Wickets fall quickly in senior cricket matches

Press, 14 November 1977, Page 22

Wickets fall quickly in senior cricket matches

Bumside-West, which is beginning to pose the principal threat to Sydenham in the senior cricket championship, made the most significant advance on the first day of the fourth round on Saturday. But on a day remarkable for its modest scoring, Sydenham also did well.

Burnside-West had the day’s best tally. — 227 for nine — and had East-Shirley out for only 88. Sydenham made only two ruris fewer, and captured six Old Boys wickets for 94. There were some extraordinary events at Elmwood Park, where Old Collegians failed dismally in scoring 64; but St Albans lost six for 23 before a recovery began. It was led by the spin bowler, Stephen Boock, who exceeded all batting expectations and set a personal record with his 76.

This was the day’s top score. The Sydenham captain, Keith Thomson, showed all his old aptitude for thrashing poor bowling in scoring 70 and putting Sydenham into a strong position. John Ruston continued his fine form for Riccarton with another halfcentury and then Paul Hammant gave Riccarton one of its most satisfactory days I for a long time, taking five I wickets as the highly-rated I Park side went into retreat.

John Mitchell scored a brisk half-century for Burn-side-West and the indefatigable Gary Hooper picked up five wickets for East-Shirley. Scores. — Old Collegians 64 and 42/2; St Albans 153/8 dec. Riccarton 199/4 dec; Lancaster Park 123/9. Bumside-West 227/9 dec; East Shirley 88 and 8/0. Sydenham 225/9 dec; Old Boys 94/6. BOWLERS' DAY I After the high scoring of the previous match it was unexpectedly a day for the bowlers at Elmwood Park and the first 16 wickets fell [for a mere 97 runs. Old Col-' legians were dismissed for 64 and then St Albans lost the first six wickets for 23 on a pitch from which the ball seamed and lifted ■ sharply. The scoring rate was ! understandably slow and although the bowling was | sharp much of the batting : was poor. Geoff Smith sent Old Coli legians into bat and the first > wicket fell in the third over ‘but the batting struggled to [3B before the next wicket foil.' From then on it was | almost a procession with I none of the batsmen looking j confident. Les Watson was the main [ destroyer, bowling his meIdium pacers with accuracy :and taking full advantage of ' the conditions. Neil Francis (was no less accurate and ■ conceded runs in miserly ■ fashion. The St Albans' batting, in I turn was soon in difficulties against Lindsay Forde and dohn Lovell-Smith who both bowled almost as well as the St Albans openers but the ■pressure was not maintained and from six for 23 the side recovered to add 60 before I the next wicket fell. Mark Burtt batted sensibly , for St Albans but the highest scorer of the day was j Sieve Boock whose innings of 76, his highest in senior cricket, made up in enthusiasm what it lacked in subtlety. -•fry

The match was enlivened at the end by a sprightly innings of 30 from Paul McEwan scored in 10 minutes which included two sixes and three fours. FINE PARTNERSHIP

Sydenham’s hopes of winning the toss and keeping the bowling Hadlee brothers out of action for most of the day — they will be playing for Canterbury next Saturday — were confounded; but the pennant holder still ended the day in a strong position. The first shock was the dismissal of John Larter from the first ball of the morning. But two good partnerships put Sydenham in control. Bill Thomson, with a minute back-lift but strong forearms, had Derek Burrell with him while 85 runs were added. Thomson looked vulnerable but kept hitting the ball through the gaps. Burrell batted steadily and well. Then Keith Thomson and George Carnoustos were associated in a stand which realised 119 in 89 minutes. Thomson was as assertive as ever if the bowling line and length were not utterly demanding. He hit three sixes within a few minutes from Martin Hadlee and batted with a crisp authority. Carnoustos, a young batsman of much promise, brought off some delightfully strong and .stylish strokes.

Dayle Hadlee, although unwell, bowled . with great heart in two 10-over spells. He alone was capable of making regular demands on the batsmen. Richafo Hadlee, suffering it seemed from a loss of rhythm, was erratic and he was no-balled 10 times in his first six overs. Old Boys then struggled

against tiie penetrating bowling of the left-hander, lan Wilson, whose ability to move the ball and get occasional lift was admirable. lan Morrison fought hard, an in-form Cran Bull looked likely to save his side but Sydenham must have been well satisfied with its day’s work. PARK STRUGGLING

Riccarton, on top throughout with its batting and bowling, had played itself into a commanding position at stumps against Lancaster Park on Hagley Oval. On an easy-paced pitch John Ruston and David Stead gave Riccarton a useful start of 47. Their good work was continued by Tim Murdoch, who added 62 in partnership with Ruston. They were both dismissed at the" same score, but Lindsay Thorn and Peter Stubbings were associated in another half-century partnership and Riccarton moved steadily to reach 199 for four before the declaration. Both Ruston and Thom made half-centuries. For the most part both were watchful but they punished the loose ball. Trevor Luke and Keith Hardie won some respect from the batsmen. With the medium-pace Paul Hammant giving his best bowling display this season, Lancaster Park slumped to 28 for four. The side never really recovered although Hardie proved his worth as an all-rounder by top scoring with 35 and there was a vital fifth-wicket partnership of 35 between Mark Johnston and Graham Kench. Hammant had the outstanding figures of five for 38 off 10 overs and there

was some spirited bowling from his medium-pace teammates, Glenn Bateman and Steve McNally. COMMANDING POSITION Burnside-West University has played itself into a commanding position after the first day’s play against EastShirley at Burwood Park. East won the toss and put Burnside into bat and did well to restrict Burnside to only 227 runs. Graeme Pulley, the East captain, after bowling seven economical overs, was forced to retire from bowling as he pulled a muscle in his groin. This put a big burden on the remaining bowlers, especially Gary Hooper who bowled 27 overs, almost half the total bowled. He kept a good line and length for much of his spell but tired noticeably in his last few overs when the Burnside batsmen were able to score freely.

John Mitchell played a very aggressive innings and was most severe on anything pitched short.

In the middle and latter part of the innings John Davies and Kevin Collins batted ably. East’s innings started in its .usual flurry with Peter Coman relishing some loose deliveries from Gerald Cummins.

Unfortunately for East it was very short-lived. After some bad shois and three good catches by John Mitchell, East was soon in trouble and never recovered from this early setback. Only Ray Jones who batted with a maturity beyond his years for 90 minutes, and lan Rule gave the Burnside bowler any problems.