HARD ON AUSTRALIAN CRICKETERS.

Kumara Times, Issue 850, 21 June 1879, Page 4

HARD ON AUSTRALIAN CRICKETERS.

We publish the following from the London Figaro, not; because we agree with the remarks it contains, but because the paragraph shows the kind of feeling that has been aroused in England by the cowardly and preposterous conduct of a Sydney mob. Just as might be expected, the action of a lot of roughs, totally unconnected with the game, has,, in certain quarters at all events, and we are afraid pretty generally, in England, brought odium on the whole of colonial cricketers. The succeeding paragraph outrageously exaggerated, and full of misconceptions, will help to Bhow the New South Wales Association what mischief their thoughtless management and the ill-advised action of a few has caused : The publication of Lord Harris' letter, describing the disgraceful way he and his Eleven were treated at Sydney by their opponents and a cowardly mob of Colonial scum, will'send a thrill of indignant surprise through the couutry. The conduct of Gregory, the captain of the Eleven who visited this country and met with such a warm welcome, is particularly reprehensible and contemptible, and we can quite understand the indignant scorn of the Kentish captain and his men at the miserable taste and form displayed by the New South Wales Eleven and their blackguard supporters supporters. The fact is we were too civil and hospitable by half to. the greedy, and gate-money-hunting crew of Australian cricketers who visted this coantry, not for the sake of cricket, but to make all the money they could. Such mercenary cads, as Lord Harris justly says, make very good winners, but are transformed into very low and contemptible specimens of humanity when they lose. Had not the English Eleven been winning, the strong probability is the objection taken to the umpire out of which the whole disturbance arose would never have been raised. As it was, in striking contrast to the behavior of our English crowdß when the Australian Eleven proved victors, not a cheer was raised for the victorious English Eleven at Sydney, and the earliest opportunity was taken by Gregory, as we have said, of objecting to the umpire's decision, and thus causing the disgraceful riot to which we have alluded, in the course of which these cowardly colonials actually kicked Lord Harris when his back was turned, and tore Mr Hornby's shirt from his back. The whole story is a sad one, and shows but too plainly the dangers that arise when profit-making "gentlemen," so called are allowed to invade the ranks of amateur cricketers. The Sydney ' arrikins" had bet, too, on the success of their local eleven, it seems, and they had not enough of fair play and honor in them to allow them to lose their miserable wagers withont bringing disgrace on themselves and their Colony. English gentlemen should take warning from the incident, and never think of again visiting a country where so glorious a game as cricket is thus prostituted in the interests of low gambling and wretched local jealousies and prejudices.