CRICKET GOSSIP.

Evening Star, Issue 3638, 20 October 1874, Page 2

CRICKET GOSSIP.

{By Shamrock) . wc are not to have the pleasure of a visit from a Victorian team. The laconic announcement on the subject among the telegraphic items of neWsto hand last week, per s.s. Otago, finally sets that matter at rest, Engagements fearer home no donbt piecludeour Victorian cousins from venturing so tar abroad as New Zealand. The veterans of Mew South Wales have to be met probably twice during the season ■ South Australia has just entered the lists! aud is eagerly waiting an opportunity to win her cricketing spurs; and fair Tasmania too will exptet her share of attention from Victoria’s cricketing magnates. We must, therefore, bow murmuriugly to fate, make a virtue A.f necessity, and live in the hope of welcoming a Victorian team next year, when we shall be, or at any rate ought to be, better able to give them a warm and satisfactory m eptiou. ft is a matter of regret, however, that they eannet come this season A visit from a first-class Australian team would produce results similar to those which followed the three successive visits of English teams to Australia. Weaknessoa and defects would be exposed, and models for imitation provided. Opinions will, of coarse, differ as to the chances of New Zealand cricketers would have against a picked Australian team, 'Christchurch, for instance, proposed to play on even terms, and would not hear of handicapping— very plucky and independent no doubt ; but I fancy such a match would be a most one sided affair. I have seen the best teams in New Zealand play, and have also witnessed the performances of most of the cracks ”on the other side, and it is my humble opinion that a first-class Victorian team would beat any twenty-two in this Colony nine matches out of ten. This statement, basud upon observation and experience, may be taken for what it is worth, and will no douht be received cum gram sails by many, sceptical Mew Zealanders.

X understand that a complimentary dinner is to be given to Mr Rattray prior to hia departure for hnrope, No one has done more for cricket in Dunedin than Mr Rattray “Take him for all in all, we'shall not look upunhia like again.” Aa president of the Dunedin. O'ricket Club, he has ever taken the liveliest interest in its welfare and progress, and has spared neither time nor trouble to promote the best interest aof the game. No unnecessary fuss is ever made about anything he undertakes to do : ho is one of those rare spirits who “do good by stealth and blush to find it fame.” All cricketers will cordially wish him ben vogage [We believe, owing to Mr Rattray having to leave the Colony earlier than was expected, the proposed dinner will pot take place. All cricketers here would have be-m glad to have had the opportunity of doing honor to one who has done so much to advance the game.—Ed.]

A change, a pleasant change, has at last come o’er the spirit of our dream. Fine summer weather has apparently set in, and cricketers rejuioe accordingly. Last Saturday proving unexceptionably fine, a large number (for a first day) of spectatois and, players put in an appearance on the South Dunedin Recreation Ground j and, notwithstanding the very wet and soft condition of the turf, some practice was indulged in on the highest and driest parts of the oval. Judging froni the numbers who turned out, and the evident interest and enthusiasm evinced, it only requires opportunities to be provided and our players will enter as heartily as ever into this favorite pastime. .Next Saturday the opening match of the season will be played between two elevens, captained respectively by Messrs Beal and Rattray. The following are the players chosen :~Messrs Beal (captain), Kettle, Tait, Glen, Godby, Allan, J. (J, Thomson, Austin, Brown, D. K. Rhodes, Park, Rose, arid Russell v. Messrs Rattray (captain) Meares, J. C. Fulton, Turton, Colliuson, Clark, Lambert, M‘Donald, Johnston, H. Rhodes, F. Muir, Webster, andF. Fulton.