Swift Rise To Fame Of G. A. Bartlett

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29128, 13 February 1960, Page 5

Swift Rise To Fame Of G. A. Bartlett

QF all the young and promising fast bowlers who have come on to the New Zealand cricket scene in the last 20 years, few have possessed the speed of the 18-year-old Marlborough player G. Bartlett. A most successful second season in Plunket Shield cricket, with the bat as well as the ball, has brought Bartlett into serious consideration for selection in the New Zealand team to meet the touring Australians this season. Early Start Living next to Horton Park, the main cricket area in Blenheim, in his early years, Bartlett joined the United Club at the age of 12, and soon came under the guidance of the veteran Marlborough representative A. Neal. He was first chosen to play for the senior representative team against Nelson at the age of 16, He scored 56 runs and took two wickets for 31. In the same season he made his debut in Hawke Cup cricket against Waikato, taking six wickets for 37 in the first innings and two for 11 in the second. He also made 52 not out with the bat in this match. After good performances in Newman Shield

matches against Golden Bay (five for 11) and Motueka (four for 10) his selection for the Central Districts trial match was not surprising. Coaching Bartlett was invited to attend the coaching school organised in Auckland under the direction of W. M. Wallace that season. Here he impressed with his accuracy, hitting a single wicket with eight of his 18 deliveries. Last season Bartlett made his first-class debut for Central Districts, and played in four matches. He took 10 wickets at an average of 30 runs, his best performance being three for 51 against Auckland. The promise of his bowling led to his selection for the South Island team in the inter-island match, but he had to withdraw because of a recurrence of a leg injury. This season for Central Districts, Bartlett has done well with the bat and the ball. He took five for 72 and three for 29 against Canterbury, three for 61 and two for 27 against Auckland and three for 50 and one for 31 against Northern Districts; 17 wickets at anjrverage of 15.9. An outstandinf’innings of 99 not out against

Auckland in his side’s second innings showed Bartlett to be as accomplished with the bat as he is with the ball. Injury kept Bartlett out of the other two Plunket Shield matches played by his side this season. After cricket, Bartlett’s main hob-

bies are hunting and shooting, and it is no uncommon sight to see his old car loaded with rifles, dogs and camping gear heading for the hills. Bartlett’s cricket has improved through his association with the experienced Marlborough bowlers A. E. and G. F. Cresswell.