Long and anxiously waited. for, the opportunity on Monday presented. itself of another match with the team from Japan, the rain having departed, and left' in its place, for some time it is to be hoped, ideal cricketing weather. Of course, after the recent prolonged downpour, it was hardly to.be expected that the wicket would be a fast one, but a'briak breece and warm sun worked wonders with it in the forenoon, and as the day wore on it was drying rapidly, although the earlier play cut tup a little. It was not an easy question to settle whether it favoured the batsman or bowler, but, all. things considered, the captain of the Japan eleven no doubt acted wisely, when he had won the toss, in deciding to go to the wickets. On the present occasion the Shanghai team was composed entirely of members of the S.C.C., and though, like the majority of its constitution did not escape criticism, it must be acknowledged to be: a very representative one, to defeat which would be a distinct honour, whilst. to be beaten, by it, would be no disgrace. The match at present is in a very even state. The Japan team made. the creditable score of-115, when the quality of the bowling is taken into account, Lucas giving a very fine display of batting, even admitting the chance he offered when he had made 34, which wasa difficult one. The only S.C.C. player who has so far shown anything like confidence and freedom in his scoring is W.H. Moule, and yet he has only just recovered from a troublesome attack. of fever. Of the present S.C.C. total, 65, he has made. 47, and is still not-out. In the bowling department Cox's perform. ance is phenomenal, and nothing could add ito the effect.of the figures of his analysis. As hitherto, the Japan fielding was. very good, but that of.the S.C.C, in several instances was not up-to what might We willow turn to the details of the game so far asit has gone.
The Japan captain having won the toss sent.in White and Tate to. commence the batting, the bowling being in the hands of St. Croix (p: end) and Moule... Each batsman made a single off St. Croix's first over, and-Tate a single off the other bowler, following-this up in the next over by a 2 and a 3 off St. Croix, whilst White added single: Off Moule White next hit a2 and.a 3, Tate contributing. 2, and a leg-bye was scored. The scoring Was therefore-at a-goods rate, but: the more distant
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.