QUALITIES OF N.Z. PITCHES

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27924, 22 March 1956, Page 5

QUALITIES OF N.Z. PITCHES

CRICKET

ABILITY TO TAKE SPIN

WEST INDIES PLAYERS’ IMPRESSIONS

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, March 21. D. Atkinson, captain of the West Indies cricket team, todav likened New Zealand pitches to those of England, but said it was easier to get spin on New Zealand pitches. He regarded the West Indies turf pitches as similar to the Australian. “I was able to bowl half as fast in New Zealand as I do at home, and still get more spin,” he said. “New Zealanders do not spin the ball; they just roll it.” “You have a very fine bowler in Harry Cave,” commented J. D. Goddard, playermanager of the West Indies team. “I Would hate to have played against him on some of those pitches in the smaller centres.” said Atkinson. “Cave really bowled well in the tihrd test match in Wellington”. Both Atkinson and Goddard praised the bowling of A. R. Mac Gibbon in the third test. Giving his impressions of the tests. Atkinson said that, had New Zealand accepted all the chances offering in the second and third tests, “we would have had to play some mighty good cricket to win.” He understood that there were barriers to be overcome before arrangements for the tour of England by a New Zealand team in 1958 were completed, but he thought New Zealand had the material for its team. Goddard commented: “New Zealand has the material for the making, but not yet the finished product.” Discussing New Zealanders’ batting, Atkinson said he thought there was a tendency to pay too much respect to the bowling. “More use should be made of the bat when a ball is comfortably, volleyed.” he said. Praise for J. R. Reid Atkinson praised the New Zealand captain in the last three tests. J. R. Reid “Believe me, if John Reid had got the breaks, especially with his bowling, he would have had much better figures,” he said. “He bowled exceptionally well.” Neither Goddard nor Atkinson considered the tour too strenuous. They said they would like to see the pitches in country districts improved in an effort to improve the standard of the country's cricket. Asked how many of the team in New Zealand were likely to tour England next year. Atkinson replied: “That is the mil-lion-dollar question, but I would perhaps say seven, maybe more.” He listed G. Sobers, E. D. Weekes, O. G. Smith, Goddard, S. Ramadhin, A. L. Valentine, and one of the wicketkeepers as near-certain - ties.

“The New Zealand press treats your players with kid gloves compared with the treatment we receive at home.” said Atkinson.

Atkinson listed the following as the most promising cricketers he had seen on the tour of New Zealand: J. D. Capstick (Canterbruy), W. Haskell (Wellington), L. Totty (Hawke’s Bay), P. Bloomfield (Nelson), S. Cameron (Otago), and B. Bolton (Canterbury).

JUNIOR CUP MATCH

NORTH CANTERBURY PLAYS ELLESMERE North Canterbury batted first against Ellesmere in the final match for the junior cricket cup. which was begun at Dudley Park, Rangiora, yesterday, ana made 74. Top scorer was J. Cobden, 20, and J. Sheat bowled well for Ellesmere and took five wickets for 15 runs. Ellesmere’s first innings realised 149. B. Free making the best score of 56. North Canterbury in its second innings had scored 118 for the loss of four wickets when stumps were drawn. Hamilton being not out, 60. Scores:— NORTH CANTERBURY First innings J. Cobden, c P. Chamberlain, b Lewis 20 G. Hollow, b I. Chamberlain .. 1 A. Hamilton, c Sheat, b Lewis .. 2 H. Farrant, b Free .. .. .. 2 R. Pulley, c P. Chamberlain, b Sheat lc A. Dailey, b Sheat .. .. .. 1 W. Chisnall, c Feast, b Sheat .. 5 G. Wood, c and b Sheat .. 0 W. Vette, b Sheat .. ..9 A. O’Loughlin, c P. Chamberlain, b Clark .. ... •• .. 0 M. Wood, not out .. .. • - 0 Extras .. • • ’ • • .. 21 Total .. .. ..74 Bowling: J. Sheat, five for 15; P. Lewis, two for 15; -I. Chamberlain, one for 7; B. Free, nne for 16; E. Clark, one for 6 x Second Innings Cobden, run out .. .. .. 20 Hollow, st N. Wallis, b Sheat .. 8 Pulley, lbw, b Free - - . • 15 Chisnall, c Lewis, b Free .. .. 11 Hamilton, not out .. .. .. 60 Extras .. ... .. .. 4 Total for four wickets .. 118 ELLESMERE First Innings P. Chamberlain, c Dailey, b Pulley 13 P. Lewis, c Pulley, b Vette .. .. 8 N. Wallis, b Pulley .. .. ..14 J. Sheat, b Pulley .. .. .. 6 D. Lili, b Chisnall .. .. ..2 M. Wallis, c and b Chisnall .. 13 B. Free, c Hamilton, b Pulley .. 56 M. Chamberlain, c and b Hollow .. 14 B. Mercer, run out .. .. ..6 E. Clark, lbw, b Chisnall .. .. 12 J. Feast, not o.ut .. .. .. 3 Extras .. .. .. .. 3 Total .. .. ..149 Bowling: W Vette, one for 21; G. Hollow. one for 26; R. Pulley, four for 29; W. Chisnall, three for 46; H. Farrant, none for 19.

MALVERN TEAM PLAYS WEST COAST

When a Malvern ’am made its first visit to the West Coast, a two-day match was ruined by rain. Play began late on the first day, and no play was possible on the second. Malvern scored 2?* (J. Gunn 59. E. H Richards 48, N. Wrig it 34. D. Deans 26. H. Joyce 14 not -ut; A. Taylor three for 48 B. Kennedy tire for 58). West Coast 28 for six wickets (Lichards four for 8). Richards, after batting aggressively and well, had a successful spell of bowling, in which he was supported by catching of high class.