113114112111221112312144432, c Hope, b Lawton 51 A. Noble, 311123, not out 11 D. Miller, 211121, b Hope 8 Byes 7, no balls 3 ... 10 Total 199 BOWLING ANALYSIS. Balla. Mdns. Runs, Wkts. Lawton 265 29 53 3 Downes 118 5 61 0 Hope 163 11 30 5 Fisher 20 0 11 0 Clarke 35 0 28 1 Downes bowled three no-balls. Otago.— Second Innings. J. C. Lawton, c Austin, b Miller 0 A. Clarke, 11121111212121224212141, c Mackenzie, b Austin 37 J. Baker, 11131, b Miller 7 A. H. Fisher, 2413, lbw, b Austin 10 A. Downes, 4132, b Austin' 10 H Boddington. 1111212, c Miller, b Austin ... 9 F. Harper, 124113, run out 12 J. Hope, 1112, b Miller 5 H. MacNeil, 12122, hit wicket, b Austin ... 8 W. Parker, 11, not out ... 2 E. Currie, 41112, c Moore, b Austin 9 Byes 3, leg-byes 2 _J> Total 114 BOWLING ANALYSIS. Balls. Mdns. Runs. Wkts. Austin 148 7 66 6 Miller 140 6 43 3 New South Wales.— Second Inninga. A. C. Mackenzie, 1121111212, c and b Hope ... 13 J. Gould, run out 0 O. Cowley, IJI2I, b Lawton 6 L. Moore, 11, b Lawton 2 X Noble, 21111224111444114123, not out ... 41 S R. Walford, 121, b Fisher 4 J. Searle, 1111121, not out 8 No-ball 1 Total (for five wickets) 75 BOWLING ANALYSIS. Balls. Mdnß. Runs. Wkts, Downes 11l 10 20 6 Lawton 110 13 .24 2 Parker 20 2 3 0 Hope 35 1 16 1 Fisher 20 2 3 1 Clarke 10 0 8 0 Downes bowled one no-ball.