Between Overs

Press, Volume C, Issue 29695, 13 December 1961, Page 15

Between Overs

For an opening batsman A. W. Parris has an adventurous outlook. He is willing to play his shots from the outset and hits the ball very hard. H:s 50 against Lancaster Park contained some powerful drives, but also some shots not quite so orthodox. But then that is not something to be criticised, for batsmen with Parris's attitude always brighten the start of an innings. He shows enthusiasm in the field. So far this season he has taken nine catehee, some of them brilliant efforts.

After a succession of sound and useful innings for Old Boys this season, D. Hill’s century on Saturday was a just reward. It was his first in senior cricket, although he has already made four halfcenturies. Hill has scored 233 runs this season in six innings.

The progress being made by the young Riccarton batsman. G. T. Barrett. is bringing pleasure to many cricketers. Barrett is far better able to concentrate for a long period than most young players, and he is now beginning to develop his scoring strokes. His 93 not out on Saturday was easily his best in senior cricket, but his steady rise to prominence may be measured by his seasonal aggregates. In his first summer he scored 59 runs in four matches; next season a full one. his total was 192. In 1959-30, it rose to 322, and last season he increased this to 371. So far this summer he has made 274 runs, and seems certain to set another personal record.

The Sydenham opening batsman. I. R. Hartland, has experienced only a fair measure of success this season but on Sat-

urday he showed a return to his best form with 45 —his highest score since he scored 66 in the first game. A methodical player, Hartland was still able to score quickly, and he on-drove with power and assurance.

Although he has achieved nothing very spectacular, the Old Collegians opening bowler, J. H. M. Dawson, has been extremely steady. On Saturday, against Riccarton, he was the only bowler in his side who consistently kept the ball up to the batsmen. Dawson always seems very fit. and he did not seem deterred by the trying heat ii the early afternoon.

Almost 500 runs were scored when the Riccarton third grade C team met Burwood in the Suburban competition on Saturday afternoon. The Burwood openers, J. Sherwood and A. Davis, put on 192 before being separated. Sherwood made 116, and Davis 96. At 255 for three the innings was declared closed, but the scoring spree continued. Riccarton lost only five wickets, and before stumps were drawn, had scored 237. T. Anderson made 121 for Riccarton. Sixty-eight fours and eight sixes were recorded during the afternoon, and a total of 492 runs were scored in a little over four hours.

The determination of A. • R. Taylor is evident in i his bowling. The same i application he has shown! there is now apparent in j his batting. In his last ? two innings, Taylor has I scored 50 not out and 37, j not with great fluency, ? but with a sound defence | brightened now and then! with cover drives which! would be the envy ofj many higher-ranked bats-j men. The professional coach, i M. J. Bear, has had only; four innings in senior cric-! ket this summer, but each j one has produced a useful j score. His innings have! given his side 41, 60, 36 and 38 runs. ■ ■—WM

In his four seasons of senior cricket, K. Thomson has rarely been called upon to bowl, but on Saturday he made full use of the opportunity. With

a bustling run-up, and bowling at lively pace. Thomson, although he tended to throw the ball into the pitch and seldom bowled two balls alike, beat B. H. Hopkins with a perfect yorker. Before Saturday, when he finished with six for 36, Thomson had taken only 12 wickets in his senior career.