Cricket.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3642, 28 August 1880, Page 3

Cricket.

We had yesterday an opportunity of inspecting the piece of ground for practice so generously given by B. Graham, Esq., to the Thames Cricket Club. There ia no doubt it is as central as could be desired, and through the exertions of Mr Lawless, it has been put in capital order as far as the funds at his disposal will allow. Two rows of pitches and wickets hate been spitted out, letelled and returfed with good tough turf, picked from different patches, and laid close and matted together; numerous drains and holes have been filled in, and good earth put on top as a dressing, and then lawn grass and white clover seed sown broadcast. To-day it is intended to roll the whole piece with the roller so generously lent by the Borough Council. On Monday the large drain running diagonally through the end of the ground will be filled in and other outside drains opened so that in case of heavy rain it can inn off as before. If^ funds will admit, it is intended to put up a fence at two ends, so as to stopjthe traffic by carts, wheelbarrows, &c, but should the fence not be put up, we trust drivers of carts and other vehicles will have the good taste not to cross the ground and thereby cut it up. The whole of the work will be completed by Wednesday, and from that date we hope to see the place enlivened by some good cricket; if not, there ought to be, as there is no excuse now that the ground is too distant. There are plenty of ■pritty^ young cornstalks here, who if only taken in hand will make their mark with the willow or leather, the same as they have been doing with shooting. It is the intention of the Club to get the Parawai ground in gcod order likewise 10 as to play matches on Saturday afternoons, and foreign matches should ■they come.. Apropos of this we are assured that the Auckland players have heard of the new ground, and they intend to pay us a visit; also the Corotnandel and Waitoa learns, and why not Waikato? Then there are the return matches to each of these places, so with such a prospect of tun, it behoves our boys to see to their laurels this coming season ; last season it was mere luck that pulled them through, but a match is far better relished if it be won on its merits. We believe the annual meeting of the Club will be held shortly, at which we hope to see far more in attendance than have previously been, and we have no donbt but that there will, as several new additions to the Club have been reported.