CRICKET NOTES.

Evening Star, Volume VII, Issue 2063, 15 December 1869, Page 2

CRICKET NOTES.

[To the Editor of the Eveninq Star.)

Sir, —On Saturday afternoon I witnessed on the D.C.C. ground one of the worst played games I have seen for a long time. Sides were chosen by Messrs Haddock and Collinson, and, as usual, the latter’s aide won easily. It is true the howling on Maddocks’s aide was bad, and most of the fielding, if possible, worse than you would see in a “muff” match. The fact that Collinson’s side scored 25 byes will show at once that there was a screw loose somewhere ; but in addition to this, the aides were most unevenly matched, Mr Collinson —as is now the general ride —having far the best of them in every respect. I certainly will say for b i in that he always manages to get on the winning side; but there is not the least credit due for it, for in the last three or four scratch matches, the fact of his side having won each of them by upwards of 100 runs, will show any one that the sides cannot have been evenly chosen, unless we are to attribute these frequent victories as owing to his (Mr Collins ms) superior play, and judgment as captain, &c., a sequence I for one fail to sec. It is true he made a big score of 57 on Saturday, but then he was missed his second ball by longstop (an easy catch), and also two or three times after ijathe field, and a large part of his score, as also that of Kettle, was made by bad fielding, overthrows, &c. The latter also Bad two qr three lives given him. I think the result of last four or rjve scratch matches must clearly prpve'to everybody that in the next one that is played, sides ought to he chosen by some other two members, for I must say that either Mr Maddock docs not choose well, or Mr Collinson must know too much of the different members’ play—otherwise why should his side always win so easily, thereby taking away any interest we outsiders, or rather I should say lookers-on, would otherwise feel in the game ? There is another thing that took place on Saturday that I cannot pass over without specially noticing, and that was (what would bo called in any other c’.uh) the cool request of Mr Collinson for an adjournment in the middle of his innings for refreshment; and I was much surprised at Mr Maddock and the umpires allowing such a thing to take place.

The game was nearly broken up in consequence, and had it been so it would have been entirely their fault. If Mr Collinson wanted anything to drink could it not have been brought to the wickets for him ? but I suppose he presumes that as secretary of the club, he can do what he likes. lam sure had any one on the opposite side proposed such a thing, be as captain would instantly have refused it. lam afraid Mr Collinson presumes too much on his position as secretary of the D.C.C. However, in conclusion, Mr Editor, I hope that this letter will have some good effect, and that for the rest of the season we shall see something better than last Saturday’s miserable exhibition of cricket, is the earnest wish of—Yours, &c., Old Cricketer.