CRICKET.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5731, 26 November 1896, Page 3

CRICKET.

AUSTRALIA v. NEW ZEALAND. Tha match between the Australian Eleven and a representative New Zealand Fifteen commenced to-day. The wicket was in splendid ordeiybut a cold southerly wind somewhat interfered with the comfort of both players aud spectators. Hill and Johns stood out of the Australian team, and Cult* captained tho New Zealanders. About six hundred people were on the ground when the Australian captain, who had won the toss, sent in Iredale and Darling to face the bowling of Upham and Eobertson. Upham opened to Lvedale, and after each batsman had scored a single the Sydney player narrowly escaped being caught off a mis-hit which fell jusb out of Pearce's reach. Robertson's first over was a. maiden, .lredale treating it with marked respect/* Jri Upham's next, Darling was applauded for a fine cut to the boundary, and ho followed this up with a drive for 3 off the next ball. Iredale got Robertson to the leg boundary, and 20 appeared. Only one run had been added when Darling lifted one of Upham's, but Ridley, fielding on the boundary, failed to hold it. In the same over, Darling was again missed, this time by Mills, off an easy chance over the bowler's head. Darling's score was then IS. Encouraged by his good fortune, the South Australian hit Upham high and dry to the boundary fence. Iredale, who was playing a comparatively quiet game, made a sweet cut for 3 off Robertson's next over, and another 4 by Darling to the off boundary brought 40 up. Pearce went on, vice Upham, who had been decidedly unlucky, and in his first over Darl'ng scored 2 and a single. It was his last effort, however, as he lifted Pearce, and this time Mills brought off the catch — 47—1 — 20, Giffen came next, and was greeted with applause. He played the remainder of Pearce's over carefully, and then hit a 'couple of 2's off the slow bowler. Fifty ax>peared after forty minutes' play. Three to , Iredale oif Pearce, and a 4 to the same batsman off Robertson, both on the leg side, brought GO up, .ancl Neill supplanted Robertson. A 4 to Iredale off each bowler brought Upham on again at Pearce's end, and the play was quiet for a time. Giffen let out at Pearce, 4 resulting, and at the adjournment the total was 86, of which Iredale had made 40 and Giffen 17. I During the interval the attendance increased considerably, and must have numbered fully two thousand when play was resumed at half-past two. Eobertson bowled to Giffen from the railway end, and Upham resumed at the other. Neither batsman was at all aggressive, and the score advanced chiefly by singles. At 90 Giffen gave what seemed to be a possible chance to Upham in the sli;:-s. Four to Iredale off Upham caused 100 to appear amidst applause, and then Giffen turned his attention to Eobertson, cutting him to the boundary for 4 and then hitting him square to leg for 5, thoball rebounding froni the western pavilion. With his score at 50, Iredale gave Mills a possible chance at long-on, but the fields i.an foiled to get under the ball A double change of bowling was tried, Pearce and Neill going on, vice Upham and Eobertson. The change wcrked, tho Auckland bowler getting Giffen caught at slip. 116—2—29. Trott came next. The following are the scores : — AUSTRALIANS First Innings. J. D.ir'.in,' 124322224442, c Mills b Penrce , ... 20 F. A. Irelnle, 11148111311342111441U11441211, licit Ollt 5-> G. Uift'en 221111.24111.131, c Upham b Neill ... 29 Trott, not out ... ... 0 Bye 1 Toi.il ior two wickets ... ... ... 115