THE AUSTRALIAN ELEVEN.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2150, 15 January 1881, Page 2

THE AUSTRALIAN ELEVEN.

The minds of the cricketers of Christchurch are, at present, somewhat exercised. Two or three days ago a letter appeared in onr contemporary the “Press” calling in question the wisdom of Canterbury playing the Australian team with only fifteen men. Tho writer, speaking generally, went on tho principle that onr victory in 1878 was a fluke; that the present Australian team, having played so long together, is stronger than the last: and that our own players are weaker. As the coming match is exciting a groat deal of attention, the writer’s remarks were, naturally, criticised with considerable eagerness, and the “ young blood ” of the province appeared not altogether pleased. And really they had some reason for tho writer has advanced propositions which ho has asked his readers to accept as facts, and has based his whole theory on them. Indeed, all his three statements are open to objection. Tho Australians, when they were last here, had two innings, and in neither can they bo said to have “ collared the bowling.” Horan’s score of 58 was tbo highest. None of our outsiders scored in the marvellous way that outsiders sometimes do, so our runs may be said to have been fairly earned. There seems no valid reason, then, why we should “ foul our own nest” by saying the whole affair was a “ flake. ’ Again, we doubt whether the present Australian team will play so

much stronger than the last. Two or three of the best men who appeared last time will be absent this time, and, besides, there is such a thing as over-practice, and it is very possible that the Australians may have become somewhat “ stale ” by this time. And, lastly, wo doubt whether our own team will be so much weaker. Our bowling is, perhaps, not so good, but our batting has, on the whole, improved. Anyhow, we trust and expect that the fifteen will make a good stand. Although, no doubt, the betting is heavily against them, it would be foolish to be downhearted about a mere matter of prestige. Fifteen of our men beat the team that electrified the English cricketing world very shortly afterwards, having had no further practice to speak of. That is a fact, and if it bo the fashion to call it a fluke, let ns try for anotht” one. Anyhow, we cannot but think that the public would rather see a fifteen play than a twenty-two. If the fifteen are beaten, the two teams will be but quits, and our men will have received a wholesome lesson in the noble art. We recommend the fifteen to study Henry the Fifth’s speech before a certain celebrated battle:— “ What’s he that wishes so ?

My cousin Westmoreland ? No, my fair

cousin : If we are marked to die, we are enow To do our country loss : and if to live, The fewer men, the greater share of honor,”