PLUNKET SHIELD CRICKET

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21708, 15 February 1936, Page 19

PLUNKET SHIELD CRICKET

CANTERBURY’S SMALL LEAD

CROMB IN BRILLIANT FORM

LAST MATCH OF PRESENT SERIES

Through a brilliant innings by I. B. Ccomb and a desperate last wicket stand, which added 12 Canterbury yesterday established a lead of one run on the first innings against Otago in the last Plunket Shield match, of the season, which opened at Lancaster Park yesterday. Otago won the J toss and batted on a wicket which showed signs of wearing late in the day. The light was never very good, and the outfield was slow, and the slow scoring by each side was to be expected, as conditions definitely, favoured the bowlers. The main run of the game was dull, but a few bright innings and the close fight at the finish gave the handful of spectators present some excitement for the day. The only really interesting part £>f the Otago innings came late, when, after five wickets had fallen for IQ. runs, J, C. Scandrett. the young Southland player, and G. McGregor, playing for Otago for the first time, got together and added 36 runs in about half that time. R. Silver, the last man in, also scored quickly while he lasted. Canterbury began disastrously. F. W. Bellamy once, again showed his

weakness against fast bowling, and_was badly beaten by Silver. J. I* Kerr shaped' well for % a time—just long enough to play two very powerful square cuts. W. A, Hadlee and M. L. Page showed glimpses of form until they also returned all too soon to the pavilion. It was only when Cromo and F. P. O’Brien were together that Canterbury made any stand at all. , O’Brien was in his best form, ana his innings was far -ahead of any score he has made in club' games this season. It was a delightful exhibition of fast and" free hitting. It was an innings which could give confidence w those to follow when the position did not seem very happy. Cromb also showed a return to his better form'. He did not hamper his innings by trying to play too safe, as he does sometimes. He met every ball with the full face of the bat. and did not let many loose ones get past him. He did not give a chance while he was at the crease, and never seemed really troubled by any balls he received. It was the perfect innings for the occasion. The other batsmen -put ,up a poor showing until the last wicket partnership between C. K. Jackman "and M.. Graham. With l2 runs for a tie, they set about their task in a very careful manner, and it took Graham 45 minutes to open his score. Dunning, rather surprisingly, did not bring on either Badcock or Silver, and let these two pass the Otago total. The Canterbury fieldsmen have a lot to learn from the visitors. Three chances went begging in the first hour and the returns to the wicket were almost as wild as ever. Jackman was in brilliant form behind the stumps. His dismissal of A. R. Knight was as quick as anything seen on Lancaster Park for a number of years,. W. E. Merritt was* the outstanding boWler on the field, and for -the first .time this season Gromb did not take a wicket in a representative Innings. Play wiU resume’ with Otago’s second innings at 11 o’clock this morning.

THE PLAY

Though Cromb opened with, Graham and Lester, he did not persevere with the latter for long, and brought Cobden on instead. Lester had been more expensive than Graham, but Badcock was more troubled by the Old Collegian’s bowler. Badcock was looking for runs !from the first ball, and Knight concentrated on keeping his wicket intact. Badcock played some perfect square and late cuts, placing them wide of Kerr at third man wherever he ,was moved to. For the first half hour he scored his runs in even time, though admittedly he had most of the' bowling. Merritt was brought on in place of Graham. His first few balls were pitched up too far and both batsmen played him the proper way, using their feet well to get out to smother the breaks. Jackman had the bails off brilliantly when Knight went forward to Cobden and missed, and the first wicket was down for 43. Dropped Catches Merritt missed quite an easy onehanded catch off his own bowling from Kerr, the new batsman. For the rest of the over he had Kerr troubled. Badcock played a brisk and entertaining innings, by no means chanceless, and Cobden had his second wicket when the professional tipped one into Page’s safe hands at first slip, 54—2—39. Smith, a left-hander, joined Kerr, and was just as much troubled by Merritt, who -had then bowled fpur overs for four runs. Kerr missed the simplest catch from Smith off Merritt’s next over, the ball going straight to his hands at mid-off. In the next over yet another catch was 1 dropped by Cobden off Lester—three in less than an hour. Cromb took over from Merritt and, sent down a maiden to Smith. Slow Scoring The Canterbury fieldsmen again showed their old weakness of wild ( throwing, and two overthrows came off a blocked ball. Merritt hurt his hand in trying to stop one of these returns. The cricket was now uninteresting and Lester, in his second spell, sent down five overs for two runs. The featureless howling allowed both batsmen to play themselves in, and each reached 20 without much trouble. Smith took a single off Graham through the coyers which brought 100 up in 93 minutes. Three balls later Kerr was well bowled by Graham, 100—3—24. Graham then had one wicket for 13 runs off nine overs. , . Two left-handers were in together when Elmes, the only Otago representative to play for New Zealand this season, joined Smith. He had not scored when he stepped in front to one of Merritt’s deliveries, and was out under the new rule. 103 - 4—o. Rot Sets In Uttley lifted one just over Lester’s head at silly leg from the first ball he received. It was hardly a chance as, although Lester jumped for it, ne only Just tipped it with his fingers. Uttley lasted until the next over, when he tried to hook Graham, and the second leg before wicket decision was given. Merritt got his second wicket in the following over, when Jackman once again did some brilliant stumping. Two balls later Lester took the easiest catch to dismiss Mills off Merritt. 110—7—0. In two _ overs Merritt had three wickets for six runs, and four wickets had fallen in only 20 minutes for 10 runs. Scandrett, the young Southland player, and McGregor, playing in his first game for Otago, held out until lunch when the total was 112. Otago Dismissed These two set put after runs on resuming, McGregor scoring seven off Merritt’s first over, and Scandrett took seven from the next. From the last ball of the same over McGregor nit Merritt over the long-on fence for six. Each was hitting hard and confidently. Bellamy was given three overs, but failed to keep much of a length and was replaced by Graham. The partnership had then added 32 in a quarter of an hour, Graham was given four slips and a deep backward point. McGregor returned a very hard chance to Merritt, which was dropped, and Scandrett mishit an easy catchto Hadlee off the same bowler. 147—8^14. Dunning, the visiting captain, joined McGregor and opened his score witn a single. McGregor was then 20. Thinning' collected another single and was then beaten by Merritt, • The last man. Silver, opened with a two, a four, and a three off Merritt He reached double figures soon afterwards. The innings closed in the next over. Silver skied one from Merritt, and Graham took a good running catch. McGregor earned his bat for 32, giving a bright and entertaining display. The innings closed at 2.21 p.m. ' 1 Canterbury at the Crease Silver, a fast medium; bowlari opened the’ bowling, his second ball going for four byes, and Kerr, who opened with Bellamy, square cut the fourth for another boundary. Badcock went on at the south,end. The light which was poor all- the day, was especially bad when the umpires went out as a very light drizzle, was falling. Bellamy once again fell to fast bowling,'being badly beaten in Silver’s second overt' 91 —1. Hadlee joined 1 Kerr, and both played slowly, waiting patiently for the loose balls to score, off. Badcock was getting a lot of help'from the pitch. Twice bad calls very nearly led to run outs, but wide returns to the wicket allowed the batsmen to get home. Badcock beat Herr with an excellent balL 21—2—12. . Page was given a great ovation on foing out to bat. Dunning relieved ilver at the nofth end and sent' down a maiden to him. Ho ' opehed ' his score when a ball from Badcock flew off the shoulder of his bat oyer slips',, head. ' >•), - i. • • t- .T-tri

The Otago captain claimed his first wicket when Hadlee stepped in front, and Cromb joined Page when the total was only 35- for three wickets. Cromb started easily and confidently, and wisely did not hamper his free style by tryipg to play too much for safety. Page did not seem nearly so comfortable and was finding difficulty in getting his shots away to the off, where his best scoring strokes go. The half century, took just less than tiie hour. Page hit Silver, who took over; again from Dunning, for two fours and then' tipped one to Elmes at first slip. 61-4—19. The tea adjournment was then taken. When Elmes relieved Badcock, the professional had bowled 11 overs for one wicket and 13 runs. , O’Brien Strikes Form Crombi , continued confidently and O’Brien struck his best form. He hit out vigorously and passed Gromb’s total. He brought the score past the century with a four over long on off Dunning. He reached 30 after being 'at the crease only 20 minutes,; but: lasted little longer, as he went for a big hit. .It skied off the edge of his bat to be taken by Mills, whp came round from behind the wickets. Cobden followed and the two Lancaster Park men com tinued safely. Cromb reached 30 with a powerful off-drive from Badcock. The field was well placed and Cobden found some difficulty in starting his score. He appeared quite confident, but in trying to turn a ball on his leg stump was out leg before to Dunning. 121— fi—l. With Cromb taking as much of the bowling as he could from Lester, the total slowly, closed on Otago’s score* ' Home’ Batsmen Slump Badcock and Dunning were keeping the batsmen quiet, but were not very dangerous. Elmes replaced Badcock, and soon alter had Lester’s" wicket. 138—7—2. Cromb reached his 50 with a glide to leg, but with the first ball of the next over Merritt was badly beaten by Elmes before he had scored. With eight • wickets down and 33 runs to make, Canterbury was, not in a happy position when Graham joined Cromb. Five times Elmes sent down a hall outside the off stump and each time Graham refused to be tempted. Elmes then tried the same tactics with Cromb. The first three ballsVpassed unplayed, but the fourth was hit hard to the long on boundary, within inches of being a six. Dunning was bowling for a long time unchanged, his first 11 overs after tea costing 11 runs with two wickets. The fielding of the visiting team was very keen, but Cromb managed to get the bowling when he wanted it. Graham played the safe innings that was wanted, and hardly tried to score off balls wide of his wicket. Uttley, at deep backward point, was frequently applauded for brilliantly saving boundaries. Cromb’s brilliant innings came to a close when he went out to hit Dunning and skied the ball to Silver at deep mid-on. It was the perfect, innings for a captain; he held the/side together and secured powerfully all round the wicket. He’ gave the new batsmen confidence by taking the bowling and showing them how to play it confidently. Last Wicket Stand Jackman and Graham stayed tor gether and very slowly closed the gap between the totals. GrahOm once gave an easy chance at backward point, but this was dropped. Over after oyer went by and each balLwas played with a straight bat, defensively by Graham and occasionally powerfully by Jackman. After being at the crease for 45 minutes, Graham opened his score with a cover drive for four and there were only two runs to go. Two sharply-run singles brought the scores equal, and the crowd. cheered loudly as Graham passed the total with a single to the off. Dunning beat Graham in his next over, and the innings closed with Canterbury one run ahead. % The scores were:— . OTAGO First Innings A. R. Knight, HIHUUII. st; Jackman, b Cobden ~ .. 14 F.. T. Badcock. 1241212112144111424, >c Page, b Cobden' ’i-. ■ F. B* Kerr, 11412113111411., b Graham 23 L. Smith. 1111144341111211, sf Jackman, * ' b Merrltfc ; 28 C. J. Elmes, Ibw, b Merritt... •• 0 K. F. M, Uttley, 14, Ibw, b Graham .. 5 J. C. Scandrett, 112411121. c Hadlee, b, - Merritt , *- 14 G. 'Mills, c Lester, b Merritt .. , 0 G. McGregor. 12416111111312114, not ont 32 J. A. Dunning, 11, b Merritt... ..2 H. Silver, 24221, c Graham, b'Merritt 12 Extras (byes 2, leg-byes 11) ; 4

Fall of wickets—One for 43. two for 54. three for 100, four for 103, five for 110, six for HO. seven for 110, eight for 147, nine for 155, 10 for 173. CANTERBURY First Innings J. L. Kerr. 41412, b Badcock .. 12 F. W. Bellamy, 1. b Silver ..• .. 1 W. A. Hadlee; 1H14312, Ibw, b Dunwing : ... .. i.. ~ 14 M. L. Page; 11444144, c Elmes, b Silver .12 I. B. Cromb, 1214311121131111142124111 2142142141141212122, c Silver, b Dunning .. .. •• .."3 P. P. O’Brien, 112214214342141, c Mills, b Dunning .. •• ..33 A. P, Cobden, 1, b Dunning .. .. 1 S. G. Lester, 11, Ibw, b Elmes .. 2 W. E. Merritt, b Elmes ... .. 0 M. Graham..4ll, b Dunning ■ 1 f C. K. Jackman. 1121, not out... : .. •> Extras (byes 4 21. leg-bye 1) •> 8 Total .. -.174 BOWLING ANALYSIS

TAXIMEN V. DRAINAGE BOARD;

A friendly cricket match betvfcen'-Blue’ 1 Star Taxis and»Christchurch . Qralnag?. Board resulted to p draw. Blue Stat^ftuar

four, wickets for 18,..Lewla.flutter 25., Clarke three for 25). X i • ' The Drainage Board s Scdre Was 145 for nine wickets (Ellis 55, Carey 23, Lagon 17, McNiCholl 14, Woods six for ; ; 28. Campbell one for 8, Murray one fpr 35, Goodwin one for 48.),

* t 1 * ‘ i VA& WESTPORT COAL. COMPANY,. CLUB.

The following will represent the Westport • Coal .Company Club ■ against New Brighton; a't New Brighton,; to-day.. A conveyance will’leave Palsgrave street at, I. p.m.:—W. Chappie; T. Lee. I L. Pall, J, Monroe, R. Cullen, L. Forward; J, Dowle, T. Tallott, R. Todd. H. MacFarf lane, H. Calvert.

Total , BOWLING' ANALYSIS , 173 o. M. R.' .. .W. M. Graham •.. 16 3 32 ? S. G. Lester 9 3 23 ~TA. P. Cobdcn .. 7 — 40 2 W. E.-Merrttt 16.2 2 56 ,, ■ 6 I.- B. Cromb ' .. 4 * ? :* i., \ ia ~ -S. W. BeUa&y ,* * i J L. T w - l /)t V* S Vi r 1 v '. V.’

o. ’ M. R. - W. R, Silver ..10 2 31 ? F. Ti Badcock :v 19 6 '39 " 1 J. A. Dunning ... 25.5 5 50 5 C. J. Elmes . . 12 5 27 2 L. Smith .. 4 — 19* —. Fall of wickets—One for 9, two for 21. three for 35. four for 64, five for 110, six for 121, seven for 138, eight for 140, nine for 162. 10 for. 174. , The umpires are Messrs J. Forrester and R. Coleman.