THE ENGLISH-AUSTRALIAN CRICKET MATCH.

Waikato Times, Volume XV, Issue 1304, 6 November 1880, Page 2

THE ENGLISH-AUSTRALIAN CRICKET MATCH.

'fur. Dichi Xi»^ writing of the Dutch between the All-England Klevevi and the Australian team says : — " The great match is over, and England has won. Never before lias the uncertainty of the game been shown so amazingly. England, as overyone knows, made 420 in their first innings, while Australia were got out for 149, 271 behind. Then Australia followed on, and made no fewer tlnvu 327. Almost the entire credit of this extraordinary batting feat belongs to the Australian captain (\\\ L. Murdoch), who played a wonderfully good innings, carrying out his bat for 1.>3, and being at the wickets while the score was taken from eight to 327- It was an innings of the highest, class, and far beyond any Australian batting previously seen in England. We knew when Murdoch was here in 1878 that he was a good stylish bat. but yesterday's performance rais-es him to a place amongthe great and famous batsmen vrhosc names are household words wherever cricket ia played. Having 1 won the match, Englishmen can well afford to praise without stint the skill and coolness of the colonist*, who played so grand aiv ttp-hil! game. Eight wickets were dowm for IS7! and the last two wickets put on 1 10 runs, When England went in only 57 runs were wanted to win, but so well did Palmer and Hoyle bowl, so, smartly did the Australians field, and so badly Aid. the EuglisJii^ew bat, that £ wickets were d^wi^ijor 31, and ths iaae were only hit

when DrW. G. Grace joined Mr Perm. What there was to "funk" about we do not quite see, but there was a scare for a time It must be remembered that the English Eleven was as strong a one as ever walked into a cricket field, and was fully representative at all points; while Spofforth was absent from the Australian side, which even with him would not have completely represented Australia. Most dispassionate persona will, however, agree in our opinion that the Australians would not once in a dozen lnatohoa beat the team which yesterday beat them, and that such an extroadinary result would not be arrived at once in a hundred matches after such an opening day. Lord Harris and Mr Murdoch, after the match was over, spoke a few appropriate and cordial words, and referred to the undeniable fact that the applause had been most impartial and generous. No match in our time has been played out more pleasantly and amicably. There was no hitch whatever, and no sha- I dow of doubt rests upon anything that was done by players or umpires. H. H. Stephenson and Robert Thomas did their work quietly, decisively, and to the general satisfaction.