CRICKET.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2126, 18 April 1914, Page 12

CRICKET.

[By the Bkeakeh.3

AS OTHERS SEE US. Opinion of an Outside Judge, Among tho large crowd of spectators who attended tho match behveen Mr. Dan. Beoso's Canterbury eleven ahd the Wellington representatives at tho Basin Ecservo at Easter were a number of well-known country players, 'fhose inclndcd Chester Holland, v>l WatigO)nui, who played for New 2enl«Ul ngninst the Australians in tbo second test match at Auckland. Aiiflther Wnnganui representative ployer } not unknown to Wellington cricket, wss Sanclers, who has been helping his assceintion.to retain tho Lord Hawk Cup this season. Still another protetoeiit enthusiast in the gamo present at fe match was Mr. W. Gibson, solo selector for tho Poverty Bay Cridrot Association, who was present each day of the match.

Asked to give his impressiens of Wellington crickot, the Gisborne man, who has had a, wido cxperienca of the ganje in New Zealand, having played in representative matches from Inyercargtll right up to Poverty Bay, readily eofisented to do so.

I had no idea that Mr. Gibsan was going to say such flattering: thingSj and, in a way, I am a littlo sorry that he has done so. ■ The compliments which ho pays to the Wellington side are no doubt deserved, but my own experience has boon that compliments playera tend to spoil their form. Howeyerj { know Mr. Gibson to bo a very shrewd judge of the game, and I did uot wish in any way to suggest or interfere with whatever ho might wish to eay. Readers will notice his remarks about cooperation at the finish. 11l these ho has struck a very true iioic isadoed. His other remarks J can oaiy leave to tho judgment of my readers* However, thfcy aro Mr. Gibson's holiest opinion, and they are certainly very pleasant.

The Side as a Shleld-llftsr. Mr. Gibson said that, viewing the allround strength disclosed by fclio Wei* lington men, he was at a loss to understand why the players of tile Empire City had not long ago succeeded fn win* uina tho I'lunket ShieM*

"I last played against Wellington for Hawko's Bay in 1897," he. said, "and that match, at Napier, resulted ma draw very much in favour of Hawke's Bay. The Wellington side w a ? l«d by the late Bob. Blacklock, and included such players as ' Ernie Upham. Sen. Tucker, Waters, Fitzsimmons, Levers, and Frank Ashbolt,

"In the intervening years I hate- had no opportunity of seeing Islington in the field, having been actively engaged in the game myself in the aorth, but I noticed that tho men from Pott Nicholson regularly failed in all efforts to lift the Plnnket Shield, Froni this I arrived at tho conclusion that the game must have gone back in "Wellington. "It, therefore, came as a. complete surprise to me to soo the fiiio all-roifjut form displayed by tho Wellington men in tho recent match against Mr. Baft. Reese's eleven. The warn Which tools tho field against Canterbury in this match was, to my mind, cjutto eispable of defeatinc cither Canterbury or Auck* land, and the worller h- tliat the-yhafo not already brought the shield to rest by the shores of Port Nicholson.

Impressions of our Batting. "The batting was confident and resourceful, and in MidlaHe, -Hiddtestoiie', Grimmo'tt/iM'Girr, and Howe you tekvo a. quintet Which would stiffen atty B.ic]e,. while you have a brilliant tiatiiif.a.l hit". tor in Robinson,twhes is Jttsfc tho stamp of batsman to clout tho best Of boWlcrs off their length. Gibbes aiid firieo aro also capable batsmen, lain informed, while you have a; good voting ! uh coming along in Burton* So shaped very ably on Friday—sound defence, with good scoring strokes sfi round.

Remarks on Southa!!. "Tbo Wellington batvliug was even stronger than its batting. Three of the side could manipulate tba leather with ability. • In Kouthall you. have the best slow bowler at present operating in tho Dominion. He. had the Canterbury men completely Hoiipltissodon Saturday. Whether they attempted to hit him or play him, they were ecjualJy unsuccessful. M& was like tho "Scarlet Pimpernel/' "dem'd elusive," and his fine bowling spUtt, following his sensational performance against tbo Australians, stamps him as a great bowler.

On Robinson. "Eobinson, again, ia ftdnxittedlly tie best fjist bowler in N«w Zealand today. He.has.that extra bit of paco which proves fatal nnk-ss the full faeo of tho blade is kept towards him all tho time. It was a good olio Srhfcfi' dismissed Dari Reese an Monday, vthan tho Canterbury cradk bsfenian was well set. Dan was looking for a hoctkj but the paco of the bait from the pitch completely beat him.

"Robinson is a very fine altrOiinder. His S3 in 14 minutes , ivas an elcctrifyiiid effort with the /bat on Monday. They were not desperation strokes either.- Two crisp foiwani' strokes pastcover, to the feneo wete worthy of Trumper.

"Then Robinson fcas tbfe necessary physique for a great player, and is brilliant in tho field, severing a great deal Of ground and anticipating tho stfo.fcos. The catch with which ho dismissed Daw Reeso at tho extreme cud of tho longon boundary in the first innings, Wiil never be forgotten by tTioso who had tho Rood fortuno to see it.

Compliment to Our Out Cricket '"Tho out-cricket of tie WeiWgton men was really first-dass. JlidlaiiO made a particularly 4no effort when fee snapped Baiu iir> at deep Bquaye-le'g after a sprint of 4'Q yards, tho catch was takeu ivith the right hand low down, while the- fieldsman was travelling, and was stioij a. briUtatit flash that even tho, ranks of Tuscany could scarce forbear to cheer.

"Hiddlestono is another Jifo fie.H, and has a deadly fast return froni'fflfdoff. Ho must have hit tils sticks with this at least foiif times in tho match. Such a fieldsman preraifs the batsmen attempting anything in tho naturo of cheeky running between tho wickets. "Howe was smart and roiiabfe behind the sticks, being alilce, good s.fc stumping and catching, white his taking from'the field was sure.

"All That the Site Needs." "No," said the Poverty Bay selector, "I do not seo any reason why Wellington should not wrest thoßiuikeiSMeM next season. All the ski© wants is a little fighting spirit. They have tho players, And need not four to prevail against any side in tho .Dominion »t the present timo.

"Consolidate Your Fofces! , ' "You should, I cejisider," s-iid Mr. Gibson, "eoiisolidiitG yoaf foreea in Wellington. At tho present tirdfl, 1 ara in* formed, neither the Wednesday players nor tlie suburban cittbs aro affiliated to tho Wellington Association. You should mako an endeavour to bring all tho clubs into <mo strong tontral bbily. Dnity is strength, ami tho federation of tho playing strength of the district \rauld undoubtedly stroHs.thflsi i\n Ramo from ovory point of view. If thin is done, Wollingtoii should ba osio of thn strongest aseocialioiie in Hi" T?q. ■lniuiniou. both.isu and off tho field.".