CRICKET.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 345, 20 February 1902, Page 2

CRICKET.

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright

•SYDNEY, Feb.-19. The Daily Telegraph says that, dej'lived of the service of their best bowler, and admittedly weak in that deputt mem. the English players were palpably handicapped, though whether to an extent commensurate"with such a flushing defeat, is fur experts to suy. As will lie remembered, the Australians achieved one of their victories under equal deprivation. There were some compensations to the Englishmen, such as the extraordinary bowling success of Jessop. The collapse is doubtless ascribable partly to the excellence of the bowling and partly to the infectious rot which often irresistibly impels the bravest men to run because their neighbors do so. It is worth while remembering that the vanquishing of Maclaren's" team does not mean t-he defeat of the representatives of English cricketing. The Herald says that the test match was won on its merits. The batting, bowling, and catching were ahead of that of the visitors, who excelled in ground work. The features of the contest were the great uphill hatting in the first innings, after a bad start, the bowling of Saunders and Noble, and the magnificent, wicket-keeping of Kelly. Noble considers the match was won by Saunders and Kelly, and this opinion is endorsed by other experts. The former’s success was due to his being a new bowler to the Englishmen. The form of Kelly behind the wickets was exceptionally line.

NORTH V. SOUTH ISLAND.

[By Telegraph—Tress Association.] Christchurch, last night,

At a meeting of the Cricket Council it was decided to try and play the North Island v. South Island match at Wellington during Easter time.