SENIOR ITEMS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 109, 4 November 1939, Page 22

SENIOR ITEMS

For the third time on the Basin Reserve, F. B. Kerr, former Otago cricket representative and a Glenelg senior in South Australia during the past two seasons, has had the experience of being dismissed second ball. He has joined up with the Wellington Cricket Club, and in making his debut with the first eleven he fell to the second delivery he received from Randall, who had quite a devastating period at the bowling crease. On his form in Dunedin and in Adelaide Kerr should be a far more difficult prqr position for other bowlers this season.

W. F. Airey is a batsman liable to change the whole aspect of a game, and his bright and breezy batting often takes a great deal from the bowling. In stemming a rot last Saturday in the Wellington-Midland match he gave a taste of real batsmanship. He handled the situation masterly, and his fruitful innings was right up to his best. It is a matter of doubt as to whether Airey has ever played .a. better knock from the point of view of accurate strokemaking.

M. Meech. always a player of the dependable type and a most useful allrounder, shared with Airey the honours of batsmanship." that prevented Wellington from experiencing a debacle. : ■ :

Although fortunate in breaking the Tindill-Hepburn partnership early in the piece, "Wellington found Midland's batting quite solid. Of those who batted Osborn reached the half-century mark, and Crawford was heading that way when .play ceased for the day.

Some years ago J. Scott made a | really first-rate century on No. 2 wicket | at the Basin Reserved Last Saturday he \

compiled another three-figure score there, and was. not out when the innings ended, 'it was a fine effort lon his part, though there were some nar- ;

row saves in it and for stroke play it did not reach the quality of that other century. However, Scott is a batsman of no mean calibre, and higher honours may yet come his, way.

There was something doubly unfortunate with O. Wrigley's innings for Kilbirnie against Karori. The batsman, back to his best form, appeared to be certain of a century when he cracked a ball hard to leg. However, the ball struck Bain, who was running for. Wrigley, and that stopped its passage to the boundary. It also put Bain out of action—a nasty knock. Wrigley was out at 97.

The Wellington Association's coach, J. R. Sheffield, showed something like his true form in making .81 for University against Hutt. Perhaps, he took a risk in going for some of his shots on the leg stump, eventually falling to one. He made some good strokes through cover, but his square shots were his best. Eleven 4's were included in his score.

Buchan on "nis form for Hutt looks a definite prospect for Shield cricket. He keeps an excellent length, and his five for 73 against University might have been better if the chances had all been taken. Apart from good length, he gains speed from the pitch.