CRICKET.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 84, 21 January 1936, Page 2

CRICKET.

SHEFFIELD SHIELD MATCH. NEW SOUTH WALES SCORE. SYDNEY, January 20. In the Sheffield Shield match against South Australia, New South Wales in the first innings had made 286 for six wickets at stumps (Fallowfield 53, Robinson 94 not out, Hynes 41). ! Apart from Robinson, the batsmen scored rather slowly. Robinson, however, gave a pleasing display. i South' Australia in the first innings] scored 94. WELLINGTON TEAM PRAISED. ENGLISH CAPTAIN’S LETTER. WELLINGTON, January 20. A fine tribute to Wellington’s performance against the Marylebone Cricket Club team was paid by E. R. T. Holmes in a letter to the Wellington captain (J. R. Lamason). The captain of the visiting team wrote: “Just a lino to thank you so much for the game we played against you. It was easily the most thrilling match we have had on this tour, and we all thoroughly enjoyed it. That you beat us did not upset us, so if you consider that it has done some good to your cricket locally we shall be satisfied. You thoroughly deserved to win, and I want to congratulate you personally! once again on your success. Hoping to play against you in the New Zealand! match.” j LIKE GRIMMETT. | NEW VICTORIAN SLOW BOWLER,

In Jack Watmuff, who took seven Collingwood wickets for 96 on December 14, Victoria has discovered a pro-

mising young spin bowler of the Grimmett type. - It was a convincing performance. From the State angle, it was gratifying and vindicated Bert Cohen’s action in iclaiming him from Brighton Sub-Dis-trict team for V.C.A. Colts.

The tall .young googly, in his seven for 96, did more than keep a length, spin the ball and take wickets. He displayed bowling sense, with guile and flighting. In his spin and slightly laboured action in bringing his arm over, Watmuff resembles Grimmett, but is faster through the air. His wrong ’un is not yet so well disguised, but this is an art that only experience can perfect. Although he stood out as Colts’ match-winner, Watmuff was indirectly helped by the contrast of Barry Scott's fast stuff. Scott bowled tirelessly and well. Both these Colts are heading for the Shield team. t When Watmuff clean bowled Ellis for a “duck” in his first over there was a yell of delight from a family strongpost behind thq bowler. Save for his first ball, which was easily clouted to leg for four, the googly was accurate throughout, with liveliness in every delivery. Until claimed by Colts, Watmuff, this season, had taken 41 wickets for Brighton at an average of 8.6. Last season he helped to win the Sub-Dis-trict second eleven for that club by taking six for 43 and three for 53 against Preston. It was purely by chance that he became a leg-break bowler. He was a medium-fast, when lie discovered that ihe often took a wicket with a leg-break. [On the advice of his brother, he then concentrated on spinners.