CRICKET

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume VII, Issue 346, 11 March 1897, Page 3

CRICKET

[By

Stonewaller.]

THE CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL.

The match between United and Auckland, to decide the Auckland Cricket Association senior championship for season 1896-7, was commenced on the Domain Ground last Saturday afternoon under most auspicious circumstances, as far as the weather and wickets were concerned, before a large attendance of enthusiasts. United went first to the wickets and were not disposed of until they had run up the good total of 196 runs. Stemson was the chief contributor with the fine score of 57, Marshall coming next with 36 ; then came Cuff with 31, and C. Hay with 28. The other double figure scorers were Hawkins (15) and Brown (14). For Auckland Clayton captured four wickets for 65 runs, R. Neill three for 47, and Stone one for 18. Auckland, following on, made a very poor beginning, losing four wickets for the small total of 16 runs, a by-no-means promising outlook. Of this number Neill (not out) contributed 13, while Thomas, Arneil, and Holland (run out) retired as they came, without adding a single to the figures.

E. Jones, the hurricane bowler, is also a hurricane batsman once he gets going. Jones is nothing if not sensational. If his stumps are sent flying first ball the batsman at least has the satisfaction of knowing that he tried to lift the fatal ball into the middle of the following week. Recently, playing for South Adelaide against Adelaide, he got 67 in twentytwo minutes. Thirty-three balls were bowled at him, and he scored off 23 of them. He began with 3 singles, then off the next 4 overs he smote no fewer than 14 fours, besides a couple of unconsidered trifles in the shape of a single and 2—in all, 59 runs off 24 balls. Even J. J. Lyons, the man of many powerful hits and numberless chainers, probably never eclipsed this rate of scoring. That “Jonah’s” clubmates were batsmen of the “ hit quick, hit hard, and hit often” order is proved by the way the agregate mounted. Four wickets were down for 76 at 5 o’clock, and by 6.15 the record was 253 for six wickets. Reedman got 99.