CRICKET MAGAZINE

Volume I, Number 22: Friday, February 16, 1883

THE AUSTRALIAN ELEVEN OF 1882

By one of the team

THE NEW YORK MATCH

Several English cricketers, including Mr A N Hornby, Mr J M'Laren (hon. treasurer to the Lancashire county club), J B Barber, of Mitcham, and old Luke Greenwood, who had umpired for us at the majority of our matches, were on the wharf to see us off, and as our tender moved away they gave us three hearty cheers, which we as heartily returned.

I must not forget to mention, too, that Lord Harris and other prominent English cricketers who were unable to be present sent telegrams complimenting us on our performances, and wishing us bon voyage. In bidding farewell to the old country after a five months' sojourn there, I am sure I am expressing the opinion of all our fellows when I say that we have none but pleasant recollections of our visit; for not only were we successful in the cricket field beyond our most sanguine expectations, but everywhere we travelled, with one exception, the utmost courtesy and kindness were extended to us.

From Liverpool we had a pleasant run to Queenstown, where we put in on the morning of the 1st Oct. After two hours we were once more on the move, and outside so heavy a sea was raging, and so tempestuous was the weather, that in 10 hours our steamer . the fastest afloat . went only 63 knots. By and bye, however, the angry sea subsided, and for the remainder of the voyage the weather was all that could be desired.

On the 6th Oct. we did the fastest run on record for a single day, viz., 435 knots, and on the night of the 7th we had a concert in aid of the Shipwrecked Mariners' Fund. Amongst the performers were Bonnor and Sam Jones, each of whom acquitted himself creditably before 250 saloon passengers.

Several speeches were made immediately after the concert, and the best of the lot was made by an old American gentleman, who, in proposing the toast of 'the Australian colonies,' alluded in very complimentary terms to our victorious career in England, and expressed it as his firm conviction that a grand future was in store for the nation that was slowly but surely rising up in the sunny south.

Mr Guion, the owner of the Alaska, was on board, and he too spoke about Australia, and said that clearly we had shown Englishmen in all parts of the tight little island that Australian colonists were quite equal to the rest of the world in physique and in civilised habits. Our captain responded in a few appropriate words, which were received with a round of applause.

On Sunday, the 8th, we entered the beautiful bay of New York, and by 6 p.m. were safe alongside the Guion Dock, in the placid waters of the Hudson. Several of the New York cricketers came down to meet us, and after a little delay we got our light luggage through, and were soon in the Grand Central Hotel in Broadway.

On Monday, the 9th, we drove down to the Hoboken ferry boat, and soon were conveyed, coach and all, across the Hudson to Hoboken, where our match had to be played on the ground of the St George Club. A few minutes drive took us to the ground, and about one o'clock a start was made by the local men going to the wickets, against the bowling of Spofforth and Boyle.

Heavy rain had fallen on the Sunday, and the sun coming out on Monday, made the wicket suit Spofforth and Boyle to a nicety. Hence the New York Eighteen made so feeble a resistance, that in less than an hour the whole of them were dismissed for the decidedly poor total of 27. Spofforth took ten wickets for 12, and Boyle 7 for 13.

In our essay with the bat, we, at call of time, five o'clock, had lost 9 wickets for 102, and on resuming our innings closed for a total of 116. Murdoch 54, and Giffen 36, were the only double figures, and though the former had a good deal of luck he deserved his runs, for the wicket was all in favour of the bowlers. Giffen's 36 was a faultless performance, and included one grand long-on hit for 6 clean out of the ground, which I may add is rather a small one. Lane, a Notts professional engaged by a New York club, bowled in capital form and got six wickets for 23 off 132 balls.

In the second innings of New York Massie and Murdoch started the bowling, and of course runs came pretty quickly. At lunch time 56 was the record for 4 wickets, but on resuming Spofforth and Boyle took the places of the two noted trundlers above mentioned, and the result was that the innings speedily closed for a total of 102, of which Wilson, by vigorous batting, made 35, including a hit of Spofforth to long-on out of the ground for 6. Spofforth took 7 wickets for 25, and Boyle 6 for 16.

With 14 runs to get to win we started our second innings, and at half past four had won the match with 7 wickets to spare. Boyle, Jones and Garrett were the victims. The weather was splendid each day, but the attendance was very meagre, only about 2,000 paying for admission during the two days.

On the evening of the first day's play the New York players took a special box for us at Haverley's theatre, where we saw a capital representation of 'Black Cloaks'. Mr Moeran, of the New York team, and Mr Frank Satterthwaite, of the New York Herald, were specially kind to us, and a similar remark will apply to Dr Moir, a Sydneyite, who was down on the wharf when we arrived, and who welcomed us with a good old coo-e-e.

Altogether we passed a pleasant time during our short stay in New York. Hanlan, the great sculler, was on the ground on the second day of the match, and each of us was introduced to him.

On the first day the New York Herald hold how we had 'Waterlooed' the New York Eighteen, and on the second day how 'Victory perched on the banner of the Australians,' and how so-and-so 'made a wild smite at the horizon, and was bowled for a duck by the demon.'

Scores (potted; not first-class): New York Eighteen 27 (Spofforth 10/12, Boyle 7/11) and 102 (C Wilson 35; Spofforth 7/5, Boyle 6/6, Murdoch 3/1). Australians 116 (W L Murdoch 54, G Giffen 36; Lane 6/17) and 14/3. Australians won by seven wickets.

THE PHILADELPHIA MATCH

The weather was gloomy and threatening all the morning, and before play started a slight shower or two fell. D Newhall, the captain of the Philadelphian Eighteen, won the toss from Murdoch, and decided to bat. Three wickets were down for 9, and then a Scotch mist came on, and we played through it up to three o'clock when, there being no sign of a cessation, we retired to the pavilion, the score then standing at 59 for 7 wickets. After waiting for an hour or two, and there being no chance of a resumption of play, the stumps were drawn for the day.

Next day, the 12th October, in cold and gloomy weather, the play was resume about noon, and in quick time the Philadelphians were all out for 82. The only double figures were Clark and C Newhall, who scored 15 and 14 respectively. The former shaped like a cricketer, and got his runs in a neat and graceful style, but the latter poked about in a decidedly stiff and unattractive manner. Garrett, who came with a great rush toward the close of the innings, got 7 wickets for 18, and Boyle 5 for 31.

Our opponents' innings closed at a quarter-past one, and at two o'clock, when the luncheon bell rang, we had lost 2 wickets, Murdoch and Alick Bannerman, for 8 runs. On resuming Horan and Giffen took the score to 18, and then the former was caught at mid-on. Giffen, Bonnor and Blackham, however, improved the state of the register materially, and when the stumps were drawn at five o'clock the record was 97 for 6 wickets. Blackham played sound and free cricket for 31 not out, Bonnor hit hard for 17, and Giffen, by sturdy defence and occasional hard hits, totted up 23.

Next day (Friday, the 13th), play was resumed at noon by Blackham and Garrett taking up their positions at the wickets. The former quickly fell without adding to his score of the previous day, and Massie, who was too unwell to play on the second day, took the vacant place. Garrett, when he had made 12 by good play, was clean bowled, and Spofforth and Boyle quickly succumbing, our innings closed about half-past twelve for a total of 106. C Newhall, who bowls fast right-handed and keeps them short, got 4 wickets for 30, and Law took 3 for 12. The fielding of the Eighteen was capital all round.

In their second essay the Philadelphians, owing to the good bowling of Boyle and Garrett, were speedily sent to the rightabout for 76, which left us 53 to get to win. The only double figure for the local men was C Newhall, who pottered about in his ungainly style for 18. Boyle took 9 wickets for 28, and Garrett 7 for 35.

We had just 35 minutes' play to get the 53 runs, and Murdoch sent Bonnor and Massie in with instructions to hit hard, and if possible score a victory. Bonnor hit out in splendid style, being ably aided by Massie. Forty was hoisted in quick time. Shortly afterwards Bonnor, in letting out at C Newhall, was bowled by a shooter. 1-26-42. The giant made one grand square-leg hit out of the ground for 6.

Garrett joined Massie, and at five minutes to five the latter made the winning hit, and we had defeated Eighteen of Philadelphia with nine wickets to spare. Massie played a rather lucky game for 18 not out, and Garrett ditto for his 7 not out. The Philadelphians fielded very badly on this occasion.

During the three days about 5,000 persons attended, and this number included a large muster of ladies, who thronged the grand stand and seemed to take great interest in the play. If the weather had been fine there would have been ten or fifteen thousand persons present each day, but unfortunately all through it was dull and showery, and altogether wintry in its character.

There are several very promising batsmen in Philadelphia, notably Clark, Thayer and Morgan, an exact counterpart of little Edwards, of the M.C.C. By way of encouraging youngsters, the committee of the Germantown Club allow them to practise on the ground every day with the professional coach of the club, and so many of them as show special ability are, I understand, elected members free of charge for two or three seasons.

The Germantown Club have a good and fairly spacious ground, with a roomy pavilion and comfortable stand, and the hon. secretary and committee do all they possibly can to promote the interests of cricket. In and around the city there are, I am told, several clubs, each with a good ground, and every season a challenge cup is played for, and these matches excite a great deal of international, so that altogether cricket seems to be making headway in the beautiful Quaker city.

In New York the game is played solely by Englishmen, but in Philadelphia the genuine American takes to the game, and plays it with a style and with an enthusiasm that augurs remarkably well for the future. Perhaps in time to come we may have an American team crossing the Pacific to wrest from us the supremacy which we have just wrested from England.

I may mention that the umpiring was very satisfactory both here and at New York. Our old friend Midwinter stood for us at each place. The following peculiar headings to the reports appeared in one or two of the local papers:-
FACING THE AUSTRALIANS
THE CRICKET SCORE AT NICETOWN
Notwithstanding the bad weather a large crowd attend the opening of the game. The Americans face the demon bowler and score 59 runs.

INTERNATIONAL CRICKET
Continuation of the Australia-Philadelphia Match. Slops and Sawdust.
The Australians lead the score with an unfinished innings.
The complete Score:-
(Potted, not first-class) Philadelphia Eighteen 82 (C A Newhall 14, E W Clark jun 15; Spofforth 3/6, Boyle 5/13, Garrett 7/6) and 76 (C A Newhall 18; Garrett 7/20). Australians 106 (G Giffen 23, J M Blackham 31; C A Newhall 4/26, S Law 3/12) and 53/1 (Bonnor 26). Australians won by nine wickets.

At six o'clock on Friday the 13th, the last day of the match, we were back at the Colonnade Hotel, and at eleven p.m. were in the train speeding away at twenty-five miles an hour for Chicago, en route to San Francisco. On Saturday, the 14th, a bright sunny day, in crossing the Allegheny Mountains, we passed for miles charming hills and valleys, ever changing in their contour at each curve in the track; and as these hills and valleys were clad with comely and symmetrical trees decked with a plentitude of beautifully variegated autumnal foliage, and as, moreover, here and there broad and rushing streams and 'little brooks a gurgling' crossed our path to relieve and vivify the view, you can easily imagine that we were all highly delighted with the prospect, and regretted when all this delicious mountain scenery had vanished, and we were out once more on level country, rattling along to the great city of Chicago on the shores of Lake Michigan.

Early on Sunday morning we arrived at Chicago, and breakfasted at the Palmerhouse, a magnificent hotel. At noon we left Chicago by the Burlington and Quincy route, and about eleven a.m. on Friday, the 20th October, we reached San Francisco, after a journey which did not prove nearly as wearisome as we had anticipated. The weather was delightful the whole way, and on the top of Mt Sherman on the Rockies, 8,000 ft above the sea, we had a genuine fall of snow, and at one of the stations our fellows pelted one another with snowballs at a rare old rate.

Coming in to Ogden through Echo canon the scenery is rugged and majestic, and crossing the fine-clad Sierra Nevadas there are some lovely views; but with these exceptions the railway track runs for the most past through nothing but vast stretches of prairie country, settled on by farmers and cattle dealers, who from all accounts are having a prosperous time of it in these solitudes of the far west. In the Humboldt desert, between Ogden and San Francisco, we saw several Indians, but they were very seedy specimens on the noble red men, and did not appear to be one whit superior in any respect to the Australian aboriginal.

At San Francisco we were met by the celebrated railroad agent, Tom M'Kay, whose company gave us a special carriage right through from Chicago. Several San Francisco cricketers met us, too, and among them was a Mr Sanderson, who many years ago was a leading member of the Ballarat Club. During our short stay in San Francisco, we put up at the Baldwin Hotel, and were received with every kindness, especially by Tom M'Kay and Mr Sanderson, and Billy Emerson, the famous minstrel, who specially invited us to his theatre on Friday night, and made several puns about cricket and the Australian Eleven.

On Sunday, the 22nd October, we went on board the City of New York, and after shaking hands with the kind friends who came down to see us off, we soon saw the last of the beautiful Golden Gate, and on Sunday, the 29th, after a pleasant run, reached Honolulu after dusk. A Hawaiian gentleman on board, Mr Holmes, invited us all to dine with him in the leading hotel in Honolulu, and he treated us right royally, and made us all drink success to Australia in bumpers.

On Monday morning early we left Honolulu, and on the 13th instant arrived at Auckland, after a cool and pleasant passage through the tropics. At half-past ten on Monday night we steamed out of Auckland harbour, and very nearly left behind Bonnor and L L Mount, the well-known lacrosse player, the captain kindly deferring his departure fully half an hour solely on their account. From Auckland we had a gloriously smooth sea to Sydney, and there we arrived on Nov. 18th all safe and sound at home amongst old friends once more.. Australasian.

THE AUSTRALIAN ELEVEN AT HOME

The team were then driven in a four-in-hand drag to the Exchange Hotel, where they were formally welcomed by Mr R Teece, on behalf of the New South Wales Cricket Association. Champagne being called for, Mr Teece, in a few felicitous remarks, alluded to the great deeds done by the team in the old country, and welcomed them back to Australia. The health of the eleven was most enthusiastically drunk, and Murdoch replied in a few happy words.

The eleven were then driven to their quarters at the Metropolitan Hotel, King-street, where large crowds were anxiously awaiting their arrival. A complimentary banquet was given them in Sydney, Mr M H Stephen, Q.C., (Senior Vice-President of the New South Wales Cricket Association) presided, and Sir George James and Mr Richard Jones occupying the vice-chairs. The company numbered about 200.

On their arrival in Melbourne from Sydney, they were accorded a hearty welcome from the citizens. The railway station was gaily decorated with flags, and a large crowd numbering several thousands collected. Three hearty cheers were sent up as the returning team appeared on the platform, and the vice-president of the Victorian Cricket Association, Mr W J Runting, tendered them a cordial greeting. The cricketers, the committee and a few friends were then driven in three four-horse drags, to the Town-hall, the procession being vociferously cheered at intervals as it passed through the well-lined streets.

On reaching the Town-hall the cricketers were received by the Mayor (Mr James Dodgshun), in the council-chamber. In giving them a welcome back to the City of Melbourne, his worship said that the actions of the team had been closely watched by Victorians. The team had shown in the matches which they had played that they possessed plenty of British pluck, perseverance and energy, and that they were true Australians. They had conferred a never-to-be-forgotten benefit on Australia, as they had excelled all agencies which had hitherto been employed to bring the colonies prominently before the British public. Perhaps the feat which most delighted Australians and amazed people at home was that which they performed in the match with the representative team of England, when in the face of great odds, they persevered, and ultimately came out victorious.

Mr Murdoch, who was warmly received, returned the thanks of the team to the Mayor and citizens for having given them such a hearty reception. Such a welcome was calculated to make the eleven feel that they had done something to create a favourable feeling towards them among Australians (Cheers). He could assure them that the whole object of the eleven during their tour had been to win every game, and thus to uphold the honour of Australian cricket.

An open-air demonstration in honour of the team also took place in Melbourne on Thursday night under the most favourable conditions. The first portion of the programme was a grand torchlight procession, composed of some 600 or 700 members of fire brigades, who had volunteered their services for the occasion. The procession was headed by the band of the Cerberus, and the bands of the Emerald-hill, Saneridge and West Melbourne brigades, with the band of the Fitzroy Lifeboat crew. Great crowds lined the streets as the brilliant pageant passed. Coloured lights burned at intervals in the column produced a very pretty effect. The crowd was most cordially demonstrative all along the line of route, occasionally bursting into enthusiasm.

Arrived on the Melbourne cricket-ground, it was found that the arena had been very effectively lit up, and fully 8,000 people were on the ground. Each one of the team was presented by Mr E S Watson, representing the Victorian Cricketers' Association, with a gold medal, in commemoration of the signal services of the eleven. The medal is about the size of a five-shilling piece. On the obverse are the Victorian Arms, the words "Victorian Cricketers' Association' appear on the rim; on the reverse is an inscription bearing the name of each recipient, 'Presented to Mr ......, in commemoration of the brilliant performance of the Australian team in England, 1882.'

On November 27th a grand banquet in honour of the return of the team was held in the Town hall, Melbourne, under the auspices of the Victorian Cricketers' Association.

Mr W J Runting, the president of the association, occupied the chair, having on his right Mr W L Murdoch, the captain of the Australian team, the mayor of Melbourne, the town clerk and Mr Alderman Stewart, and on his left the Hon. Ivo Bligh, Sir Julius Vogel, Mr Justice Williams and the Minister of Mines, Mr Burrowes. About 200 other gentlemen, including several members of Parliament, were present.

The Chairman, in proposing the health of the Australian team, referred at length to the success which had attended the efforts of the various elevens sent home to oppose the cricketers of England.

In responding, Mr W L Murdoch remarked that if Englishmen had been vanquished, they had only themselves to blame, for if they had not sent out such capable elevens to these colonies Australian cricket could never have reached its present pitch of perfection. He knew that even now the lovers of the game in England did not grudge any team a victory if they won it honourably and by good cricket, for whenever his team had won a match they found the losers always the first to compliment them.

On behalf of the Australian team, and in recognition of the many kindnesses received in the old country, he desired to take advantage of this first opportunity to bid the English team heartily welcome to Australia. He hoped the English team would leave these shores with the same feelings that had affected his team in leaving the home country, for he could assure those present that the Australians were almost, but not quite, as sorry to leave England as they had been to leave Australia when setting out on the tour.

He wished to refer with gratitude to the kind treatment they had received in England, and among many other gentlemen to mention particularly Lord Harris and Mr A N Hornby, who could not do too much to make their stay in England a pleasant one; and, in conclusion, he hoped that they would be able to return to the English team during their stay in the colonies a part of the kindness that his team had received in England.

The Hon. Ivo Bligh, in replying for the English team, remarked that every member of his eleven was pleased at being present to welcome home Mr Murdoch and his team, and to congratulate them on the success of the trip. There was no necessity for him to speak of the cricketing prowess of the Australians, and no one more than he and his companions had better cause to know it. He thought the best compliment they could pay to the team was to say that his men had come 12,000 miles to try and defeat them.

When he saw Mr Murdoch sitting near him tonight, it brought to mind the last occasion on which he had met him at a similar gathering. It was on one of those two unfortunate days when . as one newspaper put it . "English cricket deceased and the Australians gathered up the ashes and took them to their own country." (Laughter.) Then the Australian captain, holding out his right hand to him, had said, "Take away the best of those fingers but let us win this match." His team were anxious to have three good matches with the Australians, and joined heartily with their opponents in hoping that the best team might win.

AUSTRALIAN ELEVEN v FIFTEEN OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA

On resuming on the following morning, Hide (the old Sussex player) and Bevan bowled, and Bannerman ought to have been run out from the former's first ball. A mistake by Quilty also saved Murdoch from a run out, but at 65 Bannerman, who had only added a 4, was bowled. Horan, after making 6 in not the best form, got his legs in the way, and just before luncheon Murdoch was bowled for an exceedingly well played 39.

After luncheon, M'Donnell and Giffen showed some good hitting, and the score had been just doubled, when the former was caught for a well played 35. After making 16, Blackham jumped out to one of Hide's, and was bowled. (Six for 160.) The fielding of the Fifteen was very bad, but even despite this Bonnor was not at home, and, after making 8, he was caught and bowled by Hide. Jones got 10 quickly before he was caught at the wicket, and at 197 Giffen was bowled for a highly meritorious score of 38. He had been two hours and a half at the wickets without giving a chance.

Spofforth and Boyle, the two last batsmen, added 20 before the latter was caught, and the innings closed for 217. Hide bowled well, delivering fifty-eight overs for 63 runs and four wickets. His first sixteen overs only yielded 1 run. At the end of the day the Fifteen had made 34 in their second innings for one wicket.

On Monday, the 11th, the match was concluded. Spofforth and Boyle began the bowling of the Australian Eleven, but a double change was soon made, Jones and Giffen going on. The latter found a bumpy spot and was very difficult. Gooden played very good cricket for 52, and A H Jarvis, one of the Australian team of 1880, also got his runs very well. Hide and Lyons also hit freely, and the innings did not close until the total had reached 254. Giffen bowled fifty-seven overs and two balls for 71 runs and six wickets.

No further play took place, and the match was thus drawn. During the match G Giffen was presented with a gold watch and chain in recognition of the able manner in which he had upheld South Australian cricket as a member of the Australian Eleven. Score:.
(Potted, not first-class) South Australian Fifteen 117 (Spofforth 7/26) and 254 (Jarvis 43, Gooden 52; Boyle 5/26, Giffen 6/23). Australian Eleven 217 (Bannerman 32, Murdoch 39, McDonnell 35, Giffen 38; Hide 4/63). Match drawn.

THE SEVENTH ENGLISH TEAM IN AUSTRALIA

By one of them

The team finally chosen were Hon Ivo Bligh, Messrs E F S Tylecote, A G Steel, G B Studd, C T Studd, W W Read, G F Vernon, M P Lucas and C F H Leslie, with Barlow, Bates, Barnes and Morley. Unfortunately, just before the time for departure, urgent family reasons compelled Mr Lucas to abandon the trip, and as there was no chance of getting a substitute to leave with the rest, the team was reduced to twelve.

With the exception of an accident, which might have had fatal consequences, the voyage out was a pleasant one. After leaving Colombo, the Peshawur came into collision with a sailing ship. Fortunately, no lives were lost, and the only injury in any way was the delay caused by the return on the steamer to Colombo for repairs.

During the second visit on Oct. 13th and 14th the team played a match against a local Eighteen composed principally of members of the Garrison. The wickets throughout the two days were, considering all things, very good and played tolerably truly; whilst among the Eighteen were some very fair cricketers. Owing to want of time the match was drawn at twelve o'clock on the second day, in the following state:.

(Potted, not first-class) Colombo 92 (Steel 4/29, Bates 3/7, Barnes 3/26, C T Studd 5/21) and 16/7 (Bates 6/8). England 155 (Hon Ivo Bligh 20, C F H Leslie 23; Lieut George 3/57, W H Jackson 4/27). Match drawn.

Without further accident the team reached Australia, and on the 9th of November began their first match at Adelaide. The following details of their doings in the Colonies by one of the team are reproduced from the Sporting Life:.

ENGLAND v FIFTEEN OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Tylecote was missed at the wicket by Jarvis, and later on badly missed by Botten off Bevan. After Mr Tylecote had been again missed by Waldron off Bevan, Noel took the leather, and in his first over Barnes was cleverly taken by Jarvis at the wickets, having played a capital innings of 42. (Seven for 135.) The players now adjourned to luncheon.

After the usual interval Leslie joined Tylecote, and shortly afterwards the Kent amateur was caught by Giffen off Quilty for a lucky 59. (Eight for 149.) Leslie did not trouble the fieldsmen very much, as, having scored 5, he was clean bowled by Noel; Morley, being clean bowled by Quilty, the innings closed for 153.

Noel and Hide, the old Sussex pro who is now ground man at Adelaide for South Australia, first faced the bowling of Steel and Morley, and when the score was raised to 11, the professional was well taken by Leslie, at third man, off Morley. When three wickets were down Walter Giffen, brother of G Giffen, the member of the Australian team, became Boel's partner, and a most determined stand was made against the English bowling.

Barnes, Steel, Bates, Morley, C T Studd and Barlow were all tried, until the score had been raised to 69, when Giffen was easily taken in the slips by Bates, off Barlow, having made 33 . a really good exhibition of cricket. Noel, having played a most creditable innings of 37, was beaten by Studd, the seventh wicket at 97. Slight and Waldron then played out time, and the match was drawn with the score as under:.

(Potted, not first-class) England 153 (Barnes 42, Tylecote 59; Quilty 6/60). South Australia 128/7 (Noel 37, W F Giffen 33; Morley 3/17). Match drawn.

The team left Adelaide on Sunday night November the 13th, at twelve, and proceeded in the s.s. Kaiser-I-Hind for Melbourne. They arrived at Williamstown Pier on Tuesday at six o'clock, where they were met by a large number of influential members of the Melbourne C.C. and others, including Hon W J Clarke, president of the club, and Mr F G Smith, president of the Victorian Cricket Association, as well as the representatives of the principal clubs in the district.

On arriving at Spencer-street Station in a special train which had been provided by the committee of the M.C.C., they received a very hearty reception from the assembled multitude, and were driven to their headquarters, the Oriental Hotel, in two drags. Having arrived, the team were formally welcomed to Victoria, and the Hon Ivo Bligh, their captain, returned thanks very briefly.

In the evening they were entertained at a magnificent supper at the Pavillion of M.C.C. There were present 200 or 300 of the most influential men of Melbourne, including again the Hon W J Clarke, president, in the chair, Mr F G Smith in the vice-chair, the Mayor of Melbourne and other notables. As the number of guests was much larger than was expected, two large rooms were occupied in order to make the visitors more comfortable, and avoid anything like a crush.

The Hon W J Clarke then proceeded to propose the ordinary toasts, 'The Queen' and 'The Governor', the latter being unable to attend owing to a death in his family. Mr Smith, proposing the toast of the evening, expressed his great gratitude at seeing the president, who was one of the passengers on board the Peshawur, in his rightful position.

He then proceeded to toast the English cricketers, their guests, stating that if he wished, he could find a great deal to say on occasions of this sort. He felt convinced though that there was in store for them a great pleasure in witnessing the future performances of their guests, and he was looking forward on some future occasion to go more fully into this matter.

He intended now therefore to be satisfied with asking the members of the M.C.C. and all present to give the Hon Ivo Bligh and his companions a most hearty and cordial reception, which he hoped he (Hon Ivo Bligh) would consider a sufficient introduction, and that they would in future meet each other without any further formalities, especially assuring their guests that it was the desire of the Committee of M.C.C. to make this trip as enjoyable as possible to them.

The Hon Ivo Bligh, who was received with loud and prolonged cheers, stated that he felt it a very difficult task to express the immense satisfaction and gratitude which he and his companions felt at the very complimentary way in which they had been received since their arrival in the Colonies. He just stated some of the misfortunes which had happened to the team since leaving England, and he feared that they might be a bad omen as to their luck while here.

It was uncertain in the first instance what steamer they should come by; but the Peshawur which it was afterwards decided should take them, came into collision, and the Astral, in which it was intended they should be carried, had since sunk in Sydney Harbour. One of the team was unfortunate enough to sprain his leg while playing at Colombo, and he himself had had the mishap to injure his hand, but he hoped that now their bad luck must be at an end.

Looking back on the performances of the Australian cricketers that had just visited England, he was afraid that he and his companions had come out as it were to beard the lion in his den. (Great cheers and laughter. A voice: "The kangaroo.") He just touched upon the part he had taken in organising the team, and the pleasures he had in responding to the toast in such a splendid pavilion as that of the M.C.C., surrounded by such well-known portraits as those of Alfred Mynn, the 'lion of Kent', of whom he was particularly proud, being a Kent man himself, Lord Harris's team, and W Burrup, late hon. sec. Surrey County C.C.

ENGLAND v VICTORIA

At noon punctually the English captain, having won the toss, elected to go in, and the Victorian eleven were led into the field by their captain, W H Cooper. G B Studd and Barlow opened the attack, the Victorian bowling being entrusted to their captain (slow right) and Edwards (medium right). Barlow opened his account by cutting Cooper neatly past point, but before ten runs had been totalled G B Studd was bowled off his legs by Cooper.

Bates, having joined Barlow, commenced at once to score, treating Cooper very severely, and as runs were coming at a great pace, the Victorian captain gave up the leather to Bruce (left-hand medium). Edwards, who had been bowling very well, could not make the ball do very much, owing to the wicket being so perfect. Still runs came at a great pace, the Yorkshireman punishing all very severely, his driving being particularly keen and well-timed.

As a wicket could not be obtained, M'Shane (fast left) relieved Edwards, and this should have had the desired effect, as Bates, running in to a slow ball of M'Shane's, was missed being stumped by Turner. This mistake did not cause the Victorians much trouble, as a few overs later the Yorkshireman was well taken at slip by Swift, very low down. Bates had made 48 by excellent cricket.

C T Studd now became Barlow's partner, and the latter batted in his usual steady style. Here a double change took place, Cooper relieving Scott, who had bowled but a few overs, and Cogan replacing M'Shane. Shortly after this the Cambridge batsman had a very narrow escape of being run out, but the decision was given in his favour. The fielding of the Victorians at this time was very much improved, but at the commencement it had been rather loose. The score still continued to rise rather rapidly, as C T Studd was batting quite in his usual form, and it was not until 140 was hoisted that the desired separation came, Cooper bowling Barlow, who had played a very steady 44.

A G Steel now joined the Cambridge captain, but was not destined to stay long, as, running in to one of Cooper's, he was clean bowled, having scored 2. At this period the English had a run of ill luck, as Read, who had just joined Studd, played on the first ball he received from Edwards, who had taken charge of the leather, vice Logan, and Barnes, the next comer, was caught and bowled by Cooper without giving much trouble.

The Victorians, delighted with their successes, now played a really a most determined manner, but, Tylecote having joined C T Studd, another stand was made. Both batsmen played in good form, which caused another double change, Bruce and M'Shane going on in the places of Edwards and Cooper. This should have proved effective, as Tylecote was missed at point by Kelly, and shortly afterwards M'Shane, who had been bowling well, beat the Cantab, who had made 56 by perfect cricket.

Leslie now joined Tylecote, and the scoring was particularly rapid, both batsmen making the most use of bad balls. Having raised the total to the second 'century', Tylecote was easily stumped by Turner, off Cooper, who had relieved Bruce near the Pavilion end. The outgoing batsman had played a good innings of 37.

Vernon now joined Leslie, who was playing in splendid form. M'Shane was relieved by Logan, and Edwards took the ball from Cooper. When the score had been raised to 250, Scott was commissioned to try his hand again, and he shortly afterwards bowled Vernon with a really good ball, the Middlesex amateur having played a fairly good innings of 17.

Morley now joined Leslie, but was soon bowled by Bruce, who had resumed bowling at the lower wicket. The English innings closed for 273 . a very creditable performance, considering the little practice they had had. Leslie carried out his bat for a most brilliant innings of 51. Of the Victorian bowlers, M'Shane and Cooper were most successful.

Morley, being taken ill after his innings, was unable to field. After the usual interval, Swift and Scott opened the batting for the Colonials, being opposed to the bowling of A G Steel and Barnes. Soon after the commencement Scott was badly run out, the ball being well returned from extra cover point by G B Studd. Edwards, who now joined Swift, had only scored three when he was out 'lbw' to Steel, and when time was called no other wicket had fallen.

On Saturday, the 18th, this match was resumed at noon, in perfect cricketing weather. Morley was still unable to field, so a substitute was found. Barlow and Steel opened the attack against the overnight not outs, Swift and Bosser, who had scored 8 and 4 respectively.

Shortly after the commencement, the score having been raised to 16, Swift was well taken off Steel by Barnes in the slips. This was a most disastrous beginning by the Victorians, as three of their best wickets had fallen for 16 runs, when Turner joined Rosser. Though several changes of bowling were tried, the score had been carried to 40 when the England captain deputed Read to bowl underhand slows. These were evidently averse to the taste of the Colonial cricketing public, although after having being no-balled, the Surrey amateur clean bowled Turner, who had scored 25 by good cricket.

After the usual interval for lunch, Baker joined Rosser, to oppose the bowling of Read and Barnes. The fielding of the English team was all round very good, G B Studd particularly distinguishing himself at extra-cover-point. Baker shortly afterwards was well taken at the wicket off Read, and Rosser, who had shown really good form, also fell a victim to the underhand in a similar manner, having scored 22. Bruce now became Kelly's partner, and, after having given a very hot chance to Barnes at mid-on, was clean bowled by Read . making seven wickets down for 75 runs.

The prospects of the Victorians now saving the follow-on were almost hopeless, but when M'Shane joined Kelly, both batsmen played a very plucky game, and tried hard to turn the tide by running a number of short runs. As is often the case, though, this was carried to too great an extent, and Kelly was cleverly thrown out by Alexander from cover-point. The last two wickets gave little trouble, and the innings closed for 104 . a really small total on so good a wicket.

Being 169 to the bad, the Victorians had, of course, to follow on, and after the usual interval Scott and Kelly were sent in. A good start was made, as Kelly at once began to score much faster than his companion, though just after he appeared he was well taken by Leslie at long-slip off Barlow. Scott, who was run out in the first innings, was really playing good cricket, but he soon lost Edwards, who was clean bowled. (Two for 37.)

Swift then became Scott's partner, and the scoring became much slower, the fielding of the Englishmen at this period being very good. C T Studd relieved Steel, and though Swift did not seem at all at home with him, by steady cricket the score was raised to 50, when the English captain deputed Barnes to take the leather. This change proved effective, as he clean bowled Scott in his second over, the outgoing batsman having made 26 by good cricket . his style of play was really excellent.

Rosser now arrived, but did not give the fieldsmen very much trouble, as, after scoring 11 he was bowled by Steel off his pad. Turner commenced hitting in a most vigorous style, and shortly after his arrival gave a very difficult chance to Bates, which was not accepted. Then Swift, in playing back at a very slow ball from Steel, hit his wicket, and was forced to retire, having made 17 by resolute hitting. This made room for Baker, but he soon fell a victim to Bates; and Steel, who was bowling in his best form, displaced Turner's leg stump. Bruce now joined M'Shane, and carried the total to 121, when stumps were drawn for the day.

On Monday, the 20th, play was not resumed until half-past two, owing to frequent rain. The bowling of the English eleven was entrusted to Steel and Bates, but the batsmen played in a most determined manner to avert a single innings' defeat, till having raised the score to 130, M'Shane was well taken by Alexander, who was still fielding as a substitute for Morley at mid-on. Cooper now followed Bruce, and played excellent cricket, his hitting on the off side being particularly clean and hard.

The English captain, seeing that there was a probability of the Victorians saving a single innings' defeat, Studd was deputed to take the leather, but still the score rose quickly, chiefly by Bruce's efforts. With only 4 runs to save the innings, Barlow went on at the lower wicket, and, having scored the 4 runs required, Cooper was caught at the wicket by Tylecote, off Barlow.

Logan now joined Bruce, who had really played a most plucky innings. He was at last very well caught at extra mid-off by G B Studd off C T, having made 40 runs by excellent cricket. His innings was more praiseworthy, as he made runs at a time when they were very much required.

After the usual interval, G B Studd and Barlow went in to make the 1 run required, but neither batsman got a hit, as the first ball from M'Shane went for 4 byes. Thus the Englishmen won the first match (eleven-a-side) in Australia by ten wickets. During the afternoon a single-wicket match was played between Five Englishmen and Seven Victorians. [Note: England Five 40 (A G Steel 27, Kelly 3 wkts); Victoria Seven 20/2 (Kelly 20*; Bates 2 wkts). Match drawn.]

The team then journeyed to Sandhurst to meet 22 of that district on November 21st and 22nd. At the end of the first day the twenty-two were out for 100, and the Englishmen had made 36 for five wickets. The match was resumed on the following day, at noon, in beautiful weather. The wicket was decidedly not so good as on the previous day, as, owing to the dryness of the night, it began to wear.

Barnes, the overnight not-out, was joined by Tylecote, but they were not long in partnership, for the professional had only scored 7 when he was bowled by Mackay, and Leslie joined the Kentish man, who, after scoring 3, fell a victim to the same bowler. The Oxford bat, who was playing brilliant cricket, and also scoring very fast, was faced by Vernon, and a slight stand was made . not before it was wanted, as things were going very badly for the Englishmen.

Vernon scored rather slowly, but at the same time his innings was most valuable to his side, as Leslie during this time was punishing the Sandhurst bowling most unmercifully. At length Vernon was beaten by one from Rundell, and Alexander . who kindly offered the team his assistance, owing to Morley being still indisposed . joined the Oxford bat. During their stay the Sandhurst score was beaten, both batsmen playing good cricket. Spargo at last bowled Alexander, and the Englishmen's innings closed for 117, or 17 runs to the good, Leslie carrying out his bat for 48, a very brilliant exhibition of cricket.

Sandhurst now commenced their second innings, which was only noticeable for the batting of A H Pierce, J Rundell and G Mackay. These three all showed really good form, but the bowling of Studd and Steel, who, as will be seen by the analysis, were most successful, proved altogether too much for the result.

Having twenty-five minutes only to play, the English captain sent in G B Studd and Bates, and at six o'clock the Englishmen had scored 28 runs without the loss of a wicket. The match thus resulted in a draw, the Englishmen having ten wickets to fall and 75 runs to make.

The team during their stay at Sandhurst were welcomed to the town by the Mayor and Corporation, and also had the pleasure of exploring two of the principal gold mines in the district. On the first day they visited the Garden Gully United Mine. On the second morning they were driven to Eaglehawk in a four-horse drag, where they were entertained by the Mayor of the borough, Mr W Kneebone, and subsequently taken down to the 640 ft level on the Ellenborough mine, the short trip being very much enjoyed. Score:.

(Potted, not first-class) Bendigo United 100 (G N Campbell 28; Steel 8/35, C T Studd 6/19) and 119 (G Mackay 29; Steel 10/35, C T Studd 8/43). England 117 (Leslie 48*; A J Spargo 4/46) and 28/0. Match drawn.

ENGLAND v TWENTY-TWO OF CASTLEMAINE

It was evident shortly after the commencement that the former had not gained a false reputation, as he played the English bowling with the greatest confidence and skill. His innings of 41 was one of considerable merit, combining as it did a great exhibition of patience and well-timed hitting. Of the other batsmen, Donovan and Flynn showed the best form. The innings closed for 136, Morley taking eight wickets for 45 and Bates four for 24 runs. The Englishmen commenced batting at ten minutes to six, with G B Studd and Barlow, and at the close of play had scored 9 runs without the loss of a wicket.

Play on the following day was continued at twelve o'clock, the weather still being very hot. G B Studd and Barlow, the overnight not-outs, both played in good form, and the likelihood of a big innings was very probable. The score was carried to 67 before a separation came when Barlow, who had scored 24, was caught and bowled by Dawes. Both batsmen before this had a chance each, but as both were very difficult neither were accepted.

Leslie, who had been playing excellent cricket since his arrival in the Colonies, was next in, but before he had got set was 'yorked' out by Costello. The brothers Studd now became partners, and as C T soon began to be busy, the score rose rapidly, till at 82 G B was well taken by Campbell off Grant at deep mid-on, having played an excellent innings of 45. Read now joined Studd, but failed to give much trouble, as he was bowled by Costello with a shooter, having scored 4.

A G Steel now joined C T Studd, who was still playing in his best form. The former was bowled by Flynn, but Bates and Studd gave more trouble; runs came at a great pace, till Bates, after scoring 32 by brilliant hitting, was clean bowled by Matthews, the same bowler crowning his success shortly afterwards by shooting down C T Studd's leg stump with a really good ball. The outgoing batsman had scored 52 in his usual brilliant style.

Tylecote and Barnes were now together, but were not in partnership long, as the professional played a ball from Muirhead on to his wickets. Vernon now joined the English captain, and amused the spectators with some big hitting, twice placing the ball clean out of the ground. With these hits 200 was telegraphed, and then Tylecote was 'c and b' by Vick, having scored 30. Morley, who now became Vernon's partner, gave no trouble as shortly after his arrival he was caught by Costello off Vick, the English innings closing for 238, Vernon carrying out his bat for 32.

At five o'clock Castlemaine commenced their second innings, and at the same time the fifth wicket fell the telegraph-board showed only one run. The Twenty-two were indeed unable to do anything with the English bowling, which was decidedly much better than in the first innings. At six o'clock, when stumps were drawn, the English had obtained eight wickets for 22 runs. Barlow's analysis is most praiseworthy, viz:. 52 balls, 2 runs, 11 maidens, 2 wickets. Full score and bowling analysis:

(Potted score, not first-class) Castlemaine Twenty-two 136 (G Smith 41; Morley 8/45, Bates 4/24) and 22/8 (Morley 4/15). England 238 (G B Studd 45, C T Studd 52). Match drawn.

The amateur members of the team then proceeded to Sunbury, to spend the Sunday with Sir W J Clarke, of Rupertswood, who was one of the passengers on board the Peshawur with them. Leaving there on the following afternoon, they journeyed to Melbourne, where they were present at the banquet given to the Australian team who had just returned from England.

EDITORIAL: A NEW ORDER OF UMPIRING

The new proposition with regard to the appointment of umpires has been accepted by all the counties, and there is no doubt therefore that it will become law. By the new arrangement, each county has the right of nominating two umpires . this should, we fancy, be one umpire . to the committee of the Marylebone Club. Should there be an objection to any of the nominees by any of the counties, the various candidates will be apportioned by the Committee of the M.C.C. to different matches on the one condition that no one stands in any fixture in which his own county is engaged.

A further provision has been made that each umpire shall officiate in as many matches as his own county has fixture. If the latter portion of the scheme can be properly carried out, it will have the effect of materially improving the positions of really capable umpires. It will, at least, ensure them a full season, the same as a regular county player, which they could not always expect under the old recognised order of things where there were other candidates with some kind of claim in the participation of the umpiring plums.

There will be greater inducements under the new conditions for men to ground themselves in the laws and qualify for the position of umpires. Now that the selection to a certain extent requires the approval of all the parties interested, the result is sure to be . if we may use the expression . a higher class of officials. Where judgement and experience are so essentially requisite, the choice of an umpire should not be a mere matter of a ground bowler's turn or a haphazard affair.

To be an efficient umpire requires practice and no small amount of nerve, and none but those who have by a certain apprenticeship qualified themselves should be allowed to officiate in contests of public importance. Too much care cannot be exercised in the selection of men on whose verdict may hang the whole issue of the game.

In our objection to the principle which has hitherto allowed the choice of umpires to rest with those by whom they are virtually employed, there has never been the shadow of an imputation on umpires generally or on the bona-fides of any individual. An idea of any intentional bias has, we are sure, never entered the thoughts of the warmest supporters of a new departure in umpiring.

The antagonists of the old system urged that there should be some guarantee of the qualifications of the umpires who officiated in the better class cricket. Hitherto there has been no possible restriction, no real test of the competency of the arbiters chosen to act in a County match. The standard of umpiring, we contend, should be of the highest.

The umpire should be independent, able fearlessly to carry out the law without heed of its practice in other courts. He is placed in the most responsible position on the cricket field, and he should be able to feel that in a determined exercise of the powers rested in him he has the loyal support of the high court of appeal. An umpire may be of the strictest integrity, but none the less he may be physically unqualified to occupy a post which requires the full possession of every faculty.

Under the old system there was no check to ensure the selection of really competent men, and if only for the reason that the new order is certain to encourage thoroughly practical and capable umpires, it deserves universal support. For many reasons we believe that the change will be beneficial to the best interests of the game.

On the other hand, no argument has to our knowledge been adduced to show that the project is not worthy of a fair and thorough trial. In some slight details there may be modifications or alterations, but we are satisfied that on the whole the scheme is a sound and judicious one.

CRICKET AT OXFORD

The following members of last year's eleven are likely to be in residence:. G C Harrison (Oriel), E Peake (Oriel), G E Robinson (Jesus), E D Shaw (Oriel), W D Hamilton (Queen's), J G Walker (Trinity), M C Kemp (Hertford) and C F H Leslie (captain) (Oriel). A O Whiting of Merton is not likely to be up. Matches have been arranged with Lancashire, the Orleans Club, M.C.C. and Gentlemen of England . the match v Cambridge taking place on June 25th.

The following freshmen from the chief public school teams are now in residence:. F C Homfray, Shrewsbury and Christchurch; H J Grosvenor, Shrewsbury and Christchurch; H G Ruggles Brise, Winchester and Baliol; E A Surtees, Haileybury and Oriel; E B Raikes, Haileybury and Keeble; H V Page, Cheltenham and Wadham; G C Lindsay, Loretto and Wadham; J A Dun, Loretto and Brasenose; J T Mitchell, Loretto and Corpus; H P Hansell, Malvern and Magdalen; H T Arnall, Rugby and Brasenose; E Bowden-Smith, Rugby and Christchurch; H H Dobinson, Repton and Brasenose; J F Jardine, Eton and Brasenose; G H Aitken, Fettes and Oriel; D B Don Wauchope, Fettes and Keble; H H House, Sherborne and Corpus; J M Bastard, Sherborne and St John's; EE Hockliffe, Bedford and Lincoln.

Of these, Page, Surtees and Raikes stand at the head in bowling; and in batting Dobinson, Surtees, Page, Lindsay and Hansell. It is of bowling, though, that the 'Varsity stands in most need, so that the three first named should have a fair chance of obtaining their blue if they come up to last year's promise, as there will be at least three vacancies to fill.

PAVILION GOSSIP

One match with Murdoch's Eleven, which, owing to an error in the cablegram, we have for so long been hugging to ourselves as a victory, has proved to be a decisive defeat. If the codeword should happen to have been equally wrong in the case of the other matches? It would surely be a delicate attention of the innocent purveyor of the erroneous message, to put an end to the public suspense, at a slight expenditure, by procuring an immediate reply from the Colonies, as to the results of the other contests with the Australian Eleven.

*****The dinner at Melbourne in honour of the Australian Eleven, on their return, does not seem to have been altogether a success to judge from the following comments in a Melbourne paper:.

The affair was badly managed from the start. It was a blunder to place Mr Runting in the chair, for not only was he almost inaudible, but he made some most injudicious remarks, and as our English visitors were present they were doubly disagreeable to Australian ears. The wrong men were chosen to propose certain toasts and the twaddle that was sung and recited about the Australian Eleven could have been dispensed with. Altogether the thing was a bungle, and could hardly help to elevate us in the estimation of our English visitors, some of whom, doubtless, enjoyed a more sumptuous banquet when the Lord Mayor of London entertained the Australian Eleven, and the comparison must have been 'odious' to them as well as to the Australians.

*****Midwinter, 'the Sandhurst infant', as the Colonial press delights to designate him, does not seem to be able quite to make up his mind as to his nationality. This is rather a pity.

"He has ceased," says an Australian journal, "to be a professional cricketer, and will not again appear in that capacity, having made up his mind to play henceforth as an amateur. 'Mid', whose club will be South Melbourne, says that he has left England to return no more, that he considers himself an Australian to the heart's core, and that his motto is and always has been 'vincit amor patriae'.

"He objects therefore to the term 'Anglo-Australian' being applied to him, for he felt as much an Australian at heart when playing for Marylebone Club of Gloucestershire county as he does now, or as he did when learning how to play the game at Sandhurst, which he looks upon as being virtually the land of his birth." What he means by looking upon Sandhurst as virtually the land of his birth it is not easy to understand.

*****Mid's noble sentiments, however, do not seem to have impressed the strong-hearted Sydney critics. This is the ungrateful way in which 'Censor' in the Sydney Mail recites the eccentricities of the whilom Gloucestershire pro:.

"I would ask seriously, are the cricketers of the colony, and especially those of Victoria, to submit to another season of vagaries from this very slippery cricketer? One day he is an Australian, and next day he is an English player. Last season he played with England against Australia, and wanted badly to go to England immediately after as a full-blown Australian cricketer in Murdoch's team. Failing to induce the Australians to take the giant to their arms, he journeyed back to the old country with Shaw's team, and played for his county (Gloucestershire) during the whole of the last cricketing campaign.

"In order to ingratiate himself with the colonial cricketers, who will not forget his base desertion of the first Australian Eleven at Lord's, he returned to Australia with Murdoch and his companions, announcing his intention of 'never, never' returning to the old country. One year he plays with Shaw's Eleven for England against Australia, and, after spending the intervening time in the old country as a professional cricketer, and emphasising his position as an English player, he appears in the short space of six months as an Australian against England."

*****Another paper comments ecstatically on a statement of Midwinter that he refused to play for England against Australia last September from patriotic feelings towards the land of his adoption. As a matter of fact, Midwinter was never in any way thought of for the match in question, much less invited.

AUSTRALIA'S VICTORY

All England vanquished; can it be?
A lurking phantom in our Australian sky,
Or an Australian Borealis do we see
In such great splendour bright and high?
But another light has dawned upon our shores
In brilliancy supreme; with their honoured stores
Of princely laurels from their English foes.
In friendly battles fought, their duty nobly done,
Has brought Australia to the front rank place!
Though hard the tussle they fought and won,
And made Old England proud of her own race,
Let Britons know that in this the Sunny South,
Her glorious sports are brought to skilful use
By acts, and not by Anthony Trollope's 'blow of mouth'.
We act! we fight! win! and disregard abuse!
The palm of victory 'Our Boys' have won;
The cricket sceptre in triumph now is our own!
Fraught with marvellous pluck . pluck we know must run
Through true Australians from our British sires.
Fairly! nobly! have their glorious honours come.
Australia longs today to praise her every noble son
Of our cricket heroes. All! all! have shown
Grand British pluck beneath a British sun.

*****Capt. Holden has resigned the office of Hon Sec of the Notts County Club he has held so long. No one can say that in his hands Nottinghamshire cricket suffered in any way, and none can deny that he had the best interests of the game at heart. Mr Henry Bromley (son of Sir Henry Bromley) is his successor.

*****By the way, the finish of the match between the Englishmen and Victoria was in its way unique. Barlow and Mr G Studd went in to make four runs to win, and the only ball delivered went like lightning to the chains to the tune of four byes. Can any one recall an occurrence in which two batsmen have gone in with runs to make and won the match without getting a strike?

*****It is refreshing to notice the pleasing courtesies of some of our leading professional cricketers. "Mr Lockwood, Yorkshire's County eleven, has read Mr Barlow's book, and fully endorses all that is said." This is Ephraim's pithy testimonial to the excellence of a little treatise recently issued by the Lancashire Stonewaller.

EVANS, THE CRACK AUSTRALIAN BOWLER The following description of E Evans, who is generally regarded as the best all-round cricketer in the Colonies, by the correspondent of The Sportsman, will be read with interest:.

"Standing well over 6 ft, and considerably broader and thicker about the shoulders than most Australians are, Evans looks to the merest novice powerfully built. He is, too, a much better man than a casual glance would make him, and a keen judge can trace, in a certain indifferent carriage he has, indication of that combination of looseness of limb and great muscular power possessed by a few, but only a very few, really fine athletes. Either for sculling or throwing a cricket ball he is perfectly built, and when 'peeled' is much bigger than in his clothes, while every ounce of his weight (13 st) is muscle or bone.

"As will be seen from the account of the play, Evans did good service. Of late he has practised batting so little that he is not expected to make runs as he used, but his fielding cannot be bettered, and his bowling must be very difficult on anything but a perfect wicket. When delivering the ball he most affects rather slower than medium; he has typical Australian overhead action, but he varies his pace, style and the angle of the arm, so that sometimes the hand is, when the ball leaves it, a little wide of the shoulder.

"Always wonderfully sure and dashing in the field, the crack Australian is perhaps never seen to greater advantage than when fielding to his own bowling, a business in which his enormous reach tells. Among the other members of the side Evans's class asserted itself most unmistakably, and none could see him without marking him as a first-rate cricketer."

ENGLAND v NEW SOUTH WALES

The captains decided that the match should be played on two wickets, and that each eleven should play on the wicket selected by their captain, and not have the option of the choice of wickets. This arrangement is customary in this colony. The New South Wales captain (Mr Powell), having had the good fortune to win the toss, of course elected to go in.

The wicket was rather dead, owing to the quantity of rain which had fallen on the two previous days, but perfectly true. The innings was particularly noteworthy for the batting of Marr, Powell and Moses, who all showed good form. The wicketkeeping of the English captain and the bowling of A G Steel were particularly effective. The fielding of the visitors was very good, though one or two difficult chances were missed.

The members of the Australian team who had just returned from England, and who usually play for this colony, did not take part in this match, owing to an engagement to play at Adelaide. This, of course, considerably weakened the team. Mr Bligh's hand still prevented him playing.

The New South Wales captain first sent in Geary and Davis to oppose the bowling of Morley and Barlow, the latter having a strong wind to work against. Davis, soon after the start, received a very nasty blow from Morley, which forced him to discontinue play for a few moments. On recommencing, as both batsmen began to get set, Tylecote deputed Steel to take the ball from Morley, who had not been bowling up to his form, and the change had the desired effect; Davis, in running in to a high delivery of the slow bowler, being well stumped by Tylecote. (One for 24.)

Moses now joined Geary, and the English captain thought it desirable to put on C T Studd (who is very difficult to left-hand batsmen) in the place of Steel. In Barlow's next over Geary was missed by Bates at mid-off, and in the same bowler's next over, he gave another very difficult chance in the slips, which also was not accepted by Barnes. This good fortune, though, did not help him much, for shortly afterwards, owing to a mistake of Moses, he was run out. (Two for 26.)

Allen now joined Moses, and both played good cricket for some time. Barnes and Steel resumed, and the latter had the desired effect, enticing Allen out of his ground with his high curly ball, so that he was stumped very cleverly by Tylecote. (Three for 37.)

After luncheon, Hiddleston and Moses raised the score slowly up to 54, when the former was well taken at the wicket by Tylecote . a fine catch. Moses was now joined by Powell, the New South Wales captain, and some slow cricket followed, till Moses, who had been very lucky letting out at one of Steel's, gave a very easy chance to Bates at mid-off, which was accepted. Marr now joined Powell, and with great luck they stayed until 100 was reached. Three runs later, Powell was clean bowled by Barlow with a slow 'yorker', which the batsman might have made a full pitch. (Six for 103.)

Turner was clean bowled with a 'yorker' at 115, and Evans came in. The new comer, who is a great and popular favourite, was greeted with a round of applause when he came in and joined Marr, who was playing good cricket, though at times rather lucky. These batsmen played with great care, and several good hits were stopped by the Englishmen, whose fielding at this time was perfect. Steel here took the ball from Bates, and his first delivery Marr cut very neatly to the Grand stand railings for four, and Evans, in Barlow's next over, played him to the off for two, but in the amateur's next over Marr fell a victim to Barnes in the slips. The outgoing batsman, though at times lucky, had made 34 runs by very good cricket, his off-driving being particularly well-timed. Eight for 134.

Evans was now joined by Wearne, but the former was well taken by Tylecote at the wicket off Steel, when Wearne was caught at mid-off by Steel off Studd and the innings closed for 152.

The English captain sent in G B Studd and Barlow to face the bowling of the well-known and popular colonial, Evans (medium right-hand) and Wearne (medium left-hand). It looked as if the batsmen were likely to give some trouble, but Wearne dissolved the partnership by clean bowling the Middlesex amateur. (One for 16.)

Leslie now joined Barlow, and soon drove Wearne grandly to the off for 4. Here the New South Wales captain thought a change was desirable, and Turner, who bowled so well against Shaw's team at Bathurst last season, relieved Wearne, Leslie, who was playing with great confidence, hitting his first delivery finely for four. Barlow, who is well known not to be a fast scorer, was, owing to the quickness of the ground, making runs much faster than usual.

As no wicket was obtained, Marr relieved Evans, and in his first over the Oxford batsman gave a very hard chance to short leg, but Davis failed to hold it. When stumps were drawn for the day, the English had scored 39 for one wicket, Barlow being (not out) 17 and Leslie (not out) 15.

On Saturday, December 2nd, at noon the overnight not-outs faced the bowling of Turner and Evans. Despite changes in the bowling, runs came rapidly; Leslie treating all the bowling in the same way, continued to increase his score, and the 'hundred' was hoisted at seventeen minutes to one, the batsmen having made 71 runs in forty minutes. Evans during this time had been bowling particularly well, varying his pace and pitch with great judgement. He did not seem in the least degree tired, and it was plain that New South Wales without him must have been in a very poor plight.

Change after change was tried, but to no avail, and the two batsmen were still together at half-past one, when the bell rung for lunch, having put on 141 runs in about an hour and a half's cricket, Leslie being (not out) 108 and Barlow (not out) 60.

When play was resumed, the New South Wales team played up with much more spirit. At the same time they were unable to stop the run-getting. The amateur here had a little slice of luck, as he snicked a very good ball from Turner through the slips for 4, and have half a chance to Wearne in the long-field, which was not accepted. This batsman had up to this time played a most brilliant innings, not having given a shadow of a chance, except the one mentioned on Friday evening, which was an extremely difficult one.

At last the desired separation came, as Leslie, who had made 144, in driving Evans to the on, lifted the ball, and it was well caught by Moses. It was certainly an innings of the highest merit, and one which cannot possibly be too highly praised. His figures were a six, twenty-one 4s, three 3s, ten 2s and singles. (Two for 238.)

C T Studd now joined the Lancashire professional, but the latter in trying to pull a ball from Evans was clean bowled. He had made 80 in his usual patient style, though his hits were at times slightly uppish, (Three for 240.) Bates now joined C T Studd, and the latter having made 23, not in his best form, was clean bowled. (Four for 280.)

Bates after helping to raise the score to 314 was magnificently caught and bowled, having made 30 in his best form. Steel and Read now became associated, and several changes of the bowling were tried without success, and the score rose steadily, mainly from the bat of the Surrey amateur. Wearne now took the ball from Evans, but the latter soon resumed, and with success, Read being caught and bowled in his third over. The outgoing batsman had made 46 . a good innings. (Six for 355.)

The English captain came next, and runs came at a great pace, and 400 was cleared but seventeen runs later. Evans, who had been trundling extremely well, was again rewarded by clean bowling A G Steel, who jumped out to drive. Steel's 52 was a very excellent performance. (Seven for 417.) Barnes came next, and soon after the English captain had the misfortune to draw a ball into his wicket, having scored 26. (Eight for 429.)

Barnes was now joined by G F Vernon, who began to make things very lively, scoring three 4s in two overs from Powell. After two or three minor contributions stumps were drawn for the day, and the enormous score of 442 had been made by the English for eight wickets, Barnes being (not out) 6 and Vernon (not out) 13.

On Monday, December 4th, the match was resumed; Evans and Turner bowled and about twenty-five minutes sufficed to bring the English innings to a close. When the Nottingham professional had added six runs, he was well caught and bowled by Evans. Turner soon succeeded in bowling Vernon, who had made 24 in good form. This brought the innings to a close, the Englishmen having made 461.

The New South Wales team commenced their second innings on the wicket selected by their captain, and Davis and Geary were sent in to face the bowling of Steel and Morley. Thirty-seven had been telegraphed for no wicket when the interval for luncheon took place.

On resuming, the bowling was entrusted to Read and Barlow, and runs came very slowly. When 50 was up Bates relieved Barlow, and Geary shortly after this was caught by Tylecote at the wicket off the underhand bowler, trying to hit a ball to square leg. The outgoing batsman had scored 22 by patient cricket. (One for 54.) Moses now joined Davis, but was not at home with the lobs, and should have been stumped by Tylecote after making a single. As no wicket fell C T Studd replaced Read, and from his first delivery Moses was well taken by Vernon at mid-off. (Two for 60.)

Davis here gave a very difficult chance to Vernon, in the same place, off Bates, but the fieldsman failed to hold it. Allen having joined Davis, play for some time was particularly slow, neither batsman being able to get the English bowling away. Morley now relieved Bates, but did not bowl up to his English form, as his pitch was very short, and he consequently proved rather expensive. Steel went on in the place of Studd, and in Morley's next over Davis should have been caught by Barlow at point. At length Allen, who had been batting in good form, was well caught and bowled by A G Steel. (Three for 86.)

Hiddleston followed, but failed to score, as, owing to a good piece of fielding by Vernon, he was run out. (Four for 86.) Powell now joined Davis, and as Morley could not be successful, Barnes took his place; Powell brought up the hundred amid great applause, and several changes were required before the batsmen could be separated. At last Barlow was tried, and he soon clean bowled Davis. The outgoing batsman, though slightly lucky at times, had made 85 by excellent cricket, his defence being particularly noticeable. (Five for 145.)

At this stage of the game a complete change came over the rest of the batsmen who lent little aid. The last five wickets only added 20 runs, and the innings closed for 165, Powell carrying out his bat for 32 . a very good display of cricket. The English thus won their second even contest by an innings and 126 runs.

ENGLISH ELEVEN v EIGHTEEN OF MAITLAND

The cricket consequently was not at all enjoyable, as it was decidedly dangerous to stand up to any deliveries above medium pace. Fortunately, about three o'clock, it commenced to rain so heavily that it was decided to discontinue play for the day. Very little progress had then been made in the match, as only two English wickets had fallen . namely, Barnes and Barlow, with 25 and 24 respectively to their credit, Leslie being (not out) 3.

The match was resumed shortly after eleven o'clock on the following morning, the wickets still being very dangerous. Leslie (not out 3) was joined by C T Studd, but they were not in partnership long, as the Oxford man misjudged a run, and was run out, having added 3 to his overnight score. Shortly after this another disaster happened to the English team, as C T Studd was caught at mid-on by Laurie off Cronin without scoring.

A G Steel now joined W W Read, and having driven M'Alpine splendidly over the railings for 5, was well taken a few overs later at sharp short-leg by Falls off the same bowler. Vernon now joined Read, the latter, having scored 12, was caught at extra third man off Mather, who had relieved Cronin. Bates now came in, but did not give much trouble, as he was bowled by Bignell, who had replaced M'Alpine, after scoring 1.

The English captain, Tylecote, then joined Vernon, and the wicket, owing to a very heavy shower which had taken place, became less dangerous. This enabled the batsmen to play their usual cricket, and runs began to come a little faster until Vernon was caught by Mathers off Bignell, having scored 21. Alexander hit well for 24 and finally the English innings closed for 155m Tylecote carrying out his bat for 16.

The Eighteen commenced their innings at half-past two, and it was but a poor display of batting, none but M'Alpine showing any pluck, in withstanding the deliveries of Bates and Steel. All were out in a little less than an hour and a half for a small total of 49, Steel taking 8 wickets for 25 runs and Bates 6 wickets for 7 runs.

Being 106 runs behind, the Eighteen had to follow on, and there was just time for the Englishmen to secure a single innings victory. They had only about an hour and fifty minutes to despatch their opponents again, but owing to the good bowling of Steel and Studd, this was accomplished, the former taking 6 wickets for 37, and the latter 7 wickets for 30 runs.

Onus and Hermann for the Eighteen played fairly good cricket for their respective scores . 20 and 15. The wicket during both these innings was very difficult, and Steel and Studd were unplayable. Alexander played for Mr G B Studd, who had caught a severe cold.

(Potted scores, not first-class) England 155 (Barlow 24, Barnes 25, Alexander 24). Eighteen of Maitland 49 (Steel 8.25, Bates 6/7) and 91 (Steel 6/37, C T Studd 4/30, Read 7/6). England won by an innings and 15 runs.

ENGLISH ELEVEN v EIGHTEEN OF NEWCASTLE AND DISTRICT

The match was commenced at Newcastle on Friday, December 8, in the presence of about 1,000 spectators, including a goodly number of the fair sex. The ground is not large, but a good wicket had, under the supervision of the committee of the Newcastle C.C., been prepared, and they were certainly rewarded for the trouble they had taken, as the ground played extremely well, though the outfielding was decidedly rough.

The Hon Ivo Bligh, having sufficiently recovered from the injury he received to his hand on board the Peshawur, took part in this match. The Newcastle captain, having won the toss, of course elected to go in. It was soon evident that the old Cantab, A G Steel, was much too good for second-rate batsmen, as they were all at a loss to know what to do with the particularly slow curly ball that he bowled so well. Eight if the Eighteen, which, on the whole, was a decidedly good one, fell to his credit for 20 runs.

With Bates, Barlow and Read, the batsmen were decidedly more at home, but when the English captain deputed C T Studd to take the leather, the innings of the Eighteen came speedily to a close, as he obtained seven wickets for 10 runs. Two or three batsmen of the Eighteen showed fair form, but nothing particularly noteworthy occurred during the innings, which closed for 67 runs, a total much less than was anticipated by their supporters.

The English captain commenced the attack with himself and Barnes, and when the score had been raised to 24, Barnes was caught by Ryder off Webb for 13. Barlow followed, and played his usual steady cricket. The English captain, though, continued to score very freely, and when the score had been raised to 47, he was well stumped on the leg side by Bryant off Ryder, having scored 22 by excellent cricket.

Leslie joined Barlow, and commenced at once to increase the score very rapidly. Several changes of bowling were tried, but it was not until the score had reached 123 that Leslie was well caught by Smith off Butler at deep mid-on, having scored 51 by good cricket. C T Studd followed, and he was again out of luck, just being bowled off his leg by Ryder the first ball he received. (Three and four wickets down for 123.)

A G Steel joined the Lancashire professional, and another long stand was made. Several changes of bowling were tried, until the score had been raised to 154, when the professional was caught at slip by C Lawrence, sen., off Tracy for 39, after an exhibition of patient cricket. Read joined Steel, and they were together during several changes, until at length the latter was well taken at sharp short-leg by Tracy, off Webb, having scored 29 by good cricket. E F S Tylecote now joined Read, and despite several changes they played together until luncheon-time, both being not out.

On resuming play, after the usual interval, the Kent amateur was caught by Webb off Maddison at sharp short-leg, having scored 33 by steady cricket. Bates joined the Surrey amateur, who was playing very good cricket, and now a long stand was made. The score was raised to 270, when the amateur was well taken at short-leg by Morley off Webb, having played an excellent innings of 64.

G F Vernon now joined Bates, and the score was raised to 336 before a separation was effected. The amateur scored much more freely till he was caught at deep mid-on off Ryder, having played an excellent freely-hit innings of 41. Alexander now joined Bates, and after having scored 2, was well taken by Maddison off Tracy, and the English innings closed for 339. The Yorkshire professional carried out his bat for a well-played 34.

The Newcastle Eighteen commenced their second innings at half-past four, but they were again unable to withstand the deliveries of Steel and Studd, and at half-past six the English team had obtained 15 wickets for 54 runs. Both men bowled in excellent form. The match was thus drawn, though a moral win for the English team.

(Potted score, not first-class) Eighteen of Newcastle 67 (Steel 8/20, Studd 7/10) and 54/15 (Steel 10/15, Studd 5/17). England 399 (Leslie 51, Read 64). Match drawn.

On Monday, December 11, the Newcastle team left for Tamworth, without their captain who had determined not to overwork his injured hand, and returned to Sydney. Morley's side was not well enough to allow of playing, and G Alexander was again utilised as an emergency. At each station people had gathered to catch a glimpse of the cricketers, and, as a rule, volunteered expressions of welcome and goodwill. A deputation from the cricket club and the municipality met the Eleven at Tamworth, and accompanied them to their hotel, the Caledonian.

On December 11, after a fine morning, a heavy thunderstorm came on, and soon rendered the ground unfit for play. Owing to a difficulty about town rights at the reserve, arrangements had been made to use the racecourse, a space about 200 yards in diameter had been cleared, and a good wicket covered with coconut matting painted green prepared. Both sides waited, hoping for the rain to cease, but as it was falling heavily at three o'clock, the captains of the two teams agreed to postpone the match till Tuesday morning.

The following morning opened dull and wet, and rain continued until after eleven o'clock, when the clouds broke and the weather improved somewhat. The Tamworth people clung to the idea that play might be possible, so Mr Tylecote visited the racecourse with the captain of the Eighteen. On arrival there it was at once apparent that nothing could be done. The outfield was slippery enough, but it was found that on the ground about the wickets the water lay two or three inches deep, and keeping a footing was a matter of difficulty. After a short consultation, it was therefore agreed to abandon the match altogether.

ENGLISH ELEVEN v EIGHTEEN OF BALLARAT

The Englishmen began their innings on the following morning, the captain going first to the wickets, with Barlow. The latter retired after making 8, but with the exception of Mr Steel, who was stumped without scoring, all the rest got double figures. Mr Read was chief contributor with 55, and at the end of the second day only 9 wickets were down for 269. On the third day the innings closed for 272, and the match was eventually drawn, the Eighteen scoring 176 for 14 wickets.

(Potted score, not first-class) Eighteen of Ballarat 227 (P M'Gregor 53, J Worrall 52; Steel 4/59, Barnes 7/24) and 176/14 (P Lewis 40; Steel 8/68). England 272 (Bligh 45, Read 55, Tylecote 40*; J Duffy 5/58).

ENGLISH ELEVEN v AUSTRALIAN ELEVEN

The handsome ground of the Melbourne Club certainly looked its best upon this occasion. The Pavilion, from verandah to roof, was closely packed. The large Grand Stand, capable of holding 2,000 spectators, was fully occupied, whilst the gay dresses of the ladies, who patronised in large numbers the reserve set apart for their especial benefit, added light and colour to the scene. The ring round the ground, which is seated to accommodate about 8,000 spectators, as well as having a sloping embankment which extends some 30 ft back, was crowded with people, and every place of vantage was occupied from which a sight of the game could be obtained, the estimated number on the ground being about 16,000.

Morley was left out of the English Eleven. On the Australian side, S Jones, who, it will be remembered, played in the match against England at The Oval in August last, stood out on this occasion in favour of Palmer, and as Boyle was not in good batting form, and his bowling was not considered as likely to prove effective on a fast wicket, he was also left out. Murdoch . as had so frequently proved the case in England . won the toss, and it is almost needless to say that, on a fast wicket, he elected to bat.

Shortly after twelve o'clock Massie and Bannerman went in to the bowling of C T Studd and Barnes, the former opening at the Railway end with a maiden to Bannerman. The last of Barnes's over Massie got away to square-leg for 4. Bannerman started with a single off Studd's next, but narrowly escaped being run out, owing to a piece of smart fielding on the part of Bates at mid-on. Studd's following over was productive if fatal results to Massie, who drove the ball hard back to the bowler . a neat catch being effected.

Murdoch, who followed, and Bannerman played with extreme caution, and owing to the excellence of the wicket, but little work could be got on the bowling, pitch and precision having to be relied on to keep down the runs. Bannerman at length cut Barnes to the chains for 4, which with singles added, brought 20 on the board, after thirty-seven minutes' play.

Steel shortly afterwards relieved Barnes, and Barlow took the place of C T Studd with the score at 37. Runs, however, continued to come, and a further change was deemed desirable, W W Read going on with slow lobs, vice Steel, at the Pavilion end. The rapid changes in bowling were, however, without effect, and at the adjournment for lunch the score stood at 46 . Bannerman with 19 (not out) to his credit, and Murdoch (not out) 23.

Upon resuming C T Studd and Read again took the ball, and the latter got severely punished, several runs being got from one over. Bates relieved the Surrey amateur, and again the scoring became exceedingly slow, a long succession of maidens to each bowler following. Bannerman now had a second narrow escape of being run out through smart fielding on the part of G B Studd. The 70 being hoisted was the signal for Leslie to replace C T Studd, his low round-arm fast being considered as likely to effect a separation.

The change proved effective, for, with 11 additional runs on the scoresheet, Murdoch neglected to play straight at one of Leslie's which was well up, and was clean bowled, having scored 48, not in my any means his best style. Horan took the vacancy, but the first ball from Leslie he put up into the slips, where it was safely held by Barlow. Three wickets were down for 81 as M'Donnell took the vacancy.

This batsman commenced in his usual free style, hitting Leslie grandly along the carpet to the chains for 4. At 96 Bannerman played out to one of Leslie's and was very smartly stumped by Tylecote. This batsman's score of 30 was compiled in his usual careful manner. Giffen now joined M'Donnell, and three singles, followed by 2 to the latter off Leslie, brought the century up amidst considerable applause.

At 110 Steel relieved Bates, and Studd was again substituted for Leslie. Without any additional runs being scored Tylecote, through slipping, missed an easy chance of stumping Giffen off Steel, the batsman having gone out for a hit. The miss proved an expensive one, for 42 runs were afterwards added before a separation came about. Both batsmen now commenced to score freely, and with 130 up Barlow went on at the Pavilion end vice Steel. At this stage both bowling and fielding were good, and runs came slowly, principally in singles, until 140 appeared.

Giffen then hit a magnificent straight 4 off Studd, the ball bounding over the heads of the front row of spectators. After a short adjournment, Steel and Bates relieved Barlow and Studd. At 150 M'Donnell gave Read a hot chance at mid-on, which was declined. Scoring after this became rapid, several 4s being recorded, until at 162 M'Donnell tried to pull a straight one from Bates to square leg, and paid the penalty of being clean bowled, having, with the exception of this one mistake, played fairly well for his score of 43.

Giffen meanwhile had been showing the best cricket of the day. His batting was clean, well-timed and along the carpet, the chance to Tylecote at the wickets being his only mistake. He was now joined by Bonnor, and some exceedingly rapid scoring followed, principally owing to the tall hitting of the latter. Leslie was again substituted for Bates, his style being thought more likely to curb Bonnor's hitting propensities.

After scoring 7, Bonnor hit one off Steel up to the Pavilion fence . a possible chance for Barlow close to the boundary, the fieldsman touching the ball in its flight. The next ball he landed safely into the Pavilion reserve for 5, bringing 180 up. A tall hit by Bonnor into the reserve off Steel for 5 brought up 190, and then Giffen was smartly stumped by Tylecote off Steel after scoring 36 by good all-round play.

Blackham was next to appear, and Bonnor hit one of Steel's up to the boundary, which was badly missed by Read, 2 runs resulting. Off Bates's next over Bonnor scored his third 5 by putting him over the heads of the spectators, and the second century was shortly posted.

At 214 Steel gave place to Read's underhand 'lobs', and Bonnor got his fourth 5 by lifting one of the new bowler's into the pavilion reserve, which, had it not struck a pine tree, would have gone over the outer fence for 6. At 237 C T Studd took the ball from Barnes, and 14 runs were added when Blackham, who had scored 25, was caught at the wickets by Tylecote off Studd. (Seven for 251 runs.)

Spofforth, the next to appear, cut Studd to cover-point . the easiest of easy chances to A G Steel, who allowed the ball to drop through his fingers. The stumps were then drawn for the day, with the total 258 for seven wickets, Bonnor having obtained 60 (not out) by an exhibition of good cricket, very much mixed with reckless hitting, Spofforth having 1 (not out), the total being 258 for seven wickets.

The fielding of England was not at all up to the usual standard, several runs being thrown away, as well as chances missed in the field. It is only fair to say, however, that, although the wicket played exceedingly well, the outfielding ground was decidedly rough. This may, with justice, plead a sufficient excuse for occasional misfielding, but it cannot justify the non-holding of several chances given. The dark foliage of the trees which surround the Melbourne Cricket Ground is no doubt answerable for the missing of many a catch, for when the ball drops in line with any of these trees it is most difficult to keep in view.

The match was continued on New Year's Day, and a very large concourse of spectators assembled to witness the cricket. During the interval between Saturday and Monday an entire change had taken place in the condition of the weather; the fine, bright sunshine which had enlightened the opening day of the match, and rendered batting more a pleasure than a difficulty, had given place to violent squalls, accompanied by heavy showers of rain, and the luck which had attended the Australians in England in the matter of winning the toss on so many occasions, and thereby securing the best of the wickets, had certainly not deserted them on this occasion.

Upon inspecting the wicket on Monday it at once became apparent that, if not absolutely wet, it was still in that state which 'gladdeneth not' the heart of a batsman. Shortly before twelve o'clock the sun shone out, and being extremely powerful at this period of the year, quickly dried the surface of the wicket, making it altogether very bad for the batsmen. The attendance at the hour of commencement numbered 10,000, and steadily increased during the day, until at 4.30 p.m. it reached its maximum. There could not have been less than 20,000 spectators present, every available place of vantage from which a view of the game could be obtained being fully occupied. The immense crowd was a most orderly one, and fairly applauded every piece of good cricket, whether emanating from Englishmen or Australians.

Barnes and Barlow were entrusted with the bowling, the former opening to Spofforth from the Pavilion end. Bonnor hit one up to mid-off, the ball going a few inches too high for Bates, and 270 was posted shortly afterwards. The wicket at this stage became very treacherous, especially at the railway end, where Barnes was getting up considerably. Spofforth hit a very uppish one over the head of mid-off, for which 2 runs were obtained, and immediately afterwards gave Barlow a possible chance in the slips, followed by another, off a very bumpy ball to Tylecote at the wickets, all off Barnes.

In Barlow's next over Bonnor got him away for two successive fours to the chains, and Steel replaced Barlow. At 287 Spofforth put one up off Barnes to mid-off, which was secured by Steel, and without any addition to the score. Garrett, who followed, was caught by C T Studd at mid-off off Steel. With 4 more added Bonnor was caught in the slips by Barlow off Barnes, and the innings closed for a total of 291, Palmer, who was not out, having failed to score.

The wicket having been rolled, the Australian Eleven took the field at one o'clock, the first English representatives being the Hon Ivo Bligh and Barlow. Spofforth started the bowling at the Pavilion end to Barlow, Palmer occupying the other end. Bligh soon played Palmer on, and had to retire; and Leslie, who followed, had scored but 4, when he hit Palmer up to the off, and was caught by Garrett. At the adjournment for lunch, which then took place, two wickets were down for 7 runs.

The game was resumed at a quarter past two o'clock. C T Studd joined Barlow, but only one run had been added when the former was clean bowled by a tremendous break-back from Spofforth. A G Steel filled the vacancy, and considerable life was infused into the game, mainly through the vigorous batting of Steel, who administered considerable punishment to Spofforth. At 30, Barlow, who had played a patient innings, went forward to one of Palmer's, which he missed and was very smartly stumped by Blackham.

W W Read followed. With 45 on the board, Steel, who had played a dashing innings for 27, was clean bowled by Palmer. Bates followed, and the scoring became much faster, both batsmen playing with confidence, and hitting 4s in rapid succession. At 58 Garrett replaced Spofforth, who had been punished to a considerable extent. The runs, however, continued to come, and when 86 was reached M'Donnell missed an easy catch from Bates at forward cover-point off Garrett. In Palmer's next, Bates hit him clean out of the ground for 5, but the bowler almost immediately had his revenge by bowling Read, who had played a good, steady innings for 19, the score then standing at 96.

Tylecote followed, and the hoisting of the 'century' was a notice for Bates to retire, caught off Garrett by Bannerman at mid-off. The rain now caused an adjournment, and upon resuming Tylecote was joined by G B Studd. At 116 Tylecote hit Garrett to the off, and the run was safely negotiated; this batsman then called Studd for a second, which probably could have been made, but Studd declined to run, and both batsmen were at the same wicket. The ball meanwhile was secured by Blackham, who, running down to the other end, displaced the bails, G B Studd having with considerable self-sacrifice stepped out from his crease, and allowed Tylecote to keep possession.

Eight wickets were down for 117, when Barnes filled the vacancy, and runs came quickly. At 134 Spofforth took the ball from Garrett, but the change had no immediate effect, for the tens mounted rapidly. At 156 Bonnor missed Tylecote in the slips, and, though the catch was both fast and low, it should nevertheless have been taken. Tylecote had then made 33, and, without adding to his score, he was bowled by a beautiful ball from Palmer.

Vernon was last man and 55 runs still wanted to save the follow on; 21 only of these were obtained, and with the total at 177 Palmer bowled Barnes's middle stump clean out of the ground with a ball which the batsman declares broke a foot from the off.

Three Australian trundlers were made use of during this innings, viz., Palmer, Spofforth and Garrett. The former has seldom appeared to greater advantage, the rest he has enjoyed for some time past having evidently been beneficial. His bowling was excellent, and the difficulty with which it was played is made manifest by the fact that five out of the seven wickets he obtained were bowled, one being caught and one stumped.

The fielding of the Australians, taken all round, was good. Bonnor, however, shows to more advantage in the outfield than in the slips, where he let several balls get past him. M'Donnell was also somewhat weak in this department. The miss which gave Bates a life was a bad one, and might have proved most expensive.

Of Spofforth it may be said that when it is his 'day out' and the wicket at all difficult, the best of batsmen cannot play him, but he also goes to the other extreme, and bowls trash. January 1st, 1883, was certainly not the 'demon's' 'day out'.

With 114 to the bad the English Eleven followed on, and at ten minutes to six o'clock Tylecote and Barlow went to the wickets, and when stumps were drawn ten minutes later, eleven runs had been put together without the loss of a wicket.

The game resumed at twelve o'clock on Tuesday, January 2nd. The attendance was again large, it being estimated that 16,000 spectators were on the ground during the afternoon. Tylecote and Barlow resumed batting to the bowling of Spofforth and Palmer. The score mounted steadily, both batsmen playing with caution.

When 54 had been reached, Giffen, who bowled for the first time during the match, relieved Palmer, who had been bowling from the commencement without a rest. With 67 on the board, Tylecote played on to Spofforth and retired, having exhibited excellent cricket for his score of 38. C T Studd followed, and at 74 Giffen, not proving successful, gave place to Palmer. With but one run added, a ball from Spofforth cannoned off Barlow's pads into the wickets, and two wickets were down for 75.

A G Steel joined C T Studd, and, with 80 on the board, the latter, after scoring 10, was badly missed by Giffen in the slips off Spofforth, the ball going straight into his hands, 3 ft from the ground. An adjournment was then made for luncheon. The weather, which during the early morning had rather a threatening appearance, had now entirely cleared up, and the afternoon turned out in every way suitable for cricket, the warm sun being tempered with a cool southerly breeze. The wicket also showed evident signs of improvement, as compared with the preceding day, and, although rather slower than is usually the case with Australian wickets, was nevertheless true, and played fairly well.

Play was resumed at twenty minutes past two o'clock; and runs came fast. It was hoped that the two batsmen would save the innings, but at 105 C T Studd, with 21 to his credit, was clean bowled by Palmer. The Hon Ivo Bligh, who followed, had contributed but three singles when Spofforth got one past, which bowled his wicket.

W W Read, who took the vacancy, as in the first innings, in conjunction with A G Steel, infused considerable life into the game, and the score was taken from 108 to 132. Giffen again relieved Palmer, and off his first ball he obtained a leg-before-wicket decision against A G Steel. Five wickets were now down, with only 18 runs to the good.

Leslie followed, and some fairly rapid scoring was shown. Read, getting well on to Spofforth, played him twice to the on for 2 each, and then drove him straight for 4. 150 up was the signal for Palmer to change ends. Giffen took the end vacated by Palmer, and with his first ball clean bowled Leslie. Bates now joined Read, and the partnership was productive of 14 runs. At 164 Read went out for a hit at Giffen, and was bowled.

Other disasters quickly followed. G B Studd, without scoring, hit one of Giffen's hard to mid-on, which was held by Palmer. Off the first ball of Palmer's next over Bates hit up in the long field, and was well taken by Massie; the seventh, eighth and ninth wicket had therefore fallen, without any addition being made to the score. Vernon was last man, and with 5 runs added, was had 'lbw' to Palmer, the innings closing for 169, or only 56 in advance of the first innings of the Australians.

At a quarter past four o'clock Massie and Bannerman took their places, opposed to the bowling of C T Studd and Barnes. The former started with a maiden to Bannerman, and the last ball of Barnes's first over Massie hit high in the air, between the wickets, and was caught by the bowler, one wicket down for no runs. Murdoch joined Bannerman, and as testifying to the excellence of the bowling and fielding, six consecutive maidens followed, and the first 10 appeared after half-an-hour's play.

A G Steel and Bates then relieved Barnes and C T Studd and runs came more rapidly, but no separation could be effected; the number required was gradually reduced until it was reached: when Bannerman made the winning hit . a four to square-leg off Bates, and the Australian Eleven had won the match by nine wickets and 2 runs.

On Jan. 2 a complimentary banquet was given to the two Elevens, in Melbourne, under the presidency of Sir W J Clarke. In responding to the toast of 'The English Team', the Hon Ivo Bligh expressed the pleasure he felt at the members of the team being accorded such a hearty welcome. They bore their woes as well as they could under trying circumstances, and these circumstances might be described as disappointing. Some might be inclined to say he was a big duffer responding for a lot of big differs. (Cries of "No, no," and laughter.)

The last time he made a speech in Melbourne he said the team came out with the hope of bearding the lion or kangaroo in his den; but he was afraid, looking at the result of the last match, that it must be confessed that the kangaroo had hopped a considerable distance in front. (Laughter.) But they did not despair. They hoped to have two other shots at the kangaroo, and their late defeat would only make them strain every nerve to turn the tide of victory. He referred to the warm feeling of friendship existing between the two teams, and bore testimony to the impartiality and to the spirit of fair play exhibited by the Australian public during the progress of the matches.

'Infelix' in the Australasian makes the following comments on the match:.

"Yet strange to say, it was in this decidedly strong point of their play (batting) that our visitors were unsuccessful. On the first day they got rid of seven of our men for 258, by no means a large score on the magnificent wicket prepared by McAlpine. On the second day when, owing to the slight rain, the bowlers made the ball 'do' something, the last three wickets fell rapidly, and the innings closed for 291.

"The first two wickets of the Englishmen fell before lunch, and they had bad luck in having to bat when the wicket favoured the bowlers, but even after luncheon, when very little, if any, fault could be found with the wicket, the Britishers were altogether nonplussed by Palmer's superb bowling, and their friends were quite rueful and long-visaged when batsman after batsman fell before the beautiful break-backs of the South Melbourne crack, until at length the innings closed for a total of 177.

"There are those who maintain the wicket was not a good one, even after luncheon, and in this way seek to account for the comparative failure of the Englishmen. It is clear, however, to me that the wicket must have been much above the average, for if it had been an inferior wicket Spofforth would scarcely have come out with the poor figures of one wicket for 56 runs, and he, it is admitted, bowled to the end which is alleged to have been most defective.

"I do not for one moment wish to write a word in depreciation of the batting of the Englishmen, but I wish, to the best of my ability, to give honour to whom honour is due, and therefore I say that after luncheon on Monday it must have been Palmer's first-class bowling on a capital wicket that played much havoc with the English batsmen, and that it is treating Palmer very unfairly to put forward the false plea that it was a very bad wicket, and not Palmer's bowling, which caused the unexpected downfall of the English batsmen.

"And as if to substantiate this statement that it was the bowling and not the wicket that sent the batsmen to the rightabout, we have the second innings of the Englishmen, when they themselves and all their friends admitted that the wicket was A1. In this innings they actually scored less than in the first innings, so that it would seem they are quite as effective on a bad wicket as on a first-class one.

"The credit of lowering the English wickets so rapidly and of gaining so brilliant a victory for Australia is due to the grand bowling of Palmer, Giffen, Garrett and Spofforth, and especially Palmer, who during his career never bowled as well as he did in the first innings of this match, when he came out with the splendid figures of seven wickets for 65, and when he bowled with a precision of pitch and variety of pace and break such as caused more than one of the Englishmen to say that they had never seen anything to surpass the bowling of the young South Melbournite.

"The bowling of the Englishmen to my mind is much inferior to that of the Australians, and herein rests the superiority of our men. A G Steel is the best of the lot, but Murdoch, Bannerman, Giffen, M'Donnell and Bonnor negotiated his fast, medium and very slow without any trouble. C T Studd, Barnes, Bates and Barlow did their best, but though they bowled well their averages are not good.

"C F H Leslie, who is quite unknown as a bowler, tried his hand, and had the satisfaction of getting rid of Murdoch, Horan and Bannerman, the three being secured at a cost of only 31 runs. Leslie cannot by any stretch of the imagination be called a good bowler, and his capital figures only serve to show what value there often is in a 'change', no matter how poor that 'change' may be.

"The batting of Bonnor, Murdoch, Giffen, Bannerman, Blackham and M'Donnell was worthy of their respective reputations in this department, and of the lot Giffen pleased me best. His trip 'home' seems to have improved him considerably, and if he would only use his head a little more I am inclined to think he would not be second to Murdoch himself. Giffen has great punishing power, a capital eye, and comes down on off-balls in a style that strongly reminds one of Charlie Bannerman in his most brilliant days; but with all these qualifications Giffen does not combine sound judgement, and the result is that, like Massie, he often throws his wicket away. Bonnor's hitting was one of the special features of the match, and that 'fiver' of his which lodged very nearly clean over the outer fence will long be remembered by those who witnessed it.

"I must say that the batting of the Englishmen was disappointing, and not at all in keeping with their previous performances in Australia. I can only ascribe their want of success to the fact that on this occasion they had to face bowling infinitely superior to that opposed to them hitherto in the colonies, but even with the best bowling in the world one would think our visitors are worth from 250 to 300 an innings.

"The result, however, showed that Palmer and his fellow trundlers were in such exceptionally good trim that the Englishmen were unable to score heavily. It is true that E F S Tylecote, Barnes, A G Steel, W W Read, Bates, Barlow and C T Studd played well, but their scores were in no instance high, and Palmer beat them more than once in the first innings, while in the second innings Giffen, Palmer and Spofforth seemed to puzzle every batsman.

"In the field both teams fielded well when the ball came along the ground, but when chances were given there were numerous instances of 'butterfingers'. Had the Englishmen taken the chances offered, our men would have been dismissed for less than 200. Bannerman was let off in the slips when he had just started his account. Bonnor was missed by Barlow before he had scored 10, and at long-on by Read (a very easy chance) before he had composed half his 85, and Spofforth gave the easiest of easy chances to A G Steel, who dropped it most accommodatingly.

"As a contrast to all this bungling, it is pleasant to record that Tylecote kept wicket very well indeed, and though a miss or two is debited against him, he has on the credit side one of the best bits of wicketkeeping ever seen, viz., the stumping of Alick Bannerman off Leslie. Tylecote took the ball on the leg side, and with amazing rapidity whipped the bails off before the little stonewaller, with all his alertness, could get back. G B Studd fielded remarkably well, and was often applauded.

Of our men, Alick Bannerman deserves special mention for his unceasing brilliance at mid-off, and Blackham at the wickets was at his very best, and we all know what that means. In the second innings it is worthy of particular note, as an instance of Blackham's remarkable effectiveness, that not a single bye is registered on the score sheet. M'Donnell, Bonnor and Giffen each missed an easy chance, and those were the only real blots on the fielding of the Australians. Our men, it is to be said, had an advantage in winning the toss."

A few lines with regard to the English teams that have visited Australia may be of interest. That now in the Colonies is the seventh which has left the mother country.

In 1861-62 H H Stephenson was induced, by the agent of Messrs Spiers and Pond, the then Australian caterers, to take out a strong professional eleven to Australia. They played 12 matches, of which six were won, four drawn and two lost.

The second visit of English cricketers was under the leadership of George Parr, and the eleven were never beaten, winning 10 matches and drawing 6. This trip was in 1863-64, and ten years later Mr W G Grace took a mixed team of amateurs and professionals, who won ten matches, drawing two and losing three.

In 1876-77 the fourth team went out, under the command of James Lillywhite, and they won 11 matches, while four were lost and eight drawn. Eleven amateurs, with two professionals, under charge of Lord Harris, visited Australia in 1878-79. Of thirteen matches they won 5, losing 3 and drawing 5. The sixth visit was a joint spec. of Shaw, Shrewsbury and Lillywhite in 1881-82. Of 25 matches they won 13, lost 3 and drew 9.

H H STEPHENSON'S TEAM - 1861-62

Highest score, 305

H H Stephenson (capt)         Roger Iddison
George Bennett                Thomas Hearne
William Caffyn                Charles Lawrence
George Griffiths              William Mortlock
William Mudie                 Thomas Sewell, junior
E Stephenson                  George Wells

This team played 12 matches; won 6; lost 2; and 4 were drawn.


GEORGE PARR'S TEAM - 1863-64

Highest score, 310

George Parr (capt)            Mr E M Grace
George Anderson               Thomas Hayward
Julius Caesar                 John Jackson
William Caffyn                Thomas Lockyer
Robert Carpenter              George Tarrant
Alfred Clarke                 R C Tinley

This team played 16 matches; won 10; lost none; and 6 were drawn.


MR W G GRACE'S TEAM - 1873-74

Highest score, 470

Mr W G Grace (capt)           Richard Humphrey
Mr F H Boult                  Henry Jupp
Mr J A Bush                   James Lillywhite
Mr W Gilbert                  Martin McIntyre
Mr G F Grace                  William Oscroft
Andrew Greenwood              James Southerton

This team played 15 matches; won 10; lost 3; and 2 were drawn.


JAMES LILLYWHITE'S TEAM - 1876-77

Highest score, 270

Jas Lillywhite (capt)         Henry Jupp
T Armitage                   Edward Pooley
Henry Charlwood               J Selby
Thomas Emmett                 Alfred Shaw
Andrew Greenwood              James Southerton
Allen Hill                    George Ulyett

This team played 23 matches; won 11; lost 4; and 8 were drawn.


LORD HARRIS'S TEAM - 1878-79

Highest score, 331

Lord Harris (capt)            Mr F Penn
Mr C A Absolom                Mr V K Royle
Mr L Hone                     Mr S S Schultz
Mr F A Mackinnon              Mr A P Lucas
Mr H C Maul                   George Ulyett
Mr A N Hornby                 Thomas Emmett
Mr A J Webbe

This team played 13 matches; won 5; lost 3; and 5 were drawn.


SHAW'S TEAM - 1881-82

Highest score, 327

A Shaw (capt)                 R Pilling
W Bates                       W Midwinter
T Emmett                      J Selby
W Bates                       W Scotton
Jas Lillywhite                A Shrewsbury
E Peate                       G Ulyett

Matches (in Australia) played 25; won 13; lost 3; drawn 9.

VICTORIA v NEW SOUTH WALES

This defect became very soon apparent, and from the day's play it was manifest that the two players mentioned, as well as M'Shane and Edwards, should not have been absent from the Victorian ranks. Midwinter and M'Donnell went in first for Victoria, but except Horan and Bonnor, none got over twenty runs, and the innings closed for 149. Garrett took five wickets for 45 runs.

Massie and Bannerman began the batting for New South Wales. The former was caught the first ball, but Murdoch and Bannerman played out time, leaving the score at 76 for one wicket. Murdoch, not out 33, Bannerman, not out 43. On the second day the two batsmen stayed together until 150 was up, when Murdoch was finely caught at the wicket. His 71 was got by more careful play than usual, and he gave two possible chances, to Boyle and Midwinter. After making 78 by fine cricket, Bannerman was run out, and the innings closed for 247. Shortly after Garrett arrived at the wickets, an unfortunate mishap befell the Victorians, as Bonnor in stopping a ball twisted his ankle so seriously that he was compelled to leave the ground.

With 98 runs to the bad, Victoria entered on their second innings, M'Donnell and Blackham facing the bowling of Garrett and Spofforth. This time they made a much better show. Cleeve and Spofforth were well on the wicket, but the latter had very bad luck, three or four chances off his bowling being missed . two by Murdoch at the wicket.

With 274 to win, New South Wales s