ON THE CRICKET FIELD

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 117, 11 February 1926, Page 12

ON THE CRICKET FIELD

JBy

"Burwood.”)

.WHO [WILII TAKE THE SHIELD?,

COLTS KNOCKING AT THE DOOR

!S game of games should be witnessed fct the Basin Reserve next week, when Auckland and Wellington will meet in |the battle to decide which province is to hold the premiership of New Zea-' land cricket for the next twelve months. Auckland, by her defeats of Otago and (Canterbury, is on the box seat at present, being the only province with two [wins to its credit. Wellington defeated Canterbury at the Basin Reserve at the iNew Year, but was badly routed by 'Otago at Dunedin last month. Wellington will, therefore, require to beat Auckland in the match commencing here on Friday week in order to have E say for first honours. Should Wellington succeed in winning, the shield [will be decided on averages, and in (this connection Wellington stands well, iowiug to her sweeping defeat of Canterbury by an innings and 332 runs. Auckland cricket is stronger this season than it has been for several years (past. 'lhis is due to the fact that the northerners are not afraid to give their [young players a try-out in representative matches. Another factor which has [strengthened Auckland’s hand this season is that her veteran players, S. G. Smith and N. C. Sneddon are back in (form, and both are forces to be reckoned with. Smith is the one-time fambus West Indian player, who afterwards Settled in England, and for some years captained the Northamptonshire County [eleven. Having been born in 1881, he Is well on in the veteran stage, but is [Buch an able performer with both bat and ball that he is worth carrying with [the side. In 1920 he ran up the record Bcore of 256 for Auckland against Canterbury at Auckland. In addition to this, he is a clever slow left-hand legbreak bowler, who requires careful [watching on a wicket which gives him the least assistance. His best seasons in England were 1909, when he scored 1091 runs; 1910, 1232; 1913, 1522; 1914, 1373. With the ball in England he took over a hundred wickets each season in 1909, 1912, 1913, and 1914. Sneddon is another fine all-round player who is back at something like his best this season. With such players as C. CDacre, C. Allcott, Garrard, Horspool, [Gillespie, Player, Postles, Wilson, Cooper, Anthony, and Mills to select from, Auckland can be depended upon to field a very strong side. It will not be surprising if Badeley, the colt who did so well for the Auckland touring side here at'the New Year, is found wearing the Auckland colours next .'week. E. A. McLeod, .the present- member of the Wellington representative team, is one of the promising youfig (players Auckland has brought to the front, [What of Wellington? .

Wellington, like Auckland, has never teen stronger on the cricket field than she is to-day. The solid score of 495 which was piled up against Canterbury at the New Year proves that there is nothing wrong with the bathing. The poor display made at Dunedin, however, shows that several alterations could be made which would materially strengthen the side as a team. The weakness of the present [Wellington eleven, is that too many Veteran players are included who, although undeniably capable' batsmen, iare so slow in the field that they give away too many runs. With the inclusion of Brice, McGirr/Hiddleston, Dempster, Badcock and McLeod there can be little argument, but as to the remaining places, there should be a clean sweep in favour of better and more active players. Men who would fill the positions with credit are Lambert and James (Old Boys), D. Patrick [(Midland), A. M. Rollings (University) and E. H. L. Bemau (Wanganui). If this eleyenj was fielded against 'Auckland there would be a good chance pf defeating the northerners, who have been quietly building up their side for some weeks past. In any case, the match, if the weather should prove fine, should provide a stirring battle. Huffs All-round Strength.

ZThe 332 which Hutt ran up against Midland at the Basin Reserve on Saturafternoon was a sterling knock, as the runs were made on a wicket that favoured the bowlers. And the best of it was that the score was by no means confined to one or two players. At least six men had a say. in the compilation of the solid total. Tjttersall, the wicket-keeper, led the way with an attractive 94. This batsman failed to score in either innings in the Blanket Shield match against Otago at Dunedin last month, but on Saturday he proved that he could make runs, and make them well. Included in his total were fourteen fourers, every one of which had plenty of wood behind it. Tattersall was a member 'of the £1913-14 New Zealand team which toured Australia, and on that tour he came second in the batting averages, though he owed his position to three not-out innings out iof five visits to the wickets. :.lle only aggregated 67 runs on that tour, but his average worked out at 83.50. Dan Reese headed the averages, - with 408 for thirteen innings, pnee not out, giving him an average of 34. McGirr demonstrated once again on Saturday what a fast-scoring batsman he is. He treated the Midland bowling with scant respect, hitting 22 off one over from J. Hutchings. In his breezy‘knock for 78, McGirr twice lifted the ball out of the ground. McLeod, Aldersley, Watson, and Nunn all got round about the thirties, and each and all batted confidently. Watson is a hitter, who. rattles on his runs in dou-ble-quick time. One beautiful on-drive went sailing away down Kent Terrace. L. Beard, who came in last, smacked up his. dozen in a few hits. This batsman has qualified for a place a bit higher up in the batting order. Midland sadly missed a slow bowler Who could take advantage of a wicket made to order for a man who could turn the ball. J. Hutchings, who should have been in his element, could not Strike, a length, and his solitary wicket cost S 8 runs. Patrick, for once, was severely punished, 80 runs being hit off him for the one wicket he secured. Bruce;* bowled best of the Midland string; and he kept a good length in securing four, for 55. Baker, the Midland captain, took a turn when his stock bowlers had tired, and did quite well in bagging two for 20. Baker is by no- means a joke as a bowler. McGirr made a mistake in not giving his slow break bowlers a chance to secure a wicket or two in the bad light in the few minutes remaining for play. - The wicket suited bowlers such as Nunn, Aldersley, or Watson, and they might very easily have notched a wickef or two. The Hutt captain elected to. open with Beard and himself, with the result that the two colts, Hester and Clark, played them with confidence', putting on 19 in quick time. It •will be extremely interesting to See whether Midland next Saturday can repeat the performance they put np against Y.M.C.A. last Saturday i Week. (Y.M.C.A, left Midland with

over 300 to get on the second day, and 'the Midlanders made light of the task, running up the record total of 590. It to be remembered that on Saturday next they will have to make the runs against such a varied attack as McGirr, Beard, ATdetsley, Watson, Nunn, and s McLeod. If they get the 314 they require to win it will be a first-rate batting performance. The duel between bat and ball should be well worth watching. Institute Again. The youthful Institute batsmen, who have fallen away somewhat this season, were back amongst the runs again at Kilbirnie Park on Saturday. Dempster and Banks gave the side an excellent start by putting on 110 for the first wicket. Both batsmen played dashing cricket, and they were so well set that they, might have been going yet had Dempster not been run out just after passing his half-century. Some people thought the decision a bad one, but after all the umpire is the man in the best position to see. Banks went on to reach 66 before playing one from Lang on to his wicket. 21. batsman who is fast coming to the front 'is W. Bilby. This player handles his bat dexterously, and has a good variety of scoring strokes. His 75 against Kilbirnie on Saturday was marked by good timing and placing. With Foley, who got 43, he added 119 for the fourth wicket. The veteran J. J. Rodgers is getting runs consistently this season. He was about again in this innings with a bright 28. _ L. Condliffe and Massey _ made a spirited stand for the last wicket, and both were going strongly when stumps were drawn, the score standing at 325 for nine wickets, Massey being 19 and Condliffe 12. Massey is a much better batsman than he is given credit for, and it will not be at all surprising if he comes to light with a long score one of these fine days. Kilbirnie, like most of the senior clubs in Wellington, are sadly deficient in bowlers of class. They have a number of ordinary club bowlers, but it requires a bit more than this to dislodge good batsmen when they get their eyes in. Kilbirnie should try and discover a promising bowler or two in the junior ranks, and promote them. For a promoted junior team Kilbirnie have surprisingly few young players in their senior eleven. They nave been clamouring for years that more encouragement should be given to junior players, and, to be consistent, should practice what they preach

Thorndon Has Another Lapse. Just as everyone was hopeful that Thorndon had'got out of the bog of ineptitude in which the club’s senior eleven has floundered for the past five seasons, comes another distressing relapse, On Saturday the side made one of the feeblest showings ever seen in a senior championship game, being all dismissed for the lilliputian tally of 32. One can, however, sympathise with the hapless Thorndon eleven, who have been striving hard io prove that their team is worthy of senior rank. They were up against the best bowler in the Dominion on a wicket which suited him. The wickets on Saturday, after Friday night’s heavy rain, were made to order for bowlers who could spin the leather, and yet Brice, the Petone captain, was the only man who could take advantage of the rare opportunity. On such a wicket, Australian batsmen would have difficulty in standing up to Brice’s off-breaks. The Thorndon eleven are not Australian batsmen, and thev could not stand up to him. The Thorndon men found him absolutely unplayable, and they fell—for 32. The Petone captain macle the ball "talk” in capturing five wickets for 11 runs. Finlayson kept the other end going, and he was almost as unkind, his tally being four for 21. Thorndon’s cup of tribulation flowed over, as to add to their miseries three men fell l.b.w. Dear, dear, can we never get rid of this meddlesome old gentleman, who keeps bobbing up at most inopportune moments when everyone fondly imagines that he 'is peacefully dozing. Phillips, Kortlang, and L. 'Foley all had l.b.w. opposite their names on Saturday, 'truly, Thorndon s luck was dead out. Phillips must have had some sort of grim satisfaction when he got Cate Lb w. in Petone’s innings. , . , , r Had it not been for. Bncc and M. Nicholls, each of whom reached the half-century, Petone would not have made many. Nicholls has arrived as a batsman. His half-century on Saturday, following his century in the previous match, proves that Rugby is not the only game Nicholls can play. J. Patrick contributed 29, but after him Capstick’s 11 not out was the only double-figure contribution on the side. Phillips and L. Foley bowled best for Thorndon, each taking three wickets at moderate cost. A peculiar feature about this match was that each side had a man short, Warne being absent from. Thorndon, and Sniyrk from Petone. Surely senior clubs can muster a full side for each match If a man cannot attend on either day, he should be dropped for the match. No Back Play.

Had it not been for the fact that Oollins was droped. from an easy chance at second slip in the second over of the match the scoring in the Old Boys-University game at Kelburn Park on Saturday would have been poor indeed. Collins went on to make 92, which included thirteen boundary shots. W. Dustin, a promising colt, who played with the Wellington College eleven last season, shaped well for 24, and Duncan and James also reached the twenties. With Lambert and Fitzmaurice absent, the Old Bovs innings closed for 210. Mackay (four for 40) bowled steadily for ’Varsity, as did Hollings (two for 46). The latter’s figures would have been better had he been supported in the field. Beyrv did tome smart fielding for ’Varsitv at mid-off, running out Roiinldson and Duncan with smart returns. The students, all of whom are in front of the wicket players, could onlytotal 101 in their first innings. The fall of Hollings, who went l.b.w. to Lusk when he had scored 6, seemed to upset the University men, who apparently do not know how to playback. Greig (31) and Levs (2G) were the only pair to reach double figures. Tucker (four for 63), Lusk (three for' 21), and Collins (two for 6) did the bowling for Old Boys. The wicket cut up badly r and shooters were frequent.

Wellington Colts. The Wellington eleven which took the field against Y.M.C.A. on Saturday was a mixture of age and youth. F.xperince was represented-by Wilson and lusty youth by W. Airey and W. Tucker. both of whom were making their first appearance in the senior ranks. Airey, who did exceptionally well with the Nelson College first eleven last season, and has been scoring well in

the junior ranks recently, was bowled bv a good one from Grant before he had scored. Tucker, on the other hand, made quite an auspicious debut as a senior. With the ball he took two wickets for 19, and hit. up 26 not out in pleasing style. He is a tall youth, who bowls a left-handed slow legbreak. and can turn them sharply from leg. His high delivery has a puzzling flight. The Wellington Club is doing good service to the game by. giving these youngsters a chance to win. their spurs. If they pursue this policy it will not be long before the old club will regain a place at the top of the tree.

Y.M.C.A. scored 211 in their first innings. White (46), Grant (35), Westbrook (22), Virtue (27), Browne (24), and H. Murphy (18) all shaped we”, but the remainder of the side could do Tittle against the bowling of Tucker (two for 19), Hiddleston (two for 22), O’Connor (two for 42), and Badcock (two for 59). It was not a wicket for a last bowler, and it was not surprising that Cousins had 52 hit off him for the solitary wicket he secured. Badcock and Hiddleston rattled up 50 in quick time on opening the Wellington innings. Badcock gave a sparkling display, driving powerfully and hooking well. Hiddleston was bowled by White after reaching 26, but Badcock went on to 65 before being caught by H. Murphy off Grant. Tucker shape! confidently for, 26 not out, and promises to develop into quite a useful all-rounder. Wellington had 132 up lor lour wickets when time was called.

Monkhouse is a young player with stacks of aefence, but he is very lazy between the wickets. He should run the first run faster, and also back up better. At present he stands too far back and fast-fooled. He lost Tucker several runs on Saturday through his sluggishness between the wickets.

Grant was the best of the Y.M.C.A. bowlers, securing two for 22. He turned the ball sharply from leg, and commanded respect ail the time. Short Runs.

R.. Blunt, bowling for West Christchurch against Riccarton, on Saturday, took three wickets for 68, his three wickets being secured with successive balls. The "Cricketers’ Annual” contains a report of a club match in England in which Percy Chapman, who visited the Dominion with the M.C.C. team in 1923, scored 183 not out, out of 190 put on by his side. This should be about a record, surely. Word has just reached this office of a heavy-scoring match played at Mata on January 18, between the Mata and Tokomaru Bay yearns. Between 10.30 a.m. and 6 p.ni., 632 runs were scored. Mata scored 199, Steedman reaching 80. Tokomaru Bay went in after lunch, and lost four wickets for 46 runs. G. Oates and W. Oates then got together, and put on 264 for the fifjlp wicket, the former making 121 arid the latter 118. Both retired at the,tea adjournment,- and then Bodmin hit up 79 not out in half an hour, including three sixers and twelve fourers. The innings closed for 433. In addition to all this entertainment, they had lunch and afternoon . tea on tile ground. The Oates brothers belong to one of the most enthusiastic cricketing families in the Dominion. The family could place an eleven in the field themselves, and a very respectable eleven it would be, too.