CRICKET

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume VII, Issue 331, 26 November 1896, Page 5

CRICKET

[By

Stonewaller.]

On Wednesday-and Thursday, Nov. 18th and 19th the Australian cricketers were engaged at Invercargill in demonstrating to the Southland Eighteen that they had a lot to learn in cricket. Bain, however, had made the wicket very soft, and the matting had to be used. The Southland captain had the choice of innings, and sent the visitors in to bat, find after a pretty even exhibition throughout, the innings closed for 178 runs, a very good score under the circumstances. Earling, who by this time rhnst be nearly at the top of the batting averages for all matches, made 31, and Kelly, the wicket-keeper, was top score wifh36. Other double-figure scores were —Trott 24, Eady 21, Jones 21, Hill 12, McKibbin, not out, 10. Gregory, who has either gone off in his batting or has ceased to take an interest in the game, which is, I believe, the real cause, only made 2. The Southland score in the first innings was a miserable array of single figures and duck-eggs. All were Put for 42, and the top scorer of the side was' Watson with 9, while six of the team failed to add to the total. Only two bowlers were tried, namely, Trumble and Eady. The former obtained the extraordinary average of 10 wickets for 13 runs, while Eady got 7 wickets for 25 runs. Southland did not do much better in the second innings, as they were all out for 67, and they were thus beaten by an innings and 69 runs. Trott and McKibbin were the bowlers who were given the opportunity of improving their averages. A lot of the local men essayed to hit Trott out of the ground, but they missed and were stumped, no fewer than six falling victims to the wicket-keeper’s dexterity. Trott got 11 wickets for 30 runs, and McKibbin 4 for 19 runs. At the very end of the innings Gregory and Sill were put on to bowl. Gregory, who bowls a fast, fair, round-arm ball, had one over, and secured a wicket without a run being scored off him. Then young Hill went on, and six runs were scored off him, but off his fourth ball the last man was caught at point by Trott. Burns was the only double figure scorer for Southland, he making 18 runs, when he was out leg before wicket to McKibbin. After the match the Australians proceeded to give the spectators some value for the money they had paid at the gates, and in this they were successful to an eminent degree. They gave an exhibition innings against the eigteen, and instead of playing the careful game which has been so characteristic of their play in England they opened their shoulders and played with a freedom that was delightful to witness. In one hour and a half's play they ran- up a total of 220 runs for the loss of six wickets, and then the people went home satisfied. The Australians played their fourth match in New Zealand, against fifteen of Otago, on Saturday, Monday, and Tuesday last. The Otago players are to be Commended for their pluck in playing fifteen. They wanted to see the Australians bat unhampered by a large field, and in that I think they were right, as, with an unusual crowd in the field, it is impossible for a batsman to show true cricket. If odds are necessary why not allow twenty-two men to bat and eleven to field. That idea is advocated by Er. W. G. Grace. The weather was not all that could be desired for the Otago match, and the bowlers from the outset had the batsmen in difficulties. The Australians in the first innings made 130, and 99 of that total was made by three batsmen, namely, Iredale 34, Hill 34, and Trott 31. Eisher bowled splendidly, getting six wickets for 39 runs, and the Australians speak very highly of him; Downes, three for 42, also bowled well. Otago topped the Australian score by 14 runs, E. E. Spraggon making 36, while Downs and Clayton also played well. When the Australians were all got rid of for 95 in their second innings, it looked as if the Otago men had victory within their grasp, but the Australians now showed what they could do when really called upon. The wicket aided them in

the pinch of the game, and the Otago champions were all out for 64, the only double figures on their side being Liggins 25 and Bains 12. Trumble was by far the most destructive bowler for the Australians, and his bowling and batting in the second innings probably saved his side. Otago, though beaten, were not disgraced, and the Australians will remember that they have two first-class bowlers in Eisher and Downes. It will be interesting to Australians to know that W. L. Murdoch has had something to do with the introduction to firstclass cricket of Prince Eanjitsinhji. Beferring to the banquet given to the Prince the Sporting and Dramatic News of October 3rd remarks :—“ No cricketer has been similarly honoured, but the fact that the Indian Prince has attained the highest aggregate of runs ever compiled by any batsman in England in ond year —2,780, an average of 57’44 per innings —fully justified the distinction. K. S. Banjitsinhji owes his introduction to first-class class cricket to E. S. Jackson and W. L. Murdoch, and that" he has deserved well of his sponsors all the world will admit. In reply to the able and witty speech, m which the Master of Trinity proposed his health, Prince Banjisinghji reminded his friends that cricket was not only a splendid pastime, but it tended to bring about a good feeling between Her Majesty’s subjects all over the globe. And so it is. In fact, the dinner at Cambridge is likely to cement still stronger the link which binds together England, India, Australia, Canada, and the outlying portions of the Empire.