CRICKET.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XV, Issue 884, 14 February 1907, Page 11

CRICKET.

There was splendid weather for the continuation of the district matches on Saturday, and the wickets were in fine order. The match between North Shore and Eden attracted a large crowd across the water. The Shoremen were lucky to win the toss, for at the close of time they had the useful total on the slate of 286 for seven wickets. Haddon was caught when he was within three of the coveted century, while others to do well with the bat were Philson (51), Howden (28), Wallace (27), and Hussey (26). * * » * Parnell started very badly against City, losing five wickets for 28, but the others came to the rescue, the. fair score of 150 being the result, towards while Sale contributed 39 and Marcroft 20 (not out). City began wretchedly, the two star batsmen, Hemus and MacCormick, making 2 and 3 respectively. Dr. Neill showed good form, and when the bell rang the score read 56 for four wickets (Dr. Neill, 30 not out). It should be a close finish, but Parnell look like winning. * * * * Ponsonby shaped very badly against ■the weak Grafton bowling, being all out for 90 (Robinson 24, Woods 22). Hay took seven wickets for 37. Grafton have virtually won the match, as they have 130 on the slate for four wickets. Majson came out of his shell again with a nicely put together 63 (not out), while Hay got 30. The unbeaten Grafton 11. played North Shore 11. and made 222 (W. H. Graham 107 not out). North Shore have lost two wickets for 45. * * * * For the great match between N.S.W. and the Rest of Australia for S. E. Gregory’s benefit, the teams have been selected, and are as follow: — N.S. Wales: M. A. Noble, V. Trumper, R. A. Duff, A. Diamond, A. J. Hopkins, E. L. Waddy, C. G. Macartney, M. H. Blaxland, A. Cotter, G. L. Garnsey, H. Carter. Rest of Australia: H. Trumble (V.), C. Hill (S.A.), P. McAlister (V.), D. R. A. Gehrs (S.A.), W. W. Armstrong (V.), S. E. Gregory (N.S.W.), G. Hazlitt (V.), J. H. Pellew (S.A.), C. J. Eady (Tas.), H. Wright (S.A.), J. J. Kelly (N.S.W.). I do not think that Gregory or Kelly should have been selected to represent the rest of Australia, as both are N.S.W. batsmen.’ Their in-

elusion must tend to greatly decrease the Interest of the match, the title of which is misleading. It should be a N.S.W. eleven v. Rest of Australia. In the event of Gregory or Kelly making ibig scores against their own State it is difficult to see where the credit to the other States comes in.

The chief attraction of the English summer of 1907 will be the visit of Jthe South Africans, who since their lour in 1904 have managed to defeat the M.C.C. English team in four out of the five Test matches arranged there. This and the record of the last trip in this country (says the “ Sportsman”) have caused their claims to be thoroughly recognised, and though their drawing power may not be equal to that of the Australians, it has been decided to place them on practically an equality, and to arrange three Test matchels, to be carried out on similar lines and under the direction of the Board of Control.

There is a chance of an Indian eleven playing in England this year, with Rangitsinhji as their captain. New Zealand has also been invited to send a team.

On Saturday at Christchurch the first grade cricket competitions were continued. The weather was fine and the wickets good. The results' of the matches were as follows: —West Christchurch beat Sydenham by 93 runs in the first innings. West Christchurch, first innings, 301 (C. F. D. Cook 67, W. Reese 58). Sydenham, first innings, 208; second, 19 for five wickets. Riccarton beat Linwood by four runs on the first innings. Linwood, first innings, 367; Riccarton, first innings, 371 (K. S. Williams 61, E. T. Harper 182, W. A. Humphreys 57 not out). St. Albans beat East Ch ristchiirch by 85 runs. St. Albans, first innings, 264; second, 311 for six wickets (J. S. Barrett 71, B. B. Wood 150). East Christchurch, first innings, 179 (H. D. Goldsmith 79).

The return match between the M.C.C. Eleven and Otago resulted in the easy defeat of the latter. Going in first on a splendid wicket the visitors ran up 496, the highest score of the tour. Otago replied with 257, and accordingly had to follow on, when they could do not better than 144, thus losing a one-sided match by an innings and 95 runs.

It is bad news that Hemus will be unable to play in the -test matches against the Englishmen, as he was expected to do particularly well.