CRICKET EXTRAORDINARY.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2153, 19 January 1881, Page 3

CRICKET EXTRAORDINARY.

AUSTRALIA v. CANTERBURY. For some time past the most important match of their tour through New Zealand has been looked forward to by all who take an interest in the noble game. At an early hour many an anxious glance was cast to the southwest, to see if the threatening rain was likely to put a stop to the anticipated pleasure of thousands. Fortunately the sun rose in all his splendour and dispelled the angry clouds which had commenced to take possession of the horizon, and the result was the most charming weather it was possible to conceive for the long-looked-for contest, which has created such a stir in the midst of our cricketloving community. Although play was not to begin until noon each day, long before that hour the road to the ground presented a sight worthy of on English Darby or a Melbourne Cup Day. Carriages of all descriptions were to bo seen, thronged with occupants, wending their way towards the ground. Upon my arrival I found that it was utterly impossible to obtain a glimpse of the play, the crowd was so dense, and every coign of vantage was occupied. Such n number of spectators exceeded my most sanguine expectations, and I was at a loss to know how I was to fulfil my engagement with you to report the match. At lust I espied a vacant spot on the topmost pinnacle of the United Clubs’ Pavilion —but bow to get there ? After much labor, and ;he aid of many friends, I at last found myielf in a somewhat uncomfortable and precarious situation, and you must therefore ixcuso my shortcomings in this report, as at imes, in order to provide for my personal lafety, it was impossible to observe the whole >f the ploy. Shortly after the time appointed, the Ausiralian Eleven, led by their gallant captain Murdock, who had lost the toss, sallied forth 'rom their pavilion amidst the enthusiastic ippliiuto of the spectators. Having taken heir places in the field, the umpires w. re text to put in an appearance, and, much to oy joy, I saw that the selection committee lad taken my advice and asked Mr Wag to ill the responsible position for Canterbury, as le was the only person in the province capable .f undertaking the arduous task ; and I was still more delighted when I found that “ Admirer of Cricket ” was scorer and telegraphist. The early batsmen did not fulfil the expectations farmed of them from their skill dis played in practice, but these reverses seemed to please the spectators immensely, ns they cheered Spoffy to the echo when ho dismissed another batsman. The Demon was at his worst, and played sad havoc amongst the colts, who were shaking in their shoes. The pluck of the tried men was of no avail against such destructive bowling. After several wickets had fallen to the mighty Spoffy the crowd cheered lustily, and the Damon, by way of recognition, stood upon his head and cut other capers between the wickets, which caused him to bo reprimanded severely by Mr Wag for an infringement of the rules, the result being a long and angry altercation as to which rule had been violated. No satisfactory conclusion being arrived at, the game was allowed to proceed. By this time the “ Country Colt ” had settled down to work, and punished Palmer and Boyle most unmercifully, while he continued to play the Demon for singles. Various tactics were resorted to by the Australian captain to dislodge this troublesome batsman, but without avail. Spoffy tried all his usual tricks, even to running fast up to the wicket and pretending to bowl but putting the wicket down instead. It was all to no purpose, the "Country Colt" remained undefeated, and would probably have carried out his bat had not his stubborn defence raised the anger of (he Demon, who now commenced to bowl with terrific pace, and at last succeeded in hitting the Colt on the log, which caused him to retire. Several doctors were quickly in attendance, and,after along consultation, decided that amputation was the only means to prevent gaatro-onteritis sotting in. Upon hearing this decision the “ Colt,’’ thinking his time bad come, was heard to exclaim that his opinion with regard to the number of players which should have represented Canterbury in the match had changed, and, instead of Fifteen, the number should have been reduced to eight, as the bowling was not nearly so difficult to pUy as ho had anticipated, but I can scarcely agree with him, and think his success against Spoffy and the others marred his bettor judgment. Having expressed contrition for all previous offences it was decided to t pare the limb, and I am glad to say the “ Colt ”is likely to recover. The spectators were tremendously excited, and it was not until Mr Way announced in a very authoritative manner that he would “ no ball ” the Demon if he again attempted to bowl fast, that the game was allowed to proceed. After the retirement of the “Country Colt,” the Canterbury innings soon closed, and upon reference to Mr 11 Admirer of Cricket ” I learnt that the score had reached 49, of which the “Country Colt ” made 39, the rest of the batsmen, so far as I could ascertain, having made duck’s eggs, the total being made up by extras. I would have given you the full score, but, as I was leaving the ground, my pocket was picked, and, amongst other valuables, the score sheet was taken. The Commissioner, however, has his eye on the thief, and promises that it shall be restored on Tuesday week, when you shall have it to publish in f all.

After lunch, the Australians commenced their innings, which fully sustained thoir world renowned reputation. Notwithstanding the magnificent bowling of Canterbury, and the brilliant fielding, the score mounted rapidly—in fact the work became so arduous that “ Admirer ” was almost exhausted, and had not a friend come to his relief with some brandy and soda, ,he must have succumbed through extreme prostration. About this time the fieldsmen were becoming depressed, and made several attempts to leave the field for refreshment, but on each occasion were reprimanded by Mr Wag, and admonished to play the game. Spoffy as usual drove the ball so frequently to the boundary that an Accident Insurance agent was overpowered with applications for policies. All things, however, have an end, and while Mr Wag was referring to the rules, which ho frequently did throughout the game, Charley seized the opportunity of throwing, by which means he dismissed Spofforth, Alexander, and Palmer. It was otherwise with Murdock, who defied all the bowlers, bitting almost every ball to leg with the regularity of clock work. At last ha was stumped, a fate which also befell Blackbam, while Oroube was given out for not moving his bat, Mr Wag not finding a rule to justify him in such a proceeding. Boyle played a dashing innings, but was well caught by the substitute for tue “Country Colt,” The total had increased at an alarming rate, and at the fall of the last wicket was declared by “Admirer ’’to be 156, a result which seemed to elate him so much that ia a moment of absent mindedness he tore up the score sheet, so that you cannot have the full innings until the pieces are put together again, which is expected to take until Monday week. During the innings frequent appeals wore made to Mr Wag for cases of “leg before,” but received the invariably reply of “ Play the game.” With 107 runs to the bad, Canterbury commenced their second innings, but whether it was the loss of the “ Country Colts ” the long lead of their opponents or their exhausted condition—they never seemed able to cope with the bowling of the Demon and Palmer.

I am pleased to inform you that owing to a very excellent lecture during the first interval by Mr Way upon cricket generally, the rules and duties of umpires in particular, no unseemly disputes occurred in the second innings. The match terminated, as every one expected, in an easy victory for the Australians, 1 1 result which “Admirer” declared “he knew it.’’ Immediately the last wicket fell, the crowd rush el the ground, shouting us though forty lunatic asylums bad broken loose and seized the Australians, whom they carried in triumph to their hotel, forming in procession, the band playing music composed by Mr Wag expressly for the occasion. In conclusion, there is no doubt that bad the good advice offered by Mr Wag, “ Admirerof Cricket,” and “Country Colt ” been followed, Canterbury would have recorded another signal vistory instead of an ignominious defeat.