BOWLING AND FIELDING MUST IMPROVE

Press, Volume C, Issue 29709, 30 December 1961, Page 9

BOWLING AND FIELDING MUST IMPROVE

TF Canterbury’s cricket team is to have any prospect of competing seriously for the Plunket Shield this season, a considerable improvement in bowling and fielding will have to be achieved. Deficiencies there were all too obvious in the match against Auckland. The Canterbury batting was only of moderate quality, but it is clear that the side at least has batting potential. The batting break-downs in both Canterbury innings were regrettable, and have already been

repeated against Northern Districts. In the first Innings against Auckland, D. Hill M. B. Poore, and B. G. Hadlee batted splendidly, and so did D. L. Gallop and J. E. England. In the second innings G. G. Coull showed signs of form: Hill looked, after only one innings, a more confident and attractive batsman; K. Thomson, until making a foolish and fatal mistake, was clearly seeing the ball early; Gallop was again splendid, and A. R Mac Gibbon. A. G. Duckmanton and England again all gave most valuable aid. The batting against Auckland was not a success, nor was it a failure. But it should be all the better for the experience. The bowling was weak. J. W. Kiddey was the most reliable of the bowlers but in one spell, particularly, he was unable to stop presenting R. W, Morgan with runs on the on-side. MacGlbbon

had a couple of good, hostile spells, but on a docile pitch, the spin attack, on which Canterbury’s chances rest largely, looked innocuous. Gallop looked the most likely to take wickets, and he may do very well in the later matches. On his allround form against Auckland, Gallop was the best cricketer in Canterbury, and one who seems likely to serve the province well tor some time. But in general, Canterbury’s bowling was sadly lacking in bite. If the bowling has no hostility, it should compensate in accuracy, and be supported by good fielding. There were too many instances of bowlers not being able to bowl to their fields, and ot catches being dropped. No change ot names in the chosen team could make Canterbury into a strong side this season, but it could be a very competent team if determined efforts are made to overcome faults of which the players themselves must surely be conscious.