CRICKET.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 53, Issue 256, 10 August 1933, Page 3

CRICKET.

DEMPSTER AT BLACKPOOL. FAVOURITE WITH CROWDS. C. ,S. Dempster, the Wellington and New Zealand batting "star" has become a firm favourite with Blackpool's enthusiastic cricket following. "What an attraction is the magnetic Dempster!" states a Blackpool newspaper in making comment upon Dempster's early performance with Blackpool. "And what a batsman! He seems to have a powerful influence on his colleagues, too. Their batting is now as formidable as that of many a minor county's. . . Dempster has made a magnificent start in league cricket, and for sheer artistry his batting is worth going miles to see. His favourite stroke is a push-along-the-carpet past mid-on, which has terrific force behind it. To watch him pull a ball from his off stump to the leg boundary is a lesson in footwork. Another graceful shot is his late cut, made with perfect poise and timing. His ability as a natural forcing batsman and a fieldsman of the Constantino type has already established him as a keen favourite with the crowd."

New Zealand cricketers figured prominently in a charity match played at the Dai'Wcn cricket ground (Lancashire) recently in aid of the Poor Children's Clog Fund. C. S. Dempster, 1. B. Cromb arid A. W. Roberts were among the participants, who also included Constantine and St. Hill (West Indies) and Hird (Australia). Hird made a century in 70 minutes, and with his total at 126 he retired. Cromb made 58, he and Hird compiling 107 in rapid time. Dempster, batting in masterly manner, scored 57 before retiring, and Roberts had reached 60 when he was out to a remarkable catch.