THE AUSTRALIAN CRICKETERS IN ENGLAND.

Kumara Times, Issue 639, 15 October 1878, Page 2

THE AUSTRALIAN CRICKETERS IN ENGLAND.

Though according to the programme as originally arranged, the list of matches played by the Australians in England should have been brought to a termination fully a fortnight ago, yet they have played three matches more since we last drew attention to their doings, and of these three won one, another has been drawn, and the third lost, and now, we-understand they are, if not at, at least pretty elose to New York, and may be expected to be in Auckland somewhere about the third week of November. Of the first of the matches alluded to above* winch was against the West of Scotland* the Australians had an easy task, they getting 568 against the West of Scotland’s 99. and 85, winning in one innings and 84 runs. The drawn match was against the Players, Who were probably a stronger lot than those who played before, as Ulyett was among them* and scored 79. Yet the Australians had the best of the game, getting 236, the elder Bannerman 61, Gregory 57, and “ The Demon Bowler,” 33. Against Sunderland—diow many, telegrams say not—they were not so lucky, though they had the best of it in the first innings, scoring 77 and 58 against Sunderland’s 59 and 147. Who played for Sunderland, of course, WO do Hot know ; but the- latter can Command a strong team. . The Australians will probably play qn the Hobo- 1 ken ground when in America, and leave San Francisco on October 27th; glad, probably, of a little rest after their protracted tour, though quite ready to let England see the blue-and-white again. The following is a list of the averages, compiled front the first 17 matches played by them, from which it will be seen that Midwinter is ahead with Bailey, who appears to have beeil batting very well Close on him. The last averages we gave were then compiled from eleven matched.

We Shall give the Whole when further accounts are received.

It will be seen by these that Bannennan has scored the largest number of runs, with Horan second, but the latter has flayed one innings more than the former, with the exception of Snofforth and the unlucky Boyle, all the rest have a double* figure but these two have done far more than their share in bowling. Regarding cricket, it may be interesting to some to read the following verses, as they are atributed to no less personages than Lord Macaulay and Lord Byron, Were written in the year 1805, the date of the first match between Eton and Harrow Lord Byron playing on the side of the latter, the losers. Lhey run thus , ETON TO HARROW. Presumptuous boys of Harrow School, Of cricket you’ve tto knowledge-^ You play not cricket, but the fool, With men of Eton College. HARROW To ETON. Ye Eton men, to play the fool Is not the boast of Harrow School. No wonder, then, at our defeat, Polly like ours can ne’er be beat.

Names. innings. Rims. Average. Allen... ... 14 16 12 A. Baiinerman 22 316 14 8 C. Bannerman 30 450 15 Bailey ... '20 323 16 3 BlaCkham ... 14 151 101 Boyle... ... 15 89 415 Garrett ... 24 278 1114 Gregory ... 29 851 12 2 Horan 29 403 13 26 Midwinter ... 14 260 17’12 Murdoch ... 26 281 10 ; 2l Spofibrth ... 27 259 916