Ladies' Cricket Match.

Cromwell Argus, Volume V, Issue 236, 19 May 1874, Page 7

Ladies' Cricket Match.

(Bendlgo Advertiser-, April 8.) It certainly required a very considerable amount of courage on the part of the ladies to undertake to play a cricket match in public. The thing was unprecedented as far as Australia was. concerned, and such a remark* able event as a ladies' cricket match has seldom happened in the old country —the home of cricket. The cause in which they were engaged, however—that of " heavenbom charity"—overcame all scruples, and they came nobly forward to aid the destitnto and the suffering. Sandhurst has the honour of turning out the first twenty-two lady cricketel's, and from the exhibition of their capabilities yesterday in this new field of love's labour they have added an additional charm to the game of cricket, and shown that, as a healthy exercise, it is alike fitted for the gentler as for the sterner sex. The match was originated in aid of the funds of the hospital and asylum, and the large crowd of spectators who gathered yesterday to witness it evinced an amount of public interest in it far beyond what was expected. For some weeks past the ladieo had been practising the game on the Back Creek cricket ground, kindly placed at their disposal by the 8.U.0.C, and the progress which they made was astonishing, for they picked up the points of the game with wonderful aptitude. At first it was expected that Lhey should play in the bloomer continue, as being less likely to interfere with their freedom of movement than any other, but j the innovation was considered too startling for a British community, and the idea was given up in favour of an attire of the ordi- ] nary shaped dress, made of calico, with a] coloured Jacket to distinguish the respective sides. These dresses the ladies purpose handing over as gifs to the charities. ■ The game was intended to be played on the Back Creek cricket ground, but unforeseen circuni- j stances prevented it Baking place there, and it wae played in the Camp reserve. Atone j o'olock,-.the ladies, in full costume,' arrived in three carriages. Their appearance was very pretty and picturesque, and they were loudly applauded by the- on-lookers. It was suddenly discovered that though tho ladies brought bats and wickets, they had forgotten the ball, but this difficulty was got over by one of the umpires producing one of Duke's best. The respective captains having tossed for innings, it was decided that the Iteds should go to the bat; and they secured a total of 62 runs before the last wicket fell. The highest scorer was Mir>g Kate Petrie, who obtained 27 runs. This young lady not. only acquitted herself well with the bat, but she trundled the ball with effect. Miss Nellie Rae distinguished herself by smart fielding, effecting a capital catch by which a good bat, Miss Clay, was got rid of. Miss J. Mur dock proved herself a first-rate bowler. After the lapse of half an hour the Beds took the field, and they put their opponents out for 83 runs. Miss B. Rao was top scorer with 3(5, not out; while Miss (Jerber scored 10, and besides did good execution with the ball, bowling underhand with precision, and lowering six. wickets. Miss Clay caught out Miss Luthwhyte by a splendid left-hand catch, which evoked tremendous applause, and brought the innings to a close. One innings each only was played, and victory, therefore, rested with tho blues. Mr Coffin acted as scorer. When the ladies had assembled ill the booth, Mr Abbot, chairman of the Hospital Committee, thanked tho ladies for the successful effort which they had made on behalf of the charities, and the gentlemen present sang, " They are jolly good fellows." Mrs Rae, on behalf of the ladies, replied, stating the ladies had thoroughly enjoyed the game, and had the utmost gratification in knowing that their efforts had beon pro ductive of a substantial addition to the funds of the charities.