CRICKET YOUTH

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30897, 2 November 1965, Page 17

CRICKET YOUTH

Providing he can learn to keep the ball up to the batsman, the lively Sydenham A bowler, Kelvin Squire, should continue to have a successful season. At the moment Kelvin manages to cut the ball back from the off but bowls a trifle short.

Seen last season as a Canterbury opening bowler, the West-University player, Richard Lawrence, has this season successfully changed to bowling leg-breaks. Richard is surprisingly accurate for one of his age and, at times, turns the ball quite sharply.

A batsman who shows a maturity beyond his years is the Riccarton A player, Gerald Burgess. Gerald is a very solid looking player and is beginning to make some good looking attacking shots, especially on the off-side.

One disappointing feature of the Saturday morning cricket so far this season has been the running between the wickets. Batsmen are not taking advantage of mediocre fielding and consequently many valuable runs are being lost

The captain, Stephen Bradley, and Michael Anderson shared an opening stand of 47 for the first wicket for St. Mary’s against East-Shirley on Saturday. Stephen played the pull shot particularly well and Michael played well all round the wicket, with the drive being fairly prominent.

Burwood Park, which has not been used for boys’ Saturday morning cricket in the past was a hive of activity on Saturday. About 80 boys were scattered over two wicket areas, taking part in three matches. Only two were originally scheduled for the ground and the extra game meant that some boundaries were beyond the line of trees by the senior ground.

A player who likes to attack the ball is Grant McLeod. Last Saturday, playing for the H. 5.0.8. B team, Grant made a brisk 49, until he was caught when attempting to loft an off-drive for four.

Old Collegians C grade team put up the good score of 89 for eight declared at Elmwood on Saturday. Top scorer in this game against Xavier College was Paul Johnston, who in his total of 23 hit two fours.

A good all-round performer for Marist in the C grade is Paul White. Although a little diffident on the off-side, he played very confidently off his legs in making 36 on Saturday. As well, he took two for 12 with his in-swingers. He is a safe slips fieldsman.

Brian Renwick and Phillip Oates both bowled well for Xavier College B2 team against Old Collegians and both had the same very good figures—three wickets for five runs off sgven overs.

Keith Hart made an attractive 18 for East-Shirley against St. Mary’s on Saturday. He batted briskly and confidently and included a big six over long-on in his score. Although a general improvement is starting to be shown in fielding techniques, many teams are still making far too many mistakes in this regard. One of the better sides in the field is Riccarton A and it is to be hoped that many other teams will reach their standard.