CRICKET.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XVIII, Issue XVIII, 1 May 1897, Page 542

CRICKET.

I NOTICE that Hugh B. Lusk, the well-known Napier cricketer, has again distinguished himself with the bat during the season just closed. Lusk batted in twenty innings without scoring a ‘ blob,’ and he only failed to reach double figures on one occasion. During the season Lusk scored 1,114 runs—a feat rarely accomplished in this colony. His best scores were 133 not out and 129 for his Club, the United, against Waiapu, 122, 88, and 83 v. Scinde, and v. County 76. In representative matches the crack Napier batsman made 59 and 23 for New Zealand against Queensland, 51 and 4 for Hawke’s Bay v. Queensland ; 52 and 15 for Hawke’s Bay against Taranaki, and 16 and 30 against Wellington. Lusk’s averages are : —ln cup contest B'3, in cup and representative matches 588, and in all matches 58’6. Truly a record Lusk may well feel proud of. The two teams of cricketers from Bay of Islands and Whangarei that paid Auckland a visit at Easter-time, each played three contests, against somewhat weak elevens as representing senior Clubs. The Whangarei team suffered three defeats, while Bay of Islands, after being beaten by United and Gordon, gained a victory over the team representing Auckland C.C. by eight runs. In the match played at Auckland on Good Friday between United C.C. and Bay of Islands elevens, L. A. Cuff captured nine of the latter’s wickets for six runs. In the first innings he secured five wickets for six runs, and in the second innings he took four wickets for no runs. It is evident that the cricketers of Western Australia know how to handle the bat and ball, for eighteen Freemantle players defeated the team taken to Westralia by George Giffen on April 16th. The team from East Australia was composed of New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australian players, and was considered a very strong one. The visitors defeated eighteen of Perth, which was their second contest. The Ist Junior competition is now concluded, and North Shore have secured the coveted place of honour with the splendid record of never having been beaten. The North Shore 2nd Juniors also annexed the cup given for superiority in their class. The Licensed Victuallers were to have met the North Shore team on Saturday last, at Devonport, and led the local team to believe they would turn up. The home team had their best available talent in the field, but after waiting till three o’clock for their opponents, who failed to appear, they claimed the match, and confined their efforts to a scratch game with other members of the Club. With reference to the above paragraph I wish to draw the attention of the Cricket Association to the fact that this is not the first time such a case has happened, and suggest that steps be taken before next season to obviate the possibility of its recurrence. The Associated Clubs of Victoria have a rule compelling teams to give at least 48 hours' notice of their intention not

to contest a match, and as it has worked exceedingly well over there, why should not it be tried here ? If I remember rightly, the penalty for non-compliance with this rule was disqualification for the season where the offence was deliberate ; and where through mistake, the culprits were compelled to pay the costs of the ground engaged for the match. In the case of North Shore and the L.V., the latter could easily have sent word that they were unable to play, and it behoves the Association to deal sternly with teams that are so neglectful of their obligations.