CRICKET.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2118, 18 October 1875, Page 2

CRICKET.

Lives there a n:an with soul so dead AVho never to himself hath said,

I love the game of cricket; Whose heai t hath ne'er within .him burned, As to the tent his steps he'th turned, Leaving the fallen "wicket ?

Thames Scott.

A fine day, thank the fates, and a fair wicket, thanks to Mr Spencer, and a fair attendance, thanks to the fair sex, inaugurated the opening of the cricket season at Parawai on Saturday last. The bone and sinews of the Eleven and the substance of the -Twenty-two, started underthc guidance ot charioteer Mills at 1.15. The. horses might certainly have been said to be drawing lots, for twelve inside one of our nondescript vehicles with Carnell thrown, in for luck, is certainly filling at the price. The 'busses, if such they be, are, however, decidedly elastic, for there was still room to pack in Gellion and gingerbeer, with Whitford and wickets at different stages of the journey. Not much time was cut to waste ere Captain Billy had the wickets pitched and all in readiness to greet the Twenty-two who were first in. Oddly enough Donovan retired without making his mark, and we wish we could say the same for his partner, were it only for the sake of the ground, which did not relish his heeling influences. He was after some difficulty dislodged. The bowling of the .Eleven was bad, fielding worse, throwing -in worst. Steadman the spikeless tried either end but with no effect. The state of of the ground cowed Bull, the long-stop; and byes were prolific. Paul tried his hand instead, or to speak the truth,tried his whole body, and became of a decidedly plaid mixture in the course of his attempts. It would have been a happy thought to have sketched his legs and submitted them as a design for the, new tartan of the Thames Scottish. This by the way. The gay young Captain essayed to get two runs where there was only room for one and the inhuman Heron gave him out. Carnell to the rescue, band inspiriting, spectators expectant — Brassey however was too much for him and he retired with an egg—

Alas for the rarity ■ Of cricketers' charity, Under the sun. There warn't one of the party That didn't grin hearty, No not" one. Frater and Cook make a stand, and eight bowlers bowled, some more and some less, Brassey being the more and Crawford the less. Bull, the last resource, decidedly effective. The batsmen seemed to try and reverse the nursery rhyme, and thought because he was a Bull they could have a pull, however, pulling yorkers is at the best a perilous past-time, and Bull disposed of three batsmen in -three balls, thereby earning for himself a new bat, which, we believe, it is contemplated to pay him when "Robinson ha% been given the three he has won previously. The spirit to give is willing, but the-Club is unfortunately very short of funds. If the chances of his getting it were sold in the share market, the commission, we should say, would be small indeed. The innings of the Twenty-two and the day's play closed at the same time, and the cricketers de- j parted as they came—the Twenty-two confident, the Eleven ditto. All pleased. Thus ended the first day's cricket at Parawai. The thanks of all cricketers and lovers of cricket are due to Mr Spencer for his kindness in placing his ground at their disposal, also to the. ground committee, more especially to Messrs Paul and Walker for their unceasing exertions to get the ground in order, and to the Thames Naval Band, who kindly lent their aid to make the opening day the success it"was."' The following is the score :— i,. .: Donovan, b PauL ... ... 0 Lodge, run out. ... • ... 7 Schoßeld, b Panl ... ... 4 . Lawless, b Robinson ... ... 4 Buddock, c Robinson b'.Steedaum... 1 S. Paul, 1 b *vr, b Steedinau "... 1 G-ellion, run out ... ... 1 Weßb, b Brasaey . ... ... 9 Cook, c Steadman b Brnsjey ... 10 CarncJl, b Brass y ... „, 0 Heron, b B-i-s-.oy ... ... 1 Fritter, bE-.1l . ... : ... 13 Hi)!, cBuI ') Ojump ... ... 5 Bell, bßul .... ... 3 Hurgravc*, b B us-oy ... ... 0 Chew, not out ... ;.. 6 Fryer, b tti.ll ... -: .„ 2 Carried, b Bui! ... ... 0 Walkeryjb Bull *S. ' ...;^ '; .;. 0 Peek, run cut .... .... •!• I Stevrart, et Colson b Bull ... 1 I Masters, 0 and b Bull ... ... 2 Bye», 23; wides, 8 j 1 bye», 8... 34 Total ... ... 108 The match will be resumed on Saturday next, when the eleven will endeavour to beat the 108 made by the Twenty-two. This they expect they will do. The Twenty-two don't. It is hoped that all players will turn up at the proper time, and Tim© will then decide.