KEEN CRICKET

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 72, 18 December 1926, Page 12

KEEN CRICKET

COUNTRY AND TOWN REPRESENTA TIVES

CITY SIDE SCORES 340

A SOLID CENTURY TO KORTLANG

In view of the tour to England at the end of this sea

gon, the keenest interest attaches to trial games, and the an--1 nual fixture between Country and Town elevens in the Wei lington province, which opened at the Basin Reserve yester day, is creating much more than usual attention.

The day’s, play was interesting throughout, and the fluctuations' of fortune kept attention alive all the time. The Country forces started off brilliantly by dismissing four of the Town batsmen by the time 44 were on the slate. A great stand by Kortlang and James then saved the day, and added 135 for the fifth wicket. Another useful partnership by Kortlang and Lambert put on 118 for the seventh wicket. The Town total realised 340, of which Kortlang, who' played an in- ! valuable and-chanceless innings, claimed 149 not out.

The Country bowling was steady throughout, and the fielding smart and ' keen. Mitchell, of Napier, who bowls a slow right-hand leg-break, -did excellently in securing five wickets for 110 off 23 overs.. At call of time the ■ Country team had lost Worker and Naismith for 56 runs. The match will be resumed at 11 o’clock this morning, and to-day’s play should be well worth seeing, as with such able batsmen as Orr (w’ho is 38 not out), Dempster, Bernau, and Lowry to come, it is quite possible for the Country side to head 1 the City on the first innings!. A feature of the play was the dash displayed by i the younger: members of the Country team in file field. Dempster raced like , a greyhound in the Country, and. at deep third man, and Lash, Naismith, Mitchell) and Stephenson all cut off many runs. Dernau, on the other hand, could not get down to the ground shots, and vainly tried to stop ground shots with his feet. ‘ ! \ A Disastrous Opening. There was bright Sunshine and a tang in the light southerly when play opened at .11 o’clock. The wicket was firm, and the outfield , fast, arid ; there was consequently joy in the Weii lington camp when W. S. Brice -beat T. C. Lowry for the spin of the coin, and the Town team had first use of the wicket. ' Lowry took the gloves..]. Colts Fail. Play started at 11.5, Hiddleston and Airey opening the innings to the bowl-'' ing of Bernau and Stephenson. Bernau, w'ith the fresh southerly breeze behind him, bowled at a brisk pace. His third ball went to the sight screen for four byes. With 7 runs on, Bernau clean-bowled Airey, who was making a first appearance in representative cricket, with one that swung in across the left-hander’s pads. 7—l—l. Kortlang arrived to see Hiddleston hook Stephenson powerfully to the* fence at square-leg. Hiddleston was poking forward to Stephenson’s slows, and Lowry, the Country captain, shifted Orr from the slips to silly-point. ! The seventh ball of Stephenson’s third over trapped Hiddleston l.b.w. It was . pitched well up, and the batsman ' missed as he attempted to force it to the on. This was an excellent start ' for the Country forces. 16—2—8. Worse was in store for the City team, as Hollitigs, who followed, was ; smartly snapped up behind the wickets by Lowry, off Bernau, before scoring. Bernau had now taken two I wickets for 5 off twenty-eight deliveries, 17—3—0. • McGirr came in next. Stephenson, ‘ the Napier colt, was bowling well against the breeze, tossing his medium i slows well up to the batsmen. Lowry ' had the field well placed,, and runs were hard to get. At the end of . half an hour’s play there were only . 21 runs on ■ the slate. McGirr, after a long spell, opened his account by hooking Stephenson to the boundary ; at mid-on. i After bowling five overs for two i wickets and 5 runs, the Country cap--1 tain replaced Bernau with’Mitchell, the Napier slow leg-brea,k bowler. McGirr got the new bowler’s fifth delivery flukily away to long-leg for four, bring--1 ing 30 in sight. With 38 up, Newman, the Nelson left-hander, relieved I Stephenson, who had taken one for : 19 off five overs. Mitchell was ell 1 the short side, and Kortlang twice tapped him to long-leg for a brace, reaching double figures, after thirtv minutes’ batting. Newman was bowling well, his first two overs' being maidens. He ’ was keeping McGirr i very quiet. After scoring a dozen, 1 McGirr got in front to the last ball of Mitchell's third over, and, missing it, paid the penalty. Things were go- ; ing badly with the City forces. • 44— 4—12. Lowry’s generalship in ringing ' on the ■ changes, and not allowing the batsmen to become accustomed to any particular bowler, was paying -well. A Great Stand. ! James joined Kortlang, who was now ' 14, and the newcomer showed more ’ confidence than any batsman had so far displayed. He got Newman past Bernau at point for a couple, and powerfully , drove the same bowler through the covers to the track, bringing 50 up for an hour’s play. After he had sent down ; three overs for 7 runs, Newman gave J way to Gallichan, the Palmerston North left-hander. Kortlang now sparkled up, , going boldly up the pitch to . Mitchell, and running into the twenties with onside shots. The Country men wet* as 1 keen as mustard in the field, and runs came very slowly for a spell. After sending down six overs for 19 runs and i a wicket, Mitchell gave way to Bernau, Tames getting the second ball away to iong-leg for four. A sweet cut by James beat Mitchell at point, and travelled like a flash to the boundary, i placing the batsman in the • twenties. James continued to bat brightly, his free style showing up to advantage against Kortlang’s dour defence. The pair had now doubled the score, having carried things along from 44 to 88. A j chop by Kortlang to the fence past point was a good stroke. James got three for an off-drive at Gallichan’s expense, i Dempster cutting off the boundary with a | brilliant one-handed pick-up while tra--1 veiling at top speed. A Hundred Up.

Kortlang brought the- first hundred up in 95 minutes by stepping out, and on-driving Gallichan for four, and the same batsman brought up 110 by. getting Stephenson, ' who had. relieved Gallichan (none for 25 off six overs), awav to long-leg ' for four. Stephenson howled well, ’and bad Tames uncomfortable for a time, badly beating him ■with a leg-break, which went very close to the sticks.

At 121,. Newman took the ball from Bernau, and Kortlang got the Nelson bowler away off his legs for three to leg. The pair were still together at the luncheon adjournment, when the board showed 126 up for four wickets, Kortlang being 52 and Janies 39. They had added 82 in ninety minutes. The Country team had accomplished a good morning’s work.

Kingston Retires.

On resuming at 1.48, Lash came out in Kingston’s place, the Taranaki man suffering from a weak back. James continued to bat brightly, making good shots to the off. By banging a couple of over-tossed ones from Stephenson to the fence at mid-on James passed Kortlang’s score, both batsmen being in the sixties. This brought the 150 in sight. At 159, Mitchell relieved Bernau, who had bowled fourteen Overs for two wickets and 43 runs. A sweet late-put by James off the new bowler travelled fast to the fence. At 165, Newman replaced Stephenson, who had taken one for 49 off twelve overs. The wicket had increased in pace under the influence of wind and sun, * and both batsmen were now more at home, the ball coming to the bat better. James made some turns to leg off Newman, and he slammed a full toss from Mitchell to the track at square-leg, placing himself in the eighties. End of a Sterling Innings. This was the’ last stroke in a bright innings, however, as Mitchell bowled him with an offbreak shortly afterwards. James hit eight fourers in his 82, and played confidently throughout. He had helped Kortlang to add 135 for the’ fifth wicket.—l79—s—B2.

Badcock joined Kortlang, who was 63, but the Wellington coach did not relish Newman’s deliveries, being very unhappy to the first over he received from the Nelson man. Pacing Mitchell, Badcock lifted the slow bowler to the boundary at mid-on, and got him to mid-on for a couple, seven coming from the over. Badcock smacked another full toss from NTitcHell to the ropes at extra long-on, bringing 190 up. A period of slow play followed, but eventually Kortlang got Mitchell between mid-on and cover for a couple, reaching the seventies. Mitchell bad bowled very steadily, having sent down thirteen overs for 48 runs and two wickets. Off the first ball of his next over, Badcock hit out, and was well taken bv Lash at long-on, the fieldsman slipping to the ground as he made the catch. 199—6—13. Another Solid Stand. Lambert partnered Kortlang, who was 70, and brought 200 up in 190 minutes by flukily hitting. Mitchell to ' mid-on for a single. Kortlang then banged Mitchell to the on for/ four, and flashed him past cover to the fence. A couple to Kortlang to leg ofi Newman placed him in the eighties, and brought 210 up. He then prettily leg-glided Newman to the fence. A string of singles brought 220 up. Newman had now bowled thirteen overs for 29 runs, a. striking testimony to his length. Kortlang sent another from Mitchell past cover to the fence, and Lambert forced him to the off for three, bringing 230 up. Twelve came from this over. At'232, Stephenson took the ball from Newman,<md at 238 Bernau had a turn in place of Mitchell. Lambert reached double figures by square-cutting Bernau to the fence, bringing 210 in sight. Kortlang Reaches the Century. ?. single to Kortlang made him 99, and a burst of applause went up when he reached his century, by hooking Stephenson to long-leg for four. He had been batting for 207 minutes. Lambert turned Bernau prettily to the long-leg boundary, bringing 250 up, and Kortlang hooked Stephenson to the fence at extra long on. A period of slow playsaw 260 hoisted, and Lambert then banged Mitchell past cover to the fence. He repeated the stroke two balls later, bringing 270 up. At 270 Newman relieved Stephenson, who had bowled fifteen overs for 58 runs and a wicket, and Worker bad a .try,in place of Mitchell. The new bowler was expensive, eleven coming from bis solitary over of slows. The tea adjournment was taken with the board showing 283 for six wickets, Kortlang being 122 and Lambert 32, the pair having added 85 for the seventh wicket. Three Hundred Hoisted. On resuming, Gallichan and Mitchell took up the attack. Both batsmen were freer, and ran the score along at a brisk pace. Kortlang brought off his favourite hook shot frequently, and found the boundary several times at Gallichan’s expense. Lambert was enterprising also, and the 300 soon appeared. Mitchell took the ball from Worker, and off the first ball of Mitchell’s twenty-second over Lambert was well caught by Orr at deep longleg. The retiring batsman had shaped well for his 46, which included half a dozen boundary shots. The partnership had added 118 for the seventh wicket. 317—7—46. Tail Fails to Wag. Brice joined Kortlang, who was 141, and 320 came up, with singles to each batsman. Brice opened out to Gallichan, and found, the long-off boundary, Dempster jumping high in an effort to take a catch. Off the first ball of Mitchell’s twenty-third over, Brice lifted the ball into Worker's safe hands at extra long-on. 327—8 —6. Henderson came next, and the score was taken to 320. Henderson had a short life, as, after scoring a single, he played one to leg, and started off for a run. Bernau fielded smartly and a good return to Lowry saw Henderson run out. 331—9 —1. Beard, the last man, off-drove Mitchell for four, and, facing Gallichan, rattled the ball up against the fence at long-on. The next ball brought Gallichan his first wicket, Beard being clean-bowled, and the innings closed for 340. Kortlang’s Great Innings. Kortlang. who had been at the wickets for 270 minutes, was left not out with 149 to his credit. His innings

unquestionably saved the side. His defence was of the soundest, and he never once looked like getting out. In all he hit thirteen boundaries. The Country bowling, without being dangerous, was steady, and Lowry made the best use of the talent. at his command. Mitchell came out with the best figures, securing five wickets for 109 runs off 23 overs. Bernau bowled exceptionally well for the first few overs, but lost his pace later. Newman was also very steady. Lowry did sound work with tile gloves. Country Team Opens Strongly. The Countrv team started their innings at 5 o’clock, Worker and Orr being the opening pair. Beard opened the bowling to Worker from the town end, five coming from the over. McGirr took up the attack witii the wind. The two Hutt bowlers started off with a good length, and the batsmen began quietly. Tile first ten ' took as many minutes, an equal number of runs coining from each bowler. A beautiful late cut to the ropes off Beard placed Orr in double figures. They were running well between the wickets, and picking up singles daringly. Orr swung McGirr to the ropes at square-leg, bringing 20 up. With 26 up, Badcock took the ball from Beard, but the runs still continued to come slowly but steadily. Orr was showing strength on the on side, and was getting McGirr away past silly mid-on frequently. Thirty came up with both men playing soundly. At 35, Henderson bad a try in place of McGirr, and opened with a maiden to Worker. A couple to Orr off Henderson brought 40 up. In Badcock’s fifth over, Worker, who had reached 14, was snapped up behind the wickets on the leg side bv James. 40— 1-14.

Naismith, the New Plymouth colt, came in to see Orr flash one from Henderson past Brice at second slip to the fence, placing him in the thirties. Badcock had a white ring of four fieldsmen clustered round the batsman’s legs, but Naismith got him awav past cover for a couple. With 46 up, Brice relieved Henderson, and Orr late-cut his first delivery to the fence, bringing 50 up for 58 minutes’ plav The same batsman placed the last ball of the over through the slips for four. Rollings then had a turn at Badcock’s end, and Naismith got him awav to leg for a couple. The sixth ball of the over, however, clean bowled Naismith, and stumps were drawn with two down for 56. Orr, who had batted soundlv, was left not out with 38 to his credit, made in finished style. , TOWN.—First Innings. J. S. Hiddleston, lbw., b. Stephenson 8 W. R. Airey, b. Bernau 1 B. J. Kortlang, not out 149 A. M. Rollings, c. Lowry, b. Bernau 0 H. M. AlcGirr, lbw., b. Mitchell ... 12 K. C. James, b. Mitchell B'2 F. I'. Badcock, c. sub., b. Mitchell 13 H. M. Lambert, c. Orr, b. Mitchell 46 W. S. Brice, c. Worker, b. Mitchell 6 M. Henderson, run out 1 L. Beard, b. Gallichan 8 Extras—Byes 7, leg-byes 4, no-balls- 3 .' 14 Total 340 Fall of wickets: One for 7, two for io, tnree tor i/, tour tor 14, live lor 179, six for. 199, seven for 317, eight for 327, nine for 331, ten for 340. Bowling Analvsis. O. M. R. W.

COUNTRY.—First Innings. R. de R. Worker, c. Janies, b Badcock ;: If G. Orr, not out 38 Naismith, b. Hollings. ’4 Total for two wickets 56 Fall of wickets: One for 40, two for SG. ■ . ... Bowling Analysis. O. M. R. W.

The fololwing will represent Y.M. C. 10-<lay:—Junior A v. Institute, at .Anderson Park: F. Thomas, F. Swain, 11. Thom. C. Hooper, D. Reynolds, W. Bolt. H. Caimer, L. Atkinson. S. Duncan. D. Virtue. Turner. Junior G: AA’in bv default from College. Third A v! Institute B. Lyall Bav No. 2: Pearman, Ross, Henderson, Keith, Forgiisnh, Steptoe, Cottier. Eva-is, Stewart, AVhyborn, Davidson. University teams for to-day are:— Junior A, v. Old Boys. at. Kelburn No. 1: Hain. Hall,. Greig. Trine. Evans, Childs. Arndt,- Cormack. TTuvhes. Duff. Macdonald. Junior B. v. Wellington, at Newtown Park: MacFarlane. McKenzie, Moore, Critehlev. Smythe Caldwell. Robinson, Parton, Blakenev, Darroch. Junior D, v. Marist, TCarori. No. P: McDufF. Tnvlor, Riddell. Griffin. R. D. Fraser, Duthie, Kent. Cress, E. AVilson. Simester. Orgias. SHEFFIELD SHIELD PLAY PREVENTED BY RAIN. (Rec. December 17, 9.45 p.m.) Melbourne, December 17. Owing to soaking rain there was no play in the Sheffield Shield match Queensland versus Victoria, which should have started to-day.

Bernau . .. 16 •) •2 Stephenson .. 16 64 1 Mitchell O no Newman .. 1-1 3 31 0 Galichan ... 12' 0 56 1 Worker ... 1 0 11 0

4 1 14 0 McGirr 6 0 16 ’ 0 Badcock 6 3 1 Henderson Q 1 9 0 Brice 1 0 S 0 Rollings 0.6 — 1. Umpires: Jlessrs. \V. , 'looniatli and P. Bevan.