INTERPROVINCIAL CRICKET MATCH.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VII, Issue 309, 28 December 1872, Page 2

INTERPROVINCIAL CRICKET MATCH.

The expected cricket match between Nelson and Wellington had been looked for to ou all sides as the great attraction of the Christmas holidays, nor were those who were present yesterday — and we never remember seeing so large an assemblage on the cricket field beforedisappointed. Our curiosity had been somewhat aroused by a rumor that got afloat to the effect that the Wellington team was to include a bowling phenomenon whose performances in that particular line were said to partake of the swiftness of a meteor, and we are not quite sure that the Nelson eleven felt very much disappointed when they heard that he who was to ereatesuch havoc among their wickets had been prevented from coming over. However, as the event proved, a very formidable eleven were able to visit us, and as the scores show, had they been aided by such an ally, our men would have ' had to submit to a complete defeat. At a little after ten the twenty two champions met in Victory Square, and, Wellington having won the toss, decided upon sending their opponents to the wickets. S. Powell and Wither took the bat to the bowling of Marchant and C. Knapp. The first ball resulted in a run to Powell, and the second in death to Wither, who had to succumb before his first ball with the dreaded duck's egg attached to his name in the score book. His place was taken by K. Knapp, who soon had to look out for a fresh mate, Powell beipg disposed of by C. Knapp vvith but one run to his credit. C. Knapp (of Wakefield), followed, but after a few overs, in which some half a dozen runs were added to the score^ the brothers were severed, K. Knapp being caught by Mason off Marchant. Yet another Knapp came to the rescued, and before his wicket could be taken the score stood at 20 when he, the other Knapp — the greatest enemy to tautology may be caught napping where so many of the same name are in tbe field — had to retire before a puzzler from Marchant. Sellon was the next to appear and some very pretty play ensued, although but -four rUns were obtained owing to the excellent fielding of , the Wellington men who seemed to be always in the- right place,' and to throw up the ball with a precision that' was only equalled by that with which Werry caught and brought it down [upon the wicket of. him ..who ,was rash enough to think that runs were to be stolen with impunity. However, Sellon and .. *•, For continuation ,oj yneics,see>fourth:pvye.

Knapp continued successfully to defend : their stumpsjand tp make occasional runs* notwithstanding the activity of the fielders between whom and' the ball there seemed to be a natural affinity, for, strike it where he liked, the batsman on turning to see where it had gone was almost sure to find it in the hands of one of the field- . ers, who would look up with a " Noyou don't" sort of expression on his face that was quite sufficient to put a stop to any attempt at a run. But Sellon seemed to have made an enemy of "point" who, whenever the ball left the bat in his direction was on to it like a cat after a mouse. He was not a big man, that " point" — Crowther by name — but by, bis remarkable agility he contrived to cover a great deal of ground, and so Sellon found to his cost, for after running up a score of eight ones he put the|ball where it jwrould have been perfectly safe from anybody else's grasp, but to his astonishment found tbat the übiquitous little Crowther had got hold of it before touching tho ground, while from the lips of the umpire there came that ominous little monosyllable which so grates on a batsman's ear. Five wickets had fallen for 40 runs, when C. Cross came on to the ground. At , his first ball he gave a chance to Marchant at slip which however was declined, but not from any kindly feeling towards tbe batsman as was shown by the look of wrath and disappointment that flashed across his countenance as hej to outward appearances, vowed a vow that Cross should not have reason to congratulate, himself opon a second escape, avow which he religiously kept as after scoring 13, consisting of one six, a three, and two twos, Cross was again rash enough to put the ball into the same hands, which this time closed upon it, Knapp having in the meantime had the pleasure of seeing his bails flying through the air, the result of a well delivered ball from his namesake. Marchant was here taken off the bowling and relieved by Salmon, off whom H. Cross who followed Knapp was stumped after making one fine hit for three. Seven wickets had now fallen for 62 runs. Tennent was the next to take the bat, and he and Blundell, both of them quick runners, having got together, they for the time being appeared to forget the precept laid down in the eighth commandment, and commenced that whicb, with an eleven such as that of Wellington in the field, was an exceedingly hazardous game', of stealing runs. For a time they succeeded, and some 5 or 6 runs were in this way added to the score, but sin of such a description was sure to bring its punishment, and Blundell was, after making a score of 5, run out, Werry being just a trifle too quick for him. Jackson was the last man to go iD, bu.t^his career was cut very short by a fine left hand catch made by Werry behind the wicket. This finished the first innnings, in which Nelson had succeeded in obtaining 77 runs which if the bowling of their opponents bad been anything like equal to their fielding would have been a very creditable achievement. Russell and J Salmon now represented Wellington at the wickets to the bowling of.H. Cross and Sellon, and in the first over no less than 7 byes were made off Cross' bowling which was clearly far too swift for Tennent who was longstop, and for whom it was thought advisable after the first three or four overs to substitute Jackson, whose fine longstopping was universally admired. This was a lively beginning for Wellington and still a few more byes were obtained before Salmon was caught by C. Cross off Sellon the score standing at 13 for one wicket fallen. W. J. Salmon, who was looked upon as one of Wellington's steadiest bats, followed, but his life was not a long one, a fine ball from Cross creating tremendous confusion amongst his stum p|,-be fore, he had cracked the shell of that horrid duck's egg. Bock now came to the wicket but evidently Cross did not want him there, for the first ball he received caused Bock to go back to where he came from. C. Knapp was then sent to support Russell, who all this time was defying the bowlers, and' now aDd then getting a run or two, but Knapp's leave of absence from the tent was very. limited, and he was reminded of its expiration by C. Cross.who/caughfhimat the wicket off H. Cross. Marchant succeeded-him, and. in a very short time it became patent; to all that the best batsman in the Wellington .. team was at the -wicket. One of his first performances was a splendid hit to square leg which deserved .more than the three runs which were to be scored for a clean . drive over the fence. Before long, Russell was, much against* His will, compelled to leave his brother-in-pads, the ball that Sellon sent up being so; persuasive that -there, was, no ; resisting its request to be allowed %() make acquaintance with the middle stump, anil J BO . Russell ; made way for 1 iWerryj y F^,9 •V.^'*- .-, M&*c|hant i ' ) kept ,^the" :^Beid "'alive i'-for^soine Xiime ' until' ' • v Sellon, who was getting r^ the *, : wfor^er^a^M *-llflP w c V. : 'tii |, ci' ■ $!Theifsi^^ ':

no mistaking it, and six wickets having now fallen for 67 runs, the players retired . to the luncheon tent. Beef and beer appeared to agree with the bowlers better than with the batsmen; forfrom this tinie the wickets positively refused to stand upright for more than five minutes on a stretch. Marchant returned to the scene of his labors accompanied by Jas. Salmon, but at the third ball from Cross, the umpire curtly replied to a question put to* him by the bowler, " Out," and the letters 1.b.w.. appeared at the end of the very respectable score of 20 made by Marchant. Mason followed, but Sellon was soon busy with his bails, and he kiudly made way for Crowther, who, with J. Salmon as a champion, contrived, to add a few runs to the score, but Salmon was not quick enough for one of Cross' shooters, and Staples was substituted for him. Tbe game now became most exciting, as it was certain that time would not allow of its being played out, and consequently that it would havo to be decided by" ths first innings. When therefore a hit for two from Crowther ran the score up to a tie with Nelson, all eyes were earnestly fixed on the players until a loud cheer and a vision of falling stumps and flying bails proclaimed that Sellon bad had his reveDge on Crowther for that clever catch. A tie at 77, of which 26 were byes. Those who had looked for a good game were right in their anticipations. The* tale" of the secoud innings must be more briefly told. A great improvement was observable in the Wellington bowling, and the wickets fell fast until Sellon and Knapp got together and made a stand for some time, the former adding a handsome number to the score. The bowling being so much better than tbat of tbe first innings while the fielding kept up to the same mark, it was not surprising tbat Nelson did not make so many runs, and by a little after five they were all got rid of for 62. But Wellington did not fare much better, and Cross' excellent bowling proved fatal to many a gallant batsman of whom better things were expected. Matters began to assume a fishy appearance for our visitors when tbe second Salmon was put out of the way by. Cross who was death on the wicket, and although Werry contrived to obtain 14, the scorers had on tbe whole an easy time of it, and when time was^ called at 7 o'clock, 19 runs were wanted to secure a victory to the Wellington men, only three of whom — and tbey by no means their best — remained to be disposed of. On the whole, this may be looked upon as the prettiest and the most.hardlycontested match played in Nelson, and we believe we are only expressing the general feeling in saying that such a set of men as those who represented Wellington on this occasion will at any time receive a most hearty welcome, not only from the cricketers, but from the public of Nelson. The following is the score : —

I Kelson. Ist innings. 2nd innings. - . S. Powell, b Knapp .., 1 runout 6 F. Wither, b Marchant 0 b Enapp I K. Knapp, c Mason, b » Marchant 6 b Knapp 3 C. Knapp, b Knapp ... 18 b Knapp 4 H. Knapp, b Marchant 3 b Knapp 0 M. Sellon, c Crowtber, b Knapp 8 not 0ut.,.., 23 G. Cross, c Marchant, b c Marchanc, b Knapp 13 Knapp 7 H. Cross, st Werry, b Salmon 3 1. b. w., b Salmon 7 R. Tennent, not out ... 8 b Marchant 3 E. Blundell, run out ... 5 c Knapp, b Salmon 0 Jackson, c Werry, b Salmon , 2 1.b.w., b Knapp 1 Byes.. 5 5 Leg bye 0 1 Wides 5 1 Totals 77 , 62 Grand Total, 139. Wellington. Ist innings. 2nd innings. I. J. Salmon, c Jackson, bH. Cross 4 bH.Cross 3 H. Russell, b Sellon ... 7 not out 3 W. J. Salmon, b H. Cross bH.Cross ...... 3 Bock, b H. Cross 0 Knapp, c C. Cross, b H. Cross .';...' 2 runout...., 5 Marcbant, Lb.w., b H. Cross 20 b Sellon 5 Werry, b 5e110n......... 7 bH.Cross 14 J. Salmon, bH. Cross 4 not out „ 1 W. Mason, bSellon ... 0 • J. Crowther, b Sellon 4 J. Staples, not out 0 bH. Cross ...*... 0 Byes... '27 ' 9 Leg byes 1 2 Wides 1 ,1 No ba11...............' 0 1 ' . Totals ...... 77 ; ' 47 . Grand total, 124. .