SOUTH ISLAND TRIAL

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25709, 22 January 1949, Page 8

SOUTH ISLAND TRIAL

CRICKET

F. Cresswell Bowls

Impressively

GOOD INNINGS BY F. B. SMITH

An enterprising innings by F. B. Smith (Canterbury) and effective bowling by F. Cress well (Marlborough) were the outstanding features of the match between the Major Associations side and a South Island Eleven which began at Lancaster Park yesterday. Smith scored 66 of the 98 runs made by the Major Associations in its first innings. This was the only ray of light in the otherwise drab batting, but it was a bowlers’ day and encouraging signs were seen that competent bowlers are available for further trial. At the conclusion of the day’s play South Island had scored 146 runs for the loss of three wickets and here again the innings was notable for a good score by one batsman. K. F. M. Uttley (South Canterbury) and some fine bowling by R. H. Scott (Canterbury).

The wicket had been, covered during the heavy rain which fell yesterday. but in the morning it was tricky, although the outfield was fast. Damp patches were scattered over the surface of the pitch and these in the early stages caused uncertainty, though generally the wicket was easy. Conditions improved in the afternoon, especially after the heavy roller had been used between the innings, and the wicket in the latter part of the day played easily. Many of the earlier batsmen appealed to 'be a little over-cautious and were content to play defensive cricket rather than to attack the bowling.

Major Associations opened with R. T. Hunt and L. A. Watt, of Otago, but against the bowling of A. Cresswell, the Wellington representative, and N. Hoar, a fastmedium right-hand bowler from Nelson, they were content merely to dig in. Cresswell in his earlier overs bowled accurately but without the devil his performances had led onlookers to expect. Hoar was keen but erratic, though he made an occasional ball rise sharply. Watt gave an early chance when he pulled a ball shoulder high from Hoar to deep fine leg, where J. G. Leggat (Canterbury) dropped the catch. After scoring four runs off Cresswell, however, he repeated the shot off a similar ball from Hoar, and this time Leggat made no mistake. St. John (Otago) faced F. Cresswell, and in his first over was out to a simple catch to I. ,B. Leggat (Nelson), at mid-on. F. Cresswell had another early success when in his third over Hunt, who was batting confidently and correctly, turned a. ball to R. F. Cook (Canterbury) at short square leg. Both these wickets and another later were secured by means of a ball slightly slower and appearing to dip as it reached the batsman. With three wickets down for 14 runs after only 50 minutes’ batting, the bowlers assisted by keen fielding, were definitely on top. However, F. B. Smith with W. McD. Anderson (Canterbury’) as his partner, was not perturbed by the state of the game, and characteristically made most of the bowling look easy. He was particularly aggressive when facing A. Cresswell and Hoar, and scored 10 off each bowler’s seventh over. He was forcing the ball to square leg off his toes, late cutting, and punching the ball past point and through the covers. Anderson was more subdued and with his score at 3, returned a ball to F. Cresswell for the bowler to take an excellent catch after diving with his right hand extended. F. Cresswell’s Good Figures Scott’s wicket fell almost immediately without any addition to the score when he lifted a ball from F. Cresswell to P. O'Malley (Canterbury) at deep mid-on. F. Cresswell was definitely the more impressive of the two brothers and. with the fall of Scott’s wicket had dismissed four batsmen for nine runs off eight overs, five of which were maidens. Of the 44 runs scored at this stage. Smith had made 30

With L. D. Smith (Otago) as his partner, the Canterbury player continued to dominate the innings. He deferred to no bowler but F. Cresswell, although the attack generally was hostile and well varied. A. Johnstone. a promising left-hand bowler from South Canterbury, was given two overs at this stage, but Smith scored three fours and a two off the first and a four and a single off the second, reaching 50 after 65 minutes’ batting. L. D. Smith’s only scoring shot also came from Johnstone’s second over, a neat square cut for four. Smith continued on his way, but F. Cresswell still commanded respect, and it was not until his twelfth over that he conceded a boundary, a cover drive by F. B. Smith. The score at lunch was 82 for five wickets, Smith being 64 and L. D. Smith 4. F. Cresswell was not bowled after lunch, but A. Cresswell and Cook disposed of the remaining five wickets in 35 minutes at a cost of 16 runs. Cresswell had both F. B. Smith and L. Groves (Otago) caught behind the stumps, while Cook, bowling intelligently, had L. D. Smith and D. M. Dunnett (Otago) neatly caught by J. G. Leggat at silly mid-on. Cook also took the •wicket of I. Walsh (Otago) who. after driving him for four, lifted a similar shot to I. B. Leggat at extra cover. The fielding of the South Island eleven was keen throughout. The catching was good, and practically every chance was accepted. The ground fielding was clean and the returns to the wicket accurate. The wicketkeeping of G. Mills was watched with interest and, although only 46 overs were bowled, he gave away but one bye. He took the ball cleanly and did not miss any chance of dismissing a batsman.

Although some of the Major Associations* \ batsmen did not get the runs expected of them in view of their Plunket Shield form, their disappointing showing must be credited 'to the South Island bowlers. The pleasing form of A. and F. Cresswell and Cook is heartening when there is admittedly a weakness in the bowling* strength of the country. The Cress well brothers appear to be assured of a further trial, and it would not be surprising to find Cook in the next game. South Island opened an hour before tea with Uttley and J. G. Leggat. The Otago discovery, Walsh, had a disappointing day. Although he tried hard, he was not very consistent and Uttley punished severely anything short, 20 runs being scored in even time. With Scott bowling from the scoreboard end the scoring rate slackened, and his four overs before tea realised only two runs. Snook, who opened the bowling with Walsh, was accurate and therefore inexpensive, but not in his most dangerous mood. Uttley scored with strong square cuts and shots to the leg side, and at afternoon tea had reached 26 while Leggat had scored 10. Scott Bowls Well

Scott bowled again after tea and as in the first spell maintained an excellent length, but, more important, he concentrated on the* stumps. Both Uttley and Leggat scored freely after tea off the slow bowling of L. D. Smith and Groves. It appeared that their opponents’ total would be passed easily without loss when Leggat was run out after a misunderstanding over a second run. Leggat had started slowly, but at the time of his dismissal was obviously sighting the ball well and was beginning to open out. His scoring shots were placed all round the wicket The first wicket partnership had given the side an excellent start. O’Malley came in determined to establish himself firmly before looking for runs, and consequently the scoring rate dropped somewhat. The Major Associations’ score was passed in 120 minutes when Uttley played a shot which gave him his 50 in the same time. Ultimately he was bowled by Scott with a straight ball which he attempted to hook. Uttley showed improvement on his performance in the Minor Associations’ trial, and his soundly-made 69 included seven fours. I. B. Leggat, the Nelson colt, who had scored 46 and 54 in the earlier trial, was clean bowled by a good ball from Scott eight runs later. At this stage Scott had taken two wickets for 17 runs off 18 overs. O’Malley continued to* bat carefully, but was stroking more cleanly than he has been recently, and some of his leg glances were perfect. His policy of Slaying himself in seemed fully justified. [ills, who is in form, lost no time in looking for runs. As with the South Island side, the Major Associations’ team fielded keenly and gave nothing awav. Anderson and St. John being noticeable for good interceptions. Dunnett’s wicketkeeping ability impressed, his leg side work being excellent, and his ability to stand up to all bowlers caused favourable comment. The relative merits of the two keepers are not easily weighed on their performances to-day. Probably Mills’s batting would be the deciding factor. The teams are:— K&jOr Associations.—L. D. Smith (captain). R. T. Hunt. L. A. Watt. D. St. John, L. J. Groves. I. Walsh. D. M. Dunnett. F. B. Smith. W. McD. Anderson. R. H. Scott. C. G. Snook. South Island Eleven.—K. F. M. Uttley (captain). A. Johnstone. I. B. Leggat. N. Hoar. F. Cresswell, A. E. Cresswell, P. O'Malley, J. G. Leggat. R. F. Cook. G. H. Mills, A. R. Mac Gibbon J. D. Lester is twelfth man for both teams. The umpires are Messrs B. Vine and R. V. Taylor.

SHEFFIELD SHIELD

VICTORIA STARTS WELL AGAINST QUEENSLAND BRISBANE, January 21. After a poor start on a perfect wicket. Victoria turned on sparkling cricket in a Sheffield Shield match against Queensland. Hassett and Loxton were associated in a fine partnership worth 170. Victoria in the first innings has lost five for 378 (Hassett not out 197, Loxton 84, Stackpool 53).

ENGLISH CAPTAIN AGAINST N.Z. (N.Z.P.A.—Reuter— Copyright) LONDON, January 20. Commenting on the success of George Mann as captain of the English team visiting South Africa, the cricket writer of the ’Evening Standard” states that Mann is regarded as strongly in the running for the England captaincy against New Zealand next summer and against the Australians in 1950. “Yardley may be available to captain England again.’ but he is by no means a certain or even probable selection,’’ states the writer. CANTERBURY ASSOCIATION DRAW FOR TO-DAY Third grade C: Varsity default to St. Bede’s College. —Advt.,

Scores:— MAJOR ASSOCIATIONS First Innings R. T. Hunt, c Cook, b F. Cresswell .. 4 L. A. Watt, c J. G. Leggat, b Hoar .. 5 D. St. John, c. I. B. Leggat, b F. Cresswell .. .. .. 1 F. B. Smith, c Mills, b A. Cresswell 66 W. McD. Anderson, c and b F. Cresswell .. .. .. 3 R. H. Scott, c O’Malley, b F. Cresswell .. .. .. 0 L. Smith, c J. G. Leggat, b Cook .. 5 L. Groves, c MacGibbon, b A. Cresswell .. .. .. 0 C. G. Snook, not out P D. M. Dunnett, c J. G. Leggat. b Cook fl L Walsh, c I. B. Leggat. b Cook .. 4 Extras: byes 1, wides 1 ..2 Total 98 Bowling O. M. R. W. N. Hoar ..10 5 17 1 A. Cresswell .. 15 7 30 2 F. Cresswell ..13 8 15 4 A. Johnstone ..2 — 23 — R. F. Cook ..6 3 11 3 SOUTH ISLAND XI First Innings J. G. Leggat. run out .. ..31 K. F. M. Uttley, b Scott .. ..69 P. O’Malley, not out .. ..25 I. B. Leggat, b Scott .. ..3 G. H. Mills, not out .. .. 6 Extras: byes 4, leg byes 6, no balls 2 IP Total for three wickets .. 146 Bowling O. M. R.* W. I. W’alsh ..12 3 33 — C. G. Snook ..10 4 14 — R. H. Scott .. 19 11 23 2 L. Groves .. 13 5 31 — L. D. Smith ..9 1 22 — W. McD. Anderson 4 — 11 —