CRICKET EXTRA ORDINARY.

Dunstan Times, Issue 776, 2 March 1877, Page 3

CRICKET EXTRA ORDINARY.

A correspondent writes:—“Mr W. G. Grace’s display of cricketing at Canterbury, fine as it was, is nothing to what he. did at Little Wapshot, against twenty-two of Wapshnt and Beeswing. As a report has not been sent to the daily papers, 1 venture to trouble you with a short account. Mr Grace (who, it should be mentioned, played single-handed against the twenty-two) won the toss, and went in to the bowling of Suiffkins and Jobson. Thermometer, 92 in the shade. In the first over he made four skeyers, eight each, and continued to score rapidly. Sniffkins having a slight attack of sunstroke, retired at the end of half-an-hour in favor of J Ilyboy. Scare 100, and thermometer 97. W. G. now cut Jobson for 20 (the ball was sent clean over the village, and lodged in t le rector’s cucumber frames—this is vouched for), and afterwards collared Jollyboy’s slows. 200, and the'thermometer 100. Jobson feeling faint, Popgee took bis place, but with no difference in the state of affairs—234 and the thermometer still rising. Jollyboy now collapsed, and the beat was so intense that it was decided to serve out iced claret cup every ten minutes. W. G., however, refused all refreshment, and looked quite cool and collected. By mid-day the score stood at 724. W. G. bail been at the wickets six hours (play had commenced at six, as it was desired to have a good long day), and had never given a chance. At one the score had risen to 973, and IV. G. complained of being a little warm, bftt offered to play through luncheon time, if the other side liked. It was thought better to adjourn, as the thermometer was 105 in the shade, W. G. ate butlittlo, contenting himself with a spoonful of Worcester sauce and a few peppermint drops. At two play was resumed, the twenty-two men being six short (all Suffering from sunstroke). W. G.’s first was a “ hot ’nu” off Garboyls—a clean square hit to leg for 34. At three two more men were down with sunstroke, and white umbrellas were supplied to those remaining. Score, 1,142. At halt-past three W. G. ate an Abernethy biscuit and an anchovy, but declined drinks of all kind:;. Thermometer 93. It was now thought advisable to change the bowlers every live minutes, as six more men had been seised with sunstroke. The Wapshots were now reduced to eight men —the score at I.3fid. W. G. togan to hit, in earnest, and the numbers rapidly rose to 1.(500. In the meantime two of the other side had been carried away in a fainting condition, but the others, though sorclv distressed, manfully struggled on until it, was six, when it was declared to be useless to play any more. \V, G. carried out bis bat for 2,001 by as fine an exhibition or good all-round cricket aa we would wish to See. He had been at the wickets exactly twelve hours, and declared himself in rl adineas to go in the next day, but the Wap duns declined. 1 forgot to and shat eleven batj were broken during the match.