GREAT PROVINCIAL CRICKET MATCH AT ELLERSLIE.

Auckland Star, Volume IV, Issue 1206, 5 December 1873, Page 3

GREAT PROVINCIAL CRICKET MATCH AT ELLERSLIE.

The Interprovincial and Auckland teams started this morning at 9.30 from Shortlandstreet corner with the view of playing a game of cricket at Ellerslie. The morning was somewhat cloudy, but the sun at length shone forth with the glorious promise of a fine day. The men appeared in first-rate trim, and none the worse for their joyous and triumphant reception at the Choral Hall last night. The ride thither was characterised by fun, repartee, and the contents of numbers of copies of " Bell's Life." The ground^ at Ellerslie was in excellent order, and is far superior for the game of cricket than either the Barrack field or the Domain ; and it is expected that next season it will be all that can be desired. A beautiful fresh breeze was blowing over the field, which had a most exhilirating influence, and subversive of anything like lassitude of feeling. A few old cricketers and admirers of the sport were present, and several larks overhead filled the air with music. Mr Rice, one of the principal promoters of the match, was present, taking a feeling interest in every turn of the game. Mr Alderton acted as umpire for the Interprovincial, and Mr Leggett for the Auckland eleven. The wickets were pitched at 11". 30, and the Interprovincial went in first. Cotton and Lankham took their bats, and faced each other with, a determined attitude for play. The air rang with fchree cheers as the fine forms of these- men appeared at their post. Mr W. Robinson was captain of the Interprovincial team, and Mr Rees of the Aucklanders. After three runs Cotton was bowled out by Rees, and resigned his bat. Yates then went in and appeared in splendid order. Lankham made several successful hits as though he meant play, and obtained two runs by his first vigorous hit and by his next three runs. Yates by a magnificent strike made four, and continued for some time to add to his score by twos and threes. There was some capital fielding on the other side. Then followed a maiden over bowled by Steadman, and a second by Connell. Lankham cleverly blocked several of Steadman's insinuating balls. Yates also had several narrow escapes from the careful howling of Rees, but at one blow? sent the ball flying into the air as though recovering his selfpossession, and reached the elevating number of 26 without being foiled. The bowling for a time seemed to fiag, when Yates with another active stroke sent the ball across the field, and placed three more to his credit. Lankham made several hasty hits without making a simple addition. Again Yates marked three by what appeared a fluke by Rees, and five by a splendid ondrive (immense cheering). Lankham revived, and by an easy effort enlarged his score by three. By several successful strokes Yates altered his score to forty-seven. At length Yates was caught out by Sherwell off Rees' bowling, leaving his score sixty-six. The batting of Yates was universally admired, and on leaving with his bat he was greeted with a continued round of applause and clapping of hands. Lankham at length succumbed to the bowling of Connell with a score of thirty-seven, amid the applause of the people. Bellers and Dufaur then marched in succession to the wickets and proceeded to exercise their skill. Dufaur made several ineffectual strokes, and raised the dust, but not the ball, and subsequently by slips and side hits succeeded in making figures. He then made several capital strokes, and obtained several runs, when the bell rang for lunch. On the game being resumed Connell began bowling to Dufaur, who gave a chance to Rees at short-slip off the first ball. Rees .continued at the other end, and Dufaur again narrowly escaped being' caught, this time at point. Bellers now made a good drive for two ofTßees, and in the same over a hit for,three to square-leg. Bellers cut Connell in the h^ over for one. The following quintete from Rees was only productive of one a drive by Beliefs; Dufaur was not batting with his accustomed freedom, and appeared to be stuck up somewhat by the slows. A cut by Bellers off Rees for one was now made into two by an overthrow. After Bellers had made a good drive to the onside for two, Rees tried another of his chimney pots which nearly descended on the bades, and seemed to take Bellers very much aback. In attempting a short run Dufaur was very nearly run out, but revenged himself directly afterwrads by driving Rees for three. The score had now totalled 150, and both batsmen were warming to their work. After making another run-Bellars; hit one to the off, which was allowed to pass by the fieldsman, and the men ran; but -Davies threw the ball in quickly, and Rees put the wicket down before Bellers.," could ground his hat, four wickets .for 152. Alpe followed but was bowled b,y Connell the second ball without scoring. .^Mumford was next man. By this time (2.30)" several'omnibus loads of spectators had arrived from Auckland, and the ground began to assume a more lively appearance. Mumford next went in, and after scoring a single was stumped out by Horan. 164 for six wickets. King took his place and -took- -an over from Rees and Connell,' scoring two singles, one good hit to the "off from the slows being finely fielded by Bell. King was then .bowled by Connell off his legs. Sharp work was made of the rest of the team. Dufaur was bowled by Connell for a well-played innings of 13. Robinson was caught from a ball from Rees, which cannoned from point into the wicket keeper's hands, and" Buckland carried liis bat out for 6. The innings closed at three o'clock for 168. ' REPRESENTATIVES. Cotton, b Rees .... 3 Lankham, b Connell ... 37 _es, c Sherwell b Rees 66 ">\j3rs, run out_ ... 26 r %.«aur, b Connell 13 i^lpe, b Connell 0 Mumford, st. Horan b Rees ... ... 1 b Connell .. 2 Auckland, not out ... ... ... 6 ttobinson, c Horan b Rees ... ... 3 Extras ..,-. ... 11

out °Rnell's bowlingwas magnificent through