CRICKET.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXVII, Issue XXIII, 7 December 1901, Page 1076

CRICKET.

Cricketers were again. favoured with lovely weather on Saturday; when the fourth series of the association's championship matches were commenced. There was a good attendance- on the Domain, where United met Gordon, and Parnell tried conclusions with Ponsonby. Neither Gordon nor Ponsonby did well with the bat. but at the end of the day United and Parnt'll provided more interesting cricket, and the last-named teams have their matches well in hand. At Devonport, Auckland put up the good score of 292 against North Shore.

WELLINGTON CRICKET. Tn the senior cricket matches on Saturday, the Midland eleven, with a first innings* lead of 68 from Wellington, were all disposed of for 113. Tucker topped the individual scores with a carefully compiled 13. Houldswurth hit hard and merrily for 34, and caused a small sensation by driving one ball away to the Adelaide Road. Connell headed the bowling average with six for 44. Wellington, requiring 172 runs to win. only made 84. Midland thus winning by 87. Stevenson took four wickets for 14 runs. In the Old Boys’ game Phoenix resumed their first innings. Midlane ran his score to 146 with fine, free cricket, being finally given out lbw to Douglas. Waters put up 82 in fast time before being stumped. The innings closed for 366. The best bowling average was Kircaldic’s three for 16. bul he sent down only six overs. The .Old Boys, requiting 280 to avert .an innings* defeat, began carefully, but at call of time had lost six wickets for 123. Staples being not out with

ANG LO-AUSTR A LIA N M ATCHES. The match between the New South Wales team and the Englishmen was concluded at Sydney early last wUek. tne result being- a win for the Australians by 54 runs. The following were the scores:— New South Wales, first innings.. 288 England, first innings 332 New- South Wales, second innings 422

In the match between Maclaren’s team ami the Albion C.C. the latter lost 15 wickets for 557, and declared the innings closed. The Englishmen have lost one wicket for 70. Later: 'l’he match was drawn owing to a rain storm interfering with the play. Capp, on the local side, scored 111, not out. The Englishmen had four wickets for 221. Hayward (66). Jessop (48), Quaife (not out, 55) being the principal scorers.

MACLAREN ON ENGLAND V. AUSTRALIA. Mr A. C. MacLaren has conse/ited to write a series of articles lor tile “Review of Reviews for Australasia” on the present tour, and the first of these appears in the current. Issue (November), just to hand. The writer opens with a comparison of cricket conditions in the Old Country and Australia, establishes the fact that his team is a thoroughly representative one. and concludes with a riiey deseription of the individual players under the heading- “Characteristics of the Team." Mr MacLaren handles a pen with as much ease as he swings a bat. and scores with both. In reply to the. silly assertion that the Melbourne Cricket Club dictated to him as to the personnel of the team. Mr MacLaren says: “The statement that the Melbourne Club dictated io me as to who is to play against them i-s. absolutely- untrue, as is the report also that the professionals of previous teams received more for their services than do those of our present team. It is only fair to our opponents to state that we have never received anything but the most perfect fair play' at the hands of the Melbourne Club: as T feel sure every team will which goes to Australia in the future." Mr MacLaren’s articles will be illustrated, and will be well worth reading by all who take an interest in the visit of the Englishmen.