CRICKET.

Otago Witness, Issue 3590, 2 January 1923, Page 47

CRICKET.

ENGLAND BEATS CANTERBURY. CHRISTCHURCH, December 24. The M.C.C. team commenced the match against Canterbury at Lancaster Park on Saturday. The weather was fine, though a cold east wind blew across the ground in the afternoon. The wicket was in firstclass order, and the outfield was fast. There was a big attendance in the afternoon. The Englishmen, through the agency of Chapman, Wilkinson, and Calthorpe, put up a big score and the board showed 454 for six wickets when stumps were drawn. A feature of the day’s play was Chapman’s great innings of 183 without a chance, which he ran up in two hours and a-quarter. He hit two 6’s, 27 4’s, and scored at a rapid rate with beautifully clean and forceful strokes all round the wicket. Wilkinson also gave a sterling display, but many of his strokes were uppish, and he lacked Chapman’s finish He gave an oar-y chance of stumping early in the innings, and was dropped at 88 and 95. Calthorpe gave a breezy display, hitting up 60 (including a 6 and 10 4’s) in 48 minutes. December 25. The match was continued to-day before a large attendance. The weather was fine, but a bleak wind was blowing. MacLaren decided to declare, and the Englishmen accordingly took the field when play was resumed. Canterbury made a poor showing, and play was exceedingly tame, none of tile batsmen showing much enterprise. Blunt and Worker opened to Gibson and Calthorpe. Both opened carefully, with Worker showing the more freedom. Runs came fairly slowly, but at 28 Blunt poked Gibson weakly to Wilson at cover. 28—-I —l3. Smith came in, and both batted nicety, but the fielding was very keen. Calthorpe was bowling very steadily, and sent down 34 overs for 15 runs and eight maidens. Fifty appeared at the end of 50 minutes’ play, and then Worker was caught at cover point. 51 2—16. Hayes came in to see Smith drag Calthorpe into his wicket. 53—3—19. Patrick was nearly caught first ball. Runs came slowly, and Patrick was looking like making a few when he hit out at Calthorpe. and was caught at mid-on. 81—4 —18. Young failed to score, being given out lbw to Hartley.—B4—s—o. Sandman and Hayes kept together till the tea adjournment, and on resuming both began to hit, and 100 appeared at the end of 122 minutes’ play. Hayes was going well when he was nicely taken behind the wickets. 111—6—20. Thomas came in, hut after making 2 he was caught by Chapman. 113—7—2. The Canterbury batting brightened considerably when Sandman and Read got, together. They scored 04 in 23 minutes. The innings lasted two hours and 51 minutes. The takings on Saturday amounted to £275 and to-day to £365. December 26. The M.C.C.-Canterbury match was concluded to-day in glorious sunny weather, on a fast batsman’s wicket, anil before a fair erowd. The play was remarkable for the fine first-wicket stand of Blunt and Worker, who put on 208 before Worker left. Then, before the fine bowling of Gibson, the side collapsed and were all out for 295. Gibson’s figures were one for 35 when the first wicket fell, and he finished up with eight for 57. Blunt played a fine innings for 174. He was slow at the start, but once he had played himself in he scored fairly rapidly, putting the wood on to all the “loose stuff.” He gave four chances, three of which were so hard as to be chances and no more. He was three hours 32 minutes at the wickets, and hit 25 fours. Worker also played a sterling innings, scoring all round the wicket, but he was not so aggressive as B 1 u nt. Young was batting well, but no one could stav with him, and when Brunton was bowled by Brand the score was 295, 22 ahead of the Englishmen’s total. The innings lasted four hours 16 minutes. The Englishmen, requiring 23 to win, opened with Titchmarsh and Lowry. The? quickly put up 20, and then Blunt took the former smartly in the slips—2o—l—3o. Hill-Wood was the next. Lowry- equalled the scores, and was then smartly stumped off Sandman—22 2—12. Wilk bison came in, and finished the game with a single, the Englishmen winning by eight wickets. Scores: ENGLAND.—First Innings. Hill-Wood, b Sandman 19 LowTy, c Brunton, b Read 27 Titchmarsh, b Read 5 Chapman, run out 183 Wilkinson, c Worker, b Sandman .. .. 102 Calthorpe, c Smith, b Hayes .. .. 60 Wilson, not out 15 Brand, not out 23 Extras 20 Total for six wickets (innings declared) .. 454 Bowling Analysis.—Read, 2 wickets for 136; Rix, none for 70; Sandman, 2 for 102; Blunt, none for 22; Hayes, 1 for 54; Patrick, none for 27; Thomas, none for 23. Second Innings. Titchmereh, c Blunt, b Read .. 10 Lowry, st Hayes, b Sandman .. .. J2 Hill-Wood, not out 0 Wilkinson, not out 1 Total for two wickets .. .. 23 Bowling analysis.—Sandman, one wicket for 14 runs; Read, one for 9. CANTERBURY. —First Innings, Blunt, c Wilson, b Gibson 13 Worker, c Chapman, b Gibson .. .. 16 Smith, b Calthorpe .. 19 Patrick, c Titchmarsh, b Calthorpe .. 18 Young, lbw, b Hartley 0 Hayes, c Lowry, b Hartley 20 Thomas, c Chapman, b Hartley ..' 2 Sandman, st Lowry, b Hartley .. .. 43 Read, b Hartley 27 Rix, b Gibson 0 Brunton, not out 9 Extras ' .. 14 Total 181 Bowling Analysis.—Gibson, four for 77; Calthorpe, two for 35; Hartley, four for 55. Second Innings. Blunt, b Gibson 174 Worker, c and b Gibson 65 Smith, b Gibson 0 Hayes, b Brand 6 Young, not out 28 Patrick, b Gibson .. .. 0 Sandman, c Wilkinson, b Gibson .. 8 Thomas, b Gibson « Read, b Gibson 0 Rix, b Gibson 0 Brunton, b Brand .. 0

Extras 14 Total 295 Bowling analysis.—Brand, two wickets for 29 runs; Hill-Wood, none for 35; Calthorpe, none for 56; Chapman, none for 56; Gibson, eight for 57; Hartley, none for 35.

WELLINGTON v. AUCKLAND.

CENTURIES TO KORTLANG AND BERNAU. WELLINGTON, December 23. Ideal weather prevailed for the Plunket Shield match between Auckland and Welington. The wicket was in first-class order. Collins (Wellington) won the toss, and elected to bat. Hiddleston and Baker opened, to the bowling of Alcott and Garrard. Runs came slowly, both bowlers keeping a splendid length and mixing them well. Hiddleston hit the first four after 15 minutes’ play. Things then brightened up, and oO appeared at the end of 49 minutes’ play. Soon after Hiddleston was caught on the leg side by Rowntree, off Allcott.. 54 —I—2B.1 —28. Dempster filled the gap, but fell to a splen did oatch in the slips by Alcott off Anthony. 68 —2—B. Kortlang was the next man, and he attacked the bowling at once. He immediately lost his partner. Baker, who was caught by Alcott off Anthony. Collins went to the wickets, and soon after Smith re placed Alcott, and Anthony replaced Garrard. Kortlang delighted the crowd with aggressive play all round the wicket, and showed a partiality for shots past third man and the well-known Australian hook. Collins was driving well, but his back play was uncertain up till the luncheon adjournment. Upon the resumption Alcott and Snedden carried on the bowling. Soon after Collins was bowled while trying to hook a ball from Snedden, who broke a great deal. 129 —4—28. Bernau, a left-hander, was the next at the crease, and registered a score immediately. Garrard replaced Snedden, and Alcott went on again. The latter did not last long, and Anthony replaced him. Neither bowler troubled the batsmen, and runs came freely, 209 appearing after three hours play. Ivortlang’s placing was brilliant, and Bernau was hitting hard. He found the boundary five times in his first 30. Soon after Alcott replaced Garrard, and the scoring quietened down. Smith replaced Anthony, but the batsmen did not mind the change. A 100-run partnership saw' Bernau with 38 and Kortlang 94. Snedden took the ball from Alcott, and Bernau welcomed him with a drive for four. Soon after he reached 50 w'ith Kortlang 95. Two hundred and fifty appeared, and a half hour’s tea adjournment left the score at 253—Bernau being 50 and Kortlang 99. Immediately on the resumption of play Kortlang reached his century after two hours and five minutes’ batting Bernau registered 60 soon after with one and ahalf hours’ batting. Without scoring further he gave a hot chance to Anthony off Snedden, but it was not accepted. Alcott relieved Snedden. and off his first ball Kortlang was caught by Horspool off a mishitthe only chance of his innings, which was magnificent from start to finish. 282 —5 113. Ronaldson filled the gap, and Anthony took the ball from Smith. Ronaldson opene.d Iris account with him with four, and 300 appeared after four hours and 40 minutes’ play. Ronaldson could not get his measure o f the bowling, and gave two chances before reaching double figures. Dacre took the hall from Anthony at 320, and Garrard took the ball from Alcott. The change was effective, as Ronaldson was caught by Rowntree off Garrard. 324 —6 —16. Bernau had reached 96, and when M'Girr poined him runs came reely. Bernau reached his century in two hours 20 minutes, during which ho hit 16 fours. M'Girr was then 17. MT.ecd took the hall from Garrard at 6.30 p.m., and Bernau welcomed him with a four, ten runs being scored off the over. On the last ball he howled Bernau. who tried to pull one. 3707 —117. Bernau hit 20 fours. Grant joined M'Girr, who was 29, and hit Dacre out of the ground. Alcott relieved Dacre. s;vl quietened down the scoring, which was 400 up after five hours and 20 minutes’ plav. Grant was batting w'ell, but good fielding stopned a number of fine shots. M'Girr scored freely. Bed light slowed down the scoring, and with two minutes to go Dacre accepted a chance at short leg from M'Girr off Alcott. 412 —B—sß.8 —58. Brice was the next, balsman. and after a single had been scored by each batsman stumps we-e drawn with the score at 414. Auckland’s fielding was good, and Rountree kept wickets splendidly. December 25. The Plunket Shield match was resumed at 2.30 p.m., and Garrard and Alcott bowled against the unbeaten pair Brice and Grant. Off his second bail Alcott bowled Brice. I—91 —9 -429. Cate was .the newcomer. The last-wicket partnership did not continue long; Grant being brilliantly caught by Rowntree off Alcott when the score was 435. Alcott bowled 31 overs. Horspoot and Anthony opened for Auckland, and Brice and M’Girr took up the bowling. Brice bowled the leg theory, and M'Girr, nipping off the pitch at a great pace, troubled the batsmen. In liis second over he bowled Anthony. 8 —1 —6. Snedden was the next man, but almost immediately "he lost his partner, Horspool, who was clean bowled by Brice. 292 —14. Smith fined the gap, and the pair saw 50 up after 60 minutes’ play. Smith was batting well, scoring mostly by off drives, but Snedden was not going too well. Wellington’s fielding was keen, and the batsmen had some narrow escapes from being run out. Seventy was up after an hour’s play, and then Grant replaced M'Girr. The change was effective, and off liis second over Baker caught Smith at point. 79—3—37. Snedden was then 25. Dacre was the next man. Bernau replaced Brice, and there was now a slow and a fast left-hander carrying on ihe attack. The afternoon tea adjournment saw 90 up, Snedden l aving made 33 and Dacre 7. On resuming Brice took the ball from Bernau, and M'Girr relieved Grant. The score board registered 100 up after one and a-half hours’ play. The batting brightened up, and boundaries were frequent. At 148 Hiddleston replaced M'Girr, and 150 then went up, Dacre having batted 35 minutes. Hiddleston’s first over cost 13 runs, but Brice still had the batsmen thinking. Dacre and Snedden were not long in collaring the bowling, and despite many changes they proceeded to make merry, Dacre Scoring twice as fast as his partner! They put on 160 before Snedden was bowled by Price. 259—4—79. M'Leod filled the gap. Dacre played brilliantly, and when stumps were drawn his

score was-140 not out, the total score being 293- for four wickets December 26. The Plunket Shield match between Wei lington and Auckland was continued in fine weather, the wicket and the outfield being hard and fast after the big stand made by Auckland op Christmas Day. Auckland’s finish was sensational. Dacre and M'Leod resumed against the bowling of Brice and Bernau. Brice was bowling according to the off theory, and Dacre soon fell a victim. 3125 —145. Garrard followed soon after, his wicket having fallen to Bernau, who was swinging with the wild. 316-6—25. The partnership between Garrard and Alcott was the only other -worthy of note in the innings. They put on 49 between them, Alcott contributing 29. Whelan. Patterson, and Rountree all failed to make any showing, and the innings closed for 386. Hiddleston and Baker opened Wellington’s second innings, and off Alcott’s second over Baker played one on. 51 —3. Soon after Bernau skied one to Allcott off Garrard. 16 —2 —6. The luncheon adjournment saw 20 up. In the second over after the resumption j Hiddleston returned a catch to Garrard, | whose average now read two for one. ColI lins was the new man, and steadily played himself in, scoring nine singles before reaching double figures with a boundary. Fifty appeared after an hour’s play, and soon after, while running a close One, Kortlang had the misfortune to injure his knee, and had to retire. Dempster joined Collins, and the scoring was slow. Garrard bowling four maidens in 10 overs. The scoring livened up after 70 appeared, but still the batsmen were cautious. Anthony relieved Alcott, and Smith took the ball from Garrard. After 12 overs characterised by slow scoring Snedden changed with Anthony. Dempster was giving a poor display, and was poking all round the wicket. Collins was safe and steady. A hundred appeared after two hours’ play. After three figures appeared the play livened up, and the batsmen Became more at home. At 121 Alcott took the ball from Smith, who had bow'led six overs for 16 runs, and Collins- hit three 4’s off the over. M'Leod replaced Snedden at 130, and the batsmen relished the change. . Twenty-two runs were knocked off M'Leod s three overs, and Alcott’s change of the same number of overs produced 17 runs. Smith replaced Alcott at 160, and at the afternoon adjournment the score was 172 (Dempster 48, Collins 67). Garrard and Alcott were the attacking pair on the resumption, and 130 quickly went up. Ten minutes after the second century was passed with Collins 88 and Dempster 60. The score was mounting up quickly, and boundaries were frequent. At 234 Dempster was missed in the outfield by Horspool, but the next tall he was stumped by Rountree off Smith. Ronaldson, the next batsman, met with disaster - two balls later, being bowled by Smith. Kortlang came in again with a substitute to run for him. At 230 Collins reached his century, Kortlang being 41. Three more boundaries closed the latter’s scoring, his innings terminating when he returned one to Smith. 246 —6—53. M'Girr filled the gap, and opened his score w'ilh a brace. The bowling was changed frequently, but a Scotch mist gave the batsmen an advantage. At 278 Collins attempted to pull one from Snedden, and was clean bowled. 278 —7 —116. Grant joined M'Girr, and the two played until the match was adjourned owing to the weather. December 27. The Plunket Shield match was resumed at 10 o’clock this morning—an hour earlier to enable the gime to finish on the fourth day. Wellington’s sescond innings realised 396. Auckland in their second innings put together 337 before the last wicket fell, thus losing the match By 108 runs. Scores: — WELLINGTON.—First Innings. Hiddleston, c Rowntree, b Alcott .. .. 28 Baker, c Alcott, b Anthony 31 Dempster, c Alcott, b Anthony 8 Kortlang, c Horspool, b Alcott .. .. 113 Collins, b Snedden 28 Bernau, b M'Leod 117 Ronaldson, c Rowntree, b Garrard .. 16 M'Girr, c Dacre, b Alcott 58 Gront, c Rowntree, b Alcott 21 BricCj b Alcott 1 Cate, not out .. 5 Extras 9 Total 435 Bowling Analysis.—Alcott, 5 wickets for 92 runs; Garrard, 1 for 87; Anthony, 2 for 61; Smith, none for 61; Snedden, 1 for 55; Dacre, none for 39; M'Leod, 1 for 31. Second Innings. Baker, b Alcott 3 Hiddleston, c and b Garrard 10 Bernan, c Alcott, b Garrard ... 6 lvortlang, c and b Smith 5-1 Collins, b Snedden H 6 Dempster, st Bountree, b Smith 70 Bbnaldson, b Smith 0 M'Girr, b Alcott 95 Grant, b Anthony 17 Cate, b Anthony 3 Brice, not out 16 Extras 7 Total 39G Bowling Analysis.—Alcott, 2 wickets for 99 runs; Garrard, 2 for 63; Anthony, 2 for 51; Smith, 3 for 105; M'Leod, none for 20. AUCKLAND.—First Innings. Horspool, b Brice 5 Anthony, b M'Girr 6 Snedden, b Brice 79 Smith, c Baker, b Grant .. .. .. .. 37 Dacre, b Brice 145 M'Leod, b Bernau 25 Garrard, c Baker, b Hiddleston .. .. 24 Patterson, run out .. .. .. 4 Whelan, c Kortlang. b Bernau .. .. 7 Alcott, b Hiddleston .. 29 Rountree, i.ot out .. .. 4 Extras • • • • 21 Total 386 Bowling Analysis.—Brice, 3 wickets for 118 runs; M'Girr, 1 for 55; Grant, 1 for 44; Bernau, 2 for 67; Hiddleston, 2 for 49; Collins, none for 32. Second Innings. Horspool, b Brice 22 Anthony, b Bernau 5 Snedden, c Bonaldson, b Grant 88 Smith, lbw, b M'Girr 23 Dacre, c Brice, b Bernau G 8 M'Leod, run out 4 Garrard, not out 3G Patterson, c sub., b Bernau 0 Whelan, c sub., b M'Girr 50 Alcott, lbw, b Hiddleston 6 Bountree, b M'Girr 2 Extras 33 Total 337 Bowling Analysis: Brice; 1 wicket for 81 runs; Bernau, 3 for 95; Grant, 1 for 55; M'Girr, 3 for 50; Collins, none for 22; Hiddleston, 1 for X.

OTAGO BEATS SOUTHLAND .From Och Special Correspondent. 1 INVERCARGILL. ]>< ’ember 25. i he interprovinc-ial match between Otago and Southland was commenced this morning on the A. and P. Show Grounds before A fair attendance. The ground was in good condition, and the wicket played well considering the little preparation it lias received on account of the recent unfavourable weather. Rain fell at the commencement, but cleared after a quarter of an hour. Galland won the toss, and sent Koast and Duncan in to face the bowling of logo (medium-fast) and Doig (mediumbreak). Runs came very slowly, and after 22 minutes’ play fool; (who had replaced F°so) clean bowled Keast with his fifth ball. One wicker for 18. Conradi filled the gap. and with Duncan set up a serviceable partnership. Duncan lifted Doig to the on boundary for 6. and was immediately after dropped by Brown n the long field. Several howling changes were effected without avail, and Duncan gave a further chance to Poole at mid-off. but was again dropped. Runs now came more freely, and 50 was registered in 62 minutes. At the luncheon adjournment Conradi and Duncan were still unsenarated, and Ihe score board read one for 71. On resuming Duncan was immediately run out through a misunderstanding with Conradi. Two wickets for 71. Cherry followed, but was soon after out lbw to Kavanagh. Three wickets for 86. The next few wickets fell in quick succession. Gailand being slumped and Brinsley and M'Beath both being caught. After a patient display Conradi was bowled by Poole. . He gave one chance at 36. but otherwise hatted soundly. The innings closed at 4 o’clock for 131 runs. Of the Southland howlers Kavanagh was most deadly. Bowling a slow leg break, with an occasional off-break, he kept a splendid length, and tricked the batsmen repeatedly. The Southland ground fielding was fair, but the catching was poor. Duncan has injured a muscle in the leg, and is unable to field. . December 26. M hen Otago's innings closed yesterday Southland took strike, Glceson and A. Hamilton going in first. The former faced M'Beath, and was caught by Perrv at square-leg off the fifth delivery. J. Hamilton followed as his brother's partner, and for 30 minutes the two put up a successful defence, scoring by twos and fours though the total mounted somewhat slowly, and at a quarter to 5 stood at 30. Ihe umpire gave J. Hamilton the benefit of ihe doubt when Galland behind the sticks took the ball and displaced the hails. The whole team appealed, but it was not certaiil whether the call was for a stump of a catch. When ho had compiled 22 in 29 minutes,-A. Hamilton was caught by Douglas at second slip off M’Beath. 3i—2—22. Kavanagh went in next and saw the over out, driving a brace off the second ball he received. M'Beath then got J. Hamilton with a very nice long hop. 263 —10. Kavanagh and Poole were the next jiartnets, the latter escaping narrowly when the first ball passed bis off wicket. However, he fell victim to M'Beath’s fourth ball, which he tried to pull and was given out lbw. 38—4—1. Petrie went out at 5 o’clock to support Kavanagh, and did nothing with the rest of the over, thus giving M’Beath a maiden with a wicket in it. The highest score was still A. Hamilton’s 22 and the total 48 when M'Beath put down another beautifully placed delivery and levelled Petrie’s off stump. Cook followed, and was unfortunate enough to meet another of M’Beath’s good-length balls, which sent his off hail flying. Dr Brown then tried his luck with the same fate front a similar hail, giving M’Beath the “hat” trick. The lefthanded bowler received an ovation from crowd and players, and the manager of the visiting team took occasion to rush out and shake him bv the hand. 48 —7—o. The bowier finished his over against Doig. and then at 20 minutes past 5- Conradi replaced Douglis, to have his first ball sent to the leg boundary by Kavanagh. A single followed, and Doig stood off three more, halls before one hung low and slipped under his bat on to the wickets. 55 —B—o. Bogue was tenth man in. but was defeated without scoring by a ball that shot in low. 55 —9—o. The last man in was Fogo. who was st umped off M'Btath without .-coring, and the innings closed at 5.30 for 56 runs, after Southland had batted for an hoxr and 12 minutes. At 10 minutes to 6 Otago opened the second innings. Keast and Conradi w r ent out first. Keast taking strike to Doig. turning the fifth hall out behind square-leg for a single. Poole took up the attack from the other e-nd. bowling a maiden to Keast, and Dotg’s next over was similarly barren of result. Another single to Keast was the only run taken from Poole's next effort, and Doig then bowled another maiden. Wickets were then drawn for the day. The wicket showed more life to-day than it did on the first day. and wore well. The same was not brilliant from the spectators’ point of view, the only bright patches in the play being the batting of Galland, who carried his bat for 42. and of Duncan, who made 23. Brinsley batted stolidly for two hours for 19 runs. Otheiwise it was a monotonous game. M’Beath, who followed up his first day’s bowling success by taking five wicketa for 29, bowled right through both innings, and his average works out at 4.8. Conradi, who took five wickets for 30, bowled only about a dozen overs. For Southland. Kavanagh (22), Hamilton (14), and Poo e (12) were the only batsmen to see double figures. Kavanagh a'.so secured the bowlinr' honours with three wickets for 21 runs, and an average for the match of 7.4. Southland's second innings was productive of only 79 runs, and Otago, by making 124 for six wickets (innings declared) in their second strike, won by 120 runs. Scores: — OTAGO. —First Innings. Keast, b Cook Jj Duncan, run out T? Conradi, b Poole .. - - Clterrv, lbvr, b Kavanagh * Galland, st Bogue, b Kavanagh .. .. Brinslev. c I. Hamilton, b Kavanagh.. M'Beath, c J. Hamilton, b Kavanagh.. 3 Binnie, c J. Doig, b Kavanagh .... * Perry, b Poole Douglas, not out Extras Total 131 Bowling analysis—Fogo, no wickets for 21 runs; Doig, none for 24; Cook, one for 12- Poole, 3 for 24; Kavanagh, 5 for 81. Second Innings. Keast, c Hamilton, b Kavar.agh .... 5 Conradi, b Kavanagh 0 Brinsley, b Poole 19 Duncan, b Doig 23 Galland, not out 42 Cherry, lbw, b Doig 2 M'Beath, e Cooke, b Dr Brown 16

Extras 17 Total for six wickets (innings declared) 124 Bowling Analysis.—Doig, 2 wickets for 53 runs; Poole, 1 for 21; Kavanagli, 2 for 21; Dr Brown, 1 for 15; Fogo, none for 8; Cooke, none for 9. ■SOUTHLAND First Innings. H. Gleeson, c Perry, b M'Beath 0 A. Hamilton, c Douglas, b M'Beath .. 22 J. Hamilton, b M'Beath .. 10 E. Kavanagh, not out 15 A. Poole, lbw, b M'Beath .. .. 1 F. Petrie, b M'Beath .. .. 2 E. Cook, b M'Beath 0 Dr Brown, b M'Beath 0 J. Doig, b Conradi 0 T. Bogue, b Conradi .. 0 R. Fogo, st Galland, b M'Beath .... 0 Extras 5 Total 56 Bowling Analysis.—M'Beath, 8 wickets for 24 runs; Douglas, none for 22; Conradi, 2 for 5. Second Innings. A. Hamilton, lbw, b Conradi 7 Kavanagh, b Conradi 22 Petrie, lbw, b Conradi 4 J. Hamilton, b Conradi .. .. .. .. .. 14 Gleeson, b M'Beath .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 7 Poole, b M'Beath .... .. 12 Cook, b Conradi 0 Dr Brown, st Galland, b M'Beath .. 0 Bogue, b M'Beath .. 0 Doig, not out 6 Fogo, st Galland, b M'Beath 3 Extras .. .. 4 Total .; .. .. 73 Bowbng Analysis.—M'Beath, 5 wickets for 29 runs; Douglas, none for 16; Conradi, 5 for 30.

HAWKE CEP CONTEST. WANGANUI, December 26. The cricket match between Hawke’s Bay and Wanganui for the Hawke Cup commenced here to-day in brilliant weather. The wicket Was just a bit fiery. In their first innings Wanganui scored * 256 (Orton 87. Treadwell 54, Orr-48, Tror.son not out 11). Extras contributed 47 runs of the score. Jacobsen was the best bowler, taking eight for 32. O’Donnell took ofie for 89. Hawke’s Bay were dismissed for 135 (-Bradburn 35, Jacobsen 33). Tronson took four for 27, including the hat trick, Wood three for 35, Treadwell two for 19, Wells one for 45. Wanganui replied with 93 for no wickets (London 54, Orr 33). The game will be continued, to-morrow. December 27. The Hawke Cup match was concluded today in sultry weather, Wanganui defeating Hawke's Bay by 191 runs. Light rain fell during the afternoon. In their second innings Wanganui scored 341 (Stapleton 73. Orr 65, London 62, Orton 50, Treadwell 32, and Wood 18). Jacobsen " took five wickets foy 123 and O’Connell two for 63. Hawke's Bay found the task of getting 463 runs to win too much for them, and were dismissed for 269 (Hindmarsh 70, O’Brien 50, Fryer 35, Bradburn 30, Stackwin 24). O'Brien and Hindmarsh rriado a good stand for the sixth wicket, and put on 112 runs. Wood took three wickets for 59, Tronson five for 93, and Treadwell two for 58. INTER-UNIVERSITY HATCH. W ELLINGTON, December 26. In the inter-university cricket match Wellington defeated Auckland by six wickets. Wellington in their first innings made 214 (Joplin 81, Kent 45). The Auckland first innings totalled 148 (Winks 80). In Wellington’s second innings they declared with four wickets for 142 (Joplin 51, Lusk 36), Auckland in their second attempt made 204 (Dunning 49, Johnston 42, Winks 31). AUCKLAND v. NORTH TARANAKI. NEW PLYMOUTH, December 26. An Auckland team played North Taranaki a two days’ match. Auckland made 126 and 207, and Taranaki 331 and 64 for two wickets, Taranaki winning by eight wickets The feature of the match was Lambert's (Taranaki) score of 180. M.C.C. TEAM IN AFRICA. FIRST TEST MATCH. CAPETOWN. December 23. The first Test Match commenced in a warm breeze, the weather being unsettled, a here was a l_ r °o<] wicket and fast outfield. South Africa won the toss and batted first. Russell, Livsey, and Macaulay did noUplay. The South African team was unchanged. South Africa in their first innings made 143. England have lost eight wickets for 132. Ten thousand were present when South Africa commenced their innings, which lasted 164 minutes. The batsmen were obviously nervous, and opened carefully against splendid bowling and fielding. Kennedy in four overs took three wickets for one run. Blankenberg’s bowling also aroused enthusiasm. South Africa’s fielding was faultless. The crowd was very demonstrative. December 25. In the test match the batting was only as successful as the bowling allowed. Blankenfcsirg had a phenomenally disguised finger spin. Francois possessed remarkable temperament, and kept an extraordinary length at a critical stage in the ibowling and battltig. Hitch was twelfth man. Macaulay is unwell. December 26. The M.C.C. team which had eight wickets down for 132 in their first innings, were disposed of for 182, as against 148 made by South Africa. Additional scorers for England:—Brown, b Blanckenberg, 22; Kennedy, 41 (not out); Gilligan, b Blanckenboyg, 18; extrae, 5. Bowling Analysis.—Blanckenberg, 6 for 76; Francois, 3 for 23; Nupen, 1 for 58. South Africa in their second innings had loet four wickets for 270 when stumps were drawn. Scores: Catterall, c Woolley, b Gilligan. 17; Hearne, c K?nnedy, b Gilligan, 27; Taylor, 121 (not out); Nourse, c Fender, b Jupp, 20; Ling, b Kennedy, 38; Braun, 35 (not out). —A. and N.Z. Cable. The weather was bright and cool and the wicket good for the continuation of the match. The attendance .was estimated at 15,000. The visitors’ innings terminated half an hour before the luncheon adjournment. Blackenberg’s leg theory proved most effective, and the fielding of the home team was brilliant. The South Africans showed more confidence in their second innings than in the first, but the batting on the whole was on the careful side. Taylor, in particular, played warily, preferring safe, straight drives, and declining to be enticed by Woolley’s donkey - drops. The bowling was con-

sistently good in length and judgment, with frequent changes. The first century took 95 minutes, and the second century appeared at the end of three hours’ play. Taylor’s hundred took 177 minutes. The Taylor-Ling partnership added 100 runs. Nourse and Brant played excellent cricket. Appeals for leg before wicket throughout the play were numerous, and caused considerable barracking among a section of the crowd. SOUTH AFRICA.—First Innings. Hearn, b Jupp 28 Taylor, c Brown, b Fender 21 Catterall, c and b Kennedy 39 Nourse, c Brown, b Kennedy 14 Ling, b Kennedy 0 Brann, lbw, b Kennedy 1 Francois, c Fender, b Jupp 19 Blankenberg, lbw, b Jupp .. 1 Nupen, c Kennedy, b Jupp • • 0 Ward, not out .. . ■ •• 15 Bu3'S, run out .. *> Extras .. .. 12 Total .. .. ... ; .148 Bowling Analysis.—Gilligan, no wjekets for 23; Kennedy, four for 37; Jupp, four for 59; Fender, one for 17. ENGLAND. —First Innings. Mann, c Francois, b Nupen 4 Sandham, .b: Blankenberg 26 Woolley, lbw ■ • • • 96 Carr, b Francois •• 27 Mead, b- Blankenberg -• 1 Fender, c Brown, b Blankenberg ... ~ 0 Jupp, c and b Blankenberg •• 1 Stevens, b Francois .. •• H Kennedy, not out .. .. .. ’ 19 Brown, not out 15 Extras 4 Total (for eight wickets) .. .. 132 N.S.W. v. VICTORIA. MELBOURNE, December 24. Now South Wales commenced a match against Victoria on a bad wicket after heavy rain overnight. Victoria won the toss and sent the visitors to the wickets. New South Wales in their first innings made 160 (Taylor 34, Kippax 68). Kippax gave a magnificent display on a bad wicket. Wallace took three wickets for 32 runs, Liddicut four for 56, and Ryder two for 26. Victoria have lost four wickets for 94 (Woodfuil 47, Mayne 24). _ ■ December 26. The weather was showery but cool for the continuation of the Sheffield Shield match between Victoria and New South Wales. Though the wicket was covered by tarpaulins the rain yesterday penetrated them and made soft patches. A heavy shower soon after the resumption of play caused a delay. On resuming; the wickets fell cheaply. Macartney secured five wickets for eight runs, Mailey two for 53, and Gray three for 33. Victoria’s first innings closed for 125 (Fremantle 13). New South Wales in their second innings made 141 (Macartney 15, Collins 29, Hendry 22, Gray 28). . Wallace took two wickets for 28, and Liddicutt four for 35. Victoria, in their second innings, had scored four without loss when stumps were drawn. The wicket in the later stages was treacherous and favorued the bowlers. The batting was slow. December 27. The cricket match between Victoria and New South Wales was resumed in fine weather and on a good wicket. The batsmen were very cautious, and the scoring was slow. Victoria in their second innings lost three wickets for 178 (Kyder 36, Hartkopf 17, Park, not out, 30, Woodfuil, not out, 80). Victoria won by seven wiokets.