CRICKET SEASON OPENS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 249, 21 October 1935, Page 14

CRICKET SEASON OPENS.

A BRIGHT START.

HIGH SCORING. CENTURY TO SPRING. CONDITIONS FAVOUR BATSMEN. The cricket season in. Auckland was opened on Saturday in fine weather and on firm' wickets, which, contributed to high scoring all round, ranging from 182 by Y.M.C.A. at Victoria Park, to 332 by North Shore at Devouport, with Grafton scoring 270 and Eden 302 at Eden Park. Spring, of Grafton, registered the first century of the season with an innings o£ 101, whilst Postles (Eden) went leg-before when just three runs short of the hundred. Others who got past the 50 mark were Walters (North Shore) So, Carson (Eden) 83, and Cooper (Y-M.CS.) 52. Andrews, of King's Old Boys, put up an excellent performance in taking five wickets for 82, and Vivian (Parnell) took four for 44. Sneddon's three for 30 was also a useful effort for Ponsonby, as was Bueh's four for 69, bowling for University. Eden took the afternoon to get their 304 against University. Grafton got : 279 against King's, who lost one wicket for 53. After 182 by Y.M.C.A. Ponsonby had opened with 23 for two wickets at stumps. Parnell lost one for 19 at etunxps, in reply to North Shore's 332.

EDEN START WELL.

Althoush the main ground is in an exceptionally "rough state, a good wicket was rolled out on "the No. 2 area at Eden Park for the Eden-University game, with an outfield also in good order. The spell of fine ■weather resulted in an easy-paced wicket, and Eden in sound batting stayed there all the afternoon to amass tho satisfactory score of 304 nrns. With Hills and Vivian relegated to spectators with only six runs on, the outlook was distinctly encouraging to University, but Postles and Carson consolidated the position and put on over a hundred runs before they were separated. It was a batting contrast, Postles with a broad bat in defensive role and tempted only when a loose ball came along, felt his way surely and slowly, but Carson, the left hander, went for runs all the time, driving hard and crisply on tho off, and hooking with telling power. When Carson left with his score at 83 Postles carried along in sure way until he looked certain for a century. Had he gone on as he had been going he would have got it, but he anchored in the midnineties and tried to get the rest of the ■way by tapping singles. And at 97 he put Ms pad in front to a straight ball. It was an innings in keeping with Postles , reputation- of being Auckland's soundest opening representative bat. The' PostlesCarson combination took all the life out of the University attack, and from that point the rest of the Eden batsmen carried the score steadily along. A. F. Weir and McKae batted soundly, while Burgess made a very impressive debut in senior cricket. He was captain of the Mount Albert Grammar School team last year, and is 17 years of age. The colt has style and skill and should reach the highest honours in tha game.

The University fielding -was good, with clean stopping and fast returns, while very little in the catchable line -was given away.

The University bowling was not overimpressive, and it lacked variety. The burden was carried by Schnauer, Matheson; 'Butler and Bush, and the supply they gave was medium in pace, -with Butler an exception. He went back to his first style of a slow ball in the air and an effort to turn it from the leg side. He spun the ball well on occasions, but the wicket made it come across too slowly to be effective, and his length was not always dependable. In the matter of good length Schnauer was exceptionally good, but Bush, although obviously short of bowling practice, pegged away at medium pace in praiseworthy fashion, and. got wickets at tho stage when the University attack appeared to be tied in a hopeless knot. As the game stands. University I have a fairly formidable total to face for the opening match' of the season, especially in view of the fac that Eden are holding a place for L. F. Townsend, the English coach, who is due to reach Auckland this week. . The J scores were : — ; EDEN.—First 4 Innings. • Mills, e Bush, b Schnauer ........... 2 Vivian, b Schnauer 0 Carson, b Mathcson ~... 83 Postles. lbw', b Bush 97 A. F. Weir, c Bush, b Butler 38 Hayward, c Butler, b Bush 1 Masters, c Sch.nauer, b Bush 7 Burgess, b Butler- .; 25 Mcßae, c Aickin, b Bush 35 Nowick; not out 2 Townsend, absent 0 Extras 14 Total 304 Bowling: Bush four wickets for 62, Butler two for 93, Schnauer two for 68, Matheson one for SS, Graham none for 2.

SUMMER-TIME BATTING.

The Y.M.C.A. and Ponsonby at Victoria Park held very little of brightness, the batsmen of both sides treatiu« the bowling with exaggerated resp&Ct. bowling certainly deserved respect 'for it was at all times of good length and moderately dangerous, but even in the later stages of the innings the XJICA batsmen could not be tempted and their total of 182 runs was compiled in 33 hours. The position did not improve when Ponsonby came to the wickets, rather it got worse. In over'an hour 23 runs were I Cooper played a gooa innings to add 52 to Y.M.C.A.'s total, and his stroking was neatly executed, but 'he felt his way all through and he was at the wickets for just on 2 hours. For the rest.there was not a great deal' to the batting, except in the performance of,the colt, P. Renshaw. Kenshaw hit out confidently, and , showed signs of developing into'a good bat, though some of his strokes were.rather chancy.. Ponsonby has a good team of bowlers this season, judging on the form shown on the opening day. They used Cleverlcy, Clark, Williamson, Langton and Sneddon, and when the fielding smartens ntf later in the season they shoiiM do some damage. With the exception of Cleverley, all are medium-paced men. Williamson, a newcomer to their ranks from the Point Chevalier senior B team, showed good form, and his left-handed stuff,' with a fair amount of work on it seemed to worry the- batsmen;.-. The ouffield was slow, and * the fielding showed first-bf-year uncertainty, but there was some smart work i/i closo to the wicket. Scholium at slips gave a good performance* . - Scores:— ' • ''

i'.JI.C.A. —First Innings. I T. Lyon. c A. Clark, b Snedden • 13 L. Elliott, b Cleverley o M. Lyon c Cleave, b Sneddon .■ 8 <i. ftcok, c Scholium.' b Langton .... 20 I. Cooper, c Cleave, b Langton ...... 52 i\ 'ii a. b 4 P. Benshaw, b Snedden 27 3. Swift, not out lo E. Sutherland, c Cotterull, b Cleverley 26 O. Everson, c Stewart, b Clark 0 11. Lyon, c Cleverley, b Clark .....; 0 Extras . 11 Total' . • IS2 Bowling: Clark two for 20, Cleverley two for 52, Williamson none for 25, Lang■tou three for 44, Snedden three for 30. PONSONBY. —First Innings. It. Stnllworthy, not out 16 J. Scholium, c Everson. b Lyon 0 R. H. Cleave, lbw, b Renslntw 4 L. Monteith, iiot out .*. 0 Extras 3 Total for two wickets 23

SENIOR B.

NORTH SHORE V. STANLEY BAY. Stanley Bay.—First innings, 176 (Frater 03, J. Santy 34. Stevenson 22, Daniels 13). Bowling: McDevott took five wickets for 10 runs, T. Smith two for 42. North Shore.—Four for 100 (Adams 45) Bowling: Gasparich took two wickets for x 4 runs, Stevenson two for 35. EDEN V. KING'S OLD BOYS. Eden.—First innings. 239 (Pattison 52, Cantlay 51, Higgins 35, Gillespie 33. McGregor IS, Johnson 14). Bowling: Gill took three wickets for 36 runs, Tovey three for io, McArthur two for 63. King's Old Boys.—First innings, none for 23 (ilcGruther not out 10, BeU not out 11).

BRIGHT OPENING AT SHORE.

It is many years since the cricket season opened as brightly at North Shore as it did on Saturday. The spectators were treated to some really bright batting, which, after all, is cricket in its most attractive form to the average onlooker. The local team batted first against Parnell and scored 332. The opening pair made the pace from the outset, and Walters reached the 85 mark and Emery 4S. Walters especially gave a fine display. He played a good innings, scoring easily and, fast, yet taking no risks. While he got' runs all round the Wicket, his favourite; shot appeared to be a powerful carpet drive to the off. On the other hand, his 11 fours' included some beautiful square cuts, and an occasional square leg boundary. It was a stylish innings, particularly for the lirst match, and is a good augury for the future. Emery crossed the line four times. He pegged level with his partner until the thirties, but after that Walters' bat became a wand. Kdmonds came to light with 47. He got to everything loose, and Walters' mantle fell on him. Sale's 37 included the only six of the day. Vivian was the most; successful bowler, with four for 44. He; kept a consistent length, and was always' treated with respect. , Clapham and McCoy i bore the brunt of the attack with 22 and 20 overs respectively. Clapham deserved his two for 79. A word should bo said: about Parnell's fielding. Shore had to fight for every one of, their total. Parnell gave nothing away, and every boundary had to prove itself. There were one or two dropped catches, but the standard was high. Scores were:— . NOKTH SHOKB.—First Innings. Walters, c Clapham, b Goodsir 85 Etnery, c Siddell, b Goodsir 48 Archer, c Wallace, b Vivian 23 Sale, b Vivian ..• 37 Bush, c McCoy, b Vivian 8 Edmonds, not 0ut.... 47 Curtayne, c Anthony, b Clapham .... 0 Ferguson, Ibw,' b Vivian 11 Simpson, c Siddell, b Goodsir 25 Webb, b Clapnam 13 Saunders, st Siddell, b Anthony 12 Extras .* 23 Total 332 Bowling: Clapham took two Wickets for 79 runs, McCoy none for 104,' Goodsir three for 51, Anthony one for 31, Vivian four for 44. . . ■ ■

, PABNELL.—First Innings. Whitolaw, not out 8 Siddall; c Edmonds, b Simpson .... 5 Wallace, not out "..' 5 Extras .....1......*... 1 Total for one wicket 19

SPRING'S DAY - OUT

For the opening day of the season Grafton gave a bright display of batting in their match against King's Old Boys on No. 3 ground at Eden Park. The Graf ton eleven has, with the exception , of Smith, who -will be behind the wickets, a personnel the same as - last year. The first half dozen batsmen each knocked up double figures, and when. Spring settled down he scored at the rate of a run a minute, and, hitting out freely, soon piled up a score. Wnen he had maije 32 he should have been caught by Hewitt, , who dropped a very easy catch. It proved a costly miss, as the batsman proceeded along merrily, and, though he slowed down a little and became more careful when he entered the eighties, he reached his century after an entertaining exhibition of batting. He then scored a single, and, in attempting to hit Andrews out of the park, was bowled. The veteran E. Horspool, who is playing his twentyseventh year of club cricket, rattled up 44 in free style, and Angus made a nice 31. The bowling was practically all done by S. G. Smith and Andrews, who had a fairly heavy afternoon. The innings closed for 279. Scores: —

GKAFTON.—First Innings. Katcliffe. run out 27 Jurke, c Lewis, b Smith 11 .orspool, b Andrews 44 ". c Pi'nrfon. l> Smith 31 Spring, b Andrews 101 Byerley, lbw, b Andrews .......... 19 Speedy c Stewart, b Smith 0 Cowie, b Andrews IS Felts, b Andrews . V...... 14 Smith, c- Smith, b Smith i...« 6 Pedrotti, not put .. 0 Extras w...................... 8 Total ...'....'. 279 Bowling: Andrews took five wickets for 82 runs, Smith four for 143, Keddle none for 14, Hewitt none for 32. KING'S OLD BOYS.—First Innings. Lewis, c Speed, b Burke 21 r<. M. Smith, not out 27 Mar ton, not out .'. 3 Extras 2 Total for one wicket 53

FRIENDLY MATCH.

KING'S COLLEGE V. E.P.S.C.C. King's College.—2oß for two wickets (declared) (T. A. Roberts 120 not out, BarrBrown 54). English , Public School.—62 (V. L. Humphreys 18, W. Hately 10). Bowling: Miisclield took three wickets for 11 runs, Barr-Brown three for 21, Malyon two for king's College won by 14G runs.

LEG-BEFORE-WICKET

NEW RULE TO BE TRIED. (By Telegraph.—.-Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, Saturday. . A new le.g-before-wicket rule, making such a decision possible for an off-break bowler who pitches the ball outside the wicket, is to be in force in all Plunket Shield matches this year, as well as matches against the visiting M.C.C. team, and the New Zealand Cricket Council has asked that affiliated associations should use the new rule in all first grade matches. This decision has been made by the council following a cable from the Marylebone Cricket Club asking that the rule should be tried in all matches against the M.C.C. team.

The M.C.C. team will play their first match, in New Zealand against Wellington on December 13.

GAMES IN THE SOUTH.

, . WBLLINGTQN. The Wellington Cricket Association's competitions were commenced on Saturday. Senior matches resulted: Kilbirnie 186 (<S. Ward-75) v. University 74 for one wicket; Old Boys 166 (M. M«ech five for 43), v. Wellington '176 for four wickets (R. A. Whyte 60): Karori 175 (J. Duffy 57), v. Petone 13 for three wickets; Midland 382 H. N. Miller 148), met Hutt. CHRISTCHURCH. The first round of the senior cricket matches was concluded on Saturday. The weather was cold and wintry, with light rain showers, Sydenham, 196 and two wickets for 30, beat Riccarton 124 (Stringer 34), East Christchurch, 276 for nine wickets (Quaid 76, Coupland 51, Henry 38; Tucker six for 98), beat St. Altoan's 270. West Christchureh 295, rbeat Old Boys 284 (E. McEwen SO, Page 54). Lancaster Park 106 for five wickets and 105 for live, beat Old Collegians, 101 and 10S. DUNEDIN. The resumption of senior cricket matches on Saturday was delayed by rain. Carlsbrook 206, drew with High School Old Boys 178 for seven (Leader 60; Dunning three for 40). University 137 and five for 160 (Uttley 47, Henderson 50), beat Grange, last season's champion team, 131 (Elmes 59; Begg four 10)., by six runs on the first innings. Dunedin 35 and 131 for eight, declared (MeKnight 49 not out, Stevenson four for 20), was beaten outright by Colts, 60 and 107 for six (Payne 66). Kaikorai 145 .und 94 (Shepherd four for 29, Allen three for 12), was beaten by Albion 160 and 89 for five (Martin 30 not out). Requiring 80 in forty minutes to secure an outright win, Albion succeeded with five minutes to spare.