CRICKET.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 449, 6 March 1909, Page 12

CRICKET.

A somewhat bumpy wicket was tho only factor that tended to reliovo tho monotony of the contest betv/een Newtown and Waiwetu on tho Wellington College ground. Tho bump worried the batemen and annoyed the bowlers, for tho man on tho creaso Vid not know exactly where to expect the'ball,' and tho bowler felt certain that if a. ball beat tho player it would also fly over tho stumps. Both teams may bo classed as medium, though there is talent in each, that is certainly abovo the average. ■ . Perhaps tho best displays with the bat Tere those which the Laws-Schmoll partnership afforded in Newtown , e innings. Schmoll hit out vigorously, till with his score at 41 he went out l.b.w. to Matthews. Laws, whose off-driv-ing was quite a feature of tho play, was going hot and strong when he drove a . delivery from Rodgers back into the bowler's hands.

Waiwctu fared no better, rather a little worso. Wilson' showed his usual form for 37, and Jndd came to light with 30. Rodgers, fresh from representative cricket, appeared to bo tired by bowling. Before ho got fairly nnder way, a rattle amongst the timber announced that ho had met his doom by a half-yorkor from the hand of Laws.

, Batting never roso abovo tho standard acknowledged in Wellington as "club," and bowling roinained at tho same level.

Itodgers was not quite up to form, and Matthews, of tbo rest, was 'tho brightest light, though a light that flickered at times and at others failed.

Keys, for Newtown, occasionally proved a\ sourco of worry. Ho got his length alright, but tho batsmen were not quite so successful in the judging. , Tho less said about the fielding the better, for "least said, soonest mended." A pity tho fielding cannot bo mended. One or two glimmers of light shone through tho gloom of mediocrity. Claridgo's two catches for Newtown boing among them. Why is Wilson placed in tho outfield? Granted ho is tho surest catch Waiwetu possesses, would he not bo better in a position whoro thoro is less chasing? At tho Athlotic Park last Saturday, one of tho most interesting junior games of the season was concluded, when Victoria College went down to Wadestoirn. Wadcstown wcto in a bad way—a very bad way—when IWles went in to bat. Bowles lend? tlio Wadestown batting avoraeo, and hn justified his position. It may safely !)."> said that ho pulled the mm —ami a vory hot ono it was—out of tho fire for his team. His batting performance w,-,s well backed up by Collott when Victoria College went in for the second time. Miller m slashing stylo, caused tho pulse of Collece to quicken for a short spell, but his riid eamo soon, and stumps were drawn with tt'adestown victorious. , Lord Chelmsfoi'd, tho newly-appointed Governor of Nc.v South Wales, aiid-nt present Governor of Queensland, js a first-class cricketer, having performed with distinction for Oxford University nrd Middlesex ns the Hon. F. J. J{. Thcsiggor.

Tho Selection Committee for the Australian team in England, Messrs. Noble, M'Alister, ond S. E. Gregory, am thoroughly seasoned players, ; in wiioso collective judgment Australian crickoters place overy confidence.

E. Humphreys, tho Kent professional who acted as cricket coach to the Canterbury Association this season, was a passenger for England by tho lonic. His batting figures in senior championship matches were: 32, 100 (not out), 12, 5, 91, 119, and 44, an avorago of 67 runs per innings. Iu all, ho sent down 161 overs for 338 runs and 28 wickets, an averago of 12.7 per wicket. Ho has intimated that ho would he willing to accept rc-engage-inent next season. It was rumoured on Saturday that it was probable a protest would bo lodged by the Phoenix Club in tho event of their senior team being defeated by Midland next Saturday. The ground for the possible appeal is that Kinvig, who was ono of tho Midland side, had resided in tho district ono day lf*ss than the period of a month as required by the rules. , Witty, whose selection as a member of the Australian XI occasioned so much surprise, has taken 14 wickets in first-class cricket for 708 runs, tho avorago cost per wicket being 50.27. For New South Wales ho secured 3 for 145 against Queensland; for South Austarlia 8 for 416 against New South Wales and Victoria, and for the Rest of Australia 3 for 123.' Despite tho obvious talo of these figures, says tho Sydney "Referee," Whitty, being a wiry, tall, and active young left-handed bowler, with good natural ability, he may be expected to do good work in England. Tho measure of his success will depend in his powers of perception, for he is at preecnt.handicry.jped by having had experionco in very little' first-class cricket. Referring to tho proposed triangular scheme tho editor of Wisden for 1909 says :— It seemed to me quite a mistaken policy to force tho Australians into the tournament against their will. Having come to England at regular intervals since 1878, the Australians had tho first claim to consideration, and I, am strongly of opinion that nothing should have been done in tho way of arranging details until their consent to take part in the tournament had been received. From tho first they held the key,to the situation. They have boon accused of acting in an unsportsmanlike manner, but I cannot see that they exceeded their rights in asking that before they metthe South Africans in England, the South Africans should pay a rait to Australia.- ;

I Thus "Not Out" in the Sydney "Referee": —Gehrs or Hopkins may or not bo better cricketers that M'Alister—they have yet to prove they are better on Australian wickets, and it remains to be seen How M'Alistor compares with them on English wickets. The incidents arising out of tho selecton of the Australian team are, I feel 6ure, just as repugnant to M'Alister as to anyone else. Tho enemies of the Board of Control have moved ' in everv direction to discount that body, but it would bo very easy to shatter them by recounting a. few incidents from history. In my opinion, it has more than ever become 'essential that a cricketer of the stamp of tho Victorian captain should go to England with this team, since so many of the other leading players have at different times acted with strong antagonism to tho Board of Control. Seeing tho local association have under consideration a proposal to engage a coach next season, some remarks made by Humphreys (who acted'as coach for the Canterbury Association) prior to leaving for Home will bo read with .interest. It was, he said, no uncommon thing in some places where ho had seen cricket coaches employed, to find a woeful lack •of interest on the part of young players for whoso benefit the coach was provided. But it was not so at Christchurch. The players who had been allotted to the different nets had turned up almost to a a boy—and their enthusiastic desiro .to improve their , play had been an incentive to him to bring them on, and had made his labour ;a.real pleasure Ho never .Wished to,'.teach a; more responsivo lot of young fellows, and with a.genuine ring of pleasure ho said ho never wished to play with a finer lot of fellows than he had played cricket with in Christchurch; Upon , being reminded that his efforts had raised tho Linwood team, with which he played, from tho bottom to the top of the tree, Humphreys oxpressed the opinion that it was as much tho moral effect of having a player with a reputation on the sido, as tliat player's actual performances, that was responsible for Linwood's improvement.

M. A. Noblo is going to England as captain for the first timo, better equipped than Darling was in 1905, remarks the Sydney "Referee." He has a more powerful side, the selectors having shown far sounder judgment than their predecessors in getting together the bowling talent likely, to succeed on English wickets. Tho variety in the attack out-classes that of the last team; on that tliere cannot bo two reasonablo opinions. It is left for the 1909. 'by the exercise of tact and judgmelTc, to win the confidonce and loyalty of his comrades, and to beat England. At his best Noblo is a great captain; when he is keen and alert, there is no better captain in tho country. If ho has not regularly been at his best within the last year or two, it is not .too much to hope that in England ho will bo at his bost all the time with tho impulse arising from a struggle to retain "tho ashes" he and his honchmon won back from England two years ago. M'Aliater as vice-captain is the right selection.

In Kiuvig, who hails from the south, Midland have secured a sterling all-round young player. His display on Saturday was not excoUod by any of his now colleagues. Besides showing that ho is a trundler of no moan'ability, Kiuvig mado top score for his side by careful strokes, and proved himself to bo a capable fieldsman. Ono of the spectators voiced tho opinion of all the onlookers when ho remarked: "I should like to seo him on the Basin."

. Of tho various miserable exhibitions of fielding which- Phoenix have given this season nono has been morp execrablo than their showing in this department on Saturday. An instance of how unreliablo it ' was is afforded when it is stated that Mitchell was let off no less than four times in a couple of overs.' It is estimated that over a score of chances were missed during tho afternoon. Bruco was in a peculiar mood on Saturday afternoon. Only when ho was called upon to take striko did he display his wonted energy. Anyhow, that was what his partner, Wynyard, appeared to think: Wynyard mado a stroke which should havo produced a run, but when ho looked up there was Bruco comfortably propped against his bat, and seemingly devoid of any desiro to stretch his limbs. Wynyard's views on tho subject became more intense when the ucxt ball knocked down his wicket.

Sovornl of the decisions in tho match between Midland and Phoenix caused a great deal of surprise. When Lambert returned from tho wickets,, ho was unable to say how ho had been dismissed. A majority of the spectators thought that ho had been run put. It was ascertained at tho conclusion of tho innings that ho was caught. When M'Mahon was given out stumped, although •tho bails wore not displaced, there- was a general outcry. Later on Wilkinson was tho victim of an exceedingly doubtful decision. Ho brought down his bat hard—a couple of inches away from tho ball (so it is alleged) —but an appeal for caught out by "the wickot-koopcr was upheld. Tho batsman was so dumbfounded that ho appeared unwilling to leave the creaso for an appreciable period.

ffir Tns Breaker.) BEST BATTING AVERAGES. Following aro tho leading, batting averages to date:— • -p 15 oi co 3 8 to to .a ° Si a g H il fiw -3 <i Tucker (O.B.) 7 0 101 333 54.7 Mahoney (Woll.) ... 9 2 117 333 47.5 Payno (Gas Co.) ... 5 2 59 129 43.0 Brice (Pet.) ... 10 0 106 370 41.1 J. P. Blacklocfc (O.B.) 7 0 82 231 33.0 Bruce (Mid.) 11 2 76 290 32.2 M'Gill (O.B.) 6 \ 77 ICO 32.0 Monaghan (O.B.) ... 7 .0 119 215 30.7 C. Hickson (Mid.) ... 10 2 75' 231 l&S Richardson (Well.) ... G 1 82" 113 28.6 Hodgo (Gas Co.) ...6 2. 35" 112 28.0 Ashbolt (Gas Co.) ... 3 0 51 83 27.6 5. Hickson (Well.) ... 7 0 63 193 27.5 W. Wighton (Mid.) ... 3 2 15* 27 27.0 Hawthorne (Gas Co.) ... 7 0 71 168 23.8 Naughton (Well.) ... 9 1' 58 211 26.3 Laws (New.) 11 0 GO 203 25.7 Waugh (Gas Co.) ... 7 2 38 127 . 25,1 Topp (Gas Co.) 7 1 49 145 24.1 Midlano (Y.M.C.A.) ... 9 0 86 195 21.6 Isherwood (Pet.) ... 10 0 .106 212 21.2 Quinn (Well.) 8 2 30 127 21.1 Goldfinch (O.B.) ... 2 0 25 .42. 21.0 Roberts 5 0 34 101 20.8 Kinvig (Mid.) ... ... 1 0 -20 20 20.0 Dredge (Gas Co.) ... 7 0 45 138 19.7 Nunn (Pet.) ... ... 3 1 21" 39 19.5 Gibbes (Phoen.) ... 10 1 59* 175 19.4 Wilson (Wai.) ... ... 10 1 37 170 18.8 Alpo (New.) 12 1 3G 205 18.6 Patrick (Mid.) ... ... 6 1 27 92 18.4 Burton (Phoen.) ... 9 1 57 147 18.3 Becohey (O.B.) ... 8 1 '43 128 18.2 Birch (O.B.) 7 0 47 123 18.2 Taylor (Pet.) 10 3 45» 127 18.1 C. P. Blacklock (O.B.) 8 1 TiO 12G 18.0 M'Mahon (Mid.) ...10 18 18 18.0 .Williams (Mid.) ... 9 0 48 101 17.8 Newbold (Phoen.) ... 2 0 32 34 17.0 little (Phoen.) ... ... 8 0 59 134 16.7 Manson (Hid.) ... ... 10 2 51* 1M 16.7 Eodgers (Wai.) 10 0 39 167 16.7 Wynyard (Mid.) ...12. 0 39 197 16.4 Coboroft (Pet.) ... ... 9 0 G3 143 V 15.S Dixon (Phoen.) 9.0 55 139 15.1 B. ,T. Jacobs (O.B.) ... 2 2 9* 15 15.0 Hales (WelL) 4 2 U 29 14.5 Joyco . (Pet.) 9 0 .29 129 14.31 Dyson (Pet.) 3 0 19 42 14.0 Judd (Wai.) ... ... 9 1 32 110 13.7 Brirke (Gas Co.) ... 2 1 10* 13 13.0 F. Hickey 7 1 29 7P> 12.6 Xucldo (Well.) ... „. 8 2 29* 76 12.6 CHmie (Wai.) 7 1 23 76 12.6 E. Claridgo (New.) ... 8 2 18 7G 12.6 OTarrell (New.) • ....5 1 19 s 50 12.5 Harty (Phoen.) ... ... 2 ' 0 21 25 12.5 Phillips ... ... ... 7 1 31 74 ■ 12.3 ScKmoll (Mid.) 9 0 41 111 12.3 Hull (Gas Co.) ... ... 7 1 2G 73 12.1 Atkinson (i'.M.C.A.)... 9 0 30 108 12.0 G. Day (New.) ... ... 2 0 24 2-4 12.0 PRINCIPAL BOWLING AVERAGES. The principal bowling averages to date are as Under:— ■ ■•§ a « ■'■■:■ 1 ■•■$■%.&■$ Taylor (Pet.) ... ... 7 4 4 17 Monaghan (O.B.) ... ' ;.. 208 25 7 8.0 Maplesden (New.)'... ... 26 3 2 8 6 Patrick (Mid.) ... ... 62 7 3 8.8 Brnco (Mid.) ... ... 49 5 . ' 5 9.8 6. Day (New.) ;y..v; ...10 1 1 10.0 Mason (O.B.) ... ... 281 , 28 7 10.0 Beechey (O.) ... ... 50 5 3 10.0 Miller.(Gas Co.). ... 268 24 8 11.0 Tucker (O.B.) ... ...178 16 5 11.1 Eodgers (Wai.) 480 42 7,vll.4 O'Farrell (New.) ...,., ... 46 i<2 .11.5 Mitchell , (Mid.) : „:•, ... 267 23 1. Hlh Connolly (Pet.) ... ...318 27 ,6 11.7 4'P, e %■*•) ". ' •-<«»• M- '-5 11.8 Hales (Well.) ... ,...171 U 7 12.2 TJpham (Mid.) 237 19 G 12.4 Bnce (Pet.) ... ;.. ...395 31 G 12.7 Jndd (Wai.) 51 ■ '4 : 2 12 7 Herlihy (Y.M.C.A.) ...360' 28» 6 12.8 Coberoft (Pet.) 419 82 5 13.0 Staples (War.) ... ... GG 5 2 13.2 Laws (New.) 359 27 8 13.2 Kinvig (Mid.) ... ... 40" 3 3 13.3 Smyrke (Pet.) ... ... 80 6 ,V 13.3 Bnrko (Gas Co.) 54 4 2 13.5 C. Hickey,(Phoen.) ... 358 26 6 13.7 Quinn (Well.) ... ... 215 15. 4 14.3 Phillips (Y.M.C.A.) ... 1G0 11 5 14.5 G. S. Pringle (Wai.) .,.58 4 2 14.5 S. Hickson (Well.) 160 11 5 14.5 Grimmett (Y.M.C.A.) ... 477 ■ 32 7 14.0 Wilson (Plioen.) 228 15 i 15.1 Ryan (Mid.) 172 11 6 15.6 C. Hickson (Mid.) 192 12 5 16.0 lomax (O.B.) 32 2 1 1G.0 A. Day (New.) 17 1 1 17.0 Hull (Gas Co.) 155 9 5 17.2 Matthews (Wai.) ... ... 172 10 4 17.2 Owens (Y.M.C.A.) 105 6 3 17.5 J!. Hickoy (Phoen.) ... 3G . 2 2 18.0 Gibbes (Phoen.) ... ... 40G 22 G 18.4 Miller (Well.) 225 12 C 18.5 Wangh (Gr.s Co.) 19 ' 1 1 19.0 Nash (Well.) 155 8 4 19.3 Keys (New.) 273 -14 4 19.5 Dyson (Pet.) 20 1 1 20.0 i Note.—Excluding figures fo runcompleted innings in two unfinished series of matches.