A CRICKET REMINISCENCE.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18216, 29 October 1924, Page 11

A CRICKET REMINISCENCE.

TO THE ■EDITOR OF "THE TSESS." Sir,—The visit of Mrs C. T. Studd to Christchurch this week on behalf of the Heart of Africa Mission (in which she and her husband and children are so keenly interested) recalls to memory a cricket episode wherein Mr C. T. Studd participated in far-off days. That was in the test match at the Oval on August 2Sth-29th, 18S2, when Australia beat England by seven runs after a sensational finish. Englaud had So to get to win, and were 51 for one, when the mighty Spofforth got to work with his lightning deliveries and wrought havoc amongst the cream of English cricketers. Mr Studd, then in the forefront of the game, second only to Grac-o himself, had Pcate as his last, partner. Owing to the rapid fall of wickets Studd had had no chance to score. The occasion being critical, I'eate was instructed to "block," leaving Studd to get the runs, as ho was quite able to do. The Yorkshire bowler, however, failed to realise the situation, and had a smack at one of Boyle's tricky ones. The inevitable happened, Pcato lost his wicket , and lost a memorable test match which will for ever remain a. great incident in the national game, when the now famous "ashes" were brought south of the equator. Mrs Studd's presence in Christchurch brings back to my mind many memories of tho great Summer sport, nottbo least of which is the pleasure her distinguished husband gave to many thousands by his wonderful cricket, and the great, sacrifice he made when he surrendered all that seemed to make life worth living to go out to the Far East on behalf of the China Inland Mission.—Yours, etc., ANGLO-COLONIAL. Christchurch, October L'Sth.