A WONDERFUL GAME OF CRICKET.

West Coast Times, Issue 1660, 25 January 1871, Page 4

A WONDERFUL GAME OF CRICKET.

A writer in "London Society" says : — Some forty years ago a game of cricket was played for a considerable stake, at Ilarefield Common, near Rickmansworth, between two gentlemen of Middlesex, on one side, and Mr Francis Trumpcr, a farmer residing at Ilarefield, and a thoroughbred sheep doir in his possession, on the other. Before the game began the odds were five to one against Mr Trumper, and his faithful companion, but as the match proceeded four to one was laid on the quadrupedic wicket-keeper. In the first innings the two gentlemen got three runs a piece with the greatest difficulty. The clog stood near his master when he was going to bowl, and the moment the ball was hit, off started Fido after it in full chase and carried it back in his mouth to his master with equal velocity. Though the two that had the first innings made several long hits, the dog fielded so well that they never made more than a single run. Mr Trumpcr and his mate then went in, and the dog stood to his Avicket *' like aman," until he saw that it was advisable to run. Then he cantered past his master at a judiciously considered pace. The result of the first innings for the man and dog was a grand total of five. After luncheon, the two gentlemen again scored three in their second innings, one of them having been splendidly caught out by Fido ; when their competitors went to wickets the betting being odds on the shepherd. Two runs were scored for the long-tailed athlete, and the game was won with the two wickets standing. Appended is the score :—: —

Rickmanswortii. — First Innings — Mr A., b Trumper, 1 ; Mr 8., b Trumpcr, 2 ; total, 3. Mr Trumper, b Mr A., 5 ; Dog Fido, bo, 0 ; total, 5. Second InningsMr A., b Trumpcr, 2 ; Mr 8., b Trumpcr, 1 ; total, 3. Mr Trumper, not out, 2 ; Dog Fido, b o, 0 ; total, 2.

It will be seen from the returns that the dog did not bat.