CRICKET NOTES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16940, 15 January 1923, Page 3

CRICKET NOTES.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2. Fifty years ago (writes a Sydney Bulletin ” contributor) there was great rivalry between “ Bailer ’’ O’Brien, of the Collingwnod Swamp, snd “ Drive ’* Boss from the Richmond jptddoek, for one or the other of them liras the champion cricketer of his class. Krcn when they retired from the game neither of them could claim the crown, for though “ Bailer ” had been the .'-lightly better howler, “Drive’* had been, a little better batsman. Recently to celebra-io the Irishman’s seventy - fifth birthday, both old fellows and all who were left of the old crowd met at the Cricketers 5 Arms, and the almostforgotten arguments were thrashed out anew. The air was full of Ross’s hundreds and O’Brien's hat tricks. Then it was suggested that, a single-handed game would decide the question for ever, and while the beer was moist they made their wagers and hobbled across the road to the cricket ground “ Drive” went in first and managed, during many overs, to score seven. Then “ Bailer,” in a last desperate effort, bowled him, collapsed from exhaustion, and, after an interval nt the hotel, had to admit that lie was ton ill to hat. Tb wns then decided that his old adversary had but to bowl the wicket down to win So “ Bailer ” lav alone in the bar parlour, and was cursing bis old age and infirmity when his friends rushed back shouting, ‘‘Wo knew you’d win ! He’s bowled eight wides.’*