CRICKET.

Globe, Volume VII, Issue 719, 9 October 1876, Page 3

CRICKET.

The Midland Canterbury Cricket Club opened their season on Saturday last with a match of Eleven v Twenty-two. Tbe ground was in very fair condition, and promises this year, if properly looked after, to be in better condition than it has done for some considerable time past, the improvement being mainly attributable to the top-dressing it received la»t year. T. S. Sweet was chosen captain for the Eleven, and G. Turner in a like capacity for the Twenty-two; the former having won the toss elected to go in, and sent Sampson and Reeder to the wicketa, to the bowling of G. A. Taylor and G. Turner, Sampson was soon out Ibw, after having made three runs. He shows good defence this year, and with practice on this ground will soon improve his Dcnedin form. Ashby joined Beeder, .but almost directly the latter lost his wicket by a very nice break-back ball from Taylor, who throughout the innings bowled remarkably well. Fowler joined Ashby, and the impression that a score by these two would be made was shortly dispelled by Ashby being bowled by a very simple ball from Turner. Alpe went to the rescue of the Eleven to make a score, and Fowler, who was playing very carefully, and makiug occasional singles, made a short stand together, when Fowler allowed another good ball of Taylor's to pass his bat, and thus cause his retirement, after making eight patient Bingles. Fuller, in trying to lift his second ball, had to succumb to a shooter, and Alpe waß shortly after bowled off his pad, after making 11, comprising one veTy clean hit to leg for 4, one 2, and five Binglea. D'Emden, who is greatly out of practice, not having played last year, was clean bowled after making 1, but we hope to see him regularly in attendance when practice commences, and are certain he will prore an acquisition to any eleven. Sweet started with one of his gallery hits to long off f oi 3, and was shortly after missed at cover point, and after adding 3 more to hie score was takgn at cover point on giving another chance. This gentleman should practice hitting alonj the ground a little more. Dixon, Monck, and Frith did not materially alter the score, and the innings closed for the small total of 4t, the bowling of Turner and Taylor being very good, especially that of tho latter. The neHing of the twenty-two, with a few exceptions was very good, Mclntyre at point, and Palme; at cover point, being especially noticeable, and we must not omit the long stopping of Jill. A short interval, and the eleven ttok the field, Palmer and Mclntyre facing thebowling of Fuller and Frith. Palmer was rm out in the third over, on a badly judged mn, after showing some good style and defence. This gentleman will certainly prove an add. tioii to the strength of the club, and we shah look to him for a good score or two this

season, being also a very good field. Tho Twenty-two made a very poor stand, the bowling of Frith and Fuller being too much for them so early in the season, and it is quite evident a man forgets how to use the bat mueh sooner than he does how to trundle the ball, as the Bmall scores of Satur day will show. Poore, Chapman, and H. S, Smith made short stands; although the latter only made one, he showed better defence than any other man of the Twentytwo, which the eleven acknowledged on his eventually being bowled; although only a junior member, he is one that many seniors might take an example from, in his very straight play, and we hope, some day, to see in him a good Canterbury bat.