CRICKET

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXXVI, Issue 14572, 16 January 1948, Page 5

CRICKET

CANDID COMMENT Review Of Saturday’s Games Too Many “'Captains” Deplored (By ‘“Square-Leg”) -• Last season I had occasion to compare one club with the Portuguese Army—all generals and no privates. In other words far too many players are too fond of giving advice to their captains, and on occasions trying to take control of the game out of his hands. This was very noticeable in one of the friendly games during the holidays. One local oracle, who is a frequent offender, was ordering players here and there on the field to suit himself. The skipper appeared to be an “‘also ran.” One captain is enough for any team and the other ten players should keep their powder dry until the general gives the orderto fire. The Hawke Cup elimination game played in Hamilton at the New Year was not a very enjoyable affair. The game was spoiled, it is alleged, by some shocking umpiring. It got so bad at one stage that the Bay team nearly walked oil the field. However, T am glad that wiser counsels prevailed and the game played to a finish. I understand that a strong protest has been sent to the New Zealand Cricket Council, and it is to be hoped that some action will be taken. The Hawke Cup is just as important to the minor associations as the Plunked Shield is to the major ones. If Waikato cannot provide anything better in the way of umpires than the ones seen in action, it is up to the Cricket Council to provide men who know something about the job. Conditions were not at all pleasant cn Saturday when the competition was resumed fitter the holiday break. Another complex depression made the players scatter for cover half way through the afternoon and from then on even with the use cf sawdust the ball was difficult to hold. Midland Collect Maximum Midland went the tough way against Country and had no trouble in collecting the maximum, although there was not much time to spare when the last Country batsman departed in the second stance. The lads from the tall timber wore feeling very pleased after Ellis and Smyth had taken the well-worn track early in the piece, but the Midland men can produce heavy metal well down the batting order. Gallagher and Clarke put the side into calmer walois and rattled the score along in a smooth manner. The former was forceful as usual in front of the slicks and bailed well. Hi- has a tendency to play a very half-hearted stroke at anything swinging in from the leg. This kind of ball lias been his downfall on many occasions. A little animation with the feet might bo of soma assistance. Clarke treated the bowling with scant respect and clouted them all over the paddock. This batsman is now reaching top form which is gratifying in view of the approaching represent ati v e gam e s He used his feet well to Grayling and gave the country speed man a rough time. Jim George was scratching at the start and edged a few dangerous ones but settled down later anti batted well. There was plenty of action when he was trying the hook shot, but very little else. By the time the tail-enders arrived the sting had gone out of the bowling and Mcßride, Jones and Parlane swung the willow in lusty manner. Top marks must ’go to Kerry Sharp!in for a first-class bowling performance. He varied his attack well and judging from the antics of some of the batsmen must have been making the ball move a bit. He deserved better figures. Grayling was again bowled to a standstill and appears to be getting stale. The Country skipper would be well advised to use his own judgment when changing his bowling. It is not advisable to wait for the bowler to say he has had enough. Some of them are tigers for punishment. Geoff Steward fielded well, and took a great catch off a half-hearted shot from Jimmy Clarke. There is not much one can say about the Country batting. On the day it was very weak. What runs were made were evenly distributed. Kerry Sharplin held his end up for a while in the second stance —no doubt trying to avoid the eightpointer The Midland attack was fair. This team would profit by some practice in catching as some of their efforts on Saturday were pitiful. Arthur Long had a smile on his face in anticipation of the catch of the season, but when he heard the ominious thud as the ball hit the ground after slipping through his fingers he must have thought that the happy occasion would have to be postponed until a later date. There was no excuse for Jim George’s effort. Somebody ought to provide him with a sack. It was quite refreshing to see Bill Ellis take a well-judged one well out. Gahagan snapped up a smart one in the slips Alec Gallagher cave a sound exhibition behind the sticks. He is still a little on the slow side as regards stumping. He topic two great catches, but the umpire would not allow one, apparently not hearing the snick, although just about everyone else on the Domain did. College Secure First Win College collected their first win of the season at the expense of Tauranea and on the day thoroughly deserved the honour. The victory was well received. Apart from Tom Pickett and Gordon Sutherland, the Tauranga innings was very drab. The former played a good solid knock, but was fortunate that Wilkinson carpeted a sitter from him very early on. After that ho never looked like going out. It is a pity this batsman will not learn to liven up those feet a bit, as he loses a_ lot of runs by such flat-looted batting. Sutherland was correct and scored mostly on the on side. He would be well advised, however, to keep that left log out of the line of fire. He is net a good enough batsman to get away with it. One bowler had him cold and he was given out, but apparently the umpire did not see the ball come off the bat. However, Moloney had been recalled. The other batsmen did not make much impression on the score. The College attack was good at first but fell away. “Ginger” Aitken and Pat Keenan were about the best. Pope and Ray Sorrensen fielded well, while his brother Keith was sound behind the sticks. His stumping of Les Brewer was a neat effort. Local batsmen will have to waten their step now that Bob Wilson is back on the job. There was some

talk about one of his decisions in this game. One of the Tauranga batsmen held the game up for about five minutes and when he eventually reached the crease, the umpire bade him a pleasant good afternoon and sent him walking back the way he came. The umpire was quite right in his action. Local batsmen are far too casual about this sort of thing. The incoming man should be padded up and ready. Highlight of the College knock was the glorious exhibition of clean hitting by Desmond Cooney. There was tile odd blemish, but on the whole it was a flawless display of hilling and footwork. No matter what the bowlers did, sixes and fours rolled off Cooney’s bat, and lie was unfortunate not to reach the century. Cricket at its best —a scintillating display. Pat Moloney’;; Saturday afternoon performance is no longer news, il is becoming a habit, lie was quite content to watch Cooney do the work. In the end he wandered in front to a straight one, and Barry Budd asked the umpire what he thought about it. Mr Pinor agreed and the College skipper took the long walk. Pat Keenan again was paught in front. It is a pity to see such, a good batsman go this way each week. 1 think the trouble is that leg stroke of his. It is his favourite shot, and a good one, but ho makes the mistake oi: overplaying it. lie would find it helpful if- he covered the leg slump, and waited lor the full toss on the log, or the ball outside the log pin. Of the students Ray Sorrensen was again in the money and batted well. Te Puke’s Close Call The Tauranga bowling was fair, Sorich being about the best. The holding was poor. “Buster” Jordan will be a useful member of the side with more practice. He appears to bowl a fair ball, and his performance in the field shows ' a little more animation than that of most of his team-mates. To Puke had a close call against Albion on the home track, and indeed had sawdust been provided for the visiting team after the rain—as it should have been—the result would probably have gone the other way. Curtis, a newcomer to the Albion team, gave a sound display and was the top scorer. The other runs were evenly distributed. Te Puke had to work hard to overtake their opponents total, and considering the disadvantage the Albion bowlers were working under, their effort was nothing to enthuse over. George Stapleton has a liking for the leg glide, but went over a "bit too far to a straight one. Moorehead asked the umpire a question and got the right answer and the Te Puke man went strolling. Reid was agressive as usual, but Searle’s effort was rather colourless. This batsman does not use his height and reach to advantage. Moorhead was the best Albion bowler, and trundled well. He made the batsmen work hard for runs. Some of the balls with which he secured wickets were beauties.