NOTES BY LONG SLIP.

Otago Witness, Issue 2804, 11 December 1907, Page 60

NOTES BY LONG SLIP.

The Otago representative team to tour as far as Auckland this month will be absent about 17 days. The players leave Dunedin by the 6econd express on Saturday, , December 21, returning to Dunedin about January 8. Practice, m -view of the ptago team's approaching tour, is being held on the Carisbrook Ground nightly. It is essential that all the players who can should make a point of attending practice.

It has been wisely deckled by the Otago Cricket Association that no if'irst Grade matcheo be played ■while the Otago representat he team is on its northern tour. This means that no Senior Grade matches will be played on Deeembei 28 and January 4.

ciccond Grade matches under the control of the local Cricket Association will be postponed during Christmas Week, but will ue resumed on January 4.

Alan Adams, the Otago representative footballer and cricketer, has been butting consistently well this season, and is deserving of a place in the Otago touring team. Adams has broken away from the stonewalling tactics which made him famous on the "West Coast against Pelham Warner's team, and has now developed into an aggressive batsman. By the way, Adams goes Home in February to complete his studies.

• In its wi»dom the Otago Umpires' Association has suggested that captains of clubs, players, and others interested should meet the association in conference with a view to discussing the lawe of the game. Taking a line through come decisions given recently such a conference is much needed.

Mr C. G. Wilson, the ex-Melbourno cricketer and 'ole selector of the Otago ter.ni, who has but leccntly recovered from a serious lllrw!, advices that in all probability he will not take part in the match against Canterbury at Christmas, but will devote the extra time to practice in view of the northern engagements. Wilson turned out for hia old club on Saturday, but wa* eaily dUpo^ed of by Eckhoff, the Opoho bowler. The =ole selector has not yet reco\ered his ciickct legs, but a little practice should <.oon nut him right. On present form he i> piobably lucky in selecting himself for the Otago team.

The ether day I ran across Billy John-ton — Billy, the Grange and Otago representat i\e cricketer and hero of several hard-fough* football and cricket battles. The old Grange man is far away from a enck'M ground, and often fiigln for a strike at the nets. He is as keen on the game as e%er, but cricket is no longer possible for him.

It is regretted that the match Otago v. Canterbury lias not been arranged for that picturesque ground on ITacrley Park, with ii-> perfect wickot and ideal surroundings. Some time ago I wrote mgge&ting that the Canterbury A-^ociation might make arlangrements for ilio mat« h to be played on llagley Park, _buL ha\e boon ad vised that, while Hagley i o most favourable to both player^ and spectator, theie is little chance of a transfer being made from Lanrastor Tark. Moro's tlie pity. In this connection a Chi iM church writer eaje: "At, the prpsint time th^re is little prosppct of the Otago-Cdnterbury matrh being played ai Hagley Park. If, ho\\e\er, dining the iif \t fortnight th-"ro should be an application for a tport, gathering for Boxing Day, as in yean= gone by, then the Cricket A-sociation v.i\\ mo-<t willingly transfer the tune hcoured match to the old ground."

It h ii }.' <">n ('< fi'i'trlv (Vrided to despatch the Otago team on no northern tour on

J Saturday, December 21. The object of ! sending the team away on December 21 is j to enable the players to get come practice on the fast wicket on Lancaster Park on Monday, December 23, prior to meetI ing Canterbury on Tuesday, 24th. The experience of the Otago team in Christchurch two years ago has probably caused the selector to suggest the practice on the fast wickets of Lancaster Park. "How old is Alex. Downes?" was a, question asked tthe other day. The inquirer is a keen follower of tJie sport of the king of games and a silent admirer -of the Grange man. Well, ii memory servee, Downes -won his representative football cap in 1387, at the age of 19, and toured with the famous Otago team of 18S7 as far ds Auckland. What more? Arrangements have been made for the accommodation of the Otago representative team on its northern tour at the .Royal Hotel in Chris tchurch and She Empire in Wellington. Up to the present no accommodation has been arranged for the team at an hotel in Auckland, and it is anticft pated that owing; to the crowded condition of the northern crty during New Year week tho team will have to be put up at a boarding-house ! It will be heard with regret hat Jerry Austin is unable- to travel further north than Wellington with the Otago team; Pressure of business is ..the cause. There is little prospect of Austin beiasj granted tho necessary time for the extended tour. Mr Clark's motion at the meeting of the association on Friday evening — "That in tho tvent of Auckland winning the Plunkct Shield no Otago player who could not undertake the complete tour be selected" was evidently put before the meeting with the idea of bringing into lino those players who had announced -*heir inability to make the whole trip and to ensure all the players selected making the complete tour. The motion .ras reasonable in its intention, and if the pacing of it would surmount the present difficulty and guarantee a strong Otago team, not only to meet Auckland for the shield (if necessary), but in the matches against Canterbury and Wellington, it deserved support. So far as one can judge it would .lot bring about one of these tilings, and it was therefore perhaps not surprising that it lapsed for want of a seconder. I am quite in sympathy with Mr Clark's intention, but wo want the strongest team to represent' tho province in as many natches as poasiblc, the Plunket Shield winners include* Apropros of the foregoing I trust die difficulties which have presented themselves" to Fisher, Downes, and Austin in respect to their inability to make the complete tour with the Oteigo team will not prove insurmountable, and that arrangements will be made whereby these players will make th« complete tour. In connection with the above Hex. Downes states that while he /ill go as far as Christohuroh to meet oar old foemeh of Canterbury, he cannot see hw way clear "to make the extended northern tour. The Grange man did not volunteer an explanation of -his inability to make the complete tour. By the way, Downes has never bowled in Auckland^ and there would be much interest in his appearance at the crease in the far northern city. His rep"utation has preceded him, and there is much speculation as to how he would come off on tihe northern wickets. The general opinion is that the wickete on the Domain would suit the Grange trundler. A great deal of curiosity has been evinced over tho selection of the Otago team for the northern tour, and enthusiasts have been discussing the prospects of tho various players with an interest which has not boon known in Otago cricket for some time. Probably the Viet that Otago ie out with a challenge to the holders of tho Pluuket Shield lias much to do with it. The sole selector is now out with his team to practice, in view of the players' final selection in the touring- combination. Owing to illness Mr Wilson has been unablo to see the players at the batting crease, but figures are a fairty reliable guide to form, and Mr Wilson is thus assisted in his selection, the final of which will be announced shortly. The team could be chosen now with some degree of accuracy, but there is the question of players obtaining the necessary leave, and it may be. necessary at the last moment to slightly alter the selection. Granted that our bead players are available for the northern tour I quite expect to see the team chosen — Siedeberg, Austin, Fisher, Wateon (Parisbrook), Mackersy, Torranee, Eokhold, Wilson (Dunedin), Baker, Williams, A. Adam* (Albion), Dewnes (Grange). As, however, there is a possibility of our best bowlera— Downee and Fisher — being unable to make the complete tour, provision will have to be made for their absence in the northern matches. As bowlers are required, bowlers will have to be selected, and they are difficult to pick up. Those who come to mind are Eckhoff and Chadwick, of Opoho, Butler, of Carisbrook, and 1 Corbett, of Albion. A payer like T. Adams, who is a solid bat, leg-break bowler, and good field, would bo invaluable in the team. Fifteen players will be selected, so that in addition to tho eleven four reserves will be included. This should give these who are on the fringe of the team a chance. But tmly the position of sole selector is an unenviable one. Since tho foregoing was written I understand the team has been selected, and is a» follow? : - Siedeberg, Austin, Fisher, WaUon, T. Adams (Carisbrook), Mackersy, Torranee, Eckhold, Wiiieon, Melvin (Dunedin), Baker, Williams, A. Adams (Albion), Downes (Grange), Eckhoff (Opoho}. Vctoian Jim Baker is at present laid up with a poisoned knee, and there *fl a possibility of his being unable to take part in the Otago team's northern tour. Should Baker have to drop out, I would stronglj advise the inclusion of Ogjr, the Grange bat6tnan, in tho team. He is an aggressive bat and good field and a useful bowler. In glancing over the names of those players selected to practise in view of inclusion in the Otago team for the northern tcur I was rather surprised to note the non-inclusion in the list of Butler, of Carisbrook, and Corbett, of Albion. These players have trundled consistently well season after season, and but little heed \m paid to their efforts. It is generally recognised that if FMier were not bowling (or Carisbrook A, Butlor would be tho bowler of that eleven. Few runs aro ecored off him during the season, anj it may be said that while Fisher takes thf wickete, Butler Keeps the batsmen quiet. A similar appreciation is paid to Corbett (Albion), who has never yet been given a fair chanc© to show his "real abilities The Second Grade team selected to represent Otago against Canterbury this month is generally recognised as a good side. The team i-> "-olid in batting-, keen La the field, but oul^ moderately stronjr

fe rxmling. At the trundling crease lies ' Hhe team's weakness.

Bert Cramond, of Dunedin, is one of the most promising* cricketers we have, and the pity of it is he does not get more practice. In form as a batsman he is good to look upon. Cramond makes his off strokes with rare power and finish, and with a crispness which is delightful. As c field he is beautifully clean. He gathers in the ball cleverly, and his throwing in is Jhe joy of the wicket-keener. I

Apropos of wicket-keepers. I notice Percy IWatkins back in his old place behind the wickete for- the Dunedin Club. The seaBon's spell has not lessened his usefulness as a keeper, and he still take 3 the ball with delightful accuracy. By the way, ■what has become of the ex-Victorian ? He appears to have faded right out of cricket existence. _ > Playing for Dunedin No. 1 against Opoho on the Caledonian Ground on Satur- • day, a batsman rejoicing in the name of | Thompson created a favourable impression ' amongst the critics for his freedom of style, easy action at the wickets, and crisp , batting. He possesses many qualifications -which go to a cricketer in the making. ' . *The following item will be of interest to . Dunedin , cricketers : — O. S. West, the St. I Albans (Christchurch) player, has received . notice of his transfer to the Dunedin. branch of the Union Bank of Australasia. West arrived in: Ctiristchurch three ' years j ago from Tasmania, and has proved him- j self a good all-round senior cricketer. He ' is a solid bat, with a defence heartbreaking to bowlers: He is a poor field, but bowls a, good length ball, with an occasional j awervVfrom leg- , ' I Apropos of the above, West has arrived ' sn ' Dunedin, and,' I understand, purposes , joining Carisbrogk. 'Concerning two .ex-Otago players included in the Auckland team : George Cummingg, the ex-Albion batsman, has won ilia place in the team owing to his consistent batting in- club cricket; while of Hussey it is said he is a vigorous, forcing bat, with plenty of strokes, a good change . bowler, and a sound field. W. 'Butler, • of Carisbrook A, was the victim of a strange decision in the match Carisbrook Ay. Grange on Saturday. The Carisbrook man swung round and hit a ball to leg. The action brought the batsman into a crouching position, and in attempting to run he" knooked over his wicket with his left foot. There was a unanimous appeal from some of the • Grange players, but the umpire at the bowler's end would not give a decision. The umpire at square leg, being appealed, gave, the batsman out. To the writer's mind the batsman should have received the benefit He had finished the stroke, the ball being several yards away when, in attempting to run, he knocked the wicket down. The rule says: "The striker is out if in .playing at the ball he hit down his wicket with his bat or any part of his person or dress — hit wicket." The point is that it was not in the act of playing at the-. ball that he knocked . down his wicket. Butler had finished "hie stroke, and it was in attempting to run that he oame into collision with his- wicket. The incident caused a great deal of discussion round tho ground, and the general opinion was that the umpire had made a, mistake. j My Ohristohurch correspondent writes:— • Mr J. Wheatlsy has selected the following team to play tho Aucklanders at Hagley Park iv the Plunket Shield challenge match, commencing on Saturday: — D. Reese, H. B. tusk, H. Whitta, T. Malone (West Christ- , church), S. Orchard (Linwood), W Patrick, J. Bennett (Sydenham), A. Anthony (Rio- | carton). C. Boxshall (East Ghristchuteh), [ Cuff (Sft. ' Albans), and Crawshaw (Boys' High School). "H. Moor house (Sydenham.) is twelfth man. The team is a good one, •nd is expected to Tetain the trophy, Ouff and -CrawehawaTe the *>nly two who have not previously represented Canterbury. The latter is only 18 years of age, but has taken part in several important games. He got good bowling figures for the Colts against Armstrong's team, and has made runs and got wickets for the Colts against the Canterbury team, and is a good field. The batting should be brilliant with Reese, liusk, and Orchard ; while Anthony, Patrick, Whitta, and Ouff supply the solidity. The bulk of the bowling will be done by Bennett, Malone, and Crawshaw, the latter being included for his work in this department; while the fielding is expected to leave nothing- to be desired. The visitors will have four days' practice at the nets. The game will be played on a wicket with about a TO yards' boundary. A great amount of interest is centred m the match, and it is to be hoped that good weather will prevail. A- beautiful bat?inan s wjc'ket was provided on the Caledonian Ground on Saturday, and conditions generally were in favour of the batsmen making a big score. Opoho won the toss from Dunedin, and took advantage of the wicket provided in bo far as to make a good start; but after the first wickete fell there was a procession to the pavilion, the whole side being trundled out for 138. # . The feature of the Opoho innings was the batting of Jas. Timlin, who gave a Bplendid eihibition of crisp cricket, flis cutting was accomplished with rare finish. but he scored delightfully all round the wicket. After compiling 38 in quit© his best style he was smartly stumped by the ex-Opoho keeper Percy Watkins. ! The stonewaller Kenny is not disturbed by circumstances, and nothing could induce him to hit. He got 22 in his usual solid style. Once he did leave his crease, and Watkins stumped him. John Timlin batted solidly but unattractively for 17. W. Kilgour did not get going, at which there was much disappointment. Turnbull, who is now something of a veteraa and was probaly playing before come of the present-day cricketers we;.<? born, compiled 19 without a flash of bril liancy. Hayden, a boy cricketer of promise, was evidently suffering from nervousness, for he did not look like making runs. The" wickets of Anderson, M'Lean, Evans. and Webb fell quickly, and tho whole side was dismissed before 5 o'clock. Apart from Jas. Timlin's innings, the game lacked thrill. „ i • i ! The bowling of Dunedin was good with- j out being brilliant. Mackersy, who w bowling better this season than ever, kept a splendid length, and captured "even wickets for 28 runs. Melvin, who has beon much discussed of late in connection with tho Ota«> team, got throe for 66. Torranco and Barmerman were tried, but were unfeuocessful. ! The ground fielding of Dunedin was cean fr^ tho throwing-in accurate. Bert

Cramond was specially conspicuous for his clean picking-up and accurate returning. In something; like an hour and a-half Dunedin put on 139 for four wickets, surpassing the Opoho's first innings total by one, and having six wickets to fall. It is an easy thing 1 for the Dunedin Eleven. Wilson, who has not had a bat in his hand since last season, opened with Delamere. The sole selector did nob last long, being obviously out of practice, and was clean bowled by Eokhoff. There was nothing specially attractive about Delamere's innings, but he got the runs and helped to take the score to 117 before being caught. Torrance and Eckliold batted steadily if without fireworks. Cramond and Banner man. gave the most attractive display from the general public point of view, hitting out for their runs with delightful freedom. The match looks all over bar shouting.

There was a typical batsman's wicket at Carisbrook on Saturday, but despite the fact that' Grange won the toss the northenders did not make as much use of the favourable conditions as they might have done. Bowlers, too, were handicapped with a wet ball for nearly an hour in the early stages of the game. The sawdust was in constant use.

The feature of the Grange innings was the batting of Ogg, who gave a fine display of vigorous cricket. He met the ball with the full face of the bat, timing the bowline excellently. Osrg is a fine type of batsman, and if he doe* not always keep the ball along the turf his hitting is good! to look upon, and is such as delights the onlookers under the trees or in the shelter of the pavilion. C. Beal batted very attractively for 19, and is a batsman of considerable promise. Roberts compiled 13. but the remain-ing Grange men were easily disposed of, Fisher , and Tom Adams with his leg breaks proving the destroying angels. Three batsmen (Ogg, 0. Beal, and Roberts), assisted by J±r Extras," compilea 111 ou± of the Grange first innings total of 137, which does not speak volumes for eight batsmen, who could only total 26. The ground fielding of Carisbrook A showed a marked improvement on that of the previous week, and was a big remove from the earlier efforts of the eleven. Several of the team have still much to unlearn as regards lofty fielding, the catching being anything but accurate. -33he Carisbrook captain did not handle his bowling with the best of judgment, and was inclined to put men on and take them off before they had struck their length. Carisbrook A. went in in an indifferent light, but Watson and Foster did not find any difficulty in negotiating the bowling, though both players treated it with the utmost regard. Watson was batting well, and looked like making- a stand when he was given out lbw to Downes — an unsatisfactory dismissal. The Carisbrook groundsman is a fine type of batsman, and is blessed with a variety of strokes, but he is not attended by the luck which follows some of our senior plovers. Foster shared a similar fate to Watson— lbw to Downes— long after he had got his eye in. Johnstone, the erstwhile Star batsman, ■was never at home to Downes, and was more or less — mostly more— uncomfortable to the Grange bowler throughout. Fisher had the misfortune to be thrown out after a badlyjudged run. There was a second run in the hit, but Fisher hesitated in his crease, and before he could get to the other end W. Beal had knocked the wicket dbwn. Had Fisher grounded his bat I believe he would have been swfe. Rutherford is not out with 17 to his >redit. Thie batsman was very lucky, for off the first ball he gave a chance in the slips, which was unaccepted, and later put another through the field, being again kindly disposed. Rutherford should now make a century. T. Adams batted very solidly during his stay at the crease. He- did not appear to be in trouble to the bowling, but nevertheless did not take any undue liberties with it, selecting the right balls to hit and placing them well beyond the reach of the field. Adams was well set when C. Beal broke through his defence. The match Albion v. Carisbrook is at an interesting stage, and it is a. toss up who will come out on top. The B's, thanks mainly to a fine innings of 40 played by W. Sparrow, the 39 of Burt, and the 22 and 26 of Austin and Siedcberg respectively, are all out for 170. The north-end eleven have lost seven wickets for 111, and are trusting to the remaining batsmen to do things. Strang, a promising young batsman, shaped nicely for a useful dozen, but it was left to Corbett and Crainond to stick up the B bowlers. The batsmen Ramed are still unconquered. Cramond has 32 to his credit and Corbett 23. There are several very promising young cricketers in Albion — notably, Hiddleston, Strang, and M'Farlane — who only require good coaching to bring them out as topnotchers. A recently-arrived cricketer from England, named Mayhew, who bowls a fair ball, has thrown in his lot with Opoho this season. He played for the club's Second Grade team against Dunedin on Saturday, and created a favourable impression. Ernie Wilson, secretary of the Dunedin Cricket Club, was in good form with the. ball on Saturday, capturing four Opoho wickets at a cost of only 22 runs. Our old friend Jimmy Croxford was in rare hitting form on Saturday. Playing for Mornington against Cariebrook D, on Carisbrook, he kept the field constantly busy, and was the only batbman to go fcr the bowling hard and earnest. Jack Melville batted well for Dunedin No. 1 against Opoho on Saturday, and came in for a special round of applause for his effort. Melville hit up 48 out of thr> Dunodin's total of IS6. Playing for Onqho against Dunedin No. 1 on the Caledonian Ground on Saturday W. Collar brought off three good catchc?, and was deservedly cheered for his efforts. The funeral of the late Harry Boyle took" place at the White Hills Cemetery, Ben<iigo, on the afternoon of Friday, the 22nd November. The pall-bearers were old cricket comrades of the deceased — viz., G. Mackay, J. Harry, H. Gray, and A. Shum. Wreathe were sent by the M.C.C., E.M.C.C. Victorian Cricket Association, Bondißo United Club, and Essendon Football Club. The very last cricket act of the celebrated player was just before his rleath, when lie sent a telegram to Vernon Ransford, congratulating him on making a century against the Englishmen. Humphries, who is keeping wickets for the M.C.C. touring team, is ranked as the best wicket keeper in England. Quiet and.

unostentatious, as all really- good wicketkeepers are, or should be, ho may not -at first make an impression on. the casual spectator, but the cricketer will very coon recognises his merits. Humphries is especially reliable on the leg side of the wicket, and, unlike most first-class wicketkeepers in England, he i 6 as good a 6tumper as he is a catcher. His gloves consist of two pairs of inside gloves, and the outside or third pair are more the size of a baseball mit than the ordinary gloves, and are apparently all enveloped. The first pair is of chamois leather, the second ordinary wicketkeeping gloves, with the top joints protected by indiarubber. The large outside pair is then drawn on over the other two.

At the three day 6of the England v. New South Wales match £1843 (£412, £1035. and £345) was taken, and thus divided: — To the M.C.C, £657; to the ground trustees, £331 ; and to the association, £855, out of which all expenses of the match have to be paid. As in the first match with Warner's team, play was restricted to three days, but on this occasion £100 more was taken at the gates.

It has been arranged by Major Trevor, as representing the M.C.C, and Mr W. P. M'Elhone, as representing the Board of Control, that all matches other than the tests (which are to be played out) shall be played to a finish 'f possible, provided that tho English Eleven be allowed to reach the place where the next engagement is to' take place in time to give them one clear night's rest in that place before the commencement of the match. To ensure this .the following is to prevail: If, on the termination of the second day's play, each side has not completed an innings, the game shall on the subsequent days begin at 11 a.m.

" I can toll you that I regard the drawn match against Victoria with as much pride as a victory. It shows that the team, when in difficulties enn put -their backs to tli© wall and .play an uphill game." These were words uttered by the English captain after the game againet Victoria was over. Jones has every reason to be proud of the performance, and so has every member of the team. Combined with the magnificent effort at Adelaide, it has placed the Englishmen high in public favour. R. W. Barry, the well-known Christchutch player, has now taken up his residence in Auckland, and will probably play for City. London Referee, tired of drawn matches, propounds a new system of cricket. It is simply that each batsman have a fixed time at the wicketssay half an hour; that he make all he can, and be penalised for each time he gets out— say 10 for the first time, 20 for the second, and so on. The disadvantages of the scheme are obvious, but it has its good points. Every game would last a definite, pre-arranged time, and, given fine weather, no game could be drawn. Busy men could play more, because when their side was in they would need only attend for half an hour at a given time; and the spectator wanting to see Jessop or Clem Hill could consult the advertised time, and would not be disappointed if the favourite got "out" first ball. Slow batting would beat a discount. Also, though the Referee hasn't thought of it (says a Sydney writer), all-round players would flourish, because the mere bowler who got out eight or ten times in his half-hour would lose the 6ide more runs than he was worth; finally, _ it would be an immense advantage for a side to bat last, and know just how many runs it must make in the time to win.

E. P. Barbour, the champion New South Wales schoolboy player, made 107 out of 307 for the Sydney Grammar School against the Combined! Publio Schools at Rushcutter's Bay. A. D. Nourse, the South African cricket champion, considers Tarrant "about the. best all-round professional in England." At a recent meeting of the South African Cricket Association, it was decided to invite the Australians to play matches in Soufh Africa on their way to England in 1909. That hero of a hundred fights, the veteran "Jack" Reedman, did a great bit of bowling on Saturday week for North Adelaide against Port Adelaide. He sent down 98 balls for 16 runs, 5 maidens, 7 wickets. The wicket favoured him, but it was not a real sticky wicket. Nortli Adelaide made 234 for six wickets, "declared." and, thanks to Roadman's effective deliveries, aided by the condition of the pitch, the Ports were sent to the -rightabout for 71. Albert Trott's benefit at Lord's in the summer was spoiled by intermittent rain, and the gate-money reached only £265. However, the subscription lists which have been returned brinsr ttho total up to close on £600. A London cable advises that Trott's benefit has been raised to £800.

No fewer than 16 batsmen out of the 39 that succumbed in the match, M.O.C. versus Victoria, were caught either behind tho wi<:k«S o>* in the slips. There- were also ar lra.st half a dozen catches missed in the latter position during the match, the Englishmen being the i?reatest delinquents, an'l Fielder the jrreat-rst sufferer.

Hutchinps' style differs from that of any other Englishman seen in Australia. He drives tho fast bowling as if it were just «low stuff, and hooks with great power, and the precision which denotes razoredged 6ight. Fielder, the M.C.C. fast trundlcr. bowls over the wicket, and makes tho ball swing away to the off. The length of his run is 18 yards. By tho way. W. Lock wood and T. Richardson used *to run 16 and 14 yards respectively. It is the intention of the Auckland Cricket Asociaiion to enforce rule 33, pro\iding that all practice on Saturdays shall cease at 2 o'clock sharp, and that any player practising- after that will be liable to a fine of 5s or disqualification till the fine is paid. The first bell rings at 2 o'clock, and it has been found that some of the players delay the commencement of the matches by continuing in their i-rac-tice.

The late Mr Harry Boyle, the noted Australian cricketer, was ono of the greatest bowlers the "world has ever seen. His length was perfect, he mixed his pace, and bowled so cleverly on a 6ticky wicket that great batsmen in England said they would rather play against Spofforth any day than against Boyle. By their memorable bowling against the Mrylebone Club in 1878 for the first Australian Eleven at Lord's, they made all England ring with the name of Australia. Boyle took t>ix wickets for 3 runs, and actually beat Spofforth fn average. The Marylebone Club, which was really a representative English team, made 33 and 19. and were beaten by nine wickets in a single day. Wherever they travelled afterwards the Australians were the ob«Mved of all observer*. At all the stations

people flattened their noses against the windows of the carriages and said, "Which be demon V" '• Where be Boyle ?" As a fielder, Mr Harry Boyle, who died in Melbourne recently,- created the position of silly mid-on. and did 6imply marvellous work, exhibiting such "unflinching- pluck and courage that W. G. Grace termed it " foolhardy." Once against Yorkshire the noted wicket-keeper, Pinder, suggested to Boyle to stand further back, and Boyle replied. " I'll take my chance." He did, for he caught Pinder out almost the very next ball. Once at Clifton E. M. Grace brought a ball from outside the off stump and hit Boyle on the 6ide of the neck. He spun round, but did not fall, and, giving his neck a twist to set it straight, he went on'without budging an inch from his position. The assistance he rendered to Spofforth's bowling in the post of silly mid-on on sticky wickets can never be adequately estimated.

The English team eimplv outplayed New South Wales in every feature of cricket, ■winning in a three-day match, on a faultless wicket, by 408 runs, says the Referee. It is the most severe humiliation to the cricketers of New South Wales ever inflicted by any English team, for you can go back even to 1862 and find nothing to rival it. New South Wales was reputedly strong in batting, good In fielding, moderate in bowling. Well, this was all reversed in the match. The side was easily strongest in bowling, weakest in batting, but quite weak and second -rate in fielding. The English team were " applauded to the echo as they retired from the field. It was their day, and the people recognised it. Their out-cricket was in every way worthy of England's champions. The bowling of Barnes and Fielder was of the highest possible order under the conditions, and the fielding in the slips was perfection. Hutchings and Jones are seemingly as quick and sure there as any fieldsman we have ever seen, and J. N. Crawford and Braund are also first-class, though Braund possibly is vovr not quite so good as the others. In a few other parts of the field the men are not really great fieldsmen, though in Humphries the side has a very fine wicket-keeper, who took the snicks in contradistinction to the New South Wales wicket-keeper, who reached his bedrock form. In generalship and combining powers the English team were also thoroughly first-^lass. It was in batting alone that they did not reach the high-water mark. F. L. Fanes-s econd inninga was the best cricket shown for the Englishmen, though. Hardstaff s first innings was a very good one. . Hutchings made some beautiful strokes, and co did Hardstaff in his top-scoring effort of 71; but there was too much uncertainty about their cricket. This team's form at Adelaide and Melbourne points to real greatness in batting, yet one is inclined, on the Sydney form, to look on batting as their only likely spot of weakness, — that is, relative weakness judged by the international cr test match standard.