cricket in consequence of the preponderance of the bat. In Australia, where they have many months' play, but fewer matches, they can play all important matches to a finish, and the number of runs is far too great for the interest of the game. But it is probably owing to these wickets that Australia possesses the bowling qualities that have made her great; and now that we have apparently struck upon a vein of dry season. Englishmen must copy the old Australian giants, Spofforth, Palmer, and Turner, and learn to practise those two gifts—break, and variation of pace.
What has caused the difference I hardly know, unless it is that in former days in Australia they did not play over three days, but the tendency of modern Australian batting has been to become slow and steady, to the sacrifice of hitting. This is possibly to make a stronger side for good, hard wickets; but on soft wickets, like those of 1888 and 1890, it is a great mistake to have no hitters. The change is probably
