Cricket.

Southland Times, Issue 4499, 11 December 1882, Page 2

Cricket.

«. INVBBOABGILL C.C v, ONE TREE POINT CO. [By Long Stop]. Cricket is evidently increasing in popularity in Southland. As in the Home country, clubs are being established in every little centre, and an incentive to practice is provided by frequent matches. A few years ago it was difficult to find a cricket club outside the larger towns, but the game may now be seen played in all directions. In past years, the ICC. had to be content with about half a dozen "foreign" matches in a season ; before the present season closes it is anticipated that at least twenty of these matches will be recorded. On Saturday afternoon, a game was played by thfr club against the One Tree Point O.C. The visitors, as was expected, did not make much of a stand against the eleven opposed to iliem, but they showed that a fair knowledge of the game had been secured, and gave promise of better performances before the season terminates. Play commenced at l.bO p.m., and the match was completed at half-past five, the I.C.C. scoring 138 in one innings and the visitors 64 in two innings. Urquhart captained the local team, and E. W. Dawson the One Tree Point. The latter won the toss and decided to put his men in the field. Bray and Watson accordingly took their places at the wickets on behalf of Invercargill, the bowling being in the hands of Field and Dawson — (he latter a fast under-arm bowler. Runs came fast, the slightest touch sending the ball to the boundary. Bray quickly made 11, and gave way to J. Watson, ivhose namesake soon after was dismissed for 21, well and rapidly obtained. This batsman is the most promising colt in the club. The "sticker" was got for 6, and Hain departed with only 1 to his credit. Urquhart made merry for 10, and Cross did not trouble the scorers. The two next batsmen gave the bowlers a considerable amount of trouble. Morgan batted in vigorous style for 19, and Nixon by genuine play secured highest score with 24. Sebo ran one, and was given out caught, a decision that he was much disposed to question, on the ground that it was a " bumped ball." The two last batsmen played patiently and successfully, Harvey making 1 13, and Williams', not out, 10. Sundries amounted to 22. The under-arm bowler, Dawson, proved the most effective, obtaining six wickets for 45 runs. Field got two wickets for 45, and McFarlane one wicket for 26. The inning-s of the visitors was not by any means a long one, though the first two batsmen Millar and A. H. Dawson made a creditable stand. The lattor was evidently well set, when, happening to take a promenade beyond his crease, was promptly, but perhaps ungenerously, stumped by Urquhart. Miller was nm out when he had scored 12. J. Dawson with 5 was the only other batsman who could get the ball away, though several defended their wickets tor a considerable time, before being dismissed. The second innings was as disastrous as the first, the highest scorer again being Millar witli 9. Burney made 7, and A. W. Dawson 4, The fielding of the visitors was somewhat inferior, or some of the local batsmen who made double figures would have been dismissed for very small scores. In this department of the game the I.C.C. team acquitted themselves very creditably, good catches being made by Sebo, Morgan, and Bray. The attendance of spectators was unusually large. It would be well if the club or borough council would furnish increased sitting accommodation.