CRICKET.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2160, 27 January 1881, Page 3

CRICKET.

THE AUSTRALIANS AT TIMABU,

[PEBSS ASSOCIATION TBIEGBAM.] TIMARU, January 26,

The weather for the first day of the match Australians y Twenty-two of South Canterbury, was magnificent. An excellent pitch had been prepared, but the outer fielding ground was rather rough, which was against the field, as the ball did not travel so straight as it ought to have done after grounding. The wicket was pitched the long way of the ground, and the ground being narrow, good square hits drove the ball out of bounds, for which three were allowed on one side and four on the other. In this way most of the 3’s and 4’s were scored, which would have been only 2’s and 3’s at the most if fielded. The Australians arrived by the first train from Oamaru, and were met at the station by a large number of people, and driven to their hotel in a four-in-hand dyhg and afterwards to the ground. Play commenced at 12.45, the Australian captain winning the toss and sending his men in. ’ Captain Dahdas umpired for South Canterbury and Mr W. H. Ataok for the Australians. Spofforth and- Groube went in first, facing the bowling of Ashby and Bothwell, four balls to the over. Off Ashby’s first over Groube got two singles, and a bye was also run. Bothwell’s first oyer was a maiden. In the' next over Groube was let off, Godby fielding a ball splendidly, but it was not well taken by Ashby at the wicket when returned to him. Several overs were played quietly, a single or so being run in each. Then Groube gave a good chance to "Verity at longoff, who lei him off badly. Buns came slowly for a few overs, and then Groube drove Ashby and tried a second run, but Spofforth declining to go, Groube could not get back in time, and the first wicket fell and runs came slowly till 7 more were obtained, when Spofforth put one up to longfield—2—ll—26. McDonnell followed, and made a single off his first ball from Ashby. Five maidens followed, and then Ashby clean bowled the last comer—3 —l—3o. Slight took his place and received the rest of Ashby’s over. Bothwell sent down a maiden, and then Ashby’s second scattered Blight’s stumps —4 —o—3o. Jarvis filled his place, and took the rest of a maiden from Ashby. An over followed from each bowler, adding 1 to the score, and then Jarvis got Bothwell out of the ground to square-leg for 4. Murdoch got 1 off Ashby and two singles off Bothwell, from whom Jarvis got 3 for a cut outside the flags, and from Ashby’s next over he made a 2 and a single. Jarvis got Bothwell to square-leg for 4, and drove one of Ashby’s for 2. Murdoch gave a chance to Fraser off Bothwell, which was not taken. Two byes were the result of Ashby’s next, the long stop mulling the ball. Jarvis got one to long-on for 1. At 2 p.m. an adjournment was made for lunch, the score then standing at 66—Jarvis 17 and Murdoch 9, not out. On resuming at 3 p.m. Ashby commenced with a wide, and off his second Jarvis scored 4 for an off-drive to the fence. Eight overs fallowed, a single being made off each of Ashby’s and 2 off each of Bothwell’s. Eowo then relieved Bothwell and Jarvis made 1 off him. In Ashby’s next over, Jarvis put an easy one into Fraser’s hands at cover-point.—s—2 8—74. Boyle took Jarvis’ place. In Bowe’s next over, Murdoch got one to leg for 2. One was run for a bye, made into 2 by a bad overthrow. The long stopping was not first-rate, and two or three changes had been made up to this time. A few overs followed quickly, and Bowe not being “on,” three balls in one over being got away for a total of 6, Hughes took his place. Buns came steadily in I’s and 2’s and the century appeared on the board. Immediately after this Murdoch drove Ashby splendidly ont of bounds, adding 4 to his score. Blundell relieved Ashby, and Murdoch put his first ball up, and it was secured by Hughes, the captain retiring amid much applause—6—32 men began t» let out, Boyle getting a 4, hit to long-on out of bounds, off Hughes, and Blackham two 2’s off Blundell, bringing 120 up. Godby then relieved Hughes. A hit by each batsman out of bounds on the shorter side, one of them a splendid on-drive by Boy le off Blundell on which more than three could have been run, and a few singles brought up 130. Godby bowled a couple of maidens, and Blackham got one off Blundell. Ashby then returned to his old place, taking the ball from Blundell, and Bothwell resumed the trundling at the other end. Both were unlucky at starting, Boyle getting a 2 and a 3 off the former and a 4 off the latter in their first overs, the 4 being for a hit to square-log out of the field. Thence quiet overs followed, and then Blackham let out at a straight one from Bothwell and missed it.—7" —6 —141. Balmer came next and scored 1 off his second belli Five i were got off Ashby’s next oyer for two hits to

1 Boyle and a bye, and Boyle got two fine 4’s off Rothwell’a next, the first bringing up 150. Palmer got a 2 and a single off Ashby, and then was very nearly run out through running for a short hit of Boyle’s. Rothwell, in his next over, lowered Boyle’s stumps, and the batsman retired amid loud applause for his steady innings.— 8 Alexander took his place. Runs came slowly but steadily, ten overs producing about as many runs, and then Hughes relieved Rothwell, commencing with a maiden, and Blundell relieved Ashby, Alexander getting his second ball from the latter into the crowd for 3, bringing up 180. 190 soon appeared, Alexander contributing a 4, a 2 and a single off Hughes. Godb/ took Hughes’ place, and then eight overs followed, adding only half a dozen to the score. Palmer got Blundell away for 2, and his next to the fence for 4, bringing up 200. From Blundell’s next over Palmer got a single and a 3, and Alexander a 3by a splendid on drive. The first ball of Godby’s next over hopped rather high, and Alexander did not get at it properly, but skied it over the bowler’s head, and it fell into Verity’s hands—9—22—2o6. White, the last man, then went in and snicked his first ball for a single. Palmer got a couple off Blundell, and a 6 off Godby by finely driving the ball clean out of the paddock. In Blnndell’s next over White stepped out to meet one, and, only just touching it, was caught by Fowler at the bails—lo1 —218, Palmer being not out, 39, It was now halfpast five, the Australians having been at the wickets about three hours and a half. The bowling during the first half of the innings was very good indeed, but got weaker afterwards. Considering the roughness of the ground the fielding was pretty good. M. J. Godby showed decidedly the best form in the field

After an interval of ten minutes, or at 5.50, Clod by and Jones went to the wickets against the bowling of Spofforth and Palmer. The South Canterbury men made a poor commencement. Spofforth opened the game, and Qodby played his third ball on to his wicket and retired without scoring. D’Emden took hie place. A leg-bye resulted from Palmer’s first over, and Spofforth’s first ball in hie second over took Jones’ middle stump. Ho was succeeded by Jefferson. Spofforth gave him a moderately easy one to start with, but he tipped it easily into the hands of Boyle at mid-on. Ashby followed, and he put his first ball lightly into White’s hands at short-leg, Spofforth thus taking three wickets with three successive balls. Raymond took Ashby’s place and received the last of Spofforth’s over. Palmer sent a maiden to JO’Emden. Raymond made a single off Spofforth’s next over, and time was called at six o’clock. The following are the scores : AUSTRALIANS. first Innings. Spofforth, c Bojd, b Ashby 11 Qroube, run out ... 11 Murdoch, c Hughes, b Blundell 32 McDonnell, b Ashby 1 Slight, b Ashby 0 Jarvis, c Fraser, b Ashby 28 Boyle, b Rothwell 1 48 Blackham, b Rothwell 6 Palmer, not out 39 Alexander, c Verity, b Godby 22 White, c Fowler, b Blundell 1 Byes 13 Leg-byes 1 Wides 5 Total 218

Ashby bowled three wides and Blundell two. South Cantsebuet. First Innings. Qodby, b Spofforth 0 Jones, b Spofforth ... ... ... ... 0 D’Emden, not out 0 Jefferson, o Boyle, b Spofforth 0 Ashby, o White, b Spofforth 0 Raymond, not out 1 Leg-bye 1 Total, for four wickets ... 2 The match will be resumed at noon tomorrow.

AD STB ALIA v CANTEBBDBY.

As the time approaches for this match so does the excitement increase. It is seldom that the public are so generally interested in an event as on the present occasion. Any news of tbe doings of the teams is eagerly sought for, and sometimes the over-credulous are led away by rather highly-colored reports. There is scarcely any game which is so deceptive as cricket, especially to those who only read of performances, as time and circumstances have such an effect on the success or defeat of a team. For some time, every person supposed to be in a position to give a reliable opinion has been overwhelmed by questions as to the probable chances of the Canterbury Fifteen—and it is singular how much more favorably the public view the prospects of the lopal players. The opinion that more than fifteen should be played is now seldom expressed, and some are even bold enough to think that Canterbury has a chance. Every evening there is a good muster of spectators watching tbe practice of the Fifteen and criticising severely any mistakes which are made by any of the batsmen. This, perhaps, has been the cause for the favourable change of opinion in favour of Canterbury, as previously great ignorance prevailed as to the merits of our local players, it being freely asserted that they were not equal to the former Fifteen. However, it will probably be found that they are not only equal but superior to any previous representatives of Canterbury. Practice has been carried on every evening with great vigour, and nearly all tbe team show a perceptible improvement in their play during the last fortnight. The Australian Eleven are considered by most people to be better than tbe first team, but this is certainly not borne out by performances, as whore the former played twenty-twos the present only encountered oighteens, and the number of first-class matches played by the latter team is very small. So far the Australian Eleven have not shown any great ability to score heavily, but on a larger ground and with better wickets they may probably show to better advantage, as the more perfect the wicket the more favourable it is for the best batsmen. The Australian Eleven have determined to win this match if possible, and will not let a chance slip of reversing the defeat of the former team. As they have lost the services of Bonner and A. Bannerman, it is intended to strengthen their Eleven by availing themselves of the services of Mr Henty, who is on a visit to New Zealand and at present in Christchurch. Ho will play instead of Mr Moule, who, with Mr White, will stand out on the coming occasion. There is no doubt that with whichever side victory remains the game will be hard fought, and a grand display of cricket shown which will long be remembered as a memorable event in the annals of the game in New Zealand. As before, the Mayor has asked the citizens to close their places of business at noon on Monday and Tuesday next, and it is to be hoped that it will bo freely responded to, as such occasions as the present seldom occur. As the Cricket Association have gone to a large expense in preparing the ground and providing for the convenience of the public, everyone who visits the ground should remember to contribute at the gate. The funds derived from the match are to be divided equally between the Australians and the Association, and as the latter have a debt of over £2OO, they are urgently in need of liberal support.

Bowling Analysis Bal's. Mdns. Buns. Wkts. Ashby ... ... 180 13 69 4 Bothwell ... 136 10 56 2 Blundell ... 68 6 33 2 Godby... ... 48 7 13 1 Hughes ... 41 3 24 0 Bowe ... ... 12 0 4 0