CRICKET.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5846, 24 December 1879, Page 3

CRICKET.

WELLINGTON Y. WANGANUI. The annual cricketing contest between teams representing Wellington city and the Wanganui district was commenced at the Basin Reserve yesterday. The day was far from being favorable for a display of good allround cricket, and owing to the heavy rainfall during Monday evening and the early part of yesterday, it was at one period thought that the match would have to be postponed, the ground being in a very dead condition. At the appointed time (11 o’clock) for the wickets to be pitched, it was thought advisable to adjourn for a couple of hours, so as to allow the wind, which was blowing very strong, time to dry the ground. At 1 p.m. both teams were in readiness to proceed with the game, and the pitch having improved, it was decided to commence the match. Messrs. Mansell and Fitzherbert occupied the position of umpires, the former for Wellington, aud the latter for Wanganui ; while the respective teams were captained by Messrs. Hamilton and Anson. The visitors having won the toss, elected to send their opponents to the stumps, to the trundling of Cross and Farrington. Wellington cannot certainly be congratulated on her choice of representatives, the batting power being very weak ; but the reason given is that owing to the match falling so near Christmas time, many of the best men were not able to spare the necessary time. However, the team selected worked hard to secure victory tor the city, and will take a lot of beating for the “blue ribbm.” In their innings yesterday, Messrs. Ingle, Speed, Hamilton, and Webb, were the only men *V.t made a stand against the bowling. The fielding and bowling of the Wanganui men were very good, those specially noticeable being Notman, Moore, and Fitzherbert, in the field, and Cross and Farrington at the bowling. The first innings of the Weliingtonians closed for the rather small score of 78 ; and the Wanganui men have three out for 45. The following was the order of play :— Kennedy and Blaoklock were the first to come forward, but the former, who played well last season, seemed out of form, and had soon to retire for a single. Page took the vacancy, but parted with Blacklock directly, the latter having played all over Farrington. 2—l. Ingle now took the willow, and some steady play resulted. Hedrove Farrington for 3, and in the next over made a brace from Cross. It being now two o’clock, an adjournment was made to the Tramway Hotel, where a good luncheon was provided. Punctually at 3 p.m. play was resumed, the two not-out, Ingle and Page, taking the batting. Ingle took the first off Cross for a single, but revenge was taken by Cross, who clean bowled Page in the next ball, 3—14—1. Hamilton joined Ingle, and gave a chance to the slips, but it was missed. The latter went on scoring in fine style, showing some very pretty cricket. Fulton now took the leather, and succeeded in talcing Ingle, with the first ball. 4—ls—-23. England came next, and after scoring a single, put one into the mid-on’s hands. 5—1—28. Hickson followed, and Farrington relieving Cross, Hamilton had to retire. 6—2—28. Hickson' was joined by Speed, but after adding two fours and three singles, the former was given out l.b.w. 7 —11—41. Duncan became Speed’s vis-a-iis, and after making eight, principally by leg-hits, was clean bowled by Farrington. B—S—3l. Things looked very bad for the home team when Armitage went to the stumps ; he made a single and retired. 9—1—52. Webb, the last man, joined Speed, and runs were brought together speedily ; these two players running np 26, when Cross, who had again taken the ball, sent a shooter into Speed, to which be had to succumb, after a carefully played innings of 15. 10—15—78. The ground was rolled, and at 5 p.m. the Wanganui men took the wickets, to the bowling of Armitage aud Hickson. The latter clean bowled Fulton with the first ball, and Watson filled the gap, but soon lost Farrington, who was bowled by Armitage with a regular trimmer. 2—o—l. Barton was next in order, and by his brilliant dash and effective play succeeded in running up 20 in a very short time, when he lost Watson. 0—6—19. Cross took the next wicket, and the spectators had the pleasure of witnessing the finest cricket of the day. The field was kept constantly at work by him and Barton, three’s being very frequent. When time was called (6 p.m.) they were still at the wickets, Barton being credited with 25, and Cross with 11 runs. The following are the scores :

Bowling Analysis. —Cross: 82 balls, 10 runs, 11 maidens, 3 wickets, 1 wide, 4 no balls. Farrington : SI balls. 23 runs, 6 maidens, 1 wickets, 1 wide. Fulton : 20 balls, 5 maidens, 1 wicket Lockett: 29 balls, 13 runs, 2 maidens, 1 wicket. 1 wide. McGregor : 40 balls, 16 runs, 2 maidens, 1 wicket.

Bowling Analysis. —Armitago : 61 balls, 24 runs, 5 maidens, 2 wickets, 1 wide. Hickson : 52 balls, 15 runs, 5 maidens, 1 wicket, Ingle: 4 balls, 3 runs. Play will be resumed this morning, at IX o'clock sharp.

"Wellington— 1st Innings, Blacklock, b Farrington 0 Kennedy, b Cross 1 Page, b Cross 1 Ingle, c Parrineton, b Fulton 15 Hamilton, c Notman, b Farrington England, c Farrington, b Lockett .. I Hickson, Ibw, b Farrington.. Speed, b Cross H 15 Duncan, b Farrington 8 Armitage, b McGregor 1 Webb, not out 12 Dyes, 2 ; leg-byes, 2 ; rvidcs, 3 ; no balls 4= 11 Total 78

West Coast— 1st Innings. Farrington, b Arnritage Fulton, b Armitago .. 0 Watson, b Hickson Barton, not out Cross, not out Byes, 1 ; log-bye, 1 ; wide, 1 .. 3 Total for three wickets .. 45