CHARGES AGAINST THE ENGLISH CRICKETERS.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume X, Issue 1088, 17 June 1882, Page 4

CHARGES AGAINST THE ENGLISH CRICKETERS.

Regarding the rediculous charge against two of Shaw’s team of having solved one of their matches in Sydney —a thing which any cricketer knows at it is impossible for a man to do with •out the collusion of the rest of the team — the “ Argus ” very justly says : — “ The impression among cricketers lere is that the rumor has originated with some of a class who are to be found at every cricket match, and who firmly believe that English cricketers can at any moment prove their superiority over their colonial rivals. They frequently assert their 'confidence in the prowess of their countrymen by backing them heavily, and on losing, •at once jump to the conclusion that the game w as a swindle, and that some of the players were in league with the bookmakers, while in reality the fault lies simply with their own powers of judgment. The probability is that some one victimised in this way has consoled himself with the idea that all •was not as it should be, and has confided his suspicions, together with the rumor to which reference has already been made, to a friend in England, .and that the matter has thus found its way into print. If every idle rumor •of this kind was considered worth investigation, those entrusted with the ■duty would have little spare time on heir hands, and very few of our leadt

•ing cricketers would escape some such libellous imputation. In all sports with which the members of the betting ring have the slightest connection suspicion is generally excited, but in this instance it is considered that the English team have been made the victims of a shallow and worthless rumor.”