New-York tribune., 1908-04-20
ON CRICKET CREASES
TEAMS EVENLY MATCHED
Erciting Fight Expected IN Metro
pOlitan Cham pionship Series.

CTcketers are in active preparation for the open
ing Of the season which will take place the be-
ginning Of May The chief interest for the local
players will naturally be in the championship con-
tests Of the Metropolitan District Cricket League.
which this year promise TO be the closest on
record. On account of the withdrawal Of the
Staten Island club. which has for many years
had the championship practically b-sore half
the games were played. the remaining teams which
viii compete will be more evenly matched
While the Staten Island club Will not compete in
the league championship series. it's members will
play exhibition games. There are Indications that
several of last years team will Join other clubs
Outside OF tho for the league series several
opportunities Will be- had 10 see matches with
teams from Canada, Philadelphia, Boston and
Schenectady with the local clubs There will also
be interstate matches with the New Jersey state
League and the Connecticut Cricket Association
The Columbia Oval club w,l be a big factor in
The league series this summer. as il possesses a
team of considerable merit, which includes the
double champion Of 1897. A. Hoskings. one OF the
three men who have won both the batting and
bowling championships since the league was formed
IN 1880 The club has fine aH-rouud also in
b. Kortans. while in D. q, Birkett and j. y. EscO-
bal it possesses pair of good bowlers.
The Brooklyn club has I'm J. L. Poyer a batsnan
probably without equal in this country outside
OF Philadelphia. The ManhattaDs will undoubtedly
nave better team this year than for many sea-
sons past. as sevcrIl new members have joined the
captain has wen balanced batting team. Yon-
kers is Of uncertain quantity. Several batters and
nowlers on the eleven constantly improving.
one OF the surprises OF the season I9G5 was the
victory Of the ThiSJIes Columbia oval. This
year. under its new name. the Benso1hurst Cricket
and Field Club. and with ITS forces somewhat aug
mented by new members. the eleven is expected to
nave successful season r. y. ". Murray has
been elected captain. with J. g. VI. White 10 relieve
him.
IN the championship series for the second eleven
clubs. the Prospect Park ;eam, last years pennant
winners loom up strongly, with Columbia oval
team, Kings County and Brooklyn as its most dan
serous competitors All the teams in this section
are evenly balanced Ire battle for supremacy
this season bids fair be exciting
The most prominent teams around this vicinity
that DO not engage in league cricket are the Belle
vue Club, Of Upper MontcIar. the West Indians. OF
Prospect Park, and the New York Veterans who
play at WiIIiamsbridge. y welcome arrival tl.is
year will be the cricket OF the Crescent Ath-
letc Club. which has been organized under ths
captaincy of w F. jackson and Will meet most
OF the league clubs in exhibition games The Belle
vue Club has considerable membership and has
on several occasions put up a hard fight against
the league clubs. The West Indians have won
majority of games against all couers for several
seasons past The Veterans VIII be under the field
leadership Of W II. Aiusworth
One feature OF the seasons dOings that will be
eagerly watched Will be the outcome OF the Phla-
delphia tour in England, where most Of the crack
county elevens and several of the leading univer-
sites Will be met