CRICKET.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 17, 18 January 1913, Page 8

CRICKET.

SOUTH MELBOURNE v. CANTER BURY.

(Per Press Association.)

Christchurch, January 17

The return match between Canterbury and South Melbourne commenced at Lancaster Park this afternoon, when the weather was perfect and the conditions all in favour of a good game. The fact that the previous match resulted in a close finish has added considerable interest to the present game. The South Melbourne team was the same that played here before, except that Pervis replaced Gray, whilst on the Canterbury side the places of Boxshall, Sims, and Patrick are filled by Taylor, Patterson ami Woods. The wicket was in splendid order, and the outfield fast. Melbourne batted first, and were all out for 80. Hickmott had his hand injured in stopping a hot one from McCormack, and he had to retire, and will not he able to bat in the match. Canterbury, in the first innings, made 191 for five wickets, J. L. Patterson contributing 53, and 1). Reese 61 (not out), and South Melbourne made 80.

ENGLISH UMPIRING DEFENDED

(Received 9.-10 a.m.) Sydney, January 18. Sid Gregory defends the English ' umpiring. Mistakes had no doubt

been made, lie said, but lacy were no worse than those made in first-class cricket in Australia. The Bardsley and Minnett cases were very glaring, but probably they were genuine mistakes. Umpires were not infallible. His experience was that tncy had not openly made flagrant breaches of the rules, and he thought English tin- j pires were quite as fair as the Aus- j tralians. He knew no remedy.