Cricket.

Free Lance, Volume II, Issue 76, 14 December 1901, Page 6

Cricket.

The first representative cricket match of the season will be played in Wellington this week — Canterbury and Wellington, beang the contesting teams. The local team has given satisfaction with one exception — surprise being expressed at Robertsons inclusion. For my own part, I fancy the team \%ould have been improved with Ste-venson in it in "Robbie's" place, but apparently the Committee thought they had plenty of bowlers, and as Robertson is generally m the humour to make a few runs, and save perhaps more in the outfield the reason for his inclusion is obvious . Another player who is entitled to perhaps more consideration than either Stevenson or Robertson is Stanles, the Old Boys' player So far this season he has batted with a great deal of con-

sistency, and he must be among thp first half-dozen highest averages. The scoring in Christohurch so far tins season would go to show that the bowling is weak, while in Wellington the bowlers, with very few exceptions, have had the better of the deal. The representatives from the City of the Plains more, often than not make big scores in their engagements, and the game this week should prove as interesting as those which have preceded it. The game will commence at 2 p.m. to-day (Friday), and will be continued on Saturday and Monday.

The first test martch between Maclaren's team and an AustraJian eleven commences in Sydney to-day (Friday) The Austrahui team is mainly notable for the number of old representatives there are in it Some of us were expecting to <^cc some young players — especially Hack and Clarke/ — among the elect of Australia and we are disappointed accordingly The first glance would lead one to think that the all-round man — he that can bowl and bat as well — has been given the preference, but that argument goes astray directly you reach Jones's name, for Jones is not worth two pennorth of coppers as a bat. Hack and Poidwm not being bowlers, had to stand down, I take it, for in the eleven there are no less than seven bowlers — the exceptions being Darling. Hill Kelly and Gregory The team is a srnori one. and would make the best available English team extend itself to the uttermost, so I fancy in this match they will win easily.

Poidevin's innxngs for New South Wales against the Englishmen is thus referred to — A record by Poidevin Poidevin's 10l not out was the result of ii hours' batting. It was a great effort for a young cricketer in his first appearance in a representative match against English bowling. He hit 19 fours and made' his strokes all round, driving with, great power on both sides of the wicket. Those who had previously not seen much of Poidevin's batting, were struck by the soundness of hif» defence, the quickness with which he got to the ball, and his gnt. Old cricketers were specially pleased with him Lafct season Poidevui made a record by plavmg the biggest innings (140 not out) ever got by one on his first appearance in matches for the Sheffield Shaeld. He has added to this the record score for a first appearance against an Enghsh team, whole for New South Wales against all the English team 1 ; that hwo visited Australia his 10l not out has been surpassed once only — 171 by S

E. Gregory in the previous match in 1898." It is stated that Johnny Bnggs, he English cricketer, is on the road to grooi health again. A.. C. Maclaren was thiry years of age on the Ist December, and H. Graham thirty-one two days previously. The most urgent need in cricket circles m Wellington at the present time is reliable and full reports in the daily papers, week bv week, of the games in progress. Hawke's Bay lias its team ready for the vanquishing of Wellington, Canterbun- and Otago. By the way Trott should arrive in Wellington at the end of this week or early next. If G. L. Jessop's batting has not yet lealised expectations, it can be said that his fieildmg has more than done so. He "moves from the mark" in anticipation of the stroke, covers the ground with great speed, picks up with either hand, and is a quick and very accurate thrower, often upsetting the wicket.—"Referee " T i J i le Pollard Company which opens in Wellington on Boxing Day, have formed a cricket club amongst themselves and have been doing so well at the game in other parts of the colony that they will probably invite several of the local senior teams to play against them while they are here. Mr. Harry Whiealy is the secretary, and he is not likely to let the grass grow under his feet.