CRICKET.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVI, Issue 68, 20 March 1915, Page 17

CRICKET.

Mr. John Clayton, president of the New South Wales Cricket Association, speaking at the Rugby Union Rifle Club's meeting, said: —"-Every man of eligible age, who is not under some obligation to remain here, should volunteer for the front I have only two sons, and both arc with the Expeditionary Forces." With a view to making tbe game of cricket more popular a committee appointed by the New South Waies Cricket Association has submitted several recommendations to that body. Among them are the following:—"That the trustees of the Sydney Cricket Ground be asked to give the -best boy cricketer in each of the public schools and public high schools' a member's ticket for the following year." "That in grade competition matches, except in instances where it is necessary to roll the wicket, the time between innings be reduced to five minutes." "That eight ual!» to the over ne given a trial in grade cricket matches next season." Other matters have yet to be dealt with before the committee finally makes its report. "Slip-fielding," says a Sydney exchange, "is a weakness common to all tbe States in Australia, and while it is so the representative team will be under a tremendous disadvantage when pitted against England, who turns out cliampion slips without any trouble whatever. The remedy lies with the players themselves. The younger men should specialise more in fielding, and some should give greater attention to the slips. I am aware that a few are doing so, a case in point being N. M. Gregg, of the Sydney University team, who would be worth playing for his work in the slips alone, though a good deal better batsman than several who have had the honour of representing New South Wales this season. I have referred to this matter of slip-fielding before, and find it necessary to come back to the topic, since the weakness is not disappearing from our first-class cricket, though in some of the clubs in Sydney an improvement is noticeable. If Australian selection committees of the future give the necessary consideration to this matter they will strengthen the teams to be sent abroad. If it be known that special value is placed by selectors on expertness in this branch, of the fieldsman's art, it will be a strong stimulus to the younger men to attain excellence. PUBLIC SCHOOLS CRICKET. In perfect weather primary schools' cricket fixtures were continued on Saturday morning last, and as a result the first round of B grade, section 11., was completed, as was the C grade first round, with the exception of the postponed Belmont v. Newmarket fixture. Ponsonby defaulted to Devonport in the A grade, the Shore team still occupying first place, with Mt. Albert and Newton East runners-up. Richmond Road remain undefeated in section L of the B grade, with Vermont Street in second place, Normal and Newton West being third. In section 11. of the B grade;, Edendale, by defeating Epsom, ran into first place, the Epsom boys standing second, with Beresford third. The C grade fixtures saw Stanley Bay occupy first place, while they will tie with Newmarket should the latter defeat Belmont in the postponed match .between these two teams, Ellerslie and Point Chevalier running into second place. In the A grade, playing at the Domain, Newton East prevailed over Parnell, Whithorn (20 and 13) being the most successful batsman for the latter, and, with Wilson (14), played some good cricket. Beatty howled well. For the winners, McCamish (29 not out) again made full use of his hitting powers, and, aided by a good eye, brought off big hits effectively, if not in an orthodox manner. Munrford bowled in good style for Newton East. Remuera failed to stand up to the bowling of Bennett and Cox, of Mt. "Eden, and the latter's batsmen took charge of Remuera's trundling. Bennett (70 retired) played pretty strokes all round the wicket, being particularly strong behind the wicket. Cox (34) and A. Alexander (30) hit out freely. Napier Street, playing at 'Eden Park, put up a rather phenomenal performance playing against Avondale, disposing of that team for four runs in their first innings. Marshall (six for 2) bowled splendidly, his deliveries coming quickly off tbe pitch. This boy is engaged in his first season's cricket, and is evidently a natural bowler. Walters, with a combined average of eleven for 7, also proved very destructive. Avondale's collapse is difficult to account for, as most of the boys shape well, and the team has already won a match. For Napier Street Walters (33) and Elsmore (30) top-scored, while Donald, a youngster only, kept his wicket up in good style. For Avondale Dyke, with five for 8, finished well, though his bowling is not in the same class as Crook's, who is a break bowler of much promise. Normal was tex> strong for Grafton, Leach (39 and nine wickets) proving a big asset to the winners. The ex-Mount Eden boy has been performing very consistently for Normal, his great reach being useful in both batting and bowling. Meredith (20), Church (16) and Coleman (15) did best with the bat for the losers, Burton and Driver with the ball. Bayfield put up a great fight against Richmond Road, the leaders in their grade, a win for the latter by the narrow margin of two runs resulting. The winners owe tteir victory chiefly to the stubborn stand made by Barclay (35). McGregor (26) again batted well for Bayfield, while Ivil, who sends down a good fast delivery at times, did best with the ball. For Vermont Street Delgrosso and '1 übberty trundled to some purpose against Newton West, for whom Campbell (20) was the only batsman to make a stand. Tubberty (38) and Delgrosso (33 not out) top-scored for the winners, thus proving their all-round worth. For Newton West McManus and Poo ley divided bowling honours, with five wickets each. Nelson Street rattled up 76 in quick lime, Griffith (33), Davidson (10) .itid Walters (12) doing best with the bat, but Grey Lynn passed this respectable total 30 to the good, Collect (29 not Out) topscoring. Chapman's destructive bowling ("hat trick" included) proved Mangnwhau's undoing, while Larsen (22 not out) and Clayton (19) did best with the bat. lor the losers Lintott (five .wickets), Nicholas (five) and McPherson (four) bowled creditably. Epsom were making matters interesting for Edendale in the latter's second innings, but time prevented disaster. Epsom discovered a bowler in McDonald, nine wickets falling to bis lot. L. Walker (nine) and Ricketts (eight) bowled best for the winners.

In the C grade Takapuna showed continued improved form, their ground fielding, however, being somewhat weak. Garner (20) and Warman (il) both played steady cricket, and displayed line defence, their play being well worthy of imitation by others. For Newmarket McClure and K. Smith showed good defence, Miller (09) and Oliver (55) combining defence and attack effectively. Kllerslie found Belmont's bowling rather weak, Matt son (126), Haggett (00) and Smith (42 profiting thereby. For Belmont, who were unfortunately shorthanded, Francis and Morris divided the bowling honours. Stanley Bay proved a little too good for Point Chevalier, winning by 28 runs on the first innings.