CRICKET

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 3738, 5 January 1907, Page 2

CRICKET

Owing to circumstances over which the writer has had no control, it was a great treat to him, not only as an old cricketer but a devoted admirer of the grand old game, that he was able during the recent Christmas holidays to pay a visit to the Empire City for three solid days to see the cricket match between the Marylebone team and the Wellington club. There’s an old saying ‘ ‘ Blessed are those that expect nothing for they shall not be disappointed.” The writer in this case reckoned on being disappointed in two matters: first, a win for the visitors; secondly, would the weather enable a three day’s match to be played from start to finish considering the variability ot the Wellington gentle zephyrs. Needless to say neither occurred. In reference to the first, had the match been continued for

a fourth day, and there was no reason why it should not have been prolonged for a half-day, the local team might have won and thus put a stop to the unsatisfactory condition of a ‘draw.’ As to the second, Wellington weather could not have been on better be» haviour. The writer arrived a few minutes before play commenced on Christmas Day, and it was a sight never to be forgotten to see the crowd assembled, and even after play commenced and some time after, the assemblage increased. In fact, so far as cricket was concerned, it was a record. Fancy ,£350 chiefly in is charges being taken. Our visitors went in first and from the inception the play was lively, monotony of play being conspicuously absent. Their batting was of the most attractive nature but the home team fielded magnificently and saved many runs. It was to be very much regretted that the Skipper of the team not come in earlier, as to the vflPest tyro it is evident he is a most accomplished batsman, whilst in stealing runs he reminds one of the G.0.M., Dr Grace. A lively partnership for the last wicket roused the spectators to enthusiasm. A short time intervened for Wellington to start theil innings and it did not augur much tor what subsequently occurred. Next day (Boxing Day; anothei big attendance rolled up, and agair the play was attractive, the principal item being the Wellingtor skipper’s attractive innings of £ century. A slight delay occurred before he reached it, but when one* obtained every one on the ground including the visitors, joined in at unanimous cheer on the success Dike their opponents, the local’! last wicket made a good stand anc passed them with the small tna jority of 7 runs. It was a matte: of universal regret when the skip per of the M.C.C. met with tha regretable accident which hai effectually prevented him fron taking any further part in tin tour, (N. 8., he sailed for Eng land, in the Corinthic yesterday) Two others of the team were tern porarily disabled but it is to b hoped that they will soon be them selves -again. On going to ba again for the second time despit being somewhat handicapped, th M.C.C. team showed themselve batsmen of a superior type am

made a very handsome score, which for a three day’s match staved off defeat, Wellington did not start off too well but eventually proved that if they could not have time to win, they were not going to lose and the magnificent stand by Mahony and Tucker, who wore the visitors bowling down will not be easily forgotten by those who were privileged to see it. The most pleasing incident right throughout the game was the impartiality shown by the big crowd. Whether it was a visitor or a local every good hit, every good bit of fielding (and there were brilliant exhibitions), also good catches and no bad misses, were indiscriminately applauded. In conclusion it is to be hoped that when the visitors come back to play the return match with Wellington as well as one of the test matches against the colony, may they have the same uninterrupted fine weather as they did during the recent Christmas.