CRICKET.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXIV, Issue XV, 14 April 1900, Page 687

CRICKET.

The play off for the championship of the second grade between the Auckland 11. and Y.M.C.A. teams was started on Saturday. The weather was beautifully tine, and tin* caretaker had provided an excellent w.cket. There was a good deal of interest displayed over the result of the match, and it was general I v anticipated that it would result in a close finish, but as the game stands at present Auckland has a derided advantage. Y.M.C.A. won the toss ami <m this occasion they elected to bat, but they did not make a very successful start. their captain (S. Stephenson) being bowled by St. Paul in his first over. .1. Steel followed and started to score at a good rate, and w hen joined by Wheat ly the outlook looked promising for Y.M.C.A. The latter obtained 35 runs before he was disposed of. hut he was extremely lucky, as fie was missed several times early in his innings. Steel's coni ribut .’on of 40 runs ami his display was much superior to that of his partner, hut at times he shaped as if ho were not at. all com fort able, and he has to thank the chopping and changing tactics of some of the Auckland fieldsmen that at least one of his uppish strokes did not come to hand. L. Clark was the only other batsman to reach double figures, and he was shapmg very well when he was foolishly run out. 'This is a noticeable failing with rho Y.M.C.A. team, and hardly one of

them seems to have the slightest idea of judging a run. Y.M.C.A.’s total of 113 was not a very vrvditnble result taking into consideration the excellence of the wicket and that at one time the board showed a total of 70 runs for the loss of 2 wickets. St. Paul was the most successful irundler for ~nd. capturing 5 wickets at a cost of 45 runs, and his figures would have been even better had the fielding been at all up to the mark. Auckland in their first innings have lost 4 w'ckets for S 9 runs, so that they only require 25 runs to head their opponent's score, and they still have 6 wickets in hand. Hemus. who did most of the scoring for Auckland. obtaining 41 (not out), showed really first-class form, scoring freely ail round ihe wicket. 'This is a player of undoubted promise, and as he takes the keenest interest in the game, ind plays it at every opportunity. he is bound to improve. The other double figure scorers for Auckland were: Cossey (15) and (olwill (14), both of whom hit our freely and knocked up their runs in quick time. Y. M.C. A.—Firs t Innings. S. Stephenson, b St. Paul 0 S. S« ott, b Hemus 0 (1. Stephenson, b Greville 0 J. Steel, b Greville 40 R. Wheatley, st Small, b St. Paul .... 35 Johnstone, b St. Paul 0 L. Clark, run out 14 ('rump, c Colwill. b St. Paul 1 L>. K innear. c Hill, b St. Paul 4 Horsley, run out 3 Southall, not out 2 Kxtras 5 Total 113

A I’CKLAND. —First Innings. W. Kenderdine, b Steel 6 K. J. < rreville, b G. Stephenson ”> L. not out 41 F. Cossey. b Southall 15 J. H. Colwill. lbw. b Scott 14 G. Small, not out 1 Extras 7 Total for four wi<-kets 89 BOWLING ANALYSIS.

® ® ® ACC KI.AND V. WELLINGTON. The local team has been n vv '•elected, and of course there has been the usual amount of growling about the inclusion of several of the players. I must confess that I was surprised to see Elliott's name am ngst the list of those selected. I understand that he is not in for his wicketkeeping. bill as a batsman, ar.d if this is the case thert- are several players whose claims are superior to that of the country player. On recent form I hardly anticipated that D. C layton would find a place in the selection. Hovwver. when himself Clayton is a really good bat. and as he has been showing much improved form at the nets during the past week or so he will probably justify his inclusion. Taken all round the team is strong in butting, but on the other hand the bowling is rather weaker than it should be. iiad Norman Williams been included in the place of. say, Elliott it would have added to the bowling strength of the learn without weakening it in the baiting department . • —

BOWLING ANALYSIS. Overs. Mdns. Runs. Wkts. St. Paul 15 1 45 5 Hem uh 3 0 15 1 Grevilie 4 1 Jk 2

Overs. Mdns. G. Stephenson.... 8 o J. Steel 5 1 Runs. Wkts. 29 1 Hl 1 Sou t hall 5 0 28 1 S. Scott 2 V 7 1