CRICKET GOSSIP.

Evening Star, Issue 3632, 13 October 1874, Page 2

CRICKET GOSSIP.

(By Shamrock.)

Once more the revolving year has brought our cricket reason, and, as of yore, the prevailing topic of conversation among cricketers is of matches to come and the prospects ql the season 1874-5. This particular season fraa certainly ' opened rather inanspiciously, so far, at le -«t, astbe weather is concern© 1. I am afpaid that the Englishman’s privilege of grnmb ing has been sadly abused of late by the jovial fraternity who delight in cricket. And no wonder ! The almost everlasting downpour of the last month has converted their beautiful ground into something better than a swamp or morass, which it will take weeks of line weather to dry up; and as, at this present moment, it is raining cats and dogs, the prospect of an early and favorable start is remote indeed. Barring the present unfavorable weather, however, there is every prospect qf the sea son just entered upon being a prosperous and successful one. The Dunedin Club starts with a fair balance in hand, thanks to the well-timed efforts of a few enthusiasts. a large accession to the roll of the Club’s members has been made, and the professional who came out last year re-engaged on very favorable terms. An indefatigable secretary too has kindly volunteered his services and already put a new and improved face on matters pertaining to the general good. Last Saturday there was to have been somu practice, hut the wretched weather precluded anything like satisfactory play. The Match Committee of the D.C. C. have published a list of matches for the season, consisting principally of challenge cup matches. These will require working up by the joint commuteshj, and ought to prove interestine and exciting. 6 There has been a good deal of speculation of late with regard to the probable visit of a Victorian team to New Zealand this season. .Negotiations are still pending, and should these en i unaatisfaelorily, and ihe Victorian cricketers find it impossible to come, the Utago players should endeavor to play both Canterbury and Auckland this season. Onr plucky confrere* in the North Island, who se spiritedly paid us a visit last year, will naturally expect the Utago cricketers- to take the earliest possible opportunity of returning the compliment. Otago will in any case require to send a team to Canterbury, and it might be arranged that the team so sent should proceed to Auckland after the Canterbury match, or play Auckland first and !

Canterbury on the way back. Should a Victorian foam come do an, of curs a it wool I bo out of the question to attempt to send » team to the far n< rth this season. ~ A jet in concludon, dash off a few ‘‘portraits” in miniature of some of our leading cricket ers. First and foremost comes lurtou, the beau ideal of a jjliy cricketer, and the stalwart hero of a hundred fights. He makes a capital snipper, fields splendidly at long leg, t rows in well, and, as a bat, is a determined slogger, with good defence ; hits terrifically at times ; has been known to* send a ball from the centre of \h \ ground into oneot the Caversbain’busses, Colli,isoncomes next m o-der of merit; batting is bis forte, and he is a caution lo makes when he gets hi* eye in. He is very cool and determined, plays straight, and presents plenty . f wood to the bowler’s onslaughts. We posse-see a thorough knowledge of the game, is a fair field near the wicket, and a goad change bowler. Kettle, or Charley, as his mcimate friends fami.iarly call him, comes next. He ia the prettiest bat in Otago; drives and cuts beautifully, and is a regular Stonewall Jackson at the wicket when he warms up to his work ; is the sma test field in the 1). C. 0. M‘Donnell, an inveterate “swiper” (no offence meant) stands for our next portrait. He goes in to score, and if the bowling is at all loose, makes runs fast; fields fairly on toe off side, bqt does not return quick enough. He is a fair change bowler. J. C. hj niton comes next on my list. He did not play with the U.C.C. last year, being absent from town, but this season will bo seen in his old form. He is a free hitter, with good defence, and easy style; a fast and straight round arm bowler, and smart field; alto- ‘ gather as good au all-round player as the PC. 0. can uroduce The five whose portraits ” I have thus attempted rapidly to sketch are amongst the oldest and most Enthusiastic supporters of the noble game in Dunedin, and 1 am glad to hear that they all intend to put in au appearance this season Thomson, Mor. ison, Glen, and D. K Rhodes are all good men, and mean play. Clarke played better last year than he has e»er yet done, and is steadily improving. Fred. Muir played very little la«t year. This is to be regretted, as with nractice and a little coaching from Paramor he ought to play well. Johnson played well towards the end of last session, acd ou ht to be iu good form this year. Lambert," t-'ark, Kennedy, Austin, and Brown are the most promising colts of the club. Among the more recent additions to our cricketing talent may be mentioned Meares, who is in flue form this year ; ha is a good wicket-keeper, and a free, yet steady and effective bat. Tait too, the Victoiian “duffer, - will, I believe turnout and try to play a little bit, Godby proved himself good last season, and will be found all there w’ben the proper time comes He is a first-class bat, and a valuable acquisition to any club. .-ext Sqturd4y, should; the weather prove fine enough, the openipg match of the season will oe played between au eleven captained by the retiring President, Mr Rattray, and one under the direction of Mr Beal, the President elect for this year.