CRICKET.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2187, 28 February 1881, Page 3

CRICKET.

OTAGO v. CANTitKB CUT. Of the eighteen matches played between Otago and Canterbury, the latter has now won eleven, the former six, ond one has been drawn. The result of the last match has certainly shown that the game has not deteriorated in our own locality, and those who were found ready enough to carp at our players after iheir defeat by the Australians, and declare that they had not practised sufficiently, will now, perhaps, be first to congratulate our representatives upon their success. As a matter of fact, there has been more practising on the ground this season than any previous year. For about two and a half months before the Australian match was played, special practices were held, and during the last month every evening was devoted to this object. Since that match, those who were chosen have been in hard practice for the Interprovincial. The result was that the Canterbury players wore in better form than they have ever bean before. The contest just concluded will bo memorable in the annals of In' erprovincial cricket for the highest and host individual score yet made in these matches, and for the greatest total of a single innings. Mr Watson’s innings is one that will long be remembered. It is a very common practice with players when they have been in a long time to become careless, and phy rashly ; but it was not so with him—he played the game right through, and the hit, off which he was caught, was a very fine one, and deserved a belter fate. The remark has often been made that it would do Canterbury good to be beaten, and it is perfectly true, as it would encourage our Southern friends to continuo their exertions in support of tho game ; for, it must be understood, that they labor under immense disadvantages. They have not the grounds, the weather is not so inviting, and, above all, they have not the encouragement that our cricketers receive ; for, although ot times the local players are abused in pretty round terras, it is in consequence of the groat interest taken in their performances by tho general public. Without a good ground it is impossible to get good cricket, and unless tho weather is favorable, it requires a great deal of resolution to practice day after day,

; as is necessary to become proficient in the i game. Below will be lound the result of the various matches up to data : 1864 Otago won by 74 runs 1865 Canterbury won by 4 wickets 1866 Otago won by 2 wickets 1867 Otago won in one innings and 37 runs 1868— Otago won by 9 wickets 1869, February—Drawn, having 17 runs to get to win, and 3 wickets to fall 1869, December—Otago won by 4 wickets 1871, January—Canterbury won in one innings and 29 runs 1871, December Canterbury won by 10 wickets 1873 Canterbury won in one innings and 34 runs 1874 Otago won in one innings and 28 runs 1875 Canterbury won in one innings and 151 runs 1876 Canterbury won by 145 runs 1877 Canterbury won by 151 runs 1878— Canterbury won by 9 wickets 1879 - Canterbury won in one innings and 12 runs 1880— Canterbury won by 9 wickets 1881— Canterbury won in one innings and 232 runs. On Saturday a match was played between the members of the Oxford Rustics Club and the Bangiora Club, on the ground of the latter. The scores of the first innings were equal at 52, T. _ Feary scoring highest with 12 for the Rustics and B. M. Wright for the Rangiora team with 25. In the second innings of the Rangiora men they put together 56, Wright contributing 24. Time was called for the Rustics to catch the Oxford train before their second innings was finished. Five wickets had fallen for 36, and the game was thus reckoned by them to be drawn in their favor. A match was played on Saturday between the Union and Waltham 0.0., which resulted in an easy victory for Waltham in one innings and one run. N. Pillow and J. Joll batted well for Waltham, Scores—Union, 11 and 36; Waltham, 48.

A match was played on Saturday between the Pre»s 0.0. and the Christchurch 0.0., which resulted in an easy win for the former by 27 runs on the first innings- A bettor wicket was provided than usual, but all round on one side of the pitch the ground was ancle deep in water, which was very offensive to those fielding on that side. The Press captain won the toss and sent his men to the wickets, but they only knocked up the total of 55, of which W. H. Ataok contributed 21 by good hard play, and Cant 13. The Christchurch team then went in, but W. H. Ataok and Oostley ware dead on the wicket, and consequently only four of them managed to score, wringing the total up to 28, of which Oaygill was highest with 8 and White next with 5, The Press then started their second innings, and when time was called had only made 8 for the loss of six wickets, of which Edmonds made 6, Wheatley and Simpson bowled with great success in the second innings, but unfortunately for the Christchurch men they were absent on the first innings. Marshall and Fisher bowled very well for tho Christchurch C.C, on the first innings.