ON THE CRICKET FIELD

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 46, 18 November 1925, Page 6

ON THE CRICKET FIELD

MATCHES AND PLAYERS

NEWS AND NOTES FROM ALL SOURCES

(By

“Burwood.”)

The West Australian cricket team, now on a tour of the Eastern States, are certainly gaining experience. South /Australia dismissed the Westrahans at Adelaide for 169, and then piled up 612 against them. Arthur Richardson scored 227 of this total. In this batsman, South Australia have a player worthy to rank with any of her giants of the past. This is his third double century in big cricket. He made 280 against MacLaren’s English eleven in 1922-23, and 200 not out against Gilligan’s English team last season/ . A colt named Gunn opened the innings against West Australia, and so well did he bat that 313 runs were on the board before the first wicket fell. This total is the highest scored so far by a pair of opening batsmen for South Australia. The previous biggest first wicket partnership was 2a6 made by Vic. and Arthur Richardson against MacLaren’s English team on the Adelaide Oval in 1922-23. , Gun made 129, proving himself a stylist, with delightiul wrist work. ’ . • West Australia made 161 in their second innings, and were beaten by an innings and 281 runs, i -J... South Australia placed her full strength in the field against the Westerners. C. Grimmett, the one-time New Zealander, who is a certainty for the Australian team for England, was in great form, securing five wickets in the first innings and five_ for 62 in the second, besides scoring 56 with the bat. Grimmett is the first New Zealander who has ever climbed to . the top of the cricket tree. Arther Fisher, of Otago, was invited to go over to ' Melbourne about twenty years ago with the object of letting the selectors of the Australian team see his ability with the ball and bat. The Dunedin man went over, but something went wrong in Melbourne, and nothing came of the journey across the Tasman. Dan Reese, of Canterbury, played for the Melbourne Club for a season, and also played with the Essex County ■ eleven for a couple of seasons, but he never won the distinction of being selected to play in a test match between Australia and England. Dan Reese was a marine engineer at this time, and his calling took him about the world in ships. He was one of the best all-rounders New Zealand has 1 ever produced, and had he been able to settle down permanently no. doubt he would have won his way into a tilt for the historic “ashes.” He still retains his interest in the game, and at present holds the position of president of the Canterbury Cricket Association. Victoria and New South Wales both treated the West Australian team just as unkindly as did South Australia. New South Wales got rid of the visitors for 194, and then amassed the huge total of 639 against them.' Rock (151), Kippax (118), Macartney (114), Scanes (94), and Collins (86) all helped to widen the experience of the (Westralian bowlers and fieldsmen. These experiences of the West Australian team are interesting in view of the impending toitr of the New Zealand team to Australia. The weakness of the Westralian side according to Australian critics, lies in the want of variety in the attack. The bowlers are too much of the same type. Inveracity, who bowled a good length slow break, was' the most successful of the West Australian bowlers against South Australia.

The New Zealand Team. Will the New Zealand team fare better against the Sheffield Shield States than West Australia has done? The fact that Wellington defeated the Victorian team last season, and that Otago, Canterbury, and Auckland did so well against 'them, raised . hopes that New Zealand had at last risen to first-grade standard on the cricket field. The performance of the New Zealand eleven in the Test matches scarcely bore out this optimistic hope, but viewed generally the performances of New Zealand sides against the Victorian team last season were better than had been previously put up against oversea 3 teams from the leading cricketing countries. . The last New Zealand team which toured Australia in the season of 191314 did quite well' Dan Reese, the captain, scored 96 in the first innings, and well over the century in the second innings against South Australia. The New Zealad team which will cross the Tasman this monpi should do better than even the 1913-14 combination did. In Blunt, Dacre, Worker, Gillespie, Oliver, Crawford, A. Alloo, T. C. Lowry, and Patrick, the side possess a string of batsmen, all of whom are capable of making runs against the best of bowling. Alcott, of Auckland, and James, of Wellington, are also quite capable • batsmen, but neither Cunningham nor Mcßeth can be depended upon to stay long against first-class bowling. The brunt of the bowling will be borne by McBeth and Alcott, medium-paced lefthanders, both of whom .have good command over length, and can turn the ball on New Zealand wickets. Cuu- • ningham, of Canterbury, has proved ihimself probably the best bowler in •the Dominion during recent years. He has the heart of a lion, and can keep plugging away for hours against odds. He flights the ball in puzzling fashion, and varies his pace with judgment. / Against Victoria, in the second lest match at Christchurch, he sent down 24 overs for 72 runs and one wicket. In that match, Dickinson bowled 21 overs for 75 runs and two wickets and Mcßeth sent .along 22 overs for 64 runs and one wicket. Ihis is stfiking testimony that the New Zealand trundlers must have been keeping a length, especially as Woodfull scored 150 not out, and Ransford 100 not out. The Victorian reply to New Zealand’s 237 was 349, for four wickets. Alloo will have to serve up the tempting stuff on the tour. In the Test matches against Victoria last season lie bowled two overs for 14 runs at Wellington and eleven overs for <54 runs at Christchurch, without taking a wicket in either innings. Before the tour is over, Blunt will probably have to be called upon to supplv variety. The Christchurch man can send along a good slow leg-break, and Patrick will find him verv helpful when the Australian cracks Ret set on the glass wickets. Dacre is another man who can bowl a useful slow left-hand delivery and he will also have to take his turn at the crease. One would have liked to have seen a slow leg-break specialist of the type of McEwin (Canterbury). Douglas (Otago), or Garrard (Auckland), included. While it is a great pity that such able players as Dickinson, Hiddleston, Dempster, Banks, and Henderson could not make the trip, the team which is going over is quite a respectable aide, and should do well, as long as they do not allow the reputation of the players opposed to them to affect them. Nervousness has been the cause of preventing New Zealand batsmen from showinj? their true worth in the past, but the recent visits of English and Australian team? to these shores should

have done much to assure Dominion players that world-renowned cricketers are not so far 'superior to ordinary mortals after all. The New Zealand Cricket Council are to be congratulated for including Lowry in the team. The man who was good enough to score a century for 7 an English team against New Zealand as Lowry did for Maclaren’s M.C.C. team in 1922-23 is good enough to find, a place on the New Zealand side. For Maclaren’s team, Lowrv scored 54 in the first Test against New Zealand;. in the second 61 and 13, and in the third -130. He captained Cambridge University in 1924, and played for Somerset in county championship matches. As he is a capable wicketkeeper, he should be a valuable player for New Zealand for many years to come. Lowry is at present in Australia.

Local Form Improving. Signs are not wanting that the standard of crickpt is on the up grade in Wellington. It is apparent that selectors are insisting upon regular attendance at the practice nets, with a corresponding improvement in form. The Hutt Club has made a distinct forward move in appointing L. T. Cobcroft as coach. The veteran New South Wales and Canterbury and New Zealand captain was a sound bastman in his day, and there are not many points about the game which he does not know. He should be able to bring the Hutt colts along in batting, and also show them how to get rid of batsmen on good wickets by varying pace and flight. That local form is improving. was clearly apparent from the consistent scoring which was done in senior championship games last Saturday. Institute led the way by piling up the great score of 475 for five wickets against Wellington at Kelburn Park. There was a touch of grim humour about this innings. Last season many followers of the game and a few officials declared that Badcock’s bowling had won the championship for Institute. “Place Badcock in any team in the competition,” they said, “and that team will carry off the premiership.” Well, Institute were called upon to tace Badcock on Saturday 1 afternoon, and their reply to this fallacious argument was 475 for five wickets. J. E. Banks . was the hero of the afternoon with a remarkable innings of 260. Considering that the runs were made against such bowlers as Badcocn, Craig, Hiddleston, and Maxwell, the innings must be ranked as one of the greatest ever played in senior championship matches in Wellington. Fate was kind to the diminutive Institute man, as he gave the simplest of chances to Whitwell at short square-leg when 50, and also gave three or four more catches in hia long innings, which should have been taken. It was, however, a sound and brilliant display which Banks gave. In all, he hit two sixers and forty-six fourers during his four hours’ stay at the crease. His timing was excellent, and his wristwork pretty to watch. Banks went Home about three years ago, and had the benefit of coaching from eminent professionals in England, and the sound seed then sown is now bearing fruit. Foley is- another Institute all-rounder who is fast coming into the very front rank. He helped Banks to put on 267 for the third wicket on Saturday, Foley’s share being 87. As he is a capable left-hand bowler, he should get a place in the representative team this season.

Bell followed up liis 87 against Midland with a sound 40 against Welling-, ton. He has plenty of defence, and when he cultivates a few more seoiing shots will be a dangerous batsman. J. J. Rogers, captain of the Institute team, had to stand down on account of an injured finger, and Bilby was promoted from junior ranks to fill the gap He seized the opportunity by scoring 36 not out in pleasing style, and Owen also did well in notching 14 not out.

These Institute lads can bat all right, and it is just as well for Wellington that this match has not to be played to a finish.

The Wellington bowlers had their averages badly damaged. Badcock had to be content with three for 145; Maxwell, with one for 69; Hiddleston with one for 61; and Craig with none for 115. The Wellington fielding was poor, several chances being dropped, and the ground work was slovenly. There should be n>> place in the senior eleven for’ men who cannot field. Bad fielding was responsible for this colossal score against the Wellington side. Nothing is so heart-breaking, to bowlers who are pegging away at -good batsmen on billiard-table wickets as to see the simplest of catches dropped, and ground shots passing between the fieldsmen’s legs. x Hutt Batsmen in Form.

Some great battles will be fought this season before the 1925-26 championship is decided. A team which will make a spirited bid will be Hutt, who have a strong well-balanced side, the majority of whom have struck form early. The Thorndon bowlers and fieldsmen had a tough job digging the Hutt eleven out on Saturday. It was not until 336 runs were on the board that they accomplished their task. ■ McGirr, the Hutt captain, has regained thfe batting form he temporarily lost for a time last season. He hit up 60 in sparkling fashion against Thorndon, figuring in his bright display. The man who swung the long handle to most purpose, however, was H. Watson, who delighted the spectators with a breezy exhibition of clean, hard hitting. Four sixers and nine fourers appeared on the score sheet in his. 64, wnich were made in double-quick time. I-I. Nunn once again proved what a useful all-round player he is by running up 76, which included fifteen boundary shots. There was that concert between hand and eye which denotes true form throughout his stay at the crease. Shannahan, Aldersley, Neazor, and Beard all got a few, and proved that the Hutt side has to be dug out to the very last man. Beard and Shannahan added 19 fo r the last wicket. Edgar Phillips has taken up the mantle of bowler this season. He was battered about e good deal during the dozen overs he sent down, off which 77 runs were hit, but he secured five wickets. Carruthers, with two for 39, off twelve overs, did next best. Hyder, the Thorndon captain, started off well py bowling Aldersley and Tattersall by the time 19 runs were on the slate, but here his success ended. He seemed to lose his pace, and ended up with two for 77 off fifteen overs. Thorndon will have to bat well in order to escape an innings defeat next Saturday. With Beard, McGirr, Aldersley, Nunn, and Watson to call upon, Hutt has a strong bowling string. E. McLeod, the exAuckland and New Zealand player, made a first appearance for Hutt in this match, and scored 42 in finished style. McLeod can also bowl a good slow leg-break and will still further strengthen the Hutt attack,

Even Scoring by Petone. Though Petone only managed to reach 235 against Midland on the Petone Oval on Saturday, the scoring was very even, only three men failing to reach double figures. J- Pat “ led the way with a spirited 48, which included some sparkling shots past the covers. W. S. Brice, H, E. Nicholls, and A. Hamilton all got into the thirties, and B. Harris and Hardy both ran past 20. . , A. Finlavson resumed his place in the team, ’and had made 16 when D. Patrick got a good one past him.. M. Dind assisted bv two l.b.w. decisions, came’ out with the best bowling figures, three for 32, J. Hutchings (two for 28), D. Patrick (two for 34), E. Judd (two tor 50), and A. C everley (one for 35), all bowled steadily. The Midland fielding was good, six catches being taken, three of which were gathered in "by Doneghue. ■ W. A. Baker, the Midland captain, resumed command of the team in this match. It will be interesting to see- whether Midland can get the 236 they require to win against the bowling of Brice Finlayson, and Smvrke next Saturday. Old cricketers have a saving that it is better to have 200 runs on the slate than to have to get them. The Promoted Teams.

The spectators at the Basin Reserve had the pleasure on Saturday of seeing both the promoted junior teams, Kilbirnie and University, in action. Kilbirnie did well to get nd of Old Boys for the modest total of 228. D. C. Collins, who was making a first appearance this season, top-scored with an even half-century. With A. Ronaldson, he put on 94 for the first wicket. ColHns hit a sixer and six fourers in his bright display. Ronaldson infused some life into his 44, and Ken Tucker, who is batting very soundly this season, reached 40. The next highest score was Fitzmaurice’s 25. The Kilbirnie bowling was steady. W. and V. Christopherson, Armstrong, and Marris all sending down some very good overs. The fielding was keen and smart. W. Christopherson is a serviceable all-rounder. He followed up his three wickets for 47 by making 42 with the bat in confident style. He would have been wiser if he had steadied down as time was approaching, in order to resume his innings on a good wicket and in a good light next Saturday. He was caught and bowled by Blundell just on call of time. Kilbirnie lost three wickets for 67, and will require to make 162 to win. This should not be beyond them. / Y.M.C.A. are an improved team this season. The presence of A. Grant has strengthened them all round. They occupied the crease for the whole of the afternoon against University, running up the solid score of 320 for nine wickets. H. Murphy showed a return to form by hitting up 83 in spirited fashion, finding the boundary eleven times with well-timed strokes. A. Grant (63), H. R. White (52). C. Murphy (36), J. Lamason (26), and E. Haughey (23 not out) all kept the 'scorers busy. Westbrook, Henderson, and Almao were the only batsmen who failed to run into double figures. M. Henderson, who was in such good form last season, has failed to get going' with either bat or ball this season. He was stumped by Mackenzie off Wilson before he had scored on Saturday.

Rollings, Mackay, Greig, Wilson and Nelson bore the brunt of the attack for ’Varsity, and all met with success. This total will test the batting strength of the ’Varsity side next Saturday, particularly with bowlers like Henderson, White, Grant, and Haughey to face.

University have some good junior Movers to draw noon, as their iunior B team ran up 310 avainst Wellington at Kelburn Park on Saturday, Wilson playing a dashing innings for 147.