Cricket.

Free Lance, Volume IV, Issue 184, 9 January 1904, Page 20

Cricket.

The Wellington-Canterbury match came to an abrupt conclusion on Monday. Just let me write it down in case it is forgotten ! A Wellington representative team, on a good wicket, dismissed for 22 runs — an average of 2 runs a batsman. Oh, it does hurt. The outstanding features of the game, from a Wellington standpoint were — (1) The slashing innings of 43 (not out) played by "Tom" Hales for Wellington during their first journey to the wickets made b-" fine dashing cricket ; (2) Tucker's reversal of Cup form by making a tally of 65 , and (3; Gore's fine innings. The Canterbury batsmen, in their first turn at the wickets, displayed soundness in their batting — the uppish strokes being few, and the drives generally straight along the carpet. Those who were seriously discussing Callawav's chances of inclusion in the Australian team in the test matches will have another argument in their favour in his performance in this mateh — six wickets for four runs is something to enthuse about in a repiesentative match. The match ended in a win for Canterbury by 244 runs. The scores were as follows — Canterbury first innings, 382 (Ollivier 83, Strange 52, Wigley 47, Bennett 58, Callaway 41, Sims 16, Reese 10, Frankish 10, Howell 19) ; second innings. 164 (Callaway 55, Sims 47, Howell 14, WiP'ley 12, Bennett 10)— total, 546. Wellington, first innings, 280 (Tucker 65, Gore 51, Hales 43 not out, Staples 32, S. Hickson 26. Upham 21, Mahony 14): second innings 22 'S. Hickson B)— total 302. * * # At the time of writing the second test match between England and Australia looks any odds on the team from the Motherland scoring its second win. The luc^. of the came, so far, has been with Warner and his team, but the saving of the follow-on bv the narrow margin of seven runs gives the Australians a chance, though possibly a poor one, of pulling off the game. What a great batsman Trumper is! In an innings' totalling 122 runs his contribution is the great total of 74. * * * The humours of cr.ckot reporting in Wellington — "Howell se.it down, a wide, off which two byes were run." Wonderful ! I. and W. Mills, two of Auckland's best players, are unable to play for their Association against Canterbury, in the match starting in Auckland to-day. Mild surprise w r as expressed in cricketing circles in Wellington when it was announced that Mr. C. Gore had been appointed to select the North Island team in the inter-island mate! . A good player, undoubtedly, but I neveir thought he had any pretensions as a selector. The following is "Not Out's" appreciation of Tyldesley - — "Tyldesley's innings was the choicest display of batting yet given by any member of the English team on the Sydney ground. It w as perfect batting, the strokes on both sides being executed with great power and exact timing." A Canterbury item — "Numerous balls are lost each season in, the hedges surrounding the Hagley Park Cricket Ground. A fox-terrier dog, belonging to a member of the Midland Cricket Club, the other day apparently made a systematic search, as he retrieved no fewer than eight to the pavilion " Mr. F. J. Ohlson, Auckland's sole selector of cricket teams, and the secretary of the Auckland Amateur Athletic Club, will be assisting in the conduct of the amateur championship meeting tomorrow. "Curly" is a familiar figure in sporting circles in Auckland, and I w ish him a pleasant stay in this portion of the colony. Just a word to the Cricket Association. Occasionally notes on cricket happenings appear in this paper, and this being admitted, common courtesy would suggest the sending of a complimentary ticket to the office on the occasion of a) representative match. I don't want to say unkind things, but I feel there was a certain "method in the l^adness" of the gentleman who was responsible for the circulating of the passes in passing me by.

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Canterbury and Auckland commence their match in Auckland to-day (Friday)). On the 15th instant Canterbury play Hawke's Bay, at Napier. The New Zealand Cricket Council is endeavouring to arrange the North and South Island match, to be played in Wellington, for January 20, 21, and 22. The Yorkshire County Club intend to give a benefit match to Hirst next season. The game will be Yorkshire v. Lancashire, at Leeds, commencing on the August bank holiday. I have often wondered — perhaps from a personal standpoint— how the umpires have been appointed tor remesentative matches. And. again a passing thought has come to me that it a local gentleman is capable and willing to officiate in representative matches he should be also willing to take his turn at umpiring in the v.eekly matches. This seems to me to be only in the order of things. The most remarkable thing— judging from championship cricket form— m connection with the representative matches played during the holiday season was the fine batting performances put up by Old Boys players in the various matches. I have often contended that these players have not done themselves full justice in local cricket, and am eagerly looking forward to good showings from them on the resumption of championship matches. They have proved fheir ability to make runs against foreign bowling, and should be able to do so against local trundlers. I have been told, on good authority, that junior and third-class matches under the control of the Cricket Association will be played to-mcrrow. Surely those controlling the sport v.ill not allow this to be done, considering the great efforts being out forth to make the amateur championship meeting on the Basin Reserve a success. It will require the assistance of every enthusiastic supporter of sport in the city to make to-morrow's gathering financially successful, and it would be a graceful act on the part of the Cricket Association, therefore, to discontinue its matches on this occasion.