Cricket.

Free Lance, Volume I, Issue 23, 8 December 1900, Page 13

Cricket.

THE weather on Saturday was fine for the resumption of the championship matches, but the light was not of the best, being uncertain at times. •<• •* * In the Midland — Old Boys match the older club is well to the good on the day's play, its innings totalling 169 as against 62 by the Old Boys. The latter have four wickets down for 21, and their chance of saving an innings' defeat appears to be very remote. Williams 177), Holdsworth (26), Hickson (22), Tucker (13), and (Robertson (15) batted well for Midland, Blacklock (20) and McKenzie (10) being the only double-figure scorers for the Old I3oys. - # + Phoenix ran up the score of 145 against Wellington, Wright (26), Benbow (24), Waters (21), Clarke (16), Naughton (14), Wells (11), and Midlane (11) being mainly responsible. Weybourne (.58) and Richardson (40) were still in at the call of time, the Wellington's score reading 104 for no wickets.

The new rule re the commencement of matches at 2.15 is not appreciated by the majority of the players, the general opinion being that the old time — 2.30 — if strictly adhered to, is the more preferable. Most, if not all, of our cricketers indulge in the game as a pastime — and not as a business — and those who find it a hardship to reach the ground by 2.15 have all the afternoon's pleasure marred to them thereby. # * * For instance, the Wellington Club for the last two Saturdays have had to take the field short - handed. It stands to reason that those who arrived on the field late had the feeling that they had inconvenienced their club mates by so doing, and thus spoilt their own enjoyment of the game. To my mind, therefore, it would be better to recur to the old time, with the proviso that the matches are started punctually. Gilmer (three for 21) was the most successful Old Boys bowler. Waters batted finely for Phceniv, but the light appeared to trouble him at times. Ashbolt bowled almost continually for two hours at one stage of the Phoenix innings. Holdsworth again opened his shoulders, one of his hits going among the trees at the Caledonian end of the ground. Naughton opened well with a fine cut for four off Ashbolt, but the remainder of his score of 14 was made by very slow cricket. Wells made his runs with very free cricket, and Midlane had just got going when Redmond effected a good catch in the slips off Ashbolt. Benbow was the only Phoenix bowler who appeared to trouble Weybourne and Richardson, and iH alley tried no less than seven of his team. Wright showed plenty of <\ >fou^ in his innings, and one hit to leg, which produced six (two being obtained from an overthrow) was a good one. Hales. Ashbolt, and Redmond each got three wickets in the Phoenix innings. Hickson getting the other. "Hales's average of three for 22 was the best of the quartette. Clarke started well, but appeared to tne. With Burton and him going well at the opening of the innings, it looked like a big score for Phoenix, but again this team disappointed its admirers. The best display of batting was that given by Arnold Williams. His lef hits over the fence were well timed, and splendidly executed. The way he was given out-— stumped — he did not appreciate. Weybourne and Richardson showed capital defence in their innings, some of Weybourne's cuts being real beauties his skipper also finding the boundary with the most of those he cut from vhe far end. Batting on No. 2 wicket the trees on the far Bide of the ground made the light very bad for the Phoenix batsmen, the ball being temporarily lost in its night, especially when Ashbolt was bowling. Mr (Iporge F. Harris writes me in explanation of liis retirement from the position of Bcorer to the senior eleven of the Wellington Clnl>. He snys there was considerable friction between the captain and hunsolf, nnrl lie remgnpd in consequence, after eight years' seivice.

McKeime did not appear at all comfortable while making his 10, although he lifted one over the fence from Tucker. Holdship had a day off, his work in the field being very poor. He was one of those that found the light very trying, especially when facing the sun when it was over the pavilion. TJpham (three for 18), Hold&wortl(two for 11), Tucker (four for 22) ar.d George (one for 3) did the bowling in the Old Boys' first innings. Of Iho four wickets down in the second ; nnine;.s Upham lias three, and Holds worth one. Weybourne (188), Burke (78), Jones (47), Stevens (94), Flint (77), Blacklock (45). G. Plimmer (60), Corswell (47), Alpe (44 not out), Lambert (89), Luxford (41). These are some of the scores made in junior and third-class cricket on Saturday. There was some big scoring in junior cricket on Saturday. In the Midland — Old Boys match the former team put up two records — 488 for eight wickets (a record junior championship score) and 222 for the third wicket (a record for all grades). Blacklock — a name to conjure by in Wellinarton senior cricket— made his first appearance in the Old Boys' senior team. He played all the bowling with confidence, and never appeared like getting out till he touched one from Tucker into the safe hands of TJpham. He is a son of Jimmy of that ilk. By the way, an elder brother made 45 playing for Phoenix 11. against the College. The scores made by Weybourne, Jones, and Burke bring the conclusion forcibly home that a classification committee could do effective work among the cricketers. There are many worse bats than these three playing in the senior matches, and yet the juniors have to "battle" against them. If there is no room for them in the Midland first eleven let the Management Committee classify them as senior players, and a Avay will then be found to keep them playing cricket.