THAMES CRICKET.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3087, 9 January 1879, Page 2

THAMES CRICKET.

(To the Editor of the Erening Star,);, ,''.V, Sib,—Yesterday the Thames CricketClub again suffered defeat, although it ■». was not so disgraceful as in the Coromsu* del match. .It would now perhaps be Well to say a word as to the difficulties tinder which the Thames club labor, and also to point out the failings which lead 0 to such results as yesterday's* The match yesterday appeared to be lost more. through want of practice than anything '■ else, as proved by our own men coming off better in the second .innings. We shall never be able, to, make a good, stand unless we attend practice oltener, and so long as the men have' to tramp out to the Parawai ground, this will be impossible. In a previous letter I have already pointed out the necessity there was for fObtai^inji a recreation ground nearer the U«wn, and until we have this, defeats such ■ as yesterday's will have to be put u^ with. The public, instead of assisting the Club, are only too ready to blame them for losing a match, and say the men are no good, and cannot play cricket. I am certain that a really Kpod team, of whom none need be ashamed, would Tery spoil: be got together if, the public would only come forward and assist the local clubs in 1 obtaining a convenient, practice ground. Another difficulty under which we labour is that our matches are almost all played amongst ourselves, and consequently, when we meet strangers, unless the first who handle the bat make a stand, the rev mainder get frightened and ; play -».■ cramped game, which will generally result in all being bowled as they wenyesterday in the first innings. If we played more foreign matches I am sure our play would improve. .In conclusion, just a word M to yesterday's match: The bowling wae<t not up to our usual mark, although in the; first innings Whitford's analysis ie; an excellent one. Burgess was labouring under a severe cold and ought not'to haV9 been put on. Excepting Lawless at long stop and Stead man at slip the fielding was not good. lam certainly aware that the ground is a very difficult one to field on owing to its bumpy nature, but yester> day the ball was frequently badly judged, and in throwing in was either overthrown / or else thrown wide of the wicket. One or two of the men did hot seen to ran after the ball heartily, often allowing two runs to be made where' there should have only been one. George Spencer's batting in the second innings war certainly the ' best during the day, it being almost faultless.—l am, &c, ; ■ • *m^ Axfsid Bvttli. F' Grahamstown, January 9,1879.