CRICKET.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 835, 26 February 1877, Page 2

CRICKET.

THE EIGHTEEN.

On Saturday there was a large number of spectators on the ground to witness onr men exercising, many, no doubt, being also under the impression that the All England team would put in an appearance some time during the afternoon. However, it became soon known that in consequence of the flooded state of the West Coast rivers, the latter team could not reach town that night, so the interest of the spectators then became centred on the play of our representatives.

Speaking first of the ground, it may he said that it is really worth the walk out to see, and we do not remember that it lias looked better at any time than it does at present, and certainly reflects the highest credit on Napier, who, in so short a time, has transformed it from the dreadfully bad state it was in when he took charge. This is also very noticeable in the absence of the once-existing bare spots, which used to be such a nuisancs in many respects. After some net practice, the eighteen adjourned to the old pavilion for the purpose of electing a captain. The choice of the ti am fell on Mr E. Fowler, and certainly the selection mads for this onerous post has given very general satisfaction. After getting through this part of the business, the eighteen practised hard until six o’clock, under their captain, at a wicket prepared by Napier. It was was patent at first that the bonding was too good for some of the bats, but after a little time a very marked improvement took place in the latter department. Each player had his allotted time at the wicket, the bowlers being also changed at intervals. Some of the fielding w-ia rather loose, but in some instances would have been better bad the ground been kept quite clear. Longstop was iu splendid form throughout, and it is to be hoped will continue in such good play during the match.

ALL-ENGLAND ELEVEN v. EIGHTEEN OF CANTERBURY.

It is thirteen years this month since the first All England Eleven visited Canterbury and played a match agaiust Twenty two. It lasted three days, and was won by the Eleven in one innings. Since then, however, cricket has undergone great changes in Christchurch. We miss old familiar names and faces, but in their places wc have got as good, aye, and better men than in the days of yore.

The visit of the present team has been talked about and looked forward to as a really good treat for the public, and the match, one from which our, young cricketers would reap very great advantage by seeing how cricket really ought to be played. It has been stated that the English Eleven are admittedly the strongest bowling team that has ever played together out of England, but their batting strength is riot up to Grace’s team, and it was against the former strong feature our men knew they had most to contend.

! The Englishmen arrived by the lirst train from Malvern, aud proceeded at once in Millett’s four-ip-hand drag to Eadcliffc’s Commercial Hotel' for breakfast. Shortly before noon, they were again piloted by Mr i Millet to the ground, where they were I warmly received by those present. The weather was all that could bo’ desired—the heat Of the day being modified by a gentle H.E. breeze—and, from 12 oiclook, flie somewhat dusty road to the Park was lined with loaded ’busses, cabs, and pedestrians, many of the latter, however, taking advantage of the short cut through the gardens. On arriving at the ground we were pleased to see how .Napier had pushed along with his work, as it was throughout not unlike a bowling green. The finishing touch had been put on the wicket, which it is needless to say was a splendid one, and the ground, as a whole, looked a picture. The wickets were pitched north and south, a large strip of canvas, longer than usual, being placed at each end, to prevent the batsman's attention being distracted from the bowler. As at the interprovincial match, a printing-office was erected on the ground, and at the fall of each wicket a card showing the score was obtainable on all portions of the ground. There were a number of refreshment stalls at intervals, which were fairly patronised by the large concourse which had assembled before play commenced. The following are the particulars of trie game ; Pxkst Day. Lillywhitc, having won the toss, naturally enough elected to send his own men in first. At fifteen minutes to one, Canterbury, beaded by their captain, appsared to take the he’d amid loud and prolonged applause from all parts of the ground, tbo principal positions Icing filled as follows: 15. Fowler Ccapiain), wicketj IT, W. Moore, point; Sampson, square leg; OlHvier, long log ; Watson, long oil; Sccretan, inid off • Sweet, third man; Fuller, slip; Leach, covfef point. The appearance of Jupp and Chariwood to take their place at the wickets was also the signal for loud cheering, which was heartily joined in by the Canterbury men. Frith opened the ball on Japp at the north end, who played the second one away for a single. The third and fourth were both played. Sweet trundled from theaoulh end, and off his second ball a bye was run, and the last in the over Cbarhvood put to leg for 1. Frith’s second ball In the next ov'ef was put into the slips by Chari wood for 2; Hia nest ball following suit was taken ty

Sweet, but was too high to hold and resulted in a single being scored. Sweet’s next over was a maiden. Frith now seemed to be dead on the spot, the batsman having to play every ball, and this also was also a maiden. Chari wood put Sweet to the off for 1, and his next to leg for 2. No results off the two last balls. Frith again with a maiden. A bye was run off Sweet’s first in the next over, and the third ball Oharlwood hit hard to the off, but it was well and quickly returned by Secretan, thus saving a score Frith rgain bowled another maiden, making the third in succession—lo now appeared on the telegraph board. In the next, a bye was got off Sweot’s second ball. Charlwood hit Frith’s second to the off for 1, and also cut the last of Sweet’s for another. Frith with his second ball clean bowled Charlwood with a beautiful bail ball—l 4-1 —7. Selby took the wicket to receive the rest of the over without adding to the score, Jnpp cut Sweet for 1, and he then gave Selby one on the thigh, which he did not, and could not be expected, to relish. Oft' Frith’s last ball .lupp was beautifully caught in the slips by Fuller-15—2 —4. Ulyett now appeared. Sweet with his second ball in the next over clean bowled Selby amid loud applause from all parts of the ground—ls- B—o. Greenwood now went in, and put Sweet’s third ball to the off for 1, which was well returned by Sampson. Frith was here brought face to face with Greenwood, and treated him to a maiden, ail the balls being well pitched, Uiyelt then hit Sweet to leg for I. Frith repeated himself in his next over. Greenwood then hit Sweet’s third ball for 2 very prettily. Ulyett returned one low down to Frith which he failed to stop, the result being 1. Greenwood scored one off the last iu this over. The captain appealed for a catch, which was given not out, Ulyett put Sweet’s first in next over into the slips for 1, and the third one Greenwood put to the eff for another. Frith seemed to get better on the spot every over, and sent down another maiden. Sweet's first one played by the batsman was beautifully taken by Fowler behind the wicket, and Ulyett had to retire, 21—4—3, Shaw was the next man, and hit the first in the over from Sweet to leg for 1, but the rest or the over was not touched for anything. Shaw now received o ie from Frith, and the second he put up for 1, but it was out of the reach of the field. Shaw put the third ball off Sweet to long slip for I, Frith, in his second ball, clean bowled Shaw with a magnificently pitched bill—24—s—3. The Canterbury people now seemed to bo very jubilant, and many were the expressions ns to the probable number the Eleven would make. Armitage, the sixth man, now esme to receive Frith’s remaining two balls of bis over. Sweet next emt down a maiden. A'miiags drove the third off Frith to mid on, which Gorfe failed to slop, the rc-ult being a single. Sweet next sent down another maiden. Off Frith’s first ball in next over Greenwood was beautifully caught low down by Neilsou, for which he received loud applause .—2(j-(! —4 Emmett (left-handed) was the next to take the remainder of the over, and put che first to the off for 1 ; Armitage following suit for 2. In the next ball, he was excellently caught at mid on by Secvetan off Sweet —30 —7 —3, The teams now adjourned for lunch, withsoven Englishmen out for 28. On resuming after lunch the ground was literally lined with spectators and there must fiave been at least from five to six thousand persons present. The band enlivened the proceedings during the interval with some choice selections of music. At a few minutes past three the ground was cleared, and Emmett, the not out, along with Lillywhite issued from the pavilion to take the wickets. Ihe wind, which up to this had leoi light, now increased a little, and was rather puffy. Lillywhite received the last of Sweet’s, which he played. Frith now opened on Emmett, which resulted in a maiden. Sweet next went on at Lillywhite, which also proved a maiden. Frith again sent down a maiden to Emmett. Lillywhite drove Sweet’s first for 2. In Frith’s next ball Emmett was cleverly caught by Alpe at longstop—32 —B—2.8 —2. Hill, the ninth man, now appeared, and there were hopes entertained that he would help to swell the total. He played the remainder of Enth’s over very carefully, which was a maiden. Sweet, not to be beaten, sent down another maiden. Hill cut Frith’s second for 1. The next ball Emmett skied to point, but from some misunderstanding the hit was not taken —34—B—2.8 —2. The following are the scores up to the time of our express leaving : —- ALL ENGLAND. First Innings. Jopp, I, 2,3, c Fuller b Frith -- ... 4 Charlwood, 1,2, 1,1, 1,1, b Frith ... 7 Selby, 0, b Sweet 0 Ulyett, 1,1, 1, c Fowler, b Sweet ... 3 Greenwood, 1,2, 1, c Neilson, b Frith 4 Shaw, 1,1, I, b Frith 3 Armitage, 1,2, c Secretan, _b Sweet ... 3 Emmett, 1,1, c Alpe, b Frith ... 2 Lillywhite, 2, not out - Hill, notout •• 0 Byes, 1,1, 1,1 4 Total 32