CRICKET.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2161, 28 January 1881, Page 3

CRICKET.

THE AUSTRALIANS AT TIMARU. (PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) TIMARU, January 27. Tbe weather was fine for the second day of the match Australians v South Canterbury. The latter team continued their first innings, and though a better average was reached than for the wickets lost yesterday, the total was very small, only 43, including 13 extras. The bowling of Spofforth and Palmer was too much for the local team. No one reached double figures, the best score being 8, made by Fowler. Play commenced a little after twelve, and the innings only occupied about an hour and a half. At halfpast two, the local men followed on, and wore disposed of in a little longer time, D’Emden and Godby eneh making a respectable score, getting into double figures, and several others doing better than in their first attempt, the total of 67 was obtained. The grand total of 110

left the Australians winners in one innings with 108 runs to spare. The following is a detailed account of the play :-D’Etoden and Raymond, the not-out men, went to the wickets, and the latter slipped a single and the former got a hit to leg for 2 off Palmer’s first over. In Palmer’s next D’Emden drove the first ball to the pavilion and was credited with 3. Raymond, Hughes, D’Emden, and Wright were successively sent back to the pavilion in three overs without further increase to the score. Fowler and Verity got together and took six overs between them, running several byes before they were separated. The latter played a good defensive game. Fowler hit freely and got a 2 and a 3 off successive balls from Palmer. He then slogged at one from Spofforth which he should have treated more carefully, and miaeing it had to retire—9 8 23. Verity was joined by Fraser, and in five overs added 3 to the score. Fraser then failed to stop a hot one from Spofforth, and ho gave place to Rothwell—lo—3—26. Verity’s next ball was a straight Yorker from Palmer, which he failed to stop—l1—1—26. Goodwin took his -place. Rothwell made a single, and then trying to run two for a second hit was run out —12—2—29. Rutherford filled the vacancy, and Goodwin having taken an over from each bowler, Spofforth’s second had a tremendous break on it, and it was too much for Rutherford—l3—o—32. Goodwin was bowled by Palmer in the next over, after playing a steady defensive The rest of the innings was tame, the additions to the score off the bat being a 3, credited to Oox for snick off Spofforth, a single and a 2 by Whitley, the latter a good drive off Spofforth ever the bowler’s heiad, and a single by Rowe. After an adjournment for lunch Jones and Verity appeared at the wickets for the second innings, Boyle taking the ball at Palmer’s end and Alexander at Spofforth’s. In the second over of the game Verity got a low one past glint, and opened the score with a single, oylo commenced his next over with_ one Verity did not know what to do with—--I—l—l. Ho was Sallowed by D’Emden, who at once commenced to play boldly but carefully. Janes got 2 off Alexander for a fine low drive, and D’Emdon 1 for a pretty draw off Boyle and 1 off Alexander in the next over. He then sent 1 to long-off, and ran for itj, but the hall was too well fielded for Jones, and Ashby took his place—2—2—s. D’Emden cut one off Alexander right between Spofforth’s legs at point, and scored 2. Ashby spooned his first ball, which he received from Alexander, but it happened to fall in a safe place, and he was clean bowled by his second—3—o—7. Godby, the captain, then went in, and some very good play was shown By him and D’Emden. They ran up the score to 31 before they parted company, through the latter putting one of Alexander’s up to mid-on —4—17—31. D’Emden was loudly cheered for his innings. Godby left the wicket the same over, letting out at the last ball and missing ft 5 10 —31. Rothwell, who followed Godby, put his first off Boyle into Spofforth’a hands at point very simply. Fowler took his plane, and played a few overs very confidently, and then blocked at one of Boyle’s tod late —7—2—34. Four other wickets fell in seven overs, the score being only increased by 2, and then Oox got one of Alexander’s to square leg into the crowd on tw nearer side, making 3, and one off Boyle in the next over out of bounds for 4 by a good drive. Oox saw Goodwin get a 2 off Alexander, and then played across one from Boyle and was bowled—l2—7—4s. Three other wickets went down for one additional run, Boyle taking Goodwin with a deliberate catch ball. Raymond played Alexander’s second in the next over on to his wicket, and Rowe was stumped off his fourth—ls—o 46, Whitley and Hughes played four overs very creditably for youngsters, and added 7 to the score, when the latter lost his leg atump to Alexander—l6—s—s3. Boyle dismissed Whitley in the next over, and also t Eiohbaum, who replaced him. The latter hit hrs first ball finely out of bounds, but his second he skied to long on, where Murdoch i was in attendance—lß4 —57. Grant and

Rutherford then took four oven between them, the latter playing carefully, and the former adopting tactics of passive resistance. Rutherford retired with 3 to his credit for a good lift off Boyle. Grant had a comparatively long stay, and his was the last wicket taken, though he did not attempt to play any of the balls. Blundell, who followed Rutherford, hit his first ball from Alexander out of bounds, and his fourth for 1, and then Bent one of Boyle's high into the air, and point had an easy catch. Lawrence came out, but only to see Grant put his next ball into mid-on’s hands, and concluded the innings. Xhe following ate the scores :

Austealians— First innings 218 AUSTRALIA v CANTERBURY. The Australians hare won their last event before playing the match of their New Zealand tour. It is generally understood that their chief object in visiting this colony was to wipe out Canterbury. It is so difficult to judge of the respective merits of the two teams that it is scarcely safe to hazard an opinion of the probable result. The scores madeby the Australians are certainly not large, but then, the nature of the grounds must also be taken into consideration. At Invercargill and South Canterbury the bowling of the local players was not calculated to keep down tuns, and at Dunedin and Oamaru the wickets appear to have been very indifferent, so that no true line can be drawn as to the probable score of the Australians on our own ground. The wicket is expected to play well, and has received every attention ; in fact, a prominent player of the Melbourne Cricket Club said that, so far as the ground was concerned, it could not be equalled in Victoria, not even by the Melbourne ground. Appearances, however, are sometimes deceptive, but it is to be hoped that they may be sustained when the actual play take place. The better the wicket the more favorable it is for the batsmen, and should it play truly, long scores may be expected on both sides. The chief strength of the Australians is not so much in their individual excellence as in their all-round play. It is true they have two wonderful bowlers in Spofforth and Palmer, but these may be played with care, and, as Mac Neil proved in Dunedin, runs can be scored off them. Spofforth has improved on his form when last seen in Canterbury, as then he committed the error of bowling almost alternately fast and slow, but now he bowls nearly all slow or medium, with an occasional fast one. In adopting this different style of bowling there is no doubt that he has considerably improved, as be gets a vast amount of break, which before he was unable to accomplish. Of our bowlers the one who most resembles him is Fuller. The high delivery, the break back, with occasional fast ones and Yorkers. But of course Spofforth, with his constant practice, has developed greater accuracy. At the same time, batsmen, if they can play Fuller, should be able to give a good account of themselves against Spofforth ; at any rate, they should not be nervous in facing the “ Demon ” bowler. Palmer has improved since he played against Canterbury for South Melbourne, changing bis pace and frequently bowling a Yorker. Our batsmen should, however, be accustomed to this kind of bowling, as every day during practice they have had to play almost innumerable “Yorkers.” To play Boyle on a dry wicket only requires patience, and Alexander is comparatively plain. His delivery somewhat resembles that of the late Mr Neilson when bowling medium pace, and ho puts on a slight break, but not sufficient bo be dangerous on a good wicket. If the pitch be uncertain he then becomes awkward to play. The final practice of the local Fifteen was held yesterday afternoon. Messrs Ashby, B. Fowler, and Leach were absent, but the rest of the players took their places in the field, the vacant points being filled up by substitutes. On the whole very good form was shown, and when the fielding ground is removed to the centre, as it will be when the match is played, very little should remain with which exception could bo taken. Messrs Fuller and W. Frith wore in good form with the ball, and it is to be hoped that they may prove so against their opponents on Saturday next and following days. For the convenience of ladies visiting the ground during the match the Wanderers’ Cricket Club have provided a tent, to which admittance will be gained by ticket, which does not, however, give free entrance at the gates. The Australians will arrive by the 820 p.m. train from Timaru, and will probablv practise on the ground in the afternoon. It is to be hoped that a large number of cricketers will assemble at the station to meet them on arrival. A drag will drive them to the Royal, where they will stay during their visit to Christchurch. |

South Canterbury. First Innings. Godby, b Spefforth ... 0 Jones, b Spoffortb ... ... »• ... 0 D’ Rmden, b rpoffortb ... 5 Jtfferaon, o Boyle, b Spoffortb ... 0 Raymond, b Palmer ... 2 Ashby, o White, b Spoffortb ... 0 Hughes, b Palmer ... 0 Wright, b Palmer ... 0 Verity, b Palmer ... 1 Fowler, b Spoffortb ... 8 Fraser, b Spoffortb ... 3 Rothwell, not out ... 2 Goodwin, b Spoffortb ... ... 2 Rutherford, b Spoffortb Grant, b Spoffortb ... 0 ... 0 Rowe, b Spoffortb ... ... ... 1 Boyd, run out ... 0 Whitley, b Palmer ... 3 Lawrence, b Palmer 0 Cox, b Palmer ... 3 Eicbbaum, c Murdoch, b Spoffortb ... 0 Blundell, not oat ... 0 Byes ... 11 Leg-byes ... 2 Total ... 43 BOWLING ANALYSIS. Balls. Mdns. Runs. Wkts. Spoffortb ... 76 13 11 11 Palmer ... 75 9 19 8 Second Innings. Jones, run out Verity, b Boyle ... 2 ... 1 D'Emden, c Boyle, b Alexander ,.. 17 Ashby, b Boyle ... ... 0 Godby, b Alexander ... 10 Jefferson, b Alexander ... 1 Rothwell. c Spoffortb, b Boyle „. 0 Fowler, b Boyle 2 Fraser, b Alexander !!! i Goodwin, c Blackham, b Boyle ... 3 Wright, c Palmer, b Boyle ... 0 Boyd, b Alexander ... 0 Cox, b Boyle ... 7 Raymond, b Alexander ... 1 Hughes, b Alexander ... 5 Rowe, st Jarvis, b Alexander ... 0 Whitley, b Boyle Rutherford, c and b Alexander ... 2 ... 3 Eicbbaum, c Murdoch, b Boyle ... 4 Grant, o Blackham, b Boyle ... 1 Blundell, o Spoffortb, b Boyla ... 5 Lawrence, not out ... 0 Byes ... ;i Leg-byes... ... i Total ... 67 Grand total ... ... 110 Bowling Analysis. Balls. Mdns. Rns. Wkts. Boyle 97 8 37 11 Alexander 96 11 28 9