BAKER CUP CRICKET IN TAURANGA

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXXVII, Issue 14883, 21 January 1949, Page 5

BAKER CUP CRICKET IN TAURANGA

CANDID COMMENT ON GAME’S

J. George, M. Grayling And F. P. Keenan Shine W. McKenzie’s Chances For Tour Of England (By “Square-Leg”) The action of the New Zealand selectors in calling on Charlie Kerr to show his paces at Eden Park bears out what I wrote last week. The problem of bowlers is causing a lot of worry. To one who has followed the career of the Green Lane and Suburban player, the decision did not cause much surprise. Although he has lost the bloom of youth, Kerr is still one of the best all-rounders in the country. After rendering yeoman service to the Auckland team a few years ago, Kerr was suddenly dropped. This action is in keeping with the policy of the Auckland selectors. They do some queer things up there at times.

It may surprise many readers to know that Bill McKenzie, the Bay of Plenty representative from Whakatane, is tipped as a possib l “ candidate for the-coming tour. He is far more effective on a good grass wicket and can swing an awkward ball away from the batsman —the most difficult of the lot to play, incidentally. Much depends on his performance in Wellington this weekend. There is plenty of fire and lift in the Basin Reserve wicket—it should suit McKenzie. There was a little more enterprise about the cricket in Tauranga on Saturday and one or two good performances were registered. Country had a runaway victory over Mount Maunganui and the display of the boys from over the water was very disappointing. The bowlers were not “flat out” and the batsmen should have done much better. Dick Marlow - and Kerry Sharplin sent Country away to a useful start and they both batted quite well, the former especially. He got well behind the good stuff and the rest was severely dealt with. Apart from Bill Grayling, who collected a sizeable total, the rest seemed to come all over “coy” when the ball was tossed up to them. The ball being rc f her ’’’ith'ess ir l nm respond at all and the batsmen suffered accord'ne'v. Geoff S+eward for instance bestowed rather a vacant stare cn a ball that should have ended up down near the Railway Station.

Grayling lost no time in getting down to business. There was a lot of short stuff served up and it quickly got the fate it deserved. It was a lively performance. The Mount attack was not good—again tco much short stuff. One slow bowler at the Transit Camp end sent nrj the odd good bah. TTrvfo’-fnnatelv they were few and far between. Highlights of the fielding were the two good catches taken by Conder. Mount Batting Weak Apart from one of the Lennox boys, the Mount batting v/as very weak. None of these batsmen seem to have much idea of footwork. As I have often said in the past, if you stand there hopefully waiting for something to happen it usually does but net always the way you expect it. Lennox showed enterprise and hit. out freely to collect top score. Bill Grayling and Kerry Sharplin were indulging in experiments with the ball. They were very effective Midland and Te Puke had a good game on the other wicket and although the Midland men went down there was an improvement in their performance. Te Puke had an early disaster, Doug Searle being run out first ball of the match. It was a stupid business and it- looks as though Searle and Eric Capon need a few lessons in the art of calling. Capon and Clarkson settled down to make amends and their partnership was valuable. The former was verv solid on defence, but some of his attacking shots w ; ere a bit on the “nasty” side. Lack of practice was obvious. Clarkson was also solid on defence, but is very weak on the leg. • I noticed -’some of the bowlers wince when those full tosses were being served up. Their reverie should have been rudely disturbed on many occasions. Te Puke’s fortunes slumped a bit until Keith Ball got among things. He gave his usual aggressive display. Dunlop was also in the money.

lan Crowley is long enough in the tooth to knew that trying to semarecut balls close to the body is the auick route to some walking exercise. When he started walking on Saturday he probably realised his mistake —too late. The Midland attack was 'quite good. When Jim Gecrge cut the pace his length improved. Of the rest Jack Smyth was about the best. Incidentally, Smyth gave k sound performance in the . field and held two good catches. - It was his smart fielding that was responsible for Searle’s run out. Frank Willoughby would find his leg breaks more effective if they landed in front of the batsman. The Midland knock in the early stages did not loold too hopeful. Considering the mauling Alec

Gallagher received, he did remarkably well. When wicket-keeping he stopped a nasty one on the nose. Later when at the crease he received one on the neck. After that It was Sydney or the bush. Willoughby’s stay was short and breezy. His best performance for some time was given by Jim George. Using his feet and wrists well, he drove along the carpet with considerable force. It was a sound effort. I should say the proudest man on the ground was our worthy selector, as his young hopeful “Mike” Moloney, who filled a vacancy for Midland, went out to bat. The Te Puke nlayers gave him a great hand and the bowlers did the decent thing. He collected a couple and I bet the “old man” has had to put up with plenty of advice since. College and Tauranga fought out a close finish on Nicholson Field. On paper the latter looked a certainty for the maximum, but Pat Keenan took a hand and played his best knock for some time. It was just as well as his team-mates provided no support whatever. He took nlentv of risks, at time- - ’ b~ mowell down the track to meet the ball on the full and sweep it around to leg. A good show. Ernie Beer worried the College batsmen with his slows and collected the honours. Although he did not take his usual share of wickets a tribute to Barrv Budd’s accuracy N shown in the following figures; 18 overs, 13 maidens. Not bad going in any company.

Gordon Sutherland, who seems to be the permanent opener for Tauranga now, gave a very sound exhibition of orthodox cricket. Unfortunately Sutherland is inclined to be too correct and his run-getting qualities suffer on that account. A spot of aggression when well set doesrft do anv harm. Those aggressive twins —Bill Dashwood and Les Brewer—were again in the money. Indeed it is seldom that these two fail to collect more than their share of runs. Pat Keenan and Alan Mackie were the mest successful College bowlers.