ON THE CRICKET FIELD

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 57, 1 December 1923, Page 18

ON THE CRICKET FIELD

MATCHES AND PLAYERS

NEWS AND NOTES FROM ALL SOURCES

-'(By

“Burwood.”)

'Tliorndon could have conveniently changed the bowling in the latter part of YJVI.C.A.’s innings instead of wearing down a good man like Hyder. The latter rocked them in at the commencement, and <= a P tur I ctl l , two ,"' l t okC Ke with deadly straight balls, but ae naturally tired later, and his deliveries made good boundaries for the batsmen. There were other bowlers, good man in the field, E. Phil- ■ lips accounted for some exceeding y sharp returns on Saturday. In rac , , Tliorndon were cautious fields™ oll ’ though the manner in which K. Vox flashed his blade made their task at . times difficulty. Oox was : down quite contentedly to i hat was termed “long range stufl” ™ University as an objective, but Car ■ ruthers intercepted S before the batsman had fulfilled lus intentions. Carruthers, bv the way, was in good form, and his left-handed Jatoh at point from s hot one off Condliffe’s bat, was warmly If H. Murphy carries on as he startea last week he might quite conceivably, he amongst the “best performances to-day. R. Ellerm weathered his way well for Thomdon, and did not seek the boundary for six more, However, his total of 64 included fours, easily the best of the day. . A brilliant 97 by H. McGirr was the outstanding feature of the game between Wellington and Hutt, whwh commenced on. a cood wicket a Hutt eround. Taken on the whole the form 'displayed by the batsmen was good, and although Hutt’s effort pro(faced the respectable total of -4* runs, the fielding generally was an improvement on recent showing. Jacobsen and White were the pick of the leather-hunters. The former brought off a spectacular boundary catch which sent Watson to the pavilion, while the latter gave a similar performative when Aldei’sley sent a shot in Ills, direction at square-leg. Jacobsen was also prominent in the bowling section. McGirr’a was a forceful innings, and it was the hardest of hard luck that robbed 1 him of what could have been described as a well-earned century. The scoring had been a tnfle slow ■until his entry at the fall of the third wicket but there was no cause for complaint thereafter. Breathing freely again after a very narrow shave when his score stood at 6, the Hutt captain treated the bowling with scant respect and made effective use of the leg boundary. He was in his nineties when the last roan joined him, and by singles he brought his score to 96. Apparently McGirr at that juncture was not aware of the nearness of the century, otherwise he would have disregarded the scoring possibilities of the next shot, a short run that only iust got home. He stepped) out to meet Napier’s next delivery, but the leather found a home in the hands of the veteran Wilson —a g<xxl catch. The performance was supported by a useful 40 by McKay, 22 from Lockett, IS from Hughes, and 15 from Tattersail. Wellington’s prospects are not particularly bright. They are now one down for 45, and their only chance • lies in their ability to pass Hutt’s total to-day. If they succeed it is extreme-—-ly • doubtful whether time will permit of the. home team’s visiting the wickets. On the other hand if the Hutt bowling is good enough, the suburbanites may obtain a four-point verdict. 'A win on the first innings for either side, however, is the nioro likely conclusion. An improving young batsman is Lockett, of the Hutt Club, who gave a good display against Wellington last Saturday, and thoroughly earned his inclusion in the colts’ practice team. McGirr’s 97 against Wellington on Saturday was flawless, but for a hard drive which touched the hands of the bowler. Napier, following a “sixer” off the same bowler. McGirr says he has been credited by a report on the match as having “patted” the ball back to the bowler. “The stroke registered a boundary, and! was more of a /‘Mick’ than a Tat,’ ” remarked the Hutt skinner. MoKav. another Hutt batsman ,or promise, showed good form in getting 46. He mistimed an effort to hit a “half-pitcher” from t.-.arrfs, and fell to a nice catch at cover. , . Wellington’s bowling, excepting that of Hiddleston and Good, lacked! sting on Saturday. Hiddleston maintained a good length, and his bowling figures did not really reflect the quality of his trundling. ' Wellington gave their best fielding exhibition of years against Hutt. Their ground-work was especially fine. Jacobsen and White brought off fine catches on the leg gid o - , “Whv not develop the city’ v. coun- ’’ trv fixture, and have an additional fixture. in which city and country colts would meet?” asks a city player, who has always urged consideration for the cricketer in the country districts. “Junior.”—Tho oldest laws of cricket extant a* those of 1744. and it ir. there stated that the over should consist of four balls. This number was retained until 1889. when it was increased to five. In 1900, it was still further increased to six. In first-class cricket in Australia, the six-ball over was introduced in December, 1887, and the eight-ball over in December,

—A batsman hits the ball to short leg. The wicket-keeper recovers it and throws to the bowler. The ball eludes his erasp and a run is made by the batsman. Was the ball dead? Should the run be counted? Any anBW gpence, a Petone 1 3rd Grade bowler, - took six wickets for 1 run on Saturday last against Railway, who were dismissed for 5 runs. A few weeks ago, there was an animated discussion among a group of cricket officials on the question of reducing the number of first-grade clubs “Which team should we leave out?” asked one. “Institute, said another. One wonders at this point of view. Last year, Institute were fourth in the championship table, leading Old Boys, Midland, Thorndon, and Y.M.C.A. To date this year, they are in the fourth place, equal with YM C A and Wellington, and three points ahead of Old Boys and Thorndon. Moreover, in the present match, they have set Midland the task of ; scoring 338, to got a first-innings vic- ' tory. , , , . I “The atrocious crime of being a young man” the Institute player does £ attempt to palliate or deny, but Is his back to the job of improving play, if possible, at th© expense of a like Wellington end Midland,

who have consistently clung to their faith in players that approach dangerously near to the veteran stage. It may sound harsh to say it, but there are many players in senior cricket in Wellington whose age alone would debar thpm from selection in first, second or third-grade teams m Sydney, where each club has its “veteran” team, below the third-grade, playing in a competition of ite own.

One of the most improved young players in the metropolis this season is T. Nelson, who usually goes in first wicket down for Institute. In the opening match against Hutt, he made 22 not out, and had the misfortune to be “thrown out” in the second innings, without scoring. Since then he has scored 76 against and 50 against Midland. When Institute opened the season with 370 against Midland last year, Nelson’s place in the batting order was ninth. Is this a record for senior grade cricket in New Zealand? All the members of the North Shore (Auckland) Club scored double figures in their match against Eden. All the Eden players, except the w'icket-keeper, were put on to bowl. Petone is not the only centre where turf wickets have been ruined , by misguided municipal endeavour. It is reported that the council workmen ruined the Nelson wicket last year, and that it won’t be any use till next year.

Two Brisbane schoolboys, named Bird and Blakelv. are netting centuries nearlv every match. Bird’s run is 120 not out. 121 not out, 107 not out, and 219 not out; Blakely’s 99, 109, 113 not out. 112 not out. One cannot say what the ages of these boys are. but the Queensland Cricket ■ Association will, no doubt, keep an eye on them.

How the bat triumnhs over the ball In Svdnev these days, may be judged bv comnaring the chief batting ' and bowling performances a fortnight- ago : —Ratting: J. M. Tavlor 253. A. Scanes 133. J. V. Garner 114. A. Ratcliffe 109, W. G. F. Brown 104, C. Targett 96, N. Phillips 90, D. Seddon 87, A. P. Wells 83 not out. A. Dein 70 not'out, H. Rembert 57. H. L. Hendry 57; W. S, Prentice 56. B. L. McCoy 52 not out. M. A. Noble 52. Bowling: J. Randall. five wickets for 75: D. G. C. Wilcocks. five wickets for 116; A, A. Mailev. five wickets for 163. 1 IN OTHER CENTRES Best Auckland performances last Saturday:—Batting: S. G. Smith. 104; H. E. Burton, 103; Scott. 73; Woodroffe. 70: Alcotto, 79 : Dacro, 41 ; Cooper, for Eden, took five wickets for 120 runs. Cricket matches at Dunedin wore again favoured with fine weather on Saturday. In the match between Grange and Albion, the former are> in a strong position, and Carisbrook are in an equally strong position ip their match against Dunedin. Both Dunedin and Albion will have to rise to the occasion to-day to avoid threepoint defeats. The highest score in the senior grade was 40 runs. Among some good scores registered in junior matches on Saturday are two centuries, one of which (109 not out) was scored by Wilson (High School) in a match against Carisbrook. The other was scored in a third grade match between Albion and North-East Valley. Riach (Albion) made 103 not out, and his partner, Caskie. rfiade 97 by powerful strokes. He lost one ball by lifting it into a garden in Cumberland Street. S. G. Sm’th. the ex-English cricketer, showed that he had struck his real form on Saturday last by affording one of the best exhibitions of batting he has given in Auckland, in scoring 104 for Ponsonby. He displayed perfect restraint and sound defence when it was required, but he did not hesitate to punish anything of a loose nature or that was off the wicket. His crisp off-driving was excellent, his timing and placing perfect, and he kept the ball beautifully along the turf. Another good performance was that of Burton, the ex-Wellington representative, who .played a sound innings for 103, a single loss than his clubmate. His was a good exhibition of cricket, and although the innings was not faultless —two chances being given —it was a really fine display. Burton, who was off his game last season, owing, probably, to the strange wickets, is certainly in form this season. ENGLISH AVERAGES Among English first-class averages, the following. registered by players who toured New Zealand, will be interesting :— BATTING.

COUNTRY PLAYERS

A PLEA FOR CONSIDERATION A correspondent at Masterton, signing himself “Graceful,” writes: — “I do not know whether I am within bounds in writing you re Wairarapa cricket. Being a strong supporter of the good old English game, I read your notes with great pleasure, and after carefully digesting "Wellington news, I scan your column for country criticism, but find very little. Cricket in the Wairarapa is going ahead by leaps and bounds. Dr. Uttley, formerly principal of Scots College, who is in cliargo of our very fine High School, is determined to make cricketers of the boys attending same; they are keen, and I can see a very bright future for cricket in the Wairarapa. Cricketers here are very sore over the fact that D. C. Collins should be playing for a Wellington team. They think—and it is quite reasonable —that he should be playing in the Wairarapa, and doing h:s best for Wairarapa cricket. He is a resident of the Lower Valley, and goes to Wellington each week-end. We think he should play here. We have 'some very fine players hero —equal, in our opinion, to any you have in Wellington. I will name them:— “F. Hoar: A bowler that would puzzle the best bats you have in "Wellington ; a real goot bat, and a treat to'watch in the field. “Arthur Hoar: Absolutely the best bat in the Wairarapa; a fair changebowler, a splendid short-field; a player your Wellington bowlers would find hard to dig out; a splendid captain. “Dr. Uttley: One of the best batsmen here; a first-class held; a real good sport; and a first-class captain. “E. Freeman: A splendid bat, a good field; one of tine best workers we have in the game. “Tom Gibbons: A ratling gcod bat; excellent change-bowler, and a firstclass fieldsman. “These are men, I consider, who would justify their inclusion in any Wellington team. “We have other men who, with a little experience, are going to make first-class cricketers. Minifie, Gallon, Whiterod, Beech, Gee, Parker, Watts, “Now, Mr. Tucker, keep your weather-eye open. There are a few, no doubt, who would like to give you their opinion, and perhaps have given it, on Wairarapa cricketers. We would say, come and see. That is the only way you will bo able to judge our men’s abilities.” IN AUSTRALIA GREAT PERFORMANCE BY J. M. TAYLOR Conditions in Sydney on Saturday (the ITTIi) lent themselves to the dominance of the bat. And on all sides the cricket was marlced by batsmen’s mastery or Gio bowlers- As though stung by taunts that batting is not what it used to be, the run-getters gave th® crowd a few treats such as they had not had for several years. Tho outstanding feat on a day of splendid batting was the great 253 by J. M Taylor, the University captain, against, the Premiers, Waverley. From start to finish in a flawloss innings he got to tho bowling, and in. the power, placing, and excellence of his on-side strokes in fiont of the wicket, brought back to mind the glorious cricket <f Victor Trumpet. From extra cover to tho bowler he was also in very good form, but behind the wicket on the off-side he did nothing, and on. the other side very little. If he could have brought strokes into action in those directions ha might have topped the 3GO in the afternoon, and thus have repeated in a measure the feat of the wizard <f all time, who hit up 335 in 2-} hours against Itodfern .one Saturday afterneon.

Taylor made his first hundred in an hour* and 20 minutes, the 200 in two hours 30 minutes, and batted three hours altogether. Ho hit three sixes and thirty-five fours. His brilliancy made the cricket of the opening pair seem dull, it having taken tl em about 35 minutes to make the first 16 runs. M- A. Noble and A. Ratcliffe (who visited New Zealand in 1920; put up a fine partnership, adding 132 for the fourth wicket. For some time they ran neck and neck m their scores, but Ratcliffe gradually forged ahead. Noble was bowled ~by Hooker for 52 (six 4’s), which took 85 minutes. His placing to the on-side was very neat, and his cricket generally excellent. Ratcliffe's off-driving was the feature of h's cricket. Lie played sparkuigly at times, and finished with 109 (twelve 4's) made in 140 minutes. U. C. O’Connor, the Bosey bowler, took seven wickets for 126 for Combined . First Grade (three for 159) against Combined Juniors (337). The match wa.i drawn-

Au extraordinary bowling performance is reported during the progress of country week in Sydney. "When five Northern Rivers wickets had fallen, Hull went on to bowl a second time for Western District. He performedi the “hat trick,” and finished up with five wickets for one run off nine balls. It was a sensational finish. Hull is a left-hand bowler with an easy and apparently simple delivery. In tho second venture, he was given a trial when the score was 50, and he secured three wickets and just missed his second hat trick for the match by an intervening delivery be tween the second and third wicket. From his second trial in tho first innings to his third wickot in the second ho norformed! tho remarkable feat of taking eight wickets for ono run in 13 balls. Though not a record. this performance is very near one. The greatest number of wickets with successive deliveries is eight, and this has lieen accomplished three times —-bv James Walker, for Ashcombe Park v. Timstall, at Staffordshire, in 1882: bv James Stubbing for Frindsburv v. Rainham in Kent, in 1902.; and by Private J. Leake, for 9th Brigade Canadian Expeditionary Forces v. Canadian Army Service Corps, in France in 1917. Leak secured all ten wickets in 12 balls. A lad of 15. W. Clark left-hander, in 1912, at Ashford (Kent), performed the hat triuk three times in the first innings and twice in the second. Can our readers supply any New Zealand records?

bl rt •S *» t/5 c *~1 -5 2; td C£ -4 W. W. Hill-Wood 30 0 116 1082 36.06 7. C. Lowrv 47 3 161 1388 33.58 A. P Chapman . 21 0 122 615 29.28 P. R. Johnson .... 37 1 106 985 27.30 F. G. S. Calthorpe 44 0 S4 1000 22.86 j C. MacLean .. 36 2 131 710 2(1.88 B. S. Hill-Wood 18 2 49 237 14.81 BOWLING. W. R. Avro. A P. Freeman ... 167 2642 16.82 ,T. W. H. T. Doudas 146 3264 22.35 W. W. Hill-Wood .32 812 25.37 F. G. 8. Calthorpe 63 1719 27.28 B. & Hill-Wood ... 22 630 28.63