Cricketer Of The Week: H. B. CAVE

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28222, 9 March 1957, Page 5

Cricketer Of The Week: H. B. CAVE

WHEN Henry Butler Cave took ’’ seven wickets in the unofficial test against Australia at Lancaster Park, he brought his total in first-class cricket to 268. and there are now only four New Zealand bowlers who have taken more. To come immediately behind Burtt, Merritt. Cowie and Downes is a measure of Cave's success, but figures cannot speak to the esteem in which he is held. Of all New Zealand cricketers. Cave must rank near the top for selflessness and sportsmanship. . A member of a noted cricketing family—his father and his five uncles played for Wanganui for many years—Cave has a leisurely, almost somnolent sort of action, and he is capable of bowling for hours. A good many captains have taken advantage of this durability. He bases his attack on his superb control of length and direction, and he can move the ball either way, late. ' even when it has left its rosy youth I far behind. Batsman When Cave first appeared in Christchurch in the 1945-46 season, he had some reputation as a batsman, based on a century the previous season for a services' team, but it was a good many years later before he reached his full usefulness as a batsman. But Cave soon established a reputation as a bowler of unusual skill, and. he was chosen as a member of the New Zealand team for the tour of England in 1949. There he bowled, on most unhelpful pitches, with more spirit than success and -at home next summer an elbow injury restricted his appearances to one. Cave did not really enjoy outstanding success until the 195253 season, when he took 23 wickets at 18 runs apiece. In his six previous New Zealand seasons, his best batting average had been 11.6, but in this season it was 54. Batting against Otago for Central Districts Cavp had a memorable

I experience. Central Districts had followed on 253 runs behind, and! then lost eight for 141. Cave| had gone in at number five and ihe was joined at the fall of the I eighth wicket by I. B. Legg at Soi • certain were the officials of the i early end of the match that the • afternoon tea was cancelled and the visiting team’s travel arrangements altered. i But Cave and Leggat attacked vigorously, and they scored 239. 1 a New Zealand ninth wicket record and only 44 short of the > world record. Cave made 118, 1 Leggat 142 not out in three hours. Great Season I In 1953-54 Cave had a wonderful season—imatch analyses of seven for 98 against Wellington, seven for 89 against Auckland, three for ; 80 against Otago, seven for 105 : against Canterbury, and then he I

took four for 36 against the New Zealand team after its return from South Africa. In 1955-56 Cave led New Zealand in Pakistan and India, and won deep admiration for his tenacity and determination. As soon as the team returned from this gruelling tour. New Zealand met the West Indies in a four-test series. Cave was again captain for the first test, but could not play in the second one because he was unfit; like others, he suffered from utter exhaustion. John Reid was New Zealand's captain in the second test, and he held the post when Cave returned to the side for the Wellington game. Lesser men might have resented the loss of the captaincy, and felt their dignity had been outraged.

Team Man

Cave, however, is a thorough team man. and at Wellington he bowled with all his great heart. So to Auckland, where New Zealand won a test after 27 years without success. It was most fitting that Cave should take a major part in this great triumph. Leading part it was; in the first innings four for 22 off 27.3 overs, in the second four for 21 off 13.1 overs. He took the last wicket, that of A. L. Valentine. This season Cave has again been in very good form, taking 23 Plunket Shield wickets at an average of 14, and then capturing 7 for 131 in the recent test. Cave, at 34. has more success ahead of him, and cricketers throughout the country will wish him well for the English tour next year. But in fine bowling weather or foul. Cave will keep pegging away on a length, nagging at the batsman like a tender tooth; whether he gets quick wickets, or none for plenty, Harry Cave will keep smiling.