CRICKET.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIII, Issue 800, 6 July 1905, Page 13

CRICKET.

A very easy victory was scored by the Australians in their match against Warwickshire. The county team consisted of Byrne, Fishwick, Kinnear, Quaife, Lilley, Baker, Lovett, Santali, Hall, Moorhouse, and Hargreaves. In the first innings Warwickshire made 161, to which the Australians replied with 380. Warwickshire could only get 168 in their second venture, so lost by an innings and 51 runs.

The following match was against the once-powerful Gloucestershire. The home team was made up of Wrathall, Townsend, Sewell, Board, Jessop, Goodsell, Brown, Robinson, Huggins, Brownlee, and Dennett. Batting first the Australians ran up the huge score of 529 towards which Trumper contributed 108, Hopkins 93, Kelly 74 (not out), Darling

56, Duff 49, Laver 43, Hill 41, and Cotter 33. The county team had very bad luck in having to follow after heavy rain, and could only get 116, of which Board made 46 and Sewell 45. Going in again they did much better, knocking up 148 for one wicket. Board making 59, Townsend 45 (not out), and Goodsell 35 (not out). The match resulted, therefore, in a one-sided draw.

The Sydney batsman Poidevin continues to show great form in England. Following on his 122 for Lancasnire against Somerset and 76 and 166 (not out) against Worcestershire, comes news of a fine innings of 138 against Sussex. The young Australian is evidently proving a tower of strength to Lancashire this season.

“ In an article in the ‘ Daily Chronicle’ Mr. A. C. Maclaren, the well-known English cricketer, criticises the selfformed Board of Control for Australian cricket. He states it is a pity that the New South Wales Cricket Association frequentlv opposed the Melbourne Cricket Club, which has always managed affairs satisfactorily. He thinks it possible that a thoroughly representative Board can be formed, but doubted if its control would be any improvement on what players have already done, their mistakes being few and far between.” “Not Out” replies to this as follows in the Sydney “ Referee” Mr. Maclaren might with equal reason have said that it is a pity that the Melbourne C.C. so frequently opposes the New South Wales Cricket Association. The captain of Lancashire knows practically nothing about the work done by N.S.W. Cricket Association; he has been much more intimately associated with the Melbourne C.C. and trustees of Sydney Cricket Ground. The Association has not only revolutionised cricket in New South 'Wales—it has successfully fought and beaten powerful and wealthy opposition, and if it is necessary in the interest of Australian cricket to fight still further, it is not likely to shirk its duty. As regards its opposing the Melbourne C.C., that is mere moonshine. New South Wales recognises the V.C.A. as the controlling body in Victoria. It is prepared to co-operate with the controlling body, be it the Association or the Melbourne Club, in all matters aiming at the success and purification of Australian cricket. The Melbourne Club and the New South Wales Association have come into conflict in the past on a question of finance, and one has no doubt that if that question were left to arbitration, the decision would be dead against the club.

“ When one comes to the wicketkeeping of the team, one cannot help thinking that the colonials’ choice of a reserve to: Kellv--has either been a case of mistaken judgment, or that the possible candidates for selection were very limited (says the London 4 Sportsman’). Whenever Kelly is away, the colonials are minus a valuable asset, for I could name at least half a dozen English wicketkeepers who are superior to Newland. Judging him on his form alone, and leaving his reputation out of the question, I am not yet convinced that he has anything like a safe pair of hands. Either he is no favourite of fortune, or is not specially gifted for the position, for he never seems to gather the ball neatly after it has passed the wicket, thereby immensely discounting his chances of stumping the batsman.”

One of the most famous of the oldtime cricketers,' “ Dave” Gregory, who for nine years has held the position of paymaster at the New South Wales Treasury, is to retire from the public service this week (says a Sydney writer). David William Gregory was one who did so much to forward the interests of Australian cricket and cricketers, and to advertise the players of this country in England. The'Treasury paymaster was captain of the first Australian Eleven to visit England, in 1878, and also was for many years captain of intercolonial teams. He was a fine all-round player, a skilful skipper, and personally popular. The Premier, on behalf of the staff of the Treasury, made a presentation to Mr. D. W. Gregory, who entered the public service on February 21, 1862. He was born on April 15, 1845, and is therefore now 60 years of age—not out.