CRICKET EXTRAORDINARY.- AUSTRALIA v CANTERBURY.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2159, 26 January 1881, Page 3

CRICKET EXTRAORDINARY.- AUSTRALIA v CANTERBURY.

To the Editor of the Globe, OXB, —Under the above heading I observed an article in your issue of Wednesday last, hy which there appears to be a blue look-out for Canterbury looming in the distance. At a first glance the article appears amusing, but whether the object of the writer was to amuse or to be satirical, it is not easy to discover—perhaps it was intended for both—and if so, it may be said that he has fairly accomplished his task, and I am not at all sorry to see that your humble servant, Wag, comes in for a large share of satire, (if such it be) not sorry, because I am now awere that my feeble efforts to advance cricket, in its true form, have met with recognition, even if such recognition be only from a schoolboy, or from one who would play cricket, or wish to see it played, schoolboyfashion. But the fact of the advice I have offered having been accepted, and acted upon generally by the premier players of Christ church, needs no further comment. It is not only predicted that Canterbury is to suffer a most crushing defeat, but it is also presumed that the local umpire will be so much biased that the renowned visitors may not even expect to obtain a ghost of a chance of fairplay at his hands. “ Wag ” does not presume to be the only one in the province who has a knowledge of the rules of cricket, but be really does flatter himself (although it may be presumptive) that he thoroughly understands them ; at the same time, he does not aspire to the position of umpire in the coming struggle, as he firmly believes there are many others perfectly competent to perform the peculiar duties pertaining to the office, and who would also fulfil the duties with strict impartiality, otherwise he would not be above offering his services for the occasion. The writer of the article referred to, I should imagine, is one who has aspired to a position in the Canterbury team, but met with disappointment at the hands of an erring (?) committee, and, consequently, is of_ opinion that the result must be as be has anticipated. But I have a different opinion, and although the team selected is not exactly as 1 expected, I believe the committee-men have acted straightforward in their selection. Canterbury 1 do not let such articles as I have referred establish a funk ; in fact, I know you will rot. Play cricket proper, fight a good fight win if you can, and if you lose I am sure you will do so with good grace. But that you will make it a tight-fit is the opinion of Yours, &c., WAG.