THE MELBOURNE CLUB MATCH.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 3359, 14 January 1879, Page 3

THE MELBOURNE CLUB MATCH.

[By. Our Special Correspondent.] (Telegraphed from Invercargill.) The match Australian Eleven v. English Eleven having finished at half-past one on Saturday, Jan. 4, the Melbourne Club wished us to commence at 3 o'clock, which we did before about 3000 spectators. Melbourne won the toss and took first innings, commencing with Gibson and Alexander. The wicket was very fast and true, — in fact, as hard as cement. The pilch played on was the one used in the English match, which will give some idea of its nature. C. Frith aud Ashby commenced bowling, but it was soon evident that they were not at home on it. Runs came quickly , assisted greatly by the very bad fielding of Hartland and Baker, the former of whom allowed several fours to go by him. The batting, with the exception of Alexander, Gibson, Macdonnell, and M'Evoy, was not particularly good, while their running between wickets was most foolish. No less than four men were run out in a manner that would shame schoolboys. Alexander played very well for his 77, but was caught out when he had made 50, and was given not out. After he was disposed of the end soon came. Lee bowled very well, as his analysis will show. W. Frith at times did the same, but he was hardly straight enough. Ashby, C. Frith, and Fuller were not a success. The Melbourne inning 3 closed for 143, at half -past five, having occupied scarcely more than two hours. At twenty minutes to six Watson and Ollivier opened up for Cinterbury, Kendall and M'Crimmon bowling. Both 'started well, Watson in particular paying the bowling special attention. Ollivier, after making 7, was clean bowled in a very foolish manner, through hitting across a straight one from Kendall. Hartland joined Watson, and after making a 4 time was called, the score showing 40 runs for one wicket, Watson being not out 24. He batted in grand form, hitting the bowling to all parts of the field. The trundling was not first-class, it not being straight enough for slow bowling. The game was continued on Monday at half-past 12, Watson and Hartland taking up their positions at the wickets. Both were soon disposed of — the former without increasing his score, and the latter for 5. Ashby and Neilson then got together, and it was confidently expected that a long score would be made ; but after making 17 each they were caught out. Both played good cricket for their runs, f After this dismissal the innings rapidly came to a conclusion, all being out for 87, or 56 to the bad. With the exception of Watson, Neilson, and Ashby, the batting was a farce. Kendall and Alexander bowled well, but not so well as to justify such a poor score. After lunch the M.C.C. took their innings, Alexander and Gibson commencing. The former soon retired for 6, but Gibson played well for 19. M'Donnell, who has a very nice style, succeeded in putting together 31, and M'Crimmon played good cricket for 2G. As an instance of the uncertainty of the game, 1 the score book showed 145 for nine wickets /when Kendall joined Tennent, and at the call of time these two men had knocked up 90 runs between them. Kendall hit at everything, putting a ball wide of the off stump round to the square-leg, &c. The score at 6 o'clock showed 236 runs, and both men still in; The fielding was a slight improvement on Saturday's performance, but was still indifferent, Baker and Hartland being quite at sea. Our Captain seemed to have lost his head, as he handled the bowling very badly, and kept Lee on too long, considering that lie was bowling mostly full-pitched balls on the log side, and was knocked about very much. The other bowlers at times performed very well, but the wicket was too true and fast to get anything like a break on. The weather was too hot to be pleasant. The attendance on Monday was never more than 200. As the steamer leaves before the match will be finished, I am obliged to omit the last day's play, but you will have heard the result by cable before this reaches you. The scores have already been published, but the bowling averages, bo far, are appended : — Bowling Analysis. CANTERBURY.— First Innings. Ens. Wkts. Mdns. Overs. Kendall 32 5 3 48 M'Crimmon ... 14 0 0 16 M'Shane ... 20 1 2 28 Alexander ... 15 4 7 53 MELBOURNE.— First Innings. Rns. Wkts. Mdns. Balls. C. Frith 29 0 2 56 Ashby 9 0 3 28 Fuller 18 0 0 1G Lee 19 3 5 56 W. Frith ... 58 3 6 92 The officers of the various clubs have been very kind to us. Free passes on the railways have been granted to us for one month, and free passes to all the places of amusement have been placed at our disposal. Wo have been made honorary members of the Athemeum Club, honorary members of the Racing Club, with free entrance to the grand stand, &c, during the Champion Races ; and also honorary members of the Melbo urne C.C., with free entrance to the grand stand during the English match.