CRICKET.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume III, Issue 127, 29 December 1892, Page 9

CRICKET.

Otago v. Auckland. — The cricket team representing Otago arrived here on Friday by the s.s. Manapouri They were met at the w*harf by representatives of the Auckland Cricket Association, and were driven to the Central Hotel, where they will put up during their stay. They number 11 men, in addition to the secretary, Mr; J. Smythe. Mr. Mark Cohen, of the Dunedin Evening Star, also came /up by the same boat to report on the proceedings in Auckland during the cardivrl fortnight. The names of the team are—F. Harper (captain), J. 0. Lawton (who is an English professional, and has , been a coach ”in cricketing circles in Otago for the last three years), H. D. Stronach, F. D? Clayton, A. H. Fisher, J. Hope, C. Rattray, W. Johnston, W. Parker, A. G. Bell, and J. Croxford. To-day (Thursday) the first ball in this interesting match will be bowled. Our visitors have so far played but one match against Hawke’s Bay, whom they easily defeated in one innings, but that does not give us much of a line. Otago >is by no means fully represented, neither; is Auckland with men like Mills and Lawson out of the way. Again, many hold that out of the material available the best possible selection was not made. Of bowlers we have a good array, but our batting is not over strong. For this reason, probably, Yates was chosen, but selection committee should not forgets thal'the veteran, good though he up-; deniably is still with the bat, is a weak, spot in the team, and starts the game ‘With a* minus quantity in the shape of runs which a younger and more active player would save in the field. In the practice match last Saturday the form shown not encouraging. The second; eleven ran the reps, unpleasantly close., Moresby batted carefully and well for 35, and B; Neill and W. Gardiner played .with confidence and skill, but on the whole the rep. batting was not worthy of the wicket. Norman Williamsf or the seconds, put together an excellent 15 besidesbowling .four wickets, a brilliant performance when the quality of the-batsmen opposed to his attack is considered. This player, as an all-round performer, certainly deserves his colours on present form. Miller is in splendid form with the ball, jus his analysis of 6 for 14 testifies, but of course those were second eleven wickets, The ground fielding of the reps, was fairly good, but three catches at least wefe missed, for which but slight ftynuae could. be invented. Our visitors have some capital bats in their ranks, ■notably ■ Harper, Johnston, Parker, Stronach, Lawton and Fisher. Hope, Fisher, Itawton-’and Bell are the chief trundlers. ■ One point our men will have to remember is that the Otago bowling is rarely off the wicket, and that bespeaks patience and care on the part of the batsmen.’ Again, they have the advantages of discipline and the advice and skill of h professional of experience and reputation. On the other hand, if the weather is dry the! Domain wicket may prove a bit too, fast for men accustomed to play bn ( the . slow pitches for which Otago is famous However, we shall know more bn Thursday evening, and in the meantime the best thing is to hope for good weather, big attendances, and a close exiting match, in which may the better team win. ' Our old friend Frank Claytona comes witfi; the Otagoans it is said in much improved form. He states that he is the worst of the lot. Making allowances fbr piodcsty such an opinion is, to say the least, alarming.

• No Cup matches came off on Saturday afternoon. They will be proceeded with after the Christmas holidays. Dates for matches in connection with the tour of the next Australian Eleven

in England hays been arranged. The matches against the premier counties will be plnyed inJuly and August. The following is the list of matches for which arrangements have been, made, with the dates on which they are to be played:— May. 8, opening match against Lord i Sheffield’s team at Sheffield Park; 11,

ppsping. match at Warwickshire; 15, Gloucestershire County; 18, Marylebone, at Lord’s; 22, Yorkshire County; 25, Lancashire County; 29, Surrey County; June 8, Gentlemen of England; 12, Cambridge University; 15, South of England,; 18, Players of England; 22, Kent;29, North of. England; July 3, Derby ; 6, Leicester ; 13, Sussex ; 20, Somerset;3L JfiddWfc Puring August

a series of return matches will be played. On August 24 the team will play All England, and on August 31 they will play Nottingham County.