NEW SOUTH WALES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume VII, Issue 448, 18 February 1857, Page 7

NEW SOUTH WALES.

Our files from Sydney received by last opportu-' nities extend from the 23rd December to the 27th -January. We have however had news from this colony by way of Melbourne in anticipation of the earlier dates. The chief item of interest is the grand Cricket Match between Victoria and New South Wales, the eleven on each side being selected from the best elevens of the various clubs in each colony. The ' Victorians came to Sydney to play, and during the continuance, of the game the city made a complete holiday/all business being stopped for the occasion. \ With reference to the excitement previous to the match,' the 'Empire' says.— The whole circumstances <■ attending this match tend to invest it with an interest greater than has hitherto attached to any similar event that has excited the sporting world in this colon}', and the game will be watched by thousands, of interested spectators, whose presence will, if possible, lend fresh animation to the competitors. ..The. nature.of-the ground is remarkably favourable for the observation of the game ;' and as the Cricketers of Sydney will spare no pains to make all the appointments complete, the spectacle will be perfect of its kin<i. Excitement already runs high. A sort of cricket mania has seized upon a large portion of the public, and, especially with. Young Australia, scarcely anything else is talked of for the time. Certain tradesmen in the city have not been slow to improve the occasion ; and just as during the prevalence of a "rush," we see sudden exhibitions at shop doors of picks, cradles, digger's boots, &c, so now we have p'rominentlj' brought under our notice the peaceful weapons of the forthcoming friendly strife ;; and bats of marvellous finish and shape, balls of surpassing hardness, and stumps and balls of the-most approved sort have1 suddenly shown themselves, to the wonder of the uninitiated and the admiration of the connisseur. '...'■' The Sydney papers of the precise dates aie '.wantingl; °ut the '.Illawarra Mercury' contains the following account: — The event, had excited an universal interest ia Sydney, which we are sure must extend to the in habitant of these districts, the cricketers . more especially. The play on the two first days was witnessed by large numbers of persons of both sexes. On the -first day the number of spectators were estimated by thedaiiies at from 7,000 to !J,GO() ; on the second day the ■ Herald ' puts them down as being 15,000. His Excellency the Governor- General, and many members of both Houses of Parliament, and the leading inhabiants of Sydney were among those who witnessed the contest, taking a lively interest in its progress. The interest stems to have been fulij' participated in'by the vast numbers assembled; the successful hits, catches, stops', and balls, being enthusiastically- admired and cheered by the respective partisans qf-those who delivered or received them. The utmost courttsy and hospitality has been shown to the Victorian ■ Cricketers, not only by those with whom they came to contend with, but by the, public generally. On

taking the bat or field in each innings they were received by a hearty and vociferous cheer by the concourse of spectators. The match was played on the new cricket ground in the Domain, and was commenced each day at about half-past eleven a.m. On the ground, there ■were, in addition to the cricketers' tents, booths for retailing edibles and drinks. A novel feature was the presence of a printer with his press and types, who struck off at the fall of each wicket, a card giving the state of the game. There was also a contrivance similar to a telegraph, which furnished the same information. With regard to the play, it was the general opinion that it has never been excelled in Sydney. Our limited s>pace, however, precludes us from giving the details. The Sydney players have established their fame as the most superior fielders, while the style of their.opponents' batting is allowed to be more artistic and finished. The bowling on both sides is said to have been very fine; the round-armed delivery of the Victorian bowlers being generally admired. We regret that our space prevents us however, from alluding to this part of the proceedings further than to say that the score was as follows :— NEW SOUTH WALES. Ist Innings . . . 80 | 2nd Innings . . .86 Total 166". VICTORIA. Ist Innings . . . 63 | 2nd Innings ... 38 Total 101.