CRICKET.

Otago Witness, Issue 2287, 30 December 1897, Page 35

CRICKET.

INTERNATIONAL AND INTERCOLONIAL

FIXTURES,

January 1, 3, 4, s— England v. Australia, at Mcl-

bourne. January 7— N.S.W. v. South Australia, at Ade-

iaiue. January 14, 15, 17, 18— England v. Australia, at

Adelaide. January 22, 24, 25, 26— N.S.W. v. Victoria, at

Sydney. January 28, 29, 31 , February I— England v. Australia, at Melbourne. February 4, 5, 7, 8-England v. N.S.W., at

Sydney. February 11, 12, 14— Victoria v. South Australia,

at MelbourneFebruary IS, 19, 21— N.S.W. v. South Australia, at

Sydney. February IS, 19, 21 -England v. Queensland, at

Brisbane. February 25, 26, 28, March I— England v. Austra-

lia, at Sydney. March 5, 7, B— England v. Victoria, at Melbourne. March 10, 11, 12— England v. South Australia, at Adelaide. NOTES BY SLIP. * . • "The Sick Man of the East," as someore jocosely called Ranjitsinbji, played a marvellous^nnings in the test match at Sydney, rising from a sick bed to make a faultless 177, for his innings had absolutely no flaw iv it. The wonderful part of this performance, which will ever mark the Indian Prince as a daring genius with the bat, was the skill with which he gob his runs after passing the 100, the odd 77 being made in 65 minuses. Most men who force it take risks, but llaiijitsinbji forced it here without making a single false stroke up to that which got h'm out. While the last three men were in with him ho got 87 to their 40, and the last 72 runs were put on in half an bout's batting. Nineteen batsmen out of 20 would have been content to play a notuut innings of about 120, but the Indian Piiece most unselfishly played for his side. Altogether he batted three hours and 43 minutes tor his runs, and hit 21 4's. The Englishmen j were at one in the opinion tha,t this di-»pl*y of batting was equal to the finest he has ever shown in England. As the tail of the English team came in to keep him company he displayed matchless ingenuity, time after time, in scoring off Trumble's last ball, co as to keep the other man away from Jones, whose fast ones were much the more dangerous to the weaker batsmen. With a twitch of the bat he got it time after time between point and cover, but would not run more than the single. He lost his life eventually to M'Kibbin, trying a big hit off him and putting ib up in the air. As soon as he saw that the catch was going to Qtegovy he started to trot home, and the mass of people, rising as one from the seata, cheered him as long as he was in sight.

■ . • The manner in which C. M'Leod losb his wicket in bis first innings of the test mat oh wap, as was noted at the time in the cabled account, very extraordinary. Bannerman, the umpire, called '• No bill " to Richardson, and a full toss pitched Tight on top of the wicket. M'Leod thought Darling h»d called " Look out," and it put him off his stroke, for he made no attempt to play it;. Thinking he was out he walked away, and before Darling could send him back Storer pulled up the stump, and Phillips gaveib "Runout." All the trouble would have been avoided had Darling not turned to remark to the umpire, " That was a stroke of good luck." When he looked round again M'Leod had gone, some distance from the crease, and when Darling called, "Go back, ifc's nob out"," Drnce picked up the ball, threw it in to Sfcorer, and called "Break the wickefc." Storer accordingly pulled up a stump, but afterwards he came to M'Leod, expressed his regret forth© action, and explained that he did it on the impulse of the moment, aud without time for reflection. As far as Phillips was concerned the decision was a correct one. On one point, howtver, there can be no doubt — viz., that the incident came within the limits of sharp practice, and the captain might fairly have intervened, with the request that M'Leod Bhould continue his innings. Ib was a regrettable occurrence, likrly to give rise to ill-feeliag.

• . • The no-bsvlliug of Jonep, cabled Home at the time, evoked considerable discussion in Er. gland. "Wanderer," m the London Sportsman saye :—": — " It would appear as if the lightning bowler of Australia has not in any way altered his method of delivery, for Phillips, after cautioning him more than once on the Fiiday, 'no-balled' him the next day for infringing law 10. The step is slways one whinh the best of umpires shrinks from taking — due not a little, I really think, to the half-hearted action of the M.C C. in the matter. Every now and then they issue fresh memoranda and initructiona to umpires and then lapse into ißaclivifcy. la it surprising that the colonials have ab last followed in our footsteps, and that the 1896 team should have iccluded for the first time Australian bowlers — for there was more thau one — not, like Cse»e,T!B wife, above suspicion ? Who will forget the initial delivery of Jones at Sheffield Park? The step which J»mes Phillips had the courage to take is sure not to be without its good effect, but will rrquire to be followed by determiued action ou the part of the powers that be, both here and there, if the malpractice is to be eradicated. If throwing is to be permitted, alter the rules accordingly, aud let us have it under its proper name and not under the guise of bowling."

• . ■ A London cablegram states that Mr Harry Mu?grove sails for Australia, and will probably arrange for the visit of an Australian cricket team to England.

• . • Two drsg loads from the Mornington Club journeyed to Uutram on Christmas Day t-o play the annual match. After a most enjojable drive and a first-class Christmas dinner vided by Ho=t O'Kteffc) the match was commenced. Throughout the afternoon there was a large attendance of interested spectators. The Morning.on skipper won the toss, and elected to bat on a fast wickeb. The firnt wickets fell quickly, but the tail managed to bring the total to 78 (Macfarlane 27, R. Howison 16). Outram started badly, having seven wickets down for 19, but Monk (11) and Kaye (23) then made a stand, aud thetotii was raised to 50 before the innings closed. Morniuglon closed their second innings after four wickets had fallen, having given the Outram boye 113 runs to win. Outram fared badly in the second innings, as Orchard got fairly on the spot with the ball, and at time they had lost six wickets for 12 runs. Low, Monk, and Grant for Outram and Macfarlane, Orchard, and Payne for Mornington were the most succeEsFul bowlers. The Outram cricketers did all in their power to make the visit enjoyable, and it is to be regretted that a club with 6uch promising players and such a good ground is not playing in the junior matches. * . • An Adelaide cable states that Giffien has had an offer from the promoters of the English cricketing team which he considers satisfactory, but he will not play in the test match at Melbourne, owiug to being out of practice. He will go into active training for the other tesb '' stoUea and pl»y iv tUe match against New

South Wales. Noble will probably replace Ljons iv the n«cfc test match.

• . • A Melbourne cable states that alter the next test match, which begins on January 1, lianjitsinhji returns to Sydney to undergo another operation on the tonsils. He then rests for a foitnight.

• . • A London cable states that Mr C. W. Alcoek, secretary of the Surrey Cricket Club, referring to the proposed visit of another Australian cricket team to England, says that a team would be welcomed in 1899.

• . • Mr Sydney H. Pardon, editor of Wisden's "Cricketers' Almanac," says that nothing bub good can come from the action of Phillips, the umpire, in no-balling Jones at Adelaide. The fault, he says, lies ptincipally with the Bngl'sh bowlers and umpires. " Australians never threw ia England till we had repeatedly shown them that the law was broken with impunity."

• . • On Christmas Day a mixed team from the Opoho Club met and defeated by 146 runs the Second Eleven of the Oamaru Club. The local players pub together 252 before they were all disposed of, towards which total the chief contributors were P. Nichol 61, Gruathorpe 53, M'Giviu 45, and Gullar 30. Oamaru replied with 105— H King 36, W. White 13. In their second innings the visitors had lost five wickets for 44 runs — G. M'Donald 22 (not out). Gunthorps bowled splendidly for Opoho, securing in all 11 wickets for 26 runs.

• . • The cricket match on Boxing Day between, Dunedin II aud Oatnaru II resulted in a victory for the former by 69 runs on the first innings. The visitors went in first and totalled 99, H. K'ng being responsible for iB, Malcolm 19 (not out), L. King 16, and Forens 12. Towards the victors' total of 168 M'Kenzie contributed 51, W. Maclean 35, and Latham 30. Oamaru made 104- in their fecoi.d attempt (Ferens 22, Ougley 14, G. M 'Donald 15). For the local team Maclean bowled most successfully"; while in this department M'Donald and Ongley showed to most advantage for the visitors. CANTERBURY~v7 HAWKE'S BAY. Tbc Canterbury v. Hawke's Bay cricket match waa commenced at Napier on the ,21st in fine weather and on an excellent wicket. Hawke's Bay going in first at 2 p.m. were neb dispopod sf until 219 was on The baard, of which Lu«k made the fine score of 119.

The match was rcsumtd on the 22nd on a splendid wickot. Cobcroft and Wigley opened the batting for Canterbury, the former pUyiug on the defensive, while Wigley scored. At 32 '< Wigley was neatly taken behind the wickets by Martiu. ReeFe filled the vacancy. Just afterwards rain commenced to fall, and it came down to heavily that proceedings had to be stopped. The rna'ch was concluded on the 23rd insfc. Canterbury, continuing their first innioga, made good uae of their time despite a bud wicket. Ilidlcy, who was in fine form, kept the field busy until he sent one int j Cato'a hands, having eompited 55. The first four wickets had pub j on 147 luns. Both Pearco and Sims fell lbw to j Eannin, adding 26 between them, and then Wilding was given cut lbw to Wilson. With Whtatloy and Clark together the score gradually rose, the ninth wickeb falling for 197. Fowke joined Clark, hut ouly added 4, the latter having played carefully for 18. The ] total for the inniugs was 217. "With a lead j of 32 on the firfct- innings Ilftwke's Bay went in for the second time, but fared j most disastrously. The treacherous state of the wicket and the excellence oS tho bowling gave the local batsmen but little opportunity. The fiist two wickets foil for 4 runs, and whan 4 more had been added two more wickets were captured. Then tha total was eight wickets for 36, and the whole innings closed for 42, Marshall being the only one to reach double figures. For Hawke'n Bay Fannin,has-tho best howling average with tivo for 67. Canterbury had only to make 75 to win, bub they lost five of their best wickets iv the attempt, winning the match bj five wickets. Scores :—: — •Hawke's Bay.— First Innings. Wolslenholmo, b Heete 0 Lusk, b Pearos H9 Nelson, b Pearce 27 Marshall, c Wheatley, b Garrard ... •'» Gibson, \i Penrcc 6 Gato, li Pearce ... ... ... ... * Lcwi«, b Cobcroft ... ... qi Wilson, not out • •■• 11 Tannin, c Clark, b Reese 10 Hughe», cA. RiUey, b Cobcroft ... 2 Martin, b Reoi-e 2 Extras ... IU Total .- 249 .Cowling Analysis. -Reese— Bl balls, 54 runs, 5 wickets; Pearce-102 balls, 47 runs, 4 wickets ; Wildinß-4S balls, 45 runs, 0 wickets; Clark— 36 balls, 30 runs, 0 wickets ; Gauard— 3o balls, 20 run-, 1 wicket; Oobcvoft— 32 balls, 43 runs, 2 wickets. Canterbury. —First Innings. Cobnroft, c Wubtenholme, b Hughe3 14 Wieley, c Martin, b Lusk 33 Reese, c Cato, b Lusk ... ... ... 18 Ridley, c Wilson, b Fannin 55 Sims, lbw, h Fannia •>• « Pearce, lbw, b Fannin ... ... ... 18 Garrard, b Wilson lw Wilding, lbw, b Wilson 3 Wheatley, b Fannia 1| Clarlr, not out *° Fowke, b Fannin * Extras ... «» Total 217 Bowling Analysis.— Fannin five wickets for 67 run.«, Hughes one for 46, Wilson two for 33, Lusk two for 46. Hawke's Bay.— Second Innings. Wolbten holme, run out ... , 0 Lusk, c Wigley, b Reese 0 Nelson, c Sim'", b Pearce 2 Fannin, b Pearce •! Lewis, b I'earco ... f> j Marshall, b Reese 16 Wilson, b Reese 3 Cato, 1j l\;arce 8 ; Gibson, c Ridley, b Pearc-J 0 Hughe?, not ont ... 3 Martin, c Claik, b Reese •"» Extras 2 Total 42 Bowling Analysis.— Reese four wickets for 20 runs, Pearce five for 20. I Canterbury.— Second Innings. Cobnroft, c Fannin, b Hushes 21 Wigley, b F.mnin J Kec-o, b Iluglies 2^ Ridley, not out ... ««* Pearce, lbw, b Hughes ... 0 Sims, c Wolatenholme, b Hughes ... p Wilding, not out , •> ISxtras ' _8 Total for five wickets 75 j AUCKLAND v. CANTERBURY. Auckland, December 27. The interprovincial cricket match Canterbury v. Auckland was played on the Domain. There was a moderate attendance. The visitors won the toss and went in, taking advantage of the fine wicket. Cobcrofb and Wigley faoed the bowling of Neill and Kallender. The partnership w*.s a long one, and • Cobcrofb had run up 26 before Neill bowled him with a leg break. His score included two Vn, the same number of 3'a, four 2'#, and the balance tingles.

.— . . i»...i H. C. Ridloy was ditmiised for nothing, anal his brother, A. E. Ridley, took his place and added 6, when he made a faulty stroke and was oaught. Reese joined Wigley, and saw tho latter increase his total to 37, when he was oaught by Labatt. Sims partnered Reese, and the two colts made a fine stand, the latter for 23 and the former for 51— top score of the innings. Pearce, Wilding, Clark, Garrard, and Fowke followed in the order named, and the only two to reach double figures wer» Wilding. (H) and Garrard (12). The innings olosed at 2 35 for a total of 182, only three o£ which were extras. The fielding of the local men was patchy at times. Auckland put G. Mills and Kallender in, to the bowlieg of Pe»rce and JReeae, but both lost their wickets when they had made 8. . I. Mil is made a fair stand for 25 before putting one from Wilding into A. Ridlty's hands. D. Hay bad compiled 5 when R°ete successfully Appealed for lbw. Labatt, an old Canterbury man, pub up 15, when A. B. Ridley snapped him up. Fowke stumped Dr Pabst when the latter'e score stood at 11. Auckland's tail was a limp affair, and only realised 15. The innings closod after not quite two hours' batting for the poor total of 90. The Visitors' fielding was all that could be desired, aad not a cbanco was missed. A. E. Ridley especially distinRuished himself. Wilding has a good average, but his bowling was not tin_-top. Fowke behind the stumps wire in great form. The visitors started their second innings about 4.15, and when 6 o'clock came had lost four wickets for 31. ' After their good exhibition in their first effort this display wa9 somewhat 'unexpected. Labatt bowled eight overs ttud six were maidens. Scores :—: — Canterbury.— First Innings. Cibcroft, b R. Neill 26 "Wigley, c Labatt, b Neill 37 H. 0. Kidley, b R. Neill 0 A. E. Ridley, c Kallender, h Neill ... tr Reese, c. G. Mills, b Neill ' 23 A. Sims, b R. Neill 51 W. Pearce, c anil b Stenison 3 I*. Wildiug, c "Kelly, bR. NeiU ... 14 Clark, ft Wright, b Neill 7 UamrJ, c T. Wills, h R. Neill 12 Fowke, not out 0 Extras , ... 3 Total 182 Bowling Analysis.— R. Neill, nine wickets for8G runs ; Stemson, one for 40 ; Kallender, nont for 15 ; Hay, none for 23 ; Kelly, uonG for 9. A UCItr.AND. — First Innings. G. Mills, lbw, b D. Reeae S Kallender, c Ridley, b Pearce 8 I. Mill?, c Wi K lcy, b Wilding 25 D. Hay, lbw, b D. Reese 5 Labatt, c Ridley, b Wilding 15 Pabsfc, st Fowke, h D. ■ eese 11 R. Neill, c<!obcroft, b Wilding ... 9 StemsoD, c Cobcroft, bD. Reese ... 4 Wright, b D. Reese Q Lawson, c Cobcroffc, b Wilding ... 1 Kslly, not out 0 Extras ... , 3 . Total .. ... 9» Eowr.iNO Analysis. — Reese, five wickets for ST runs ; Wilding, four for 18 ; Pearce, one for 2L Cantbrbitry.— Second Innings. Coberofr, b Labatt „ 5 H. C. Ridley, run out U , Garravfi", lbw, bR. Neill 0 , Sims, c Wright, h Neill... 7 A. liidley. not out 4 I B. Reeae, not out 1 j * Extras , ... 3 Total for four wickets 31 TARANAKI y. HAWKB'S BAY. Napier, December 27. Saturday was blazing hob, the theroaamete? regiitering 90 in tbo »hade. The only event was the eommenceiaMit of the oricknt match Taranaki v. Hawke's Bay. The home team went first to the wickets, compiling 334- runs. Wdlatenbolme contributed 103 by splendid Cricket, and Nelaon and Marshall made 49 and 47 respectively. To-dftytherewas a strange contract, tha weather beingalnaosbwintry,Tain beginning early. An attempt was mad* to finish the cricket match, but it had to be stopped twice through rain. Taranaki completed their first inntDgs, making 124- runs. M'Carthy scored 27. This involved a follow on, when the visitors made 172 (M'Carthy 52 •and Heenan 24). Haviko's Bay thus won by an innings and 37 runs. VICTORIA v. JSTBW SOUTH WALES. Met^bouknb, December 27-. The cricket match Now South Wales v. Victoria began to-day. The latter batted first, and lost saveu wickets for 276 runs. Worrall (49), Tr-unible (40), Giller (45), Graham (52), M 'Michael (not out, 28) were the chief scorert.