THE CRICKET FIELD

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 58, Issue 39, 25 November 1937, Page 2

THE CRICKET FIELD

METHVEN v. TINWALD. THE MATCH ON SATURDAY, (By “Mid-on.”) Metliven again suffered defeat when they met Tinwald at the Methven Domain on Saturday. The ground was in good order, although the outfield was slow after the rain. Methven hatted first and were all out for 38 runs. The only double-figure scorer was J. Ivelliher, who scored 16 runs and was still unbeaten, at the finish of the innings. W. F. Owen was shaping well when he mishit one from Merrill and gave an easy catch at point. Merrill, in taking eight wickets for 9 runs, achieved a wonderful average. As usual Methven did better in their second innings. Several of the batsmen showed more confidence and went for the bowling, with the result that they found it much easier than it appeared. G. Burgess gave a dashing display during the short time he was at the wickets. His 26 included three sixes and one four. He has a good eye and if this innings gives him the necessary confidence he will make many more runs. S. Smith batted quietly for 17, while J. Cretney and T. Currie each included lusty hits for 6 in their scores. Tinwald tried some experiments with other bowlers and all six bowlers tried secured wickets. Tinwald scored 149, to which Hulme played a solid innings for 52, while he was ably assisted by Spicer 20, Merrin 17, Vincent 15, A. Pearce 14. Bowling honours went to J. Cretney who secured four for 15. Three of these were l.b.w. decisions, and strangely enough each of the batsmen concerned was quite satisfied with the verdict. They each made the same mistake of trying to pull an over-pitched ball which swung in slightly from the leg. The fielding was only fair on both sides, but the batsmen did not take the advantage they should and a lot of easy singles were missed. There is still a lot required in the way of backing up and stealing short runs. To a keen batsman this department adds a lot of interest to the game and it also makes the game much more interesting to the spectators. It also tends to liven up the fieldsmen and here again there is room for much improvement. Junior players generally stand too firmly .rooted to the ground and rarely think of running on to meet a ball coming in their direction. Fielding can be the most enjoyable part of the game to one who is keen. Fieldsmen should closely follow the ball from the bowler’s hand, watch the batsman’s stroke and learn to anticipate the direction the ball is likely to take. Then be oil the move almost as the ball is being hit. In this way many runs can be saved, and sometimes comes the thrill of a smart piece of fielding and the wicket thrown down.

Don’t stand about with one Hand in a pocket or fingering a cigarette. Good fielding can often save more runs than the average scored by the batsman and a run saved'is as good as a run scored. Backing up in the field is another point. When the ball is being returned from the field, players should get behind the wicket-keeper and so prevent runs coming from overthrows. Some junior wicket-keepers invariably get between the wickets and the fieldsman who is returning the ball from the field. This often saves a batsman from being run out by stopping a ball that would otherwise have hit the wicket, Allways stand behind the wickets. Cricket on Sundays. By a. majority decision of the Te Kuiti Borough Council the playing of cricket on Sunday afternoons on the Domain is to be permitted. A deputation from the Maniapoto Cricket Association and the Friendly Societies’ Council waited on the council to ask permission to play on Sunday afternoons, while letters objecting were received from the Apostolic, Methodist, and Presbyterian Church, and the Salvation Army. ' For the deputation Messrs J. Hiue and W. G. Bonner said that no other ground was available for the friendly societies’ cricket competitions. Practically all other sports were played on Sunday, and because cricketers were usually unable to provide their own grounds it seemed hard that they should not have this privilege. Letters had been received indicating that Catholic and Church of England clergy were not opposed to the principle of playing outside church hours. Veteran Retires. The veteran, S. G-. Smith, one of the finest cricketers to represent Auckland and New Zealand, will close an eventful and successful playing career at the conclusion of the present series of first grade matches. Playing in his last game for the King’s Old Boys’ Club recently, Smith gave a glimpse of his former batting brilliance with a stylish display of 60. A fine personality, both on and off the field, Smith will lie greatly missed from local club cricket. Possessor of a. wealth of experience, he has always been ready to pass on his knowledge to the younger players, and he has earned the respect of all those who have been associated , with him, not only for his all-round ability, but also for the fine spirit in which he has played the game. Now in liis 57th year, Smith can look back on a highly-successful record :n club and representative cricket. He was a member of the West Indian side which toured England in 1906, being considered the finest all-rounder in the team. He scored two centuries on this tour and took the largest number of wickets. Smith came to New Zealand during the war and played his first Plunket Shield match for Auckland against Wellington in 1918. He made 83 not out in this game and took four wickets for 75. In his first game against Canterbury the following year, Smith secured six for 109 and six for 93. In 1920 he compiled 256 against Canter-

bury, this score standing as a record for Plunket Shield cricket until It. C. Blunt made 338 not out for Otago against Canterbury in 1931, Smith represented New Zealand on five occasions, playing against Australia, M.C.C. and New South Wales beween 1920 and 1924'. In all first-class games in New Zealand he aggregated 1891 runs, at an average of 39, and his 149 wickets cost 23 runs apiece. Cricket Selector. For the first time for many years the Auckland representative team this season will be chosen by a sole selector and the management committee has appointed Mr H. Duncan to the position. Mr Duncan should be admirably suited to the selectorship as he has had a wide experience as a> player and acted as a co-selector for some seasons. Better known at present as a Parnell player and former captain, Mr Duncan represented Otago in Plunket Shield cricket in 1921. He also represented Otago at hockey. He has been a most enthusiastic worker on the administrative side of the game and is at present a member of the management committee. He was also a prime mover in the formation of the umpires’ association.