CRICKET.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 336, 11 March 1910, Page 8

CRICKET.

THE TEST MATCH. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Christchurch, Last Night. For the first test match, Australia v. >New Zealand, to-morrow, the weather at the time of telegraphing is not promising. At about 5 o'clock this evening a light shower fell, and since then it has bc.-'ii misty, accompanied 'by a drizzle. NOR Hi v. SOUTH TARANAKI. A WIY :OR SOUTH EXD. [ The ?TorMi v. South Taranaki cricket match 'vas p.'ayed oil the Recreation | Grounds yesterday. Until late on Wed- | nesday .i'ie intentions of the visitors as j to times of starting and of drawing st imps were unknown, and when they communicated the fact that the team was arriv : ng that evening, and expected to leave a'/a in by the 4.30 p.m. train on Thursday, some o f the Northern men found it impossible to make arrangements to allow of their playing. TI'US the home team played two or three substitutes. The visitors played a strong eleven, and quife outclassed the Northerners in both batting and bowling Possibly Captain Lash \\ r as trying the ni'-.ttle of his bowlers, in view of the Auitral'.an match. Unless that was so. it is difficult to understand why lie took •SodthaU in the first innings when he had secured two wickets for 16 runs, and again in the second when he had tii;ee for 16. Hill, too, was taken off in the second innings when he had 'howled two overs, off which South Taranaki had been able to knock only four runs Pratt captained the visitors, and E. lash the home eleven.

South Taraiiaki batted first, sending Sullivan and Cole in. The start was inauspicious. Soutflall got Sullivan's wicket in the first over. s—l—o. Pratt ca»ne in, and only one run had been .added when Cole iost his wicket, being caught by Smith (substitute). Moore and Pratt carried the score to 29 before a separition was effected. Nicoll replaced Clarke, and Nicoll took Southall's end. Pratt wa* followed by Dunlop, and he and Moore l.rought the score to 57, at which figure Moore was caught by Nicoll. McCarthy, the next man in, soon settled down to the bowling, and he and Dunlop punished it heavily. Meanwhile, Clarke had goue on to bowl at Hill's 'end, and Smith sent Clarke's first ball to the boundary for four, the over produci-i* ten. McCarthy was still taking liberties a ith Nicoll, and sent the th'rd ball of tis over to the terraces. The century appeared for 64 minutes' play. The sco/e still mounted smartly, the bowlers proving very expensive. SiMithai! again tame on at Nicoll's end an:l Smith I'fttd his second ball to the terraces The bowler's revenge was 1 swift, for the next ball saw Smith's sn-nnps scttti'Xd. 118—6—20. F. Inman joired McCarthy. When the latter's scorp stood at £7 Tnman narrowly missed being run out. The ball was splendidly thrown in, but was mulled by the wiekf'tkcppfT. FTis next ball went to Niroll. 12^—7- 1. Mather was the next bi'tsmm. Hp shaped very uncomfort a!ny to the bowling of either end, and In 1 on'v "iadp six when Southall got liin legr-beforp-wicket. 141—8—6. .Turd replaced Mather. Runs came more slowly, untn McCarthy drove Smith?!! to th" l)o!'T>d?i-. and then bronorht 150 up with a 'D'or hit to the terraces. The n".\t oyer v.as fatal to him. for he lifted CVrke to Owilliam at The Vtwi'ii had given a clean exhibition hUtlncr, and showed much or his old-time fonn. flp=nite a two-years'; nlnonce from ine wickets. 154—!)—50. .Tnrd and Coldstone staved only a few minuter lonnpr. ,Turd beincr caught bv TTaselt of!" Clarkp lmfore arldin» further to *he spore, trip innings closing for 154

P.obertsnn •'md Lash opened Xorth Taranaki's innincrs to the howling of Dniilon ar-d rvdo. Thinlo.n clean bowled Hobertfw: with his third bill, a "vorker.'' o—o—l.0 —o—l. Weston went in and two hvps wore run. Lash hit Cole for two. and wraduallr piled nn 14 ruu«. including a fourer off Dunlon and a three off Afnorp's fielding. With i ne t-on-e 10 T,ash was bowled bv Cole 115—14—Hasell fi'led the vacanev. snickin? Cole's first ball to the boundary and 'brimine uo -20. Cole's T-vt bill v <ent, tn the boundary", off Hnsell's ivv's. Dunlon bowled Weston with his third ball, fhe batsman had went an uncomfortable twenty minutes at the wickets. and did not, bronk his '•'■•liu-V." 24—3—:"V fireatbach had a luok v lotoff. his first ball striking the wicket without removing the bails. TTe and Hasell seemed to have settled down to fflte bowline, and McCarthy came on TTe too'v Oreatbach's wicket with his first ball, an off break. 30—4—0. Hasell was howled in the same over. 40—5—7 Xicoll. v. ho nnd followed Oreatbach. tell to Dunlop. 42—0—1. E<rcrleston and Perham looked like makingr a stand, luit the latu-r succumbed to McCarthy's first ball, af'er plavinw Dunlon ennfident.lv 51—7—3. At this stase McCarthy lnd taken three wickets for one run. Clarke was soon di«nnsed of. beine <?'ven out lp?-before-wieket to McCarthv. 51—8—0. TTi'l joined Forfflrston. and a useful nprt nersliip resulted in the score nrvinfin" to 74. when TTill was bowled. Fo had compiled a very careful 13. and looked like makin? more. Southall wis the last man. and ho added a two to the score before Cole clean bowled him. His couple just prevented a follow-on.

Tn South Tarauaki's second innines Pratt sent the <: tail" in first. Smith made one, but Southall's next ball found Coldstone's wicket. Inman went in next, and Clarke went on to bowl at the terrace end. Smith skied one to Ha soil, and Cole went to the wickets At 11 Greatbach stumped Inman. Three for 11. .Turd stayed a minute or two longer, and Sullivan came in. He hadperoral narrow escapes from the wicketkeeper. Cole was plavinsj Southall with confidence, and 'placed him out o'i the ground for six. Clarke was replaced at the terrace end by Xicoll, and Hill took Southall's place. The batsmen seemed

MaUher, 1.1).w., b Southail ~ .. 6' Jvlrcl, c Hasell, 'o Clarke .. .. 2 Goldstone. not out 0 Extras 10 Total 154 Bowling analysis—Clarke 47 runs, 4 pickets, 12.3 overs, 3 maidens (took the last three wickets for three runs); Southail 57 runs. 4 wickets, 11 overs, no maidens; Nicoll 25 runs. 2 wickets. 5 overs, no maidens; Hill 10 runs, no wickets, 3 overs. Wickets fell—One for 5, two fof 6, three for 29, four for 57, five for 84, six for 118, seven for 128, eight for 141, nine for 154, and 10 for 154.

Second Innings. Goldstone, b Southall .. .. 0 Smith, c Hasell, b Clarke .. .. 1 luman, st G reattach, b Southall .. 6 Cole, c Nicoll, b Clarke .. ..21 Jurd, c Nicoll. b Southall .. .. 1 Sullivan, b Clarke 33 Dunlop, run out • 26 Pratt, not out 4 Extras 11 Total for eight wickets .. .. 102 Bowling analysis—Southall 16 runs, 3 wickets, G overs, 1 maiden; Clarke 27 runs. 3 wickets. 9 overs, 2 maidens; •Ificoll 21 runs, no wiekets, 3 overs, no Maidens; Hill 4 runs, no wiekets, 2 overs, 1 maiden; Robertson 23 runs, no wickets. 3 overs, no maidens. Wickets fell—One for 1, two for 2. three for 11, four for 13, five for 67, six for 78, eight for 103. NORTH TARAXAKI. —First Innings. •Robertson, b Dunlop .. .. .. 0 Lash, b Cole .. 14 Weston, b Dunlop 0 Hasell, b McCarthy .. .. .. 7 flreatbach, b McCarthy .. .. 0 fßicoll, b Dunlop 1 Eggleston, not out 8 ■Perham. b McCarthy 3 Clarke, I b.w., b McCarthy .. .. 0 •Hill, b Cole 13 •Soutlml!. b Cole .. . .. ? Extras 22 Total .. .... .. 7fi Bowling—Dunlop 20 runs, 3 wiekets. 8 overs. 2 maidens; Cole 22 runs. 3 tickets. 7 overs, no maidens; McCarthy 4 runs. 4 wickets, 8 overs, 5 maidens; Pratt h runs, no wickets, 2 overs, no maidens.

, Runs at fall of each witket—One for 0, two for 1(5, three for 2J. four for 3D, five for 4ft, six for 42. seven for 51, eight for 51, nine for 74, ten for 76.

The I'nited Service B team will meet ,the A team on Saturday next on the South Road ground, Tutapa being unplayable. The following will represent the B team:—McCord, Preshaw, Carr, Napier, Osborne, Bollingtr, Wiggs, Bea. Brabant. Whatman, Stevenson. Any of the above unable to play are requested to inform the secretary as early as pog aible. ■ The following will represent the Fire Brigade in their math against the Warehousemen on the Sports Ground on Saturday:—Hardwick. Danks, Coppen. Clarke, Henimins, Cbleman, Billing, P'Halloran, Girling, Ro-h, Gunson, Best, Grant, and L. Bullot. The following will represent Warehousemen in their mitch against Fire Brigade on Saturday >n the Recreation Sports Ground: Stohr, Steeds, Willians, Johns, tireen, Gwilliam, Thomson, vVhite, Malarvey; emergencies, Sole, Big'low, and Bullock

Writes our Inglewood correspondent: will rgjret to learn that Mr. C. M. Inman is eaving the district. It is under=tood tlat he and Mrs. Inman are leaving fir Hamilton, in the Auckland province, in about six weeks' time. Mr. Tnmar is well known in cricketing circles, aid has played in the Saturday competitor all through this season, and it is lirgelv due to his efforts that his clu) holds such a prominent position a present. Although sorry to lose Mr. Inman, all will join in wishing him eery prosperity in his new home. Master S. Cibion, a lad of 17. who has played for tk> local club this year, put lip a very end itable performance »n Inglewood on Thirsdav last when bowling for the Stratf'rd High School against a i.eam of Inslewod "old boys." He did the "hat trick," taking three wickets with three consscutive balls. He has several tim> « ben put on as a change bowler for the local club, and has always succeeded in taking wickets, and his last week's terformance stamps him as a •'•'colt" of uore than average promise.

SOUTH TARANAKI ASSOCIATION. The North Taranaki Cricket- Ass'ociaon held as special meeting last night, resent: Messrs \\. Jiewley (president), W kittle, 'W. Perkau, ji. A very, A. Steeds, E. Lash, YV. 0. Weston, Egsston, T. R. Southall, Greene, Mackay lliams, F. Roch, F. Coleman, V. ElL. Hill, D. Clegg, Hawkins' and A. ivley (hon. secretary). ELEVEN OR FIFTEEN? Hie first and special business of the eting was in regard to a requisition I ;nig that the numerical strenjfbh, the representative team against the stra-lians be -again fully discussed, 'he president announced that no reition could be carried that even in", no notice of motion to rescind tha yious resolution liad been given. lr V. Elliot moved that the usual, is of debate be suspended, so as to w of the matter being diseus'sed and ded upon. Mr W. C. Weston seed. pon the motion being put, Mr Ave) y ed against it. Ir Whittle was surprised that any nber should thus' endeavour to bring >ut a deadlock. Tpon a show of hands being called, e opposition was withdrawn. Mr E. 'Whittle then moved that a ■am of eleven be chosen to represent prth and South Taranaki. Mr Steeds, who seconded, said Ire had ascertained the opinion of the business) people, who were being asked to close their premises, and they wanted eleven, Mr Hill said that the "young fellows" of the town were in favour of fifteen or more. -i' x-i

Mr A. Bewley (secretary) gaid the memoers of the south team who had been in New Plymouth that day were unanimously in favour of fifteen players. Even in New Plymouth the opinion in favour of eleven was held by very few. He said that the support troin the towns outside would be less if the team were reduced in numbers. The president said he had not heard a single sound argument advanced in favour of playing eleven men only. As far as custom was concerned his experience was that in 'English county cricket, where a very strong team was going to play an admittedly weak one, the latter would usually play 18 or 22 men. It was only of recent years that these smaller or weaker districts even thought of meeting leading organisations on even terms. To his mind, it was presumptuous for a district such as TWanaki, where there had been no opportunity of playing first-clas's cricket, wJiere there had been no good grounds, and no coaching, to attempt to j put a team of eleven against an Aus-1 tralian team which contained some of t;ie finest cricketers in the world. As, for the opinion of the public, that had no weight with him, for the question was for cricketers to decide. Mr Bewley pointed out, too, that if fifteen men were it would make the selec-' tion of a fair tatting and bowling side. He was' strongly in favour, therefore, of batting fifteen men and field eleven as previously decided.

Mr D. Clegg said that at Inglewood the people ridiculed the idea of playing less than fifteen, and would not come in to see eleven Taranaki men matcned agiinst the Australians. He also expressed .his opinion that many of the tickets' he had sold would be handed back to him. It would be simply a farce to plav eleven.

"Mr Whittle: Or fifteen, or 18, 01; 22! ' Mr C'legg added that playing fifteen men would give an opportunity of putting in a .good fielding team. Mr Weston said the Association must do nothing to prejudice the position of guarantors, and the guarantors wanted fifteen plovers. There would be a letter gate under these condition, too. He rrcolleetd that previous English teams' in Taran.iki had met 18 or 22 plavi'i s. He didn't Know where this eleven-s-s:de agitUion started, but ih struck him as beinsr exceedingly unwise. ! Mr Whittle said there was a probahilitv of Bardsley and Armstrong being left nut of the team if Taranaki gave out tlmt it was a weak side. but it was "xpHned that the Australians would play their best side to help local cricket. That was the object of the tour. | Mr W-esf.on considered Taranaki crick-' et was not nearly good enough to put eleven men to tackle the Australian, eleven. :

Mr Elliot nointed out that in, MM all, the N>w Zealand centres sent "ighteen batsmen against the Australians.

The ivoh'no that th" nrevious l resolution he '-poinded, and that the team cons st nf eleven players, was put, and Kv If) to 8. T'-e te ■ m wUI tliu-s consist of fifteen batsmen and eleven in the field. THE BIG MATCH. In answer to Mr Whittle, the secretary stated that there was' about £.140 on the guarantee list for the Australian match, and there were other guarantors to be added. Mr Clcgg said that the Inglewood list had ,t2(f or £25 on it. The secretary reported that the Railway Department hai agreed to delay outward trains bill 5.30 on both davs of the Australian match, and would run si special from Stratford. Excursion fares would be in force. Arrangements' were made to engage extra assistance in preparing the outfield and the wicket, for official scorers, scoring boards, pavilion, luncheon and afternoon tea. etc. It was decided to ask clubs to pay their ground dues at once. , A PROTEST. The Inglewood Club protested against the action of the Junior Match Committee in ordering that the InglewoodFire Brigade match be re-plaved.—After a long and at times' acrimonious discussion the decision of the committee was confirmed, and the date of the playoff left to the Junior Committee. —Mr Clegg, the Inglewood delegate, announced that the Fire Brigade could take the match, and the cup, and he left the room.