CRICKET.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 307, 5 February 1910, Page 5

CRICKET.

M.C.C. IX SOUTH AFRICA. By Cable. —Press Association. —Copyright Capetown, February 3. A mutch at East London, betwuen "tlic M.C.C. team and a Bonier eleven, was won by the M.C.C., who .scored J37 and 150 for six wickets (Hobbs 70) against the Border team's 144 and 1.31. TilE AUSTRALIAN TI'.'AM. Received 5, 1.1.") a.m. Sydney. Tehniary 4. The Australian team wni -ail liy i!:c Moeraki to-morVs\v. THE AUSTRALIAN TOUR. Christchureh, February 4. The tour of the Australian team is <iow finally arranged. The team leaves Nydney on Februray 5, play, Wellington on February 11, 12, and 14; Auckland On February 18, 10, and 21: Canterbury on February 35, 20 and 28: Otago on 'March 5, 7, and 8; first to-t at Christchureh, .March 11, 12 and 14; Manawatu. at Palmerston North, March Hi and 17; Wanganni, March IS and 10, Tarannki, March 22 and 2.'i; second test, at Wellington, March 20 28 and 20; Hawke's itla}', April 1, 2 and 4; and leaves "Wellington on April S for home. NOTES. (By "Third Slip.") Cricketers were favored with glorious' Weather oil Thursday afternoon last, when the second series of cup matches kvns commenced. .Inglewood journeyed in to meet Carrington Road on the Recreation Ground., and at the end of the (lay's play were in a very bad position, being about 120 runs behind on the lirst innings. The wicket looked to be in fairly good brder, although rather on the hcavv side. As the game proceeded, an eleincnt of dampness' made itself apparent, just sufficient to make the pitch cut up badly at times. Considering the rate of scoring—2sl runs in V/> hours—it proved itself somewhat of a batsman's wicket. Inglewood elected to bat first, but made a very disastrous start in losing ljoth Crombie and C'legg before double figures were hoisted on the board, Southfoil bowling the former after being hit for a four and the latter succumbing to lienbow's first ball—of excellent length had with sufficient oil' turn to beat the bat. Pullan and Matthews rattled up the runs merrily for a little time, but after these two batsmen were dismissed Uic end soon came, and the whole s'ide was dismissed for the .poor total of 00 funs.

Robertson and Lash opened up for Carrington Road, to the bowling of Hards and O'Bvrne. Both batsmen showed Hie utmost confidence from the start, fcnd quickly settled down to a very free and stylish display, Robertson scoring mostly by powerful driving, and Lash getting in some pretty square cuts and fine leg work. The partnership yielded 401 runs before Lash mishit a ball to Square leg, and retired with a wellslaved 42 to his credit, having shown 'a return to his old form without the heuiblance of a chance. Green joined Robertson and contrary to his usual Custom, settled down to a steady game, Consequently making the rate of rnnjEjetting considerably slower. Robertson, however, continued to score freely, asc'r when in the sixties, sent up a cal«h to Billing, which was not accepted; and shortly afterwards sent up another to the same fieldsman in the long -field, which was' treated in the same manner.

When well within sight of Lis century Robertson failed to get well 011 to a leg bull from Crombie, and was caught S) t v Clegg at wide mid-on. But for the two rntiter smart chances of catching •given, this batsman gave a very brilliant display of hatting. With the exception of Green, who flayed a very useful innings, none of the others lasted long, as Crombie and Harris were howling exceedingly well, and the remaining seven wickets could only fteeount for about 30 runs. Tienbow and Bouthall bore the brunt of the bowling for Carrington Road, Crombie and Harris for Jnglewood. With the exception of- one or two dropped catches on both hides, the fielding was particularly crisp find clean, and any little discrepancies ;that cropped up were due more to the unevenness of the ground than to the fieldsmen's bad judgment. Messrs. Williams and Price, of the Rovers J team, ftfficiated as umpires, and carried out their duties in a concise and painstaking manner,, notwithstanding the fact that their abilities were tested to the utmos, in being called upon t.o adjudicate on one or two fine points that cropped lip. The Wanderers met Waitara on the Western Park, and owing to the late arrival of the latter team play did hot commence until half-past three. This procedure by visiting country teams seems to be getting the rule more (hail "the exception, and in the case of this match particularly, ail hour might make hll the difference to the ultimate result. Wanderers batted first, and very fortunately for/ them a good stand was wade by Nicoll and Lash for the first, •wicket. Whittle afterwards helping Lash to carry the total along to a respectable state; but the remaining 'batsmen proved of very little assistance, anil the innings was finished for the poor total (for them) of 130, of which Lash had made (13 by safe and fairly steady play. Thomas and P. Skelion were the most successful bowlers for Waitara. Waitara commenced their innings late in the afternoon, and at the call of time Iliad lost two wickets fro 33, leaving I Eggleston and 0. Wilson not out with 14 and 11 respectively to their credit. ITill was' bowling in almost his best style, and captured both wickets cheaply. The North Taranaki Cricket Association has been granted a match against <ho Australian eleven, and the dates lhave been definitely fixed for Tuesday rmd Wednesday, March 22nd and 23rd.