SELBY, THE CRICKETER, AS A RUNNER.

Oamaru Mail, Volume I, Issue 270, 5 March 1877, Page 2

SELBY, THE CRICKETER, AS A RUNNER.

Mr. Samuel P. Andrews, of Christchurch, writes to the Lyttelton Times in reference to the performances of Selby, the English cricketer, in the Colony, as follows : " The report of Selby's doings in "New Zealand may be summarised thus :—First, Selby beats Ellis, Auckland, easily; second, Selby beats Donovan, Wellington, 20 yai'ds in 100 ; third, Selby beats Frith, Canterbury, 4 yards in 100 ; fourth, Frith beats Selby—2oo yards ; fifth, Selby forfeits to Frith in 300 yards. By this a stranger may be led to suppose that Canterbury possesses in Frith a man superior to anything that Selby lias come in contact with in New Zealand ; and more, liia superior, as shown by his forfeit. "I, as a witness to the late match as run on the Canterbury Cricket Ground, state, wit'iou'; fear of contradiction, that in the 100 yards event after Selby had covered about 40 yards, leading then by about six, he palpably eased up. and fan in winning as above. , " In the 200 yards race, Selby ran' ftum start to finish, with hands down stiff by his side, never once making tha least effort to win. "As to the 'forfeit,' or any of the money transactions, I know nothing. " I give this version, not to despise Frith, but as a faithful report to the very many in and out of Canterbury who value my opinion."