THE INTER-PROVINCIAL CRICKET MATCH.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume VIII, Issue 388, 30 December 1897, Page 10

THE INTER-PROVINCIAL CRICKET MATCH.

Canterbury v. Auckland.

The inter-provincial match between the representatives of Auckland and Canterbury commenced on Monday at the Domain. Yates had prepared a capttal wicket, and those who entertained hopes of high scoring were disappointed at the first day’s play. The southerners won the toss, and put together a total of 182. Wigley and Cobcroft opened the batting, and scored 37 and 26 respectively by not very attractive cricket. Sims' one of the youngest members of the team, played a very pretty game, and put 51 to his credit before being dismissed. Reese, another colt, also has a very nice style, and notched 22 runs. The innings was chiefly remarkable for the destructive bowling of R. Neill, who took 9 wickets for 86 runs. This was an excellent performance, considering that the wicket was certainly a run-getting one. Neill’s average might [have been better if the Auckland fielding had been a bit smarter. Auckland’s display at the wickets was poor indeed, and when the last wicket fell the total had only reached 90. Of this number I. Mills got 25, Pabst 11, and Labatt 15. Reese secured 5 wickets for 37 runs, and the veteran Wilding took 4 for 18. The Canterbury men gave a better display in the second innings,

put together 251 before the last wicket fell. Wigley again played good cricket but it was of much quality than his display of the first day. He scored 73 runs, and they were made all round the wicket. Clark, the skipper, was not out with 61 to his credit; his runs were made by free crieket. A. Ridley scored 42, and Reese again showed nice style. F. M. Kelly was the most successful of the Auckland bowlers, his 5 wickets costing 60 runs, while Neill took 2 for 57, and Stemson 2 for 42. Auckland required 344 to give them victory, and so well did George Mills and Stemson play that when stumps were drawn on the second day the score was taken to 185 for 4 wickets, aod there seemed a chance of victory. On Wednesday, however, this chance rapidly vanished, and in the end the total only reached 218, thus leaving Canterbury victorious by 125 runs. George Mills played a splendid innings, and his score of 77 was the highest in the match. Stemson also strove hard, and his 73 was the result of excellent cricket.