ON THE CRICKET FIELD.

Dominion, Volume 16, Issue 148, 10 March 1923, Page 16

ON THE CRICKET FIELD.

MATCHES AND PLAYERS

(By

NOTES AND NEWS FROM ALL SOURCES

“Burwood.”)

Cricket during the past season did not do so much for the spectators as the spectators did for cricket, writes Colonel Phillip Trevor, in the “Dally Telegraph” (London). No new man startled us either as batsman, bowler, fieldsman, or wicket-keeper. On the other hand we had impressed upon us ithe continued success of the established player, and oven the veterans Hlobljs, Mead, Russell, Woolley, Hendren, Hearne, to name only a few, continued to get runs. Nor were there any youths among the ’chief wicket takers. There was still a dearth of fast bowlers, good, bad, or indifferent; nor was there a slow right-hand offturner of either Dick Attewell or the '“Razor” Smith type. Also the veteran Wilfrid Rhodes easily held his own as a slow left-hander. Technically, however, one department showed a most welcome improvement. We had instance after instance of smarT fielding sides, and though spectators nay their money. to watch batting, they never complain of small scoring which Is caused, mainly by brilliant fielding and catching. 'Undoubtedly the feature of the first-class cricket season was the smart fielding to which we were treated.

At the annual meeting of the Hampshire County Cricket Club at Southampton on January IS), Dr. Pussell Boncraft said that Mr. Sydney Smith, the manager of the last Australian team, had written a book in which he fiercely criticised English cricket, contending that it was out of date and should be brought up more to the level of the times. His answer to Mr. Smith was that cricket had a great tradition, and he thought cricketers of England and the Empire could with confidence trust its management to the M.C.C., who had sr.feguarded the game for 150 years. Mr. Smith apparently considered that it would be better 'if they had something more o* the slap-dasn. style on the lines of “do it and damn the consequences" He seemed to think that when Australian cricketers came over to England that all other cricket should be scrapped and made subservient to them. He did not think members of tho Hampshire . Club were in sympathy with such ideas.

The Wellington selector is a little anxious about his task of getting four teams together for Easter matches at New Plymouth, Palmerston North. Wanganui, and Napier. Members of Senior or junior teams desiring to try awav. are requested to write tAMr. K. H. -‘Tucker. Stewart Dawson’s Buildings, Lambton Quay, Wellington. The Wanganui team will not visit Wellington, as announced, Mr. A. F. Miren, who is assembling a team of veterans to play in Wellington against the colts at Easter, has some place in his eleven vacant.

A pe'culiar position arose in a match between Claremont and North Perth (Western Australia). Keith Hodge, of Claremont, was caught by Harrv Clarke at long-on, but he had travelled over the line to get the ball. Tmmedi- / ately there was a demonstration ,by the onlookers against an out decision. Clarke, with his eye® on the hall, could not say whether the catch was right or wrongs and the umpire was in the same predicament. Booth, of North Perth, who was in the outfield, was appealed to by the umpire, and his fairness in declaring the ball had been . taken outside tho playing area aroused favourable comment. Claremont won by six runs. Booth is a -lad who has just made a start in AV.A.C.A. ranks. Murray’s display _ for 152 in South 'Australia’s second innings was also a delightful one. Naturally a free hitter, he seems to have curbed himself somewhat in this innings, and showed himself a stylish batsman. Murray was in the South Australian team before the war, but it was with the A.I.F. team that ho really made his name. With that team he scored over 1200 runs at an average of 30, and gave some brilliant displays. Recently he has not been able to play ' regularly in the big games, but after this'display the public will be anxious to see much more of him.

Woodfull continues on his extraordinary jun-getting way. AVhat a find he is to Victoria, even with all his unorthodox ways! His 123 and 94 not out in this match brings his record for the season in tho big matches up to 592 runs, at an average of 84. AA'ith his remarkable defence and his increasing power in the making of strokes, coupled with tho experience that he is gaining in big cricket, there Is no telling to what heights this batsman may rise in the near future. Those who have watched him throughout this season have noticed a marked improvement in his methods, and there is no reason why there should not be a still further improvement. He is now scoring his runs nTufc freely than he did only a few weeks ago, and his assortment of strokes is increasing. Woodfull has the enthusiasm for the game, and, given a continuance ot good health, he should continue to bo one of the most prolific scorers in Australia for a long time to come.

“Ho is a find, and full of promise-; in fact, since Jim Mackay, the brilliant Now South AVelsbman. I think he is the absolute best.”—Clem Hill’s opinion of Billy Ponsford, after seeing him make his score of 108 for Victoria against South Australia on the Adehl.de Oval.

If Hutt beat Thorndon in the match commencing to-day, they carry off the championship. Bat thou. Thorndon bout Hutt when they met them Earlier in the sea.'on, by.but 12 runs, scoring 207 and 74 to Hutt’s 155 and 114. Thorndon might do it again, and that opens the way for Petone to again capture the championship. Pe<one have to meet- Y.M.C.A., whom they easily defeated in the middle of the season. They lost nine wickets for 393. Y.M.C.A. being dismissed for 31. and 107. Brice took six wickets for 10 in the nrst innings, and Fiulavson seven for 26 in the second. Last Saturday. Finlayson howled “at his top,” taking 13 wickets for 78 runs against O’d Boys. Dim would have to delve deey’y into tho records of the contest to find an equal for i 1 -> performance. Brice took six for 8* last Saturday. Thus. Y.M.C.A. "Ml meet Petone when their +wo chief howrers are at their best. But cricket itoes not respond to the lew of r.rol°ftl’lt’cs. If’it did. Y.M.C.A. should bent. Petone, having already defeated Wellington, who beat Petone, and Thorndon, who defeated Hutt, the

WELLINGTON COMPETITION

As some misunderstanding exists as to the individual records of teams in tne senior grade competition, tho results of matches, as well as the official “log,” or championship tabic, to date, are given below :—■ Hutt. —Defeated Petone, 134 to 114; defeated Y.M.C.A., 184 to 130; defeated Old Boys, 114 and o—l 70 —17 to 104 and 26; defeated Wellington, 413 to 179 and 175; defeated Midland, 29G to 119 and 118. Won 5, lost 2; total points, 18. Petone. —Defeated Y.M.C.A., 9 —293 In 31 and 107; defeated Thorndon, 250 and 4—109 to 143 and 202; defeated Institute, 209 and o—l 40 —14 to 79 and 140; defeated Olid Boys, 344 to 77 and 114. Won 4, lost 3: total points, 16. Institute. —Defeated Thorndon, 370 to 281; defeated Midland, 218 to 141 and 7 —289; defeated Y.M.C.A., 333 to 180 and 6 —165 . defeated Hutt, 225 to 132 and 131. Won 4. lost 3; total points. 12. Wellington.—Defeated Old Boys, 341 to 269; defeated Petone, 241 and 5—114 to 142; defeated Institute, 231 and 5—32 to 208; defeated Midland, 146 and 3—165 to 138. Won 4, lost 3; total points, .12. Thorndon.—Defeated Midland, 325 to •20* and 5 —126; defeated Hutt, 207 and 74 to 155 and 114 : defeated 'Wellington, 393 to 308. Won 3. lost 4 : total points, 10 Midland.—Defeated Y.M.C.A., 197 to 187; defeated Old Boys, 295 to 161 and 2—118; defeated Petone, 159 and 147 to 123 and 150. Won 3, lost 4; total points, 10. Old Boys.—Defeated Institute, 271 and 3 —68 to .174; defeated Thorndon, 114 and 225 to 67 and 2-—215 ; defeated Y.M.C.A., 254 and 73 to 145 and 7 — 115. Won 3, Jost 4; total points, 9. Y.M.C.A. —Defeated Wellington, 276 and 6 —235 To 23:>; defeated Thorndon, 225 to 140 and 7 —202. Won 2, lost 5; total points, 6. CHAMPIONSHIP TABLE.

Note.- —Outright win, 4 points ; first innings win, 3 points. The contest for tho senior grade championship has lost a good deal of its interest for somo time, owing to the strong lead established by Hutt. Their defeat last Saturday at tne hands of Institute, and Petone’s innings victory over Old Boys have brought the latter team up to within two points of Hutt. The present position of teams is :—Hutt, 16 ; Petone, 14; Institute and 'Wellington, 12; Thorndon and Midland, 10; Old Boys, 9; and Y.M.C.A., 6. The draw for the final round, to commence to-day, is:—Hutt v. Thorndon, Petone v. Y.M.C.A., Institute v. "Wellington, Old Boys v. Midland.

Each team has already met every other team in tho competition, leaving Hutt two points to the> good. Thesis teams were first and second in last year’s competition, Petone finishing with 18 points and Hutt with 13. It seems to us that the Cricket Association Management Committee would •havo been well advised to have waited for the results of last Saturday’s matches, and to have decided upon a final between Hutt and Petone, if their object in having another round was to attract public interest. Certainly, the points gained in the play-off could not count for the championship, but it would havo given an excellent opportunity to pit the two leading teams together, rather than make each team play against a team it has met before in the comuetition. Such a match as Hutt v. Petone, played on the Basin Reserve, would have attracted far more people in the aggregate, than the attendances at the matches in the present draw, which has no significance for the clubs outside tho two leading ones. For example, if Y.M.C.A. beat Petone in the match commencing today, it will still be at the bottom of the’competition table, unless it wins outright, and Old Boys. who are second last, are defeated. ,Jn such circumstances, the teams low down on the list have little inducement to put their best elevens into the field, as to all intents and purposes the season is over for them.

How is this for fast scoring? Out in (vest Australia the other week, a Trotting Association eleven knocked nn tl/’Aisefnl total of 211 for four w’ckefs and sent their opponents, roor’-W'es’E Murchison, to the wickets with 70 minutes left to play. Their opponents tackled the proposition in cheerful style and slashed the bowling to all corners of the ground,- winning with five minutes to snare. In the 65 minutes Nor’-AA T est Murchison wore at tho wickets, 218 runs were scored. A local batsman, G. Burt, with a reputation, leeched in> a torrid centurv in 31 rvuntes. In a first class match in England about 15 years ago, .lesson, the greatest of fast scorers, made 191 in 90 minutes, end A. Allet-son, a Notts batsman, playing against Sussex in 1911, scored 189 in a similar time. During the last 30 minutes this player was at the wickets he added 139 runs to his score.

A couple of unusual bowling feats were recorded in minor matches in Sydney recently. A 21-year-o’d left hander. H. McDonagh, playing for Cleveland Street Young Men’s Club, took all ten wickets in an innings, and v. Howard, one of the oldest members of the Centennial Park Association, performed a similar feat. Tho peculiarity about bis performance was that not one of his victims was bowled, eight b.’inq caught and two stumped, whereas McDonagh bowled e'ght and had two caught. Tho latter’s performance brought his total for the .season up to G 4 wickets at an average cost of 4.2 runs.

IN OTHER CENTRES AUCKLAND In the match at Eden Park between Parnell and Eden, tho former team had compiled 231 runs in the first innings. Eden replied with 165 inns in the first innings and 78 runs for three wickets in the second, Parnell winning by 67 runs on the first innings. Gillespie, 40 not out, ,vas tho principal scorer for Eden.

The match between Ponsonby and North Shore, at North Shore, resulted in a throe-point win for the former, after a collapse in tho second innings for 57 runs. North Shore’s first .innings realised a total of 106 runs (Nield, not out, 25). The second innings of North Shore was better, the total being 151. Dacre played a line innings for 71, Elliott 23, and Bottrill 2). also assisting materially. Ponsonbv’s second innings was a poor display of batting, with a team total of 57, Lucas 21, and Brinsden 23 being tho only batsmen to reach double figures. Scott, with live wickets for 25 runs, and Dacre, three for 21, divided the bowling honours. Grafton met University at Eden Park, the, match resulting in a win for the former team. In the first innings on the previous Saturday University compiled 99 runs and had lest two wickets for 11 to Grafton’s first innings total of 143. University’s second strike realised 195 for seven wickets. Saunders was the principal contributor with 59 runs, and Player was second on tho list with 56 runs. Grafton scored 156 runs in the second innings. The results of tho senior matches were: —

Parnell, first innings, 231 runs and 78 runs for three wickets, v. Eden, first innings 165. Grafton, first innings, 143 runs, v. University, first innings, 99 runs; second innings, 195 runs for seven wickets. Ponsonby, first innings, 233, and second innings, 57 runs, v. North Shore, first innings 106, second innings 151 runs. The best performances were; Batting.—Berridge (Kowhai School), not out, 106; Dacre (North Shore), 71; Saunders (University).s9 ; Player (University), 56; Alcott (Grafton), 53; Gillespie (Eden), not out, 40. Bowling.—Smith (Ponsonby) took ten wickets for 35 runs ; Scott (North Shore), five for 25; Broberg (Ponsonby), three for 20; Dacre (North Shore), three for 21; / Cooper (Eden), three for 25; Garrard (University), three for 45; Mann (Parnell), three for 52; Sneddon (Ponsonby), three for 56. CHRISTCHURCH

At the conclusion of the eighth round of matches in the Christchurch competition last Saturday, the state of the championship table -.as: Linwood. 14; Sydenham and West Christchurch, 11; Riccarton and St. Albans. 8; East Christchurch, 0. On Saturday,- results were:—Linwood, B—2S3, declared (Russell 51, N Jones 48, Head 42). v. East 167 (Flood 59). "West scored 163 and 6—32 (McBeath. three for 14) against Sydenham, 9 —246. declared (Patrick 60, Young 66). Riccarton 147 (Guiney 45) and 5—42 v. St. Albans 84 (Nixon six for 28). SHEFFIELD SHIELD AVERAGES 'Hie Sheffield Shield has been won this season by New South Wales. New South Wales and Victoria each had three wins and a< loss, but the former won on average. Tlie. following are the averages of the most prominent players in the Sheffield Sh eld competition ; —

ENGLISH AVERAGES

__ Tl M S ° e .£ •gj ix. r ** sjS a c cl FTntt 3 2 18 Petono 4 16 tnstitute ...... 4 12 Wellington 4 12 Thorndon : 1 2 10 Midland 1 2 10 OW Rnvs 3 9 Y.M.C.A — 2 6

BATTING. New South Wales. In.N.O. H.S. Rns. Av. Kippax, A Col'ins, H. L. 5 — 197 491. •98.2 6 — 123 376 62.6 Mailev. A ») 0 38* 62 62.0 Hendrv, H. L. o — 146 309 .61.8 Taylor, J. M. o —‘ 159 205 41.0 Andrews, T. J. 6 ] ■ 179 204 40.8 Oldfield, W.... i.) 118 160 32.0 Bardsley, W. 6 1 55* 148 29.6 Macartney, C. 4 — 65 86 21.5 Woodfull, W. Victoria. 8 2 123 514 85.6 Liddicutt, A.... 6 1 71 157 31.4 Hartkopf, A.... 7 — 98 218 31.1 Ryder, ,J 6 — 71 182 30.3 Ransford, V.... 7 1 73 173 28.8 Park, V 6 1 66 120 24.0 Willis, C 6 — 42 120 20.0 Mayne. E S — 40 110 13.7 Ellis, J 6 1 18 48 9.6 Wallace, P. .. 6 2 20 20 7.3 South Australia. Richardson, A. ft 1 155 313 46.1 Richardson, V 8 — 95 290 36.2 Rundle. P. ... 4 — 56 130 32.5 Williams, N... 8 1 53 186 26.5 Rvinill, J 4 1 50* 71 23.6 *Signifies not out. BOWLING. New South Wales. Wkts. Runs. Avge. Everett, S 6 34 5.6 Macartney, 0. 6 85 14.1 Scott, J 10 207 20. 7 Mailey. A 30 657 21.9 Gray, A 7 215 30.7 Liddicutt. A. Victoria. 279 18.6 Carlton, W. .. 6 116 19.3 Ryder, J 8 195 24.3 Wallace ” .. 16 412 25.7 Hartl" \. 15 488 32.5 South Australia. Whittv. W 14 378 26.9 Morton. P. ... 9 326 26.9 Rchardson. A . .. 8 431 53.8 Williams, N... 10 504 56.4

BATTING. j c c 6 2 -g MacLaren ... 9 o *200 408 58.29 Chapman ... 26 Titcinnarsh 27 2 2 183 1290 154 1004 53.75 40.16 Calthorpo ... ‘26 1 136 896 35.84 Maclean ... 22 9 84 416 32.00 Wilkinson ... 25 2 102 694 30.17 Hartley ... 14 5 60 270 30.00 Lowrv 20 I 130 521 27.47 Brand 21 1. 85 429 21.45 Gibson 21 6 ‘58 300 20.00 Hill-Wood ... 23 0 52 414 18.09 Wilfbn ... 23 B 61 361 17.33 Freeman ... 19 6 49 159 12.23 Tvldesley ... 14 2 40 113 7.42 *Not out. BOWLING. Wickets lions. A Wilson 3 17 5.66 Tvldesley 45 557 12.38 Brand 38 593 15.74 Hil-Wood ... 16 266 16.62 77 artlev 15 251 16.73 Gibson ........ 75 1438 19.17 Freeman 74 1444 19.51 G'althcrpo 49 1065 21/73 Chapman 3 89 29.66