Cricket 1883

m a r c h 16,1883. CRICKET; A WEEKLY RECORD OF THE GAME. 27 ENGL ISH TEAM IN AUSTRALIA . (Continued.) handsome Grand Stand—built by the Association at a cost of £8,000, and capable of seating 2,500 people—was also without an unoccupied seat, and the extensive sloping lawn in front—which is covered with a dense growth of buffalo grass, and when closely mown gives one the idea of walking on a velvet-pile carpet—was thronged with eager sightseers. The outer ring was occupied by nearly 17,000, who had paid for admission, and altogether there could not have been less than 23,000 spectators present. The weather was most suitable in every respect for cricket, the bright, warm Australian sun being tempered with a cool breeze fr m the sea. The turf on the playing ground is covered with a closely grown and small variety of couch grass, which, however, does not produce the same reliable wickets which are to be found when English ryegrass and clover form the component parts of the vegetation. For out-fielding, how­ ever, the couch grass is really excellent, and when cut close, the ball travels as on a billiard table. When I say that the wickets are not so good, I do not infer that they are bad, but they have not the same lasting properties as those covered with ryegrass and clover. This difficulty was, howe vTer, got over to a very considerable extent by the arrangement that each side should have their own wicket. Under these conditions the winning of the toss was only an advantage so far as the weather was concerned, and as the Hon. Ivo Bligh won the choice, he, on such a fine day, of course elected to bat. The first to take up a position at the wickets we e C. T. Studd and Barlow, Giffen and Palmer being entrusted with the bowling for the Australians, each starting with a maiden. The Lancashire professional for once went out of his ordinary groove, and did the lion’s share of the scoring, the 20 being announced when Barlow got a fourer to leg off Giffen. With the score at 26 Spofforth relieved Giffen, and very few runs were obtained off him. Palmer, however, was receiving a fair share of punishment, principally at the hands of O. T. Studd, and the total having reached 38 a change was deemed desirable, Garrett going on vice Palmer. With 40 up, Studd gave Murdoch a difficult chance at point off Spofforth, which was declined, but in Gar­ rett’s next, the batsman was splendidly caught by Blackham at the wickets. This batsman played exceedingly good. cricket for his score of 21, his forward play being hard and true. One wicket for 41 was the record as C. H. F. Leslie filled the vacancy, and Barlow then drove Garrett to the off for 2. In Spofforth's next, Leslie was clean bowled, through failing to negotiate a fast “ yorker.” (Two for 44). Barlow was joined by A. G. Steel, wdio at once commenced work. Both Steel and Biirlow were now very busy, and Palmer replaced Garreit with the ball. The scoring, however, continued, but the last ball prior to lunch, proved fatal to Barlow, who was exceedingly well caught at point by Murdoch, with the left-hand, off Spof­ forth. Barlow’s contribution of 28 was well put together, his careful play being relieved by several brilliant hits. A. G. Steel at this time had 17 to his credit, the total standing at 67. Upon resuming, W. W. Read joined Steel, but the adjournment had a bad effect upon Steel, who was bowled by Garrett without aiding to his previous score, four wickets being down for 68. Barne3 was the next comer, but with 8 runs added to the total, he was caught at the wicket by Blackham oSf Spofforth. Five wieket3 down for 76 made things look ex­ ceedingly promising for the Australians. Read and Tylecote now got together, and this partner­ ship resulted in the stand of the innings. But little fault could be foand with either the bowl­ ing or fielding of the Australians, and Spofforth, Palmer, Garrett, and GifFen all had a turn with the ball, even changing ends in their endeavours to effect a separation, but all without avail. Hits followed each other in rapid succession, and the Australian bowling was fairly and un­ mistakably collared. Ten after ten appeared on the board with amazing rapidity, and the score was taken from 76 to 185, when, as a dernier ressort, Bannerman and M‘Donnell were put on to]bowl. A separation was effected inM ‘Donnell’s first over, as Tylecote playing a ball to short- leg, started for a run ; and was several yards out of his ground when his wicket was put down by Blackham, to whom Horan had smartly returned the ball. This was a most un­ fortunate mishap for the English wicket-keeper, for the innings was one of the best he has played since reaching Australia. His score of 66 was compiled by a rao3t brilliant exhibition of safe all-round hitting, without giving a possible chance. With Tylecote’s departure the score stood at 191, his partnership with Read having been productive of 115 runs. Bates joined W. W . Read, and Bannerman and M‘Donnell received some severe punishment, more especially the latter. The 200 was posted amidst considerable cheering, but at 223 Read hitting to leg at a short-pitched ball from Bannerman, ^as caught at square - leg by Massie. Strange to relate, Read and Tylecote were together with 43 each, and when Read was caught he had j ust reached Tylecottt’s total, viz., b6. Read’s batting was a tine, vigorous, all-round display, and he fairly earned the well-merited applause which greeted him upon his return to the Pavilion. Seven for 223 was hoisted as G. R. Studd took the vacant wicket. But 1 run was added when Bates came out at Spofforth, who had replaced M'Donnell, and lifted h im to long on, where the deposed bowler, M ‘Donnell, effected a neat, clean catch. (Eight for 2‘24). On the appearance of the Hon. Ivo Bdgh, Bannerman handed the ball to Palmer, and teveral in lidens followed The English captain then commenced to play with more vigour, and the total was increased by 20 runs, when Spofforth got one past the captain, which clean bowled the wicket —- nine for 214. Morley was last man, but in Palmer’s^ next over G. B. tudd was bowled by a splendid" ball, and the innings closed for 247. The fresh wicket having been well rolled, the Australians commenced their first innings at a quarter to six o’clock, Giffen and Bannerman were the lirstrepvesentatives, Bates and Morley having charge of the bowling. At tbe call of “ Time! ” no wickets were down for 8 run* Several light showers of rain fell during Friday night and Saturday morning, which, although rendering the wicket somewhat dead, did not otherwise affect it —so that even allowing the state of the ground to be against the batsman in the matter of rapid scoring, still the bowlers had nothing the best of it with aslippery ground and a “ greasy ” ball. Flay was resumed shortly after twelve o’clock, the sky being still clouly, with every appearance of more rain. Bannerman and Giffen resumed to the bowling of Barlow and Morley. The scoring was at first slow, but as runs began tocnne more quickly at 34 Bates took the ball from Morley. This somewhat lessened the run-getting, as the wicket at the northern end, to which Hates was bowling, had become a little rough and bumpy, and great care had to be exercised in order to keep him down. At 48 Barnes relieved B illow, but this bowler received considerable punishment, and the score mounted in ich morj rapidly. Banner- man playing with un isiul free loin. At 65, C. T. Studd took the ball from Bates, and at 76 Giffen, with 4 1 1 J his credit, g ive Bates ail easy chance at mid-off off Barlow, which he missed. During the luncheon hour u smirt shower of rain fell, and upon resuming, Gillen playing for­ ward to one from Bates, was very smartly stumped by Tyleoo'e without having ad led to liis previous s^ore of 41. One for 76. The South Australian played very goo 1 cricket for his runs. Murdoch nowjoined Bmnerman, and when the new-comer had scored 5 he hit one off Bates straight into Leslie’s hands at mid-on, and the Australian captain was given an unmistake- able life. With the total at 88,out of which Ban­ nerman was credited with 39, this batsman played one up to short leg off Bates, and another miss had to be recorded, this time to Morley. Just after 100 appeared rain commenced to fall, caxising an ad­ journment at a quarter past three o’clock, and the game wa3 not resumed until a quarter-past (ive, the wicket being in a very sloppy condition, and requiring an unlimited supply of sawdust. Barlow and Bates continued the bowling, but it soon became evident from the slippery nature of the turf, that accuracy was out of the ques­ tion, consequently the scoring progressed apace. At 117 O. T. Studd went on vice Bates, and a little later A. G. Steel took the ball from Bar- low. Off the latter’s first ball Bannerman was missed in the slips by Barnes. Six o’clock having arrived, the stumps were drawn for the day— Bacnerman (not out) 68. Murdoch (not out) 17, total, for one wicket, 133. The fielding of England was not at all up to form, Bates, Leslie, Morley, and Barnes having each to be debited with a very bad miss, all of which should cer­ tainly have Iraen taken. During Sunday heavy rain had fallen, and the wicket was exceedingly dead and heavy, and cut up considerably on Monday. Murdoch and Bannerman resumed to the bowling of Bates and A. G. Steel. In the first six overs but three singles were scored, and with 140 up Murdoch was had, 1 b w to Steel, for 19. This batsman has not shown anything like his true form since his return from England, M‘Donnell took the vacancy, but without scor­ ing was clean bowled by Steel. (Three for 140). Horan came next, and at 149 Barlow replaced Steel. At 162 Barnes took the ball from Barlow, but as runs came quickly, Morley relieved Bates, and Steel Barnes. With the score at 176 Bannerman played one up off Morley into the slips, and was caught by Bates, having played a grand innings for 94 on a diffi­ cult wicket. (Four for 176). Massie filled the vacancy, but without increasing the score, the new comer was caught at point by Bligh off Steel. (Five for 176). Bonnor was next to appear, but after Horan had added a brace, the “ giant,” in attempting an off-drive fromMorley, lifted the ball to deep mid-off, where G. B. Studd effected a most brilliant catch. (Six for 178). Blackhamjoined Horan, and the scoring increased considerably. Blackham drove Morley to long- ou for four, but in the same bowler’s next over Horan played one up to mid-off, where Steel made a smart one-handed catch. Horan’s 19 was a creditable performance. (Seven for 196). The last three wickets only added 22, and the innings closed for 218, or 29 behind the English score. The wicket used by England in the first innings having been rolled, Leslie and C. T. Studd were the first to face the bowling of Spofforth and Garrett. At 1J Spofforth clean bowled Leslie (one for 13), and Barlow joined C. T. Studd. Studd obtained 4 for a nice drive to long-on off Garrett, and at 21 played one hard back to Garrett, the catch being declined. At 29 Palmer took the ball from Garrett, and Spofforth and the former soon changed ends. With the first ball of Spofforth’s next C. T. Studd was clean bowled, having made 25 in his usual free style. Two for 45 was the record as A. G. Steel took the vacancy, and, after scoring three 2’s he was “ lb w ” to Spofforth (three for 55). Read came next, and at 61 gave a possible chance to Palmer off Spofforth. Garrett again took the ball from Palmer, but rans came much faster, and at 87 Horan took the bowling in placeof Garrett. Th3 new bowler’s first bill clean bowled Read, w ii j hid pu t‘21 together very quickly (four for 87). Birnes took tue vacancy, aud at 92 Billow was caught by l’almer, off Horan, at mid-off, close ill, after making 21 by careful play, on a difficult