CRICKET.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 203, 16 January 1913, Page 8

CRICKET.

SOUTH MELBOURNE v. ASHBURTON COUNTY. By Telegraph—Press Association. Ashburton, Last Night. The South Melbourne team commenced .a two days' match against an Ashburton County fifteen (only eleven of whom were to field) this morning. The weather was fine and hot. A carefully prepared wicket was in excellent condition, and the outfield was very fast. ■ Ashburton won the toss and elected to. bat, and as a reisult of 221 minutes' play com-' piled 242 runs before the last wicket fell shortly after four o'clock. Banner (00), who gave an attractive display of driving, secured nine boundary hits, and Fryer (48 not out), who slogged freely and well, were the most successful local batsmen, and others who got into double figures were Cushden (22), Nieholl (18), Armstrong (17), Mclvenzie (10), Hall (11), and Waters (10). The bowling was fast and accurate. The most successful trundlers were Scott and Kyle, relying on the off theory, with 5 men in the'slips. The former got 10 wickets for 7(i, and one over in his every four was a maiden. The visitors had 00 minutes at the wickets before the overnight adjournment, and soon demonstrated the weakness of the local attack, while the home team also displayed poor fielding. The Australians made 152 for the loss of three wickets by pretty driving and cutting, and accurate, placing. Purvis was particularly good ,and his score of 71 included ten fours. McCormack put together 22 and Deas lost his wicket just as the clock struck six. after making 11. Oilier made 45. Custden took all three wickets for 58 runs.

The unfinished match. Tnglewood A v. New Plymouth, lias been further postponed on account of the absence from the district of several* members of the latter team.