CRICKET.

Otago Witness, Issue 2757, 16 January 1907, Page 64

CRICKET.

FIXTURES MC C. TOUR. January 18 and 19 — Xe'son. J4r.ua.ry 2-2 and 23 — Manawatu January 26, '28 and 29 -Auckland February 2, 4 and s—Canterbury5 — Canterbury February 8. 9 and 11 — Otaeo Februaiy 15, 16 and 18 — Wellington. February 20 — Wairarapa. February 22, 23 and 25— Hawke's Bay. March 1, 2 and 4 — New Zealand, at Christchurch. March 8. 9 and 11— New Zealand, at TTel'iugton. JOTES BY LONG SLIP. Mr E. S. Wilson, the energetic secretary of the Otago Cricket Association, is at pre-iont onjojing a well-earned holiday at PuraLanui. Reported in last issue that Ac-kroyd. the Dunedin batsman, was shortly to take up hi.- rciAf-pcc m Chnstehurch, where he mttnti^d eottiifj up in busir.es->. I understand that the tall Dun"diii representative will nor leave until about the middle of March, so that his services will he available 1o his club and province until about the end cf the "•eason. Arthur Fisher, the Cari'-brook cuikofr and golf enthusiast, who anticipated being transferred to Wellington on a three months' relieving expedition, informs me that it is now improbable that the transfer will take place; so Fisher remains to trundle against the Englishmen. Cricketers and enthusiasts generally will regret to learn of the death, \lh2ch occurred on Monday morning, of a «ou of Mr Alick Itownes, and will join we in an

expression of sincere sympathy with the well-known cricketer in his bereavement.

The unusual spectacle of father and son playing in the same team was witnessed in the Carisbrook A-Dunedin match on Saturday. This was W. H. Adams and his son T. D. Adams. The former was a mighty power in the cricket land in the days of the old Waverley Club, when J. Hope, T. Hunter and others used to regale Noith End spectators with vigorous cricket. Several members of the English cricket learn expressed their surprise at the standard of wicket-keeping met with in the matches play-ed up to the contlu-ion of the Otago fixture, and in this connection expressed a high appreciation of the work of Arnold Williams, the ex-Otago representative, in the Wellington match and that '> r Frank Williams, the local keeper m the Otago engagement. The South Canterbury Cricket Association having invited an Otago representative team to visit Timaru at Easter, the matter is at piesent under consideration. I trust the local association will be able to ccc its vray to accept the invitation. The comparatively poor attendances at the cricket match between M.C.C. and Otago has set the local association doing some hard thinking as to how best to attract the general public to the second match against the English amateurs next month. A committee has been set up to devise a scheme of advertising which is hoped to strike deep into the heart of the casual person. The best advertisement, of course, would be the promise of a good stand by the local eleven. This, together with Indian summer weather such as prevailed on the occasion of the la6t match, would be sufficient to draw all lovers of the game. It is, however, the totally indifferent person who requires to be enlightened on the fascinations of cricket.

The honorary secretary of the Canterbury Association has been informed by the Wellington Association that it has accepted; January 18. 19, and 21 as the dates for the annual fixture, to be played at Lancaster Park.

The Grange Junior cricketer, W. Davi«, whose bowling I have favourably commented on in previous issues, played for Grange senior eleven on Saturday in the absence of T. Downes, and justified the promotion by taking four Albion wickets at a cost of '28 rune. A gentleman who knows his cricket, and who witnessed the M.C.C. match against Canterbury and the contest against Otago, advises that in the former game the Englishmen played far below themselves, and had they shown form similar to that in Otago our Canterbury friends would not now be acclaiming a victory over tho English amateurs. My informant is of opinion that we have not yet seen the true form of the visitors.

If only for the example set in the'placing of the field the visit of the English cricketers will do some good to the game locally. Several clubs on Saturday emulated the Englishmen in the placing of the men in the slips as was done to suit May's fast deliveries.

In the absence of C. Stables, who is at 'Present out of town on holiday leave, C. Niven. a member of the old Phoenix Club in Dunedin, and an ex-Otae;o and Wellington representative, kept wickets for Carisbrook Bon Saturday. He showed quite good form behind the sticks. !Mr Niven. who has been acting district manager at the local office of the Government Life Insurance Company, returns to Wellington -shcrtlv.

With something like enterprise, the Otacro Sports Depot is out with a guessing competition in connection with the next Otatro renresentative team to meet the Englishmen in the match commencing on February 8. With the object of giving tl.f public an opportunity of expressing their opinion as to who the eleven Otago representatives should be, a prize of one guinea is being offered to the person who E?lects the correct team. A 6 each list is received it will be numbered, and when the names of the team are published the li&ts will be opened in their numbered order ; tho first correct list opened will receive the prize. The competition opens on tho 16th inst. and closes on t.he 22nd.

There was a net profit of £85 16 on th* recent cricket match between tho M.C.C. team and Otago. The grcs gate takines vvcie £165 Bs, and the expends £50 7s (including £33 Is 6d to the Ground Company, beinrr 20 per cent, of the gaie receipts). The Canterbury v. Otago match yielded a profit of £42 8s 6d, whilst t.ue.«-e was a lo?*3 of £14 10s 9d on the North Otago v. Otago match. The takings in this last match were £7 Is 7d, and it cost £3 12s to collect the money. The Ota^o Cricket Association also received £4 4s. being halT-share of the profits of the Second Grade interprovincial match Otago v. Canterbury, played at Christchurch.

Captain Wynyard, of the English team, who has boon unfortunately invalided Homo, stated prior "10 hi 6 departure that the woako»t spot he saw in New Zealand cricket was the The batting was uneven, but the colony possessed some good batsmen.

After an interval of a couple of week?, occasioned by the holidays arid the playing of the M.C.C. match. Cup cricket %vas resumed on Saturday. The weather wa.* fino but. dull, and the attendances at the various grounds satisfactory.

More than usual interest was taken in. tho marr-Ii between Carisbrook A and Dunedin. an-rj there was a geed attendance at the Caledonian Ground to witne— , the fiiit dav't, play in thi* co.nest.

The halting of the A team was. very in and out, threo men alon-" doing- the hulk of tho rim gotiinp:. ard th^->e thrco — Howdon. Adam-, and Foster,— togethoi with Mr ' Extras" who pro\ed a very u-eful bat. ere in b'> specially thanked for 'ho hulk of tho runs which went to maLo up Can»biook'< tola.

Ho«den who i^ battj'ig thi^ -ca^on Letter than he ha« over don" hofore. played very attractively for his t< ore of 29, and vva- unforrund-te in being: ifiun out Ibw when well set. In eonnc<tion with Ho«dpn's dismissal it was the frenor.i] oniiuon that thr* Carisbrook man played tie ball. If -uch was tho ease he is to bo sympathised with in heing given out in error.

One of tho rtio-t co*i>istont bat-jnon in Dunedin at tho present time ;s the C'arishrook A renre-onianv-e T Adam*-', who ajrain proved hoy. much good cricket thore 1= in him by his score against Dunodin. A<-!air>s baU"d 'oiidlv throughout, putting plenty of power into his stroke-, and scoring freely all round the wicket. He was going well, and had every appearance of having to bo dug our when he played a ball from Larham on to hi« wicket.

Tho writer, togorher wi»h others, would ha\e L>i>cn pleased to see Wat«m putting on a few £uns on Saturday, but the popular

Carisbrook groundsman has had «y little time for practice that he is njpt in form. That promising batsman Foster, who was promoted from the Second Grade to the Caxisbrook A senior ranks on Saturday, made a good showing, pleasing the critics immensely with his batting. Fester drives well, and has a particularly nice turn of the bat to leg.

Speaking generally, *he ground fielding of the Dunedin in the match against Carisbrook A. on Saturday was not up to standard. Many balls that might have been picked up smartly found their way to the boundary. Eckhold, who is animation itself on the field, should be spaied from this condemnation, for his work was remarkably clean, his picking up and returning being alike excellent. Many good judges of the game are advocating Eckhold's inclusion m the next Otago team, and I should not be surprised if the se'ector gives the Dunedin representative a chance to prove his cricket abilities.

The Carisbrook A eleven, in their match against Dunedin, were at the wickets upward.-, of three hours for their first innings' total of 184.

The claims of Tom Adams, the Carisbrook A batsman, for inclusion in the next representative team are greatly enhanced by his score of 71 runs against the Dunedin on Sa-turday. By the way, Adamsis showing better form with the" bat this season than he ha? ever done before, and if ho is to get another chance in big cricket now is the time to give it to him. The Duneclin • wicketkeeper in the match against Carisbrook A on Saturday emulated Fox, the English amateur "keeper," by standing several yards back from the wickets to take Wilson's deliveries. The credit of making the highest score in first-class cricket in Southland this seaeon belongs to F. Glasgow, the member of the Now Zealand football team. This was 82, against South Otago, at Kaitangata. The innings is described as having been an excellent one.

Several bowlers were tri«^»J, to bring about the downfall of Cariborook A. the honours being divided between Latham, who secured four wickets for 27 runs, and Courtis, three for 35.

The conclusion of the match between Carisbrook A and Dunedin should prove interesting. The former's 184 16 not beyond tho powers of the Dunedin batemen, and the contest should furnish an exciting finish. By the way,, the Caledonian ' Ground has been engaged for next Saturday, so that the match will probably have to be played out at the end of the season, or at the most convenient time that presents itself.

The contest for cricket supremacy between the Grange and Albion attracted a^ good attendance of enthusiasts to the North Ground on Saturday. The cricket was not thrilling, and with one or two exceptions the' batting was poor. Albion were all trundled out for a couple under the century — a total which fell short of that promised after the first wicket fell. One for 31 was a reasonable start, but the batting sagged badly in the middle. The last •wickat made a brief stand, taking the score from 75 to 98 before Cumirdngs was sent to the right about, cau>£t by Chadwick. off Ward. Drake showed good form for his score of 25, and has the honour of being the highest run-getter on his side. lA-dams played his usual patient game for 13 — alleged to be an unlucky nuniber, but as true game went a useful contribution. (Baker batted aggressively, quickly setting irto double figures and retiring with 17 Williams was the only other Albion representative to make a stand, the big fellow improving his average with a not out and a scare of 20 runs.

Tie fowling and fielding of the Grange was decidedly creditable, and Ward, Davis, and C. Beal, who were the principal agents in 1 ringing about the downfall of Albion, arc deserving of more than the usual meeJ of praise for their efforts.

Grange's reply to Albion's first innings' total left the former with a lead of 15 runs figures which may come in useful at the finish. The feature of the Grange innings was Ihe batting of Henderson, who camj in ot a stag" of the game when runs were 'badly wanted, and by vigorous cutting and driving put on 42 runs. His 6core included bet en ■!'<;, and during his term at the crease he gave the Albion fieldsmen a busy time. Opg batted well for his total of 24, and C. Beal and Ward also showed good form durinr then- term at the crease. Grange batted one man short, A. Downes bei*(j the absentee. I understand a place has been kept Tor the Grange trundler next Saturday. The match is at present at an intorosung stage, and should furnish a good .finish.

Drake, lato of St. Martin's, played for Albion tor the first time on Saturday, and signalis'xJ his, advent by compiling 25 in good t-tyl<>. Drake should prove a useful man to tho North End club.

(1 Roartlon turned out for Albion on Saturday, after an absence of some weeks. Hi-, injured leg v, stilt troublesome, and prawn's him running between the wickets aiid fjrftinEf about the field. The ex-Dun-pd.n cricketer would be studying his own ir.'ere-sls if ho gave .his leg a rest for tho remainder of the season.

Opoho sta' ted well in their match against Cane brook B on Saturday, putting on 33 fcr a fir-t wicket, and having six w ckot-; down for 104. The last four wicket*, however, fell rapidly, and the totnl kvlisiv 1 Ki'Rour. who got 26, batted sW-adih. scoring his runs mainly on the leg s; J<\ The most exhilarating exhibition was tha f given by Chadwick, who, after boing missed early in hits career, treated the spectators to some lively hitting. Chadv. ick's score of 26 included two s's and a six One straight drive found its way tn rough a window in the players* pavilion, another landed on tho members' stand, and y t another went otit of tho ground Eckihoff who compiled 21, scored the majority of his rurih on the leg side, with an occasional lucky one through the slips.

Camp!.<'ll bowled very successfully for C'.iri«brnok. securing six wickets at a cost of u8 run- He kept a good length throughout, ami \\3l~, swinging in from the off with t'le wind.

Sifdebr-rg played a splendid innings for C'arisbrook B, and is still unconquered with 127 to his rredit. The C'arisbrook batsman obtained his runs by powerful on and off driving. He was never at any stage in trouble to the bowling, anc l his innings was unmarred by a single chance. Siedeberg was paiticularly partial to Eckhoff, frequently stepping out to drive that bowler. He reached the century affcor 80 minute** batting. His score includes one 5, fourteen 4's. and rloven 3"s. Aii3tin, who was Sietleberg's partner, batted very steadily for his rur-s. Ho has 51 not out to his credit, and at the drawing of stumps on Saturday was going well. In mew cf the next match against the Englishmen, I should. Ike to

see the popular Carisbrook batsman /ciurn to form. Opoho rang on many changes in the bowling to bring aibout a. separation oi the partnership between Siedeberg and Austin, but they were unsuccessful, andall were more or less severely punished. Tne wicket was too slow for Chadwick, who was unable to make the ball nip off the pitch. Taken all round, the Opoho fielding was eood in the matoh agfkinet Carisbrook B, Kilgour at mid-off in particular doing splendid work, bis picking up and returning being excellent. Runing between the wickets has always 'been more or less of a trial to some bats* men, which gives pause to cay that Siedeberg and Austin had a perfect understanding on Saturday, adding upwards of 40 to the total by well-judged running. A rather curious incident happened in the Carisbrook B-Opoho matoh on Saturday, in which Niven, the "B" wicketkeeper, figured prominently. He was keepinjf guard behind the wickets when a ball from. Campbell removed the bails. One of the bails struck Niven on the eye, inflicting a nasty cut. Later in the day, but at the opposite end to that where the first "accident took place. Niven was against struck on the eye. the bait selecting the same spot to emphasise ite presence! Playing for Grange Second against Opoho on Saturday, W. Johnston, the All -Black, gave a vigorous display of batting, scoring 90 runs in splendid style, and giving only one chance in an innings tha.t was full of good things. There was a deal of excitement in the Second Grade match Jtoslyn v. Dunedin on Saturday, totih elevons finishing up the first innings with a total of 85 runs. That enthusiastic cricketer W. Skitch was in, good form with the ball, capturing four Roslyn wickets for 18 runs. Wilkie's performance was a shade better, reading four for 16. On the Roslyn side F. Andereoa was the most successful bowler with six for 40. An Australian appreciation of Canterbury's win over the Englishmen: — Canterbury (New Zealand) played quite up to their traditions against the Englishmen. As far baok as 1878 a Canterbury fifteen inflicted! upon the first Australian eleven a six) wickets' defeat, the one reverse experienced! by that team prior to their departure for England. The Australians were dismissed) for the small score of 46, the one double figure contribution being Alec. Bannermann's 14. Playing in a recent match in Sydney} Victor Trumper, Australia's cricket idol, compiled 92 runs in 50 minutes. In one over he scored 22 runs, including three 6's off consecutive balls. Tho erstwJiile Dunedin player Harry Gunthorp, trundling for South Otago against ' Tapanui District, came out with the fine averages of eight for 27 and seven for 22. South Otago won by an innings and 48 runs. It will soon be difficult to get a man to captain any team of English, athletes to tour New Zealand on account of the strange fatality that appears to attach to the position (bays a Southland writer). When the first English football team started for the colony it was under the captaincy of R. I/. 1 Seddon. The ill-fated Seddon was drowned in the Parramatta, and his mantle fell- on Sfoddart, the t^m now b*>ing generally known ac "Stoddart's." Tho last M.C.C. cricket team that came hero had barely been dubbed 'Tiord Hawke's team" when an untimely family bereavement prevented the skipper leaving England, and the combination ia now spoken of as Warner's team. Now we have the instance of Captain Wynyard's misfortune, necessitating a premature return home, leaving do Trafford in charge. When the British footballers were with us in 1904 their skipper, Bedell-Sivright, was incapacitated, though not sufficiently to cause hia retirement. Maybe the light let-off in Sivrig-ht's instance can be attributed to the fact that he was a Scotchman — the only one in the team — and Scotchmen are proverbially hard to kill. New South Wales trundler Cotter has apparently lost his "terror" to inter-State batsmen. Against South Australia he took three wickets for 57 runs on a damaged wicket ; and) six wickets for 174 against Victoria — in all, nine wickets for 231 runs. The figures are not up to Australian eleven standard. J. T. Tyldesley, the celebrated Lancashire batsman, is the richer by the substantial sum of £31()5 as the result of hia benefit mateh — Lancashire v. Yorkshire, — coupled with , amounts collected) by subscription among his friends and admirers all ove»* England. Though the sum mentioned is not a record, it is the largest benefit money yet received by a Lancashire player. A.thur Mold, the fa.st bowler, who, like Tyldesley, is a Lancashire man, held the previous record for the county with £2000 ; Walter Lees had about £120 more from the Oval match for his benefit in July ; but George Hirst, two years ago, established a record as yet unbroken anywhere by a benefit gate which resulted in £3500 being placed to his credit in the bank. P. R. Mackay, the New South Wales batsman, who arrived in South Africa a few weeks back, is going to the Rand, having obtained an appointment on the Village Main Reef mine. He will play for the Commonwealth ,team there. According to the Johannesburg correspondent of a Home paper, there has been some discusbio« as to Mackay'a qualification to play for the South African team to go Home thia year if he makes South Africa his home. The correspondent referred to says I he is inclined to think that the colonial spirit will be too strong to import a ■brother oo'onist with sucih a slender residential qualification into the South African team. Speaking of the chances of the Scratn. Africans in the test matches against England, the South African, Vogler, who played cricket at Home for some time last year, but is now back again in the Land of the Diamond, thinks the Southerners have: an even-money chance, and, incidentally, he rcmarkecf that ho thought the South Africans could fairly easily overcome- > the last Australian team which visited England. The Middlesex County C.C. are to give a benefit match to ex-Australian Albert ; Trott. The fixture against Somerset is set down for the benefit. As showing the large amount of money disbursed by English county teams, it may be mentioned that the balance sheet of the Lancashire Cricket Club shows that subscriptions realised £3310 and _ gate money, stand Teceipts, and balance in respect of the -1905 test matches amounted to just over £3000. The professionals' pay came to £1553, and amatenrs' expenses to £600, whilst other wagee accounted for £2791, less winter pay for professional* of £630.

That anyone should lire in Australia and not know something of cricket &eems absurd; but; ' strange as it may seem, there are such persons, and one of them sat in the grand stand) at the last test match wondering what he had paid his money for. "Who are in now?" asked he of an unfortunate neighbour. "The Englishmen," was the gruff response. "Tnen where are the Australians?" "In the field, of oourse." "Then which are the Englishmen ?" "Those two batting." "What ! only two to play all that lot? Do you call that a fair game?" "Oh, go to j blazes!" said the persecuted enthusiast; ' and the stranger asked no more questions. I There are rumours (says an English tpaper) that F. S. Jackson may be able to figure more frequently in the ranks of Yorkshire next season, in readiness for a . visit to Australian | "It is not generally known how very near the M.C.C. were to sending a team, to Australia," writes C. B. Fry in Fry's Magazine. "So strong was the political influence brought to bear through. the Earl of Jersey that the M.C.C. Committee found it difficult to hold out. But one or two of them were obdurate in their . belief that the club ought not to under, take the tour (1) at such short notice, I and (2) when it- was not- certain the Australians had arranged their virulent difference. In point of fact, the M.C.C. could, at a week's notice, have collected two or three teams good enough to represent England* though several amateurs would, perbaps, nave been unable to accept the invitation. The real ground of Tefusal was purely a matter of policy." > Each year New South Wales, South Aus- ; fralia, and Victoria play matches, and the State which hai the best record is entitled to hold the Sheffield Shield for the time being (says "Stumps" in Sydney Town and Country Journal). In addition, medals are given to players to commemorate the victory. The shield, of which very little is seen, for it i« etowed away in some vault for safe keeping, was the outcome of a donation of £150 by the Earl of Sheffield to the Australian Cricket Council in 1902. The distinguished patron of the game de- . •ired to mark his appreciation of the kindness extended to him by Australians during the tour of his team in 1901-2, The council decided on a shield, and a handsome one it is. The shield, whidh measures 46in by" 1 30in, i* of silver, flanked with a bowler on> one side and a batsman on the other, each aolidly modelled, with the ball and the bat of gold. On the centre plate is a representation of the Sheffield Park Cricket Ground, with a full team in the field. The main. body of the shield is of silver, of which 200oz were used, the leaf, shell, and scroll work being in part oxidised to heighten the general effect. There are 16 golden inscription plates to bear the names of the successful colonies. The Sheffield »nd Australian arms, resting on the shoulders of the shield, are enamelled in correct colours, and the whole is surmounted by a statue of "Victory." A Wellington telegram states that the fourth series of Senior cricket matches was concluded on Saturday. Wellington defeated Phoenix by 15 tuns. F. Laws, for Phoenix, made 122. Old Boys beat Midland by 210 runs. Dickson secured seven of the Midland wickets for 32. Gasworks defeated Newtown by nine wicketa. CHRISTOHURCH NOTES. (FbOIC OtT* OWH COBBZSPOKDEOT.) ♦ January 14. The first round of the return matches wae finished on Saturday, when Riccarton, West Christchurch, and East Christchurch secured wins, in each case on the first innings. The day was full and a light drizzle fell during ■mest of the afternoon, making the wickets easy and the outfields slow, while the ball «»raß too greasy to handle with accuracy. The attendance at Hagley Park, where all the matches were played, was good. The West Christchurch-St. Albans match j provided a good deal of excitement. St. Albans had made 141, and West Christchurch had lost six wickets for 105. Resuming, at 112 Lawrence was caught after malting 24. Vernon and Fuller took the score to 127 by careful play, when the Iformer was bowled by Ollivier. ThenMalone assisted Fuller to pass the St. Albans' total amid much excitement. Malone got 14 not out, but should have been 6tumpcdw when he had scored 1. Fuller made 39 by correct play, and' really won the match. M'Neill, the last man, made 4, and the innings for 185. The fielding was good, as is usual with St. Albans, andl Ollivier got his best club average this seawon with six for 85. In their .second innirijs the northern team scored 200, batting a man short, of which T. Reese obtained 133. He did not start well, but soon played himself in and gave a fine display, principally on tbe leg side. Ho gave a difficult chance in the long-field when near his half-century> but otherwise it was a chanoelcss innings. Smith, the last man, helped Reese to put on 86 runs, and probably saved a three-point win. Smith made 26 in nice style. A. Kinvig (16) was the only other double-figure scorer. Ollivier was bowled off his bads first ball by Malone. The fielding was fair, and Malone got six for 82. Sydenham had made 163, and Riccarton carried their score from 98 for throe wickets to 319. Fryer made 116 by hard hitting, but was missed off skiers several times. The boundaries were very short, and this fact helped 1 him considerably, bufc \ he must be credited with several fine strokes. The other double-figure contributors on Saturday were Callaway (23), Harper (22), and J. H. Williams (43 not out), the latter playing a very vigorous game. Sydenham were heavily handicapped by Bennett being unable -<o play owing to having hurt some of his fingers during the week. The fielding was very bad, many catches being ncissed and runs lost Sydenham played_ out time in their second innings, which was almost a burlesque of the game, scoring 108 for five wickets. Patrick made 28 in fine style, and Robson 23 in a careful manner. Howitt (lately frpm | Sydney) scored 22. K. Williams secured all five wickets. The fielding was only fair. Replying to East Christchurch's 333, Linwood took their .«core from 70 for two wickets to only 144 (one man short). R. Ridley added 40 to his previous 17, and zave a good display of watchful cricket. ; The only other double-figure scorer on I Saturday was Clarke (10). The winners' fielding was fair. Instead of going for a three-point win. tie Easterners batted again, and at the conclusion of play had lost seven wickets for 263, but Lin wood, fielding two men short, assisted the score. S. Egglestone (recently from Homo) scored 100 not out in first-class st\le, and only a difficult chance at the wickets can bo urged against hifh Be played fine strokes all round

the wicket, and was very severe^ on anything loose. Newcombe got 42 "by slow play, and Boxshall made 22 in a few strokes. Moroney scored 28 freely and Goldsmith 20, while Bishop was well caught at the wickets when he had totalled 19. Sims was splendidly caught low down at point by A. E. Ridley when he had made 9. Clarke, with three for 86, was the most successful bowler. The fielding was again very poor, the match having been lost and the team being short-handed no doubt accentuating the languidness of the display. The Canterbury team to play Wellington would appear to be very weak, as through accidents and from other reasons Ollivier, Sims, Orchard, Lusk, and perhaps Bennett, will not be available. Under these circumstances a win for Wellington seems probable. Callaway will be playing. Bowling Figures:— Malone (W.C.), 25 overs, 82 runs, six wickets; Dakin (W.Cy, li overs, 4 runs, one wicket (Reese) ; K. Williams (R)., 15 overs, 34 runs, 1 wide, five wickets ; Young (S.), 18 overs, 65 runs, four wickets; Goldsmith (E.G.), 10 overs, 50 runs, three wickets ; Harkness (E.C.), 3£ overs, 11 runs, two wickets ; Callaway, 18 overs, 27 runs; Clarke (L.), 14 overs, 86 runs, three wickets. The East Christchurch-St. Albans Second Grade match provided a sensational finish. The former made 124 in their first innings and the latter 164. In their second innings St. Albanj made only 88, leaving the Easterners 128 to win, and in the excitement of the finish the last man in of the latter team at 128 ran himself out in attempting an almost impossible run to win, and the match ended in a tie. Vincent (S.A.) got eight wickets for 24 runs.

A one-sided game: St. Matthew's,, 165 for two wickets; Whitcombe and Tombs, 22 and 20. i D. Reese, who will be remembered as batting well against Warner's team, is expected back to Christchurch at the end of | this week. He will probably be found in the ranks of the already-strong West Christchuroh team. Mr Raphael, secretary of, the New Zealand Cricket Council, left for the West Coast with the English team, and will undertake the management duties for the remainder of the tour. S. Orchard had his knee hurt t>v a blow from a ball while at practice the other evening. The injury is not expected to be serious, but the genial "Sid" requires a stick at present. A light drizzle which is falling pretty regularly at present should have the effect of "taming" the Bulli soil wjeket on Lancaster Park for the Wellington match. THE M.C.C. TEAM. APPOINTMENT OF A TOURING \ MANAGER. ! CHRISTCHURCH, January 8. \ The message from Wellington to the effect that, at a meeting of the Welling- j ton Cricket Association last night, it was resolved te appoint a manager to conduct the M.C.C. cricket team for tho remainder of the tour after the next Wellington match, the New Zealand Cricket Council having refused to do so, is somewhat inaccurate and misleading. Mr F. C. Raphael (hon. secretary of the New Zealand Cricket Council) explains that a committee of the council set up to arrange for the tour of the team appointed him last week to manasre the team during its journey over to the West Coast, up to Auckland, and back again to Christchurch. Mr H. D. Bell (president of the Wellington Cnicliefc Association) was present at the meeting, and undertook that a manager would be appointed to accompany the team from Wellington to Hawke'e Bay and back at no expense to the council, and that was what had been done at the meeting of the Wellington Association. " I was very much surprised when I read the message," added Mr Raphael, " for it is very misleading — not only to the team, but also to the public, — and I cannot understand why euch a telegram should have been sent." FIRST GRADE. Dunedin v. Caribbbook A. The match Dunedin v. Carisbrook A. which had been looked forward to with a great deal of interest, was commenced on the Caledonian Ground on Saturday. Carisbrook, winning the to«s, elected to bat, and put up 184 before the last wicket fell. Dunedin began their innings a few minutes before 6, and when stumps wore drawn Ackroyd and Wilson had put on 17 runs without being separated. fhe following are the scores : — Cahisbrook A — First Innings Howden, Ibw, b Melvin 29 T. Adams, b Latham 71 Watson, b Melvin . . ... 1 Fisher, c Melvin, b Macker=y .. 1 Foster, c Mackersy, b Couitis .. 45 Uttley. Ibw, b Lathrm 8 Butler, b Latham 3 Hnrraway, b Latham 1 Msrtyn, not out 5 Dodgsbun, b Courtis ." . . 0 W. H. Adarna, c Mackersy, b Courtis .. .. 0 Extras 20 Total 184 Bowling Analysis. — Latham. 96 ba.Us, 5 maidens, 27 runs, 4 wickets; Courtis. 96 balls, 5 maidens, 35 runs, 3 viickets; Melvin, 78 balls, 2 maidens. 43 runs, 2 wickets ; M«ickersy, 54 balls, 1 maiden, 28 runs, 1 wicket , t Eckho'd, IS balls, 9 runs; Bannerman, 18 j balls, 1 maiden, 4 runs; Wi!« on , 30 balls, 18 runs. Latham and Wilson each bowled a, wide Di'nedin — Fn<-t Innings. Ackroyd, not out 8 j Wilson, no', oiu . 2 Extras 7 Total for no wickets .. 17 Grwgf. \ . Albion*. The match Giange \. Albion was commpneed on the North Ground befoic a. large attendance of the public. Williams won the tos=. from W. Beal, who acted as captain of the Grange in place of A. j Downes, who v\a« unfort unati-lv unable to play on account of «ci iou« illness in his family. T. Downes ws aUo unable to play, and his place was filled by W. Davi», a very promising youth from the Second Eleven. The score was taken to 98 before tho last wif'iet fell. The Grange then went in, and batting one man short, the innings ; c'o=ed for 113. The Albion, gcing in a j second time, have lost two wickets {or 39. The following are the scores: — Albion. — First Innings. Drake, cC. Beal, b Ward .. .. 25 Adams, b Davis . .13 Graham, Ibw. b Ward •. . . 1 Baker c C. Beal. b Ward .. 17 Shepheid, b Davis . 0 Ciamond, c Hendersqn. b Ward 1 Mackey. £t Beal, b Ward 4 Bsardprj^ !bw, * i>»vii v. <x <• *

Williams, not out - 20 Corbett, c and b Davis 0 Cummings, c Chadwickf b Ward . . 9 Extras .. * .Total 98 Bowling Analysis. — Henderson, 42 balls, 3 maidens, 19 runs; Ward, 108 balls, 6 maidens, 4.7 runs, 6 wickets; Davis, 66 balls, 4 maidens, 28 runs, 4 wickets. Ward bowled two no-balls. Second Innings. Corbett, b Davis 20 Shepherd, b Beal 4 Adaans, not out 11 Mackey, not out 1 Extras 3 Total for two wickets ..39 Geange.— First Innings. Roberts, c Corbett, b Cummings. 3 Ogg. b Corbett 24 C. Beal, c Adams, b Corbett .. ♦• 10 Chadwick,' b Corbett ...... 1 Best, b Corbett 0 Henderson, b Corbett ....;. 42 W. Beal, b Cummings 2 Davis, c Corbett, b Cummings .. 0 War/1, run out 1* Robinson, not out 4 A. Downes (absent) — Extras 13 Total H3 Bowling Analysis.— Corbett, 96 balls, 2 maidens, 71 runs. 5 wickets; Cummmgs, 90 balls, 7 maidens, 29 runs, 3 wicketa. C^BJSBROOK B V. OPOHO. This game was begun at Carisbrook on Saturday, the visiting team batting first. They only put up a moderate score, Campbell being rather destructive with the ball for Carisbrook. The home team lost one wicket for 25, Rutherford being run out. After this Siedeberg and Austin kept at the wicketa until call of time. When stumps were drawn Carisbrook's score stood ai 192 for one wicket. Stfores: — ■ Opoho. — First Innings. Kilgour. c Niven, b Siedeberg .. 26 Turnbull, b Campbell H Evans, c Fenwick, b Campbell . 8 James Timlin, b Campbell .. 13 Eckhoff, b Austin 21 M. Chadwick, c Fenwick, b Campbell 22 M'G-avin, c%urt, b Campbell ..6 John Timlin, b Austin .., .. 0 Mackay, Ibw, b Campbell . • . . 0 Lear, b Austin *a 1 Coombes, not out 0 j Extras .. .. .. ,« .... 2 Total HO Bowling Analysis.— F. H. Campbell, 85 j balls, 3 maidens, 38 runs, 6 wicketa; Austin, 66 balls, 2 maidens, 37 runs, 3 wickets; Siedeberg, 84 balls, 5 maidens, 33 runs, 1 wicket. Carisbrook B. — First Innings. Siedeberg, not out 127 Rutherford, run out .. .. •».. 5 Austin, not out •• 51 Extras .. .., .. „, •» .. 9 Total for one wicket .. 192 SECOND GRADE. The match Roslyn v. Dunedin No. 1 was commenced on the Caledonian Ground. Each team has suffered one defeat this eeaeon, though Roslyn, by winning their matches outright, hold a lead of two points over their nearest opponents. Roslyn made a good start, making 53 for two wickets, Goode (32) and Strang (21) batting nicely. There were no other double figure scorers, however, and the innings closed for 85. The I>unedin also began, fairly well, but finished badly, the last wicket falling for 85, the scores thue being level on the first innings. , The match Grange v. Opoho was commenced on the North Ground. Opoho compiled 59 runs and the Grange replied with 215. The match Mornington v. Albion was commenced on the North Ground. Mornington compiled 112. The Albion started badly, losing six wickets for 58, but they had seven down for 109 at the call of time. The match Carisbrook D v. Dunedin No. 2 was commenced on Saturday at Carisbrook. The latter put together 147 before the last wicket fell, and Carisbrook have lost two wickets for 104 runs. THIRD GRADE. The match Grange v. Opoho was won, after an exciting contest, by the Grange by j 4 runs. The Opoho made 57, and the I Grange, batting three men short, replied , with 42. On going in a second tmie Opoho i made 66. Grange requiring 82 to win, , started their second innings, and were not disposed of until the scoring sheet showed b5. Dunedin and Mornington met on the Caledonian Ground, and the game ended in an easy win for Dunedin, who scored 106, Mornington replying with 58. Star defeated Caversham by one wit-ket and one run. Caversham made 106. Star commenced disastrously-, having eight wickets down for 36, but Black and Long took the score to 84. Star still requiring 21 ' to win when the last man came in. but, Black monopolising the bowling, proved equal to the occasion, and made the winning hit after a mo°t exciting game. Carisbrook E defeated Port Chalrnors by 2 runs. Carisbrook made 105. runs, and Port Chalmers compiled 103. FOURTH GRADE. Star defeated Caversham by 175 to 51. Roslyn defeated Mornington No. 2, at Bnhopscourt, by 148 rung, the scoies being — Roslyn, 182 : Morningtcn. 34. The Albion and Grange tried conclusions at Opoho. Albion made 55 runs. Grange compiled 31. M.C.C. v. WEST COAST. VISITORS WIN BY SIX WICKETS. GREYMOUTH, January 11. There was glorious weather for the opening of the cricket match West Coast v. Marylebone Cricket Club, which was played on Victoria Park. The rain during the night had the effect of putting the ground in perfect form. The pitch was in splendid order, the matting making the bowling very fast. There was a large attendance of the public, and keen interest was taken in the game. The Englishmen played 12 men and the Coast 18. The West Coa.-t won the toss, and eleoted to hat, W. Barlow and J. Smith going to the wickets. Curwen opened to Barlow, and from the fifth ball one run was scored. Douglas went on at the north end, and off his first ball Barlow scored one. Sniith was then clean bowled. 2—1 — 0. Dillon, who eaino next, tipped the third ball into the wicket-keeper's hands. 4—2—o.4 — 2—o. Knapp struck out, and made six before he was beautifully cauclit by Douglas. 10 — 3—6.3 — 6. Turner joined Barlow, and the pair made a good stand, taking the total to 53 before Turner wa6 bowled by Simp6on-H*yward. ! Bovjs'f £§£ \ra§ very short, tbe under-

armers of Simpßon-Hayward baffling him, and he went out without any addition to the score. The fielding of the Englishmen was faultless, and it was difficult to make runs. It took one hour to compile 55 rune. J. Barlow joined his brother, but the partnership only lasted until 57 was reached, I when W. Barlow succumbed to SimpsonHayward. 57 — 6—30.6 — 30. Neilson made six j before Harrieon captured his wicket. 73 — 7—6.7 — 6. Todd, after being in for some time, hit Simpson-Hayward for 6, but in the next he was 6tumped off Harrison. Barlow was doing the scoring slowly. 89 — B—6. After an adjournment of 15 minutes Clark was stumped first ball. M'lntosh was next in, and shortly afterwards the board showed 100 for two hours' play. M'lntosh made a splendid hit, but was caught oa the boundary by May. Starkey, the next man, went out first ball to Simp-son-Hayward. Lather joined Barlow, and very slow scoring took place, both men playing carefully. At 120 Barlow was bowled by Simpson-Hayward. He made 26, and was at the wickets for an hour and ahalf. The remaining batsmen went out in quick succession, Lather being caught for 8 just after the last man had arrived at the wickets. The last wicket fell at five minutes to 6; so play was then concluded for the day. January 12. The cricket match between the Marylebone Club and the West Coast was resumed at noon to-day in fine ' weather. The wicket was. playing well, and the ground was in good order. At the opening there was a fair attendance, which increased , to thousands during the afternoon. The Englishmen went to the wickets, and were all disposed of for 252 runs in three hours and a-quarter. De Trafford, Harrison, and Branston gave a splendid exhibition of batting. De Trafford hit seven 4's and two 6?s. Harrison five 4's, and Branston four 4's and three 6's. The fielding of the local men was faulty, as far as returning the ball was concerned, but at catching they were more successful, nine men being caught. Knapp clean bowled Johnson, and Lather bowled Williams off his pad. Johnson and Douglas opened for the Englishmen against the bowling of Knapp and Lather. Johnson drove Lather for 4 and for two singles. Douglas scored il, and was then caught by Currie. One wicket for 7. Harrison joined Johnson, and the 6core went to 17, when Johnson was bowled by Knapp. Two for 17. Simpson-Hayward compiled 13 before being caught by Knapp. Three for 53. Williams added 5, when he was caught by Knapp, and the score read four for 75. De Trafford joined Harrison, and with excellent batting 167 was rattled on before Harrison was caught by Neilson. Five for 167. Branston took trie wickets, and the partnership brought the score to 218 before De Trafford was caught by Neilson. Six for 218. Curwen was next man, and only 6 runs were added before Branston was caught by Houston at the boundary. Seven for 224. Torrens filled the breach, and 19 runs had been added when Torrens was caught by Smith. Eight for 243. May I was next in, and the partnership was broken when 5 runs were added, May being" caught by Currie at inid-on. Nine for 248.- ! Tufnell joined Curwen, and when 4 had ! been added Curwen retired, caught " by Houston Ten for 252 Fox was last man. but was caught first ball by the wicketkeeper. Eleven for 252. The Coast team went to the wickets at 4 o'clock, and at call of time had lost four wickets for 90 runs. January 14. The cricket match was resumed at 11 o'clock this morning in beautiful weather. There was a fair attendance of the public. With four wickets down for 90 runs the West Coast resumed batting, but opened badly, Barlow only adding 2 before he was given out Ibw. The next eight wickets fell for 46, when Lather and Minehan carried the score to 171. The next two wickets fell for 173 and 177, and the last wicket for 200. The fielding of the Englishman was "perfect, and Simpson-llayward got seven wickets for 47 runs. The Englishmen, requiring 81 runs to win, and having an hour and a-half before call of time, sent Johnson and De Trafford to the wickets. The opening was very bad Johnson being stumped after making 4, and De Trafford bowled by Knapp for 5. Simpson-Hayward was caught by Neilson for 0, and the board showed three wickets for 12 runs. Harrison was doing .the scoring. Douglas, after hitting three boundaries and a single, was bowled by Lather. Branston joined Harrison, and the necessary tcore was made eight minutes before call of time. The visitors therefore won by six wickets. . The finish was most exciting. The Vv est Coast team fielded and bowled well. The following arc the scores: — M C.C.— First Inning% Johnson, b Knapp I 2 Douglas, c Currie, b Knapp .. .. 1 Harrison, c Neilson. b Dillon .. 72 Pimpson-Hayward, c Knapp, b "Lather l % Williams, b Lather .. .. • •• | de Trafford, c Neilaon. b Knapp.. 63 Branston, c Houston, b Currie .. 42 Curwen, c Currie. bW. Barlow .. 21 Torrens, cJ. Smith, b M'lntosh . 5 May, c Currie, bW. Bai'.ow .. .. 3 Fox, c Wickes. b M'lnto3u .. .. 0 Tufnel'. not out \ Extras _^> Total 252 Bowhng Analysis.— Knapp, two wickets for 42 rune; Lather, three for 51; Houston, nil for 16, SUrkey, nil for 10, Owens, ml for 16, Dillon, one for 25; Minehan, ml for 33, Cume! one for 33. W. Bar.ow, two for 9, M'lntosh, two for 2. Second Innings Johnson, st Neilson b Lather .. 4 De Trafford, b Knapp » Harrison, not out .. ■ ■ , d ' .Simp°on-Hayward, c Neilson, b Knapp " ° May, b Lather b Douglas, c Houston, b Knapp .. 13 Branston, not out .. • 15 Extras •• 1 Five wickets for .. .. 81 Bowling Analysis. — Knapp, 3 wickets for 28 runs; Lather, 2 wickets for 28 runs; Houston, no wick«ts for 16 runs; Barlow, no wickets for 8 runs. Grey. — First Innings. W. Barlow, b Simpson-Hayward.. 30 J. Smith, b Douglas 0 Knapp, c and b Douglas 6 Turner, b Harrison 10 J. Barlow, b Simpson-Havward . . 26 Todd, st Tufneil, b Harrfson .. 6 Dillon, c Tufnell, b Douglas .. 0 « Boyes, b Simpson-Hayward ... 0 M'lntosb, c May t b Harmon . 5 I Neilson, b Harrison 6 Clark, st Tufnell, b Harrison.. v *

Starkey, b Simpson-Hayward .. 0 Lather, c and b Branston .. .. 8 Currie. b Torrens .. .. .. .. S - Wickes, b Harrison 1 Owens, c Johnston, b BranstonV. S Minehan, cde TraSord, b Harrison 3 Houston, not out 0 Extras .. 24 Total 132 Bowling Analysis. — Douglas, three wicket^ for 19 runs ; Harrison, seven for 31 ; Simpson? Hayward, four for 31 ; Torrens, one for 1j" Branston, one for 1; Curwen, nil for 18. Second Innings. A. Barlow, run out 0 W. Barlow, Ibw, b Simpson-Hay-ward .. ... .. . 48 Turner, b Harrison 19 M'lntosh, c Branston, b May .. 6 Currie, b May 2 Dillon, b Simpson-Hayward .. 8 Todd, b Simpson-Hayward . .. . 0 Knapp, b Braaaton 13 Boyes, c Curwen, b Branston . . 1 Houston, b Simpson-Hayward . . 11 Smith, b Simpson-Hayward . . 7 Neilson, c Williams, b Branston 0 Lather/ not out 38 Minehan, b Harrison 24 Wilkes, Ibw, b Simpson-Hayward 0 Starkey, c Simpson-Hayward, b Harrison 0 Clarke, c Branston, b May .. 0 Owens, b Simpson-Hay ward .. 7 Extras M .. 27 Total ,» 200 Bowling Analysis.— Branston, 3 wickets fofl 38 runs; Douglas, no wickets for 15" runs; Harrison, 3 .wickets for 31 runs; Curwen, no wickets for 14 runs; May, -i' wicketa for 18 runs; Simpson-Hayward, 7 wickets for 47 runs. The Englishmen, who left by train tonight for Nelson, were given a hearty send-off.