Dempsey the latest crowd-pleaser

Press, 24 January 1981, Page 22

Dempsey the latest crowd-pleaser

Bv

R. T. BRITTENDEN

David Dempsey’s century before lunch against Otago on Sunday was the first time the feat had been accomplished in New Zealand for eight years. It gave Dempsey another bright square in the chequered coat he has worn this season. His century in this match, hard on the heels of his whirlwind hundred against Wellington, has done more than give Canterbury rich and ready runs. It has given the cricket public another exciting figure — such as Peter Coman was, and Paul McEwan just a summer ago. This stature has been reached, incredibly, in little more than a fortnight. Dempsey first played for Canterbury late in the season last summer, and his main feat was a brisk century against Otago. An exciting batsman it was said, but vulnerable. So to this season, and the comment still held good. In club matches Dempsey opened for Lan-

caster Park with Tony Collins, and while they w.ere in, the runs were always coming at express speed. But Dempsey’s club average of 28 when the Shell series began offered no hint of what was to come. Nor did his run of dismal failures in the first three Trophv matches — 2, 10, 15. 0,4, 4. But there was some sunlight at Seddon Park where in the Cup match Dempsey hit an almost

perfectly-compiled century and he was a dominant figure in the Cup match at Timaru. Then this flush of form was carried into the major matches as Dempsey went into two of the most attractive and exciting innings seen for years. But what does the man himself think of this rags to riches story? "A major factor was that two or three times we batted second after being in the field for five

hours," he said. “I find it very hard to concentrate after that — so there was a lazy shot or. two outside off stump, and it was all over. When I am tired, my ability to concentrate might not be the best. But getting a start has given me confidence. "When you are out of the runs, there is a tendency to start looking for them and playing at anything to try to hit yourself into form. Now I feel

m*ch more confident, with the feeling that the runs will come.” Dempsey felt captaincy of his chib team affected his batting too. ‘‘You do a lot of thinking for others. Here again my lack of sustained concentration tells.” Dempsey felt he was lucky to be playing for Canterbury this season. He had never given any thought to progressing further in the game than that. Now? “Well, it would be nice to go a bit further — you never know, I might get a go some time in a one-day game.” A man of cricketing parts. Dempsey has bowled a lot, kept wickets, opened the innings, and fielded well. He thinks his visit to England in 1976 did him good. He played for Brondesbury and the Middlesex second eleven, starting at nine in the county order, finishing at 4, and with an average of 40, finding second place in the list. Roland Butcher and John Emburey, two current England players, were in the side. "England opens your eyes,” he said. “We are not inferior here, in our youth cricket. The difference is that they get a lot metre cricket, a lot more chances when they are young.” Only 27, Dempsey has had 10 years of senior cricket, and recent success has served to increase his considerable enthusiasm for the game. At Christchurch Boys’ High School he was in the same team as Richard Hadlee and John CJder. He had three

years in the first eleven and opened in the last year or so. He has played Southern League soccer for Western and Christchurch City and he still likes training. A sales representative, he is one of a “pack” of sportsmen, some recentlyretired rugby players, who

have Bkm runs each lunch hour. He has been needing fitness, with such a demanding cricket season as the present one. Dempsey, however, has now established himself firmly as an exciting, productive batsman — and an especial attraction for spectators.