EXCITING CRICKET

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 122, 21 February 1928, Page 13

EXCITING CRICKET

AUSTRALIANS WIN BY FOUR WICKETS AFTER LOSING SIX FOR FIFTY RUNS BADCOCK’S BRILLIANT BOWLING The glorious uncertainty of the game of cricket was strikingly exemplified at the Basin Reserve yesterclay in the Australia v. Wellington match. When play was resumed, Wellington required 77 runs to save an inning’s defeat with only four wickets in hand. Thanks, however, to a magnificent last wicket stand by James and Massey, which added 104 runs, carrying the score from 126 to 230, Wellington actually left Australia 62. runs to get to win. As Wellington collapsed in their second innings, so did Australia do likewise. So ably did Badcock and Brice bowl that Australia lost six wickets in securing the 62 runs they required to win, and in the end emerged victorious by the narrow margin of four wickets. Badcock again bowled splendidly in securing four wickets for 23 runs toff 69 deliveries. The recovery made by the Wellington side was praiseworthy in the extreme.

With six wickets down for 92, Janies (B) and McLeod (0) resumed Wellington’s second innings at 11.32 yesterday morning in fine but vety hot weather. .tJlackle look up the bowling from the Cambridge Terrace end James _ nearly popping the second ball into Kippax's hands at fine leg. Grimmett bowled from the other end, McLeod getting the second ball away to leg for a single. James then cut the South Australian square for four. In Blackie’s second over, McLeod cocked one softly up to Oldheid behind the sticks. 97—7—1. A Bit of a Stand. McGirr joined James, who had just reached doubles, and opened with two to long-leg off Blackie, Alexander making a nice right-handed pick-up to save the boundary. In Blackie’s following over, McGirr let out at one, and skied it high to Alexander at long-leg. The fieldsman bad to run for the catch; he got it into his hands, but put the leather ou the carpet. They ran two for the stroke and got un extra one for an overthrow. This brought the hundred up tor 89 minutes’ play. Blackie was employing leg theory, with only two men on tho oil, at slip and mid-off. McGirr aroused applause by lifting tho first ball of Grimmett’s tenth over over the ropes at long-leg for four. Alter a spell of quiet play, McGirr got a lucky four for a snick through the slips off Grimmett. Blackie was troubling McGirr, but they went along picking up an occasional single: Grimmett Bowls McGirr. At 126, McGirr, who had shaped brightly for 26, left tho wicket open while attempting to place Grimmett to leg. The ball whipped back sharply, and shattered the open wicket. 126—8 —26. Brice Gets a Pair. Brice, who had failed to score in the first innings, came next, but went first ball. He poked one from Grimmett into Blackie’s hands in the slips. 126—9—0. Great Last Wicket Stand. Massey, the last man, joined James, with 43 runs still required to save the inning’s defeat. James off-drove Blackie for three, and tapped him past mid-on for a single. Massey opened his account with a single to leg off Grimmett, and James got -a single off the same bowler to square-leg, for a stroke which ho meant to bo a four. Massey opened out, and lifted Blackie to the pickets at. long-on. getting a single off the next ball io mid-on. Tho Institute colt aroused enthusiasm by backcutting Grimmett for four, all run, placing him in doubles. Massey was shaping very confidently, and should have been sent in earlier. James got Blackie to long-leg for a single, bringing 144) up. Massey Opens His Shoulders. Massey set the applause going by banging Grimmett to the ropes at mid-on, and gliding him to long-leg for three. They now wanted 17 runs to save tho innings’ defeat. James got _ one for a pat to point, and Massey picked up a single in the same direction, reachingthe twenties. James then placed Grimmett through the slips for four, and ton runs were required io j-each the Australian total. At 159 Oxenham relieved Blackie, whose tally was three for 47 off twenty overs. Massey got a single off the third ball. Blackie throwing the wicket down as the batsman scrambled home. Massey patted Grimmett to point for a single, and they cleverly stole one for a pat to leg by James. The latter got one to leg off Oxenham, and Massey placed the next ball to mid-off for one. Five runs were now wanted.

Innings Defeat Averted. "Come on, Bruce, bang this one for four,” remarked a wag in the stand. Massey obligingly did as requested, sending Grimmett flying over t lie long-leg boundary. The pair, who were shaping excellently and in direct contrast to the majority of the earlier batsmen, set the applause going strongly by stealing a couple of short ones, thus averting the innings’ defeat. Massey was now 30 and James 29, the pair having added 46 for the last wicket. James reached 30 by placing Grimmett to mid-on for a single, and ho then forced Oxenharn off his legs tor a couple. „ , „ Alassey glided Grimmett to fine-leg for3, and James drove him to the J r ‘?i at long-on. This greatly pleased the crowd. With the total at 184 Alassey hit one from Grimmett hard to Bicha telson close in at mid-on. The ball struck the Australian captain on the chest, but the chance was too hot to hold. Massey was then 35. Blackie then took the ball from Oxenham and sent down a maiden to James. Massey continued to shape confidently. He leg-glided Grimmett for three, and lifted Blackie to long-on for the same niimiior, Richardson using his feet cleverly to save the boundary. This brought 190 in sight. James leg-glided the South Australian for a couple. The partnership had now added 69. Massey hooked Blackie to square-leg for a single, and got Grimmett to mid-on for one. James turn banged a full toss from Grimmett to square-leg for a couple. Two Hundred Up. By jumping out, and hitting Blackie to the track at long-oIT, Massey brought the 200 up for exactly three hours’ play. Applause broke out from all round the ground when Massey reached his half-century with a single to mid-on qtf Grimmett. Tie bad been at the wickets for 57 minutes. . Massey aroused enthusiasm by hitting Blackie to leg for three. A single to James off Blackie saw Wellingtin's first innings of 200 passed. Massey then made himself top-scorer of the innings by powerfully driving Blackie to the fence at extra long-on. Three byes off Grimmett helped the score along, and Massey then aroused great enthusiasm by driving Grimmett past cover for three. At 219, Oxenharn took the ball from Blackie, who had been somewhat cavalierly treated by Massey. At the luncheon adjournment, the board showed nine wickets down for 219, Massey being f>o and James 41. Tho pair had added 93 for tho last wicket, and had shown tho brightest baiting of the match. Upon resuming nt 2.50, Massey and James were heartily applauded as they made their way to the wickets. Lamason and Lambert fielded in place of Grimmett and Jackson, who had not got back from luncheon in tho city. Morton took up the bowling, James turning the second ball to tho track at long-leg. Blackie resumed the attack at the city end. A Hundred for the Partnership. By hooking Blackie for 3 to mid-on, Massey made a hundred for the part- ! nwship ia 80 minutes.

Grimmett and Jackson here resumed their places in the field. James patted one from Blackie to mid-on for a couple. End of a Sterling Partnership. The end came at three minutes past three, when Massey, who had been at the wickets for 84 minutes, touched one from Morton and was caught by Oldfield at short-stop. The innings, which had lasted for 210 minutes, closed for 230, the last wicket having put on 104. Massey shaped like a batsman in form, showing the soundest of defence. He found the boundary on six occasions, all of them being good strokes. James was left not out with 48 to his credit. Ho once again showed that he has plenty of fighting tpirit. The ease and confidence with which James and Massey played the bowling made one wonder why Foley, Lowry, Badcock, Lamason, McLeod and Brice had only been able to total 2 runs among them. Morton ngaiu proved that he is a fast bowler of class. Ho only sent down 55 deliveries, but these were good enough to secure three wickest for 24 runs. Grimmett showed what a wonderfully consistent bowler lie is by serving up 29 overs which resulted in four wickets for 94 runs. Blackie also did exceptionally well in Securing three for 69 off 28 overs. Oldfield stood out as a prince of wicketkeepers. His work was the acme of grace throughout, and he proved his value to the side by claiming three victims. The Australian fielding was first class. The men backed each other up splendidly there usually being a third man on hand in ease tlie ball got through. Australians’ Collapse. Requiring 62 runs to win, Oldfield and Grimmett commenced Australia’s second innings at 3.28. McGirr opened tho bowling from the Newtown end. a single to each batsman coming from the over. Badcock took up the attack at the other end, and Lowry missed a chance of catching Grimmett at silly mid-on off tho Englishman’s second ball. Badcock in' Deadly Form. Badcock was bowling leg-theory, and had such a strong cordon clustered' round the batsmen’s legs that Umpire Gobcroft had to cross over to point in order to get a view of the crease. In McGirr’s second over, Oldfield got three for a stroke to leng-off, and in Badcock’s third over Grimmett hooked one to square-leg for three. With the tolal at 13, Badcock clean bowled Oldfield. 13 —I—s. Alexander, tho youthful South Australian left-hander, who had been dismissed for a single in (lie first innings, came- next, and arrived to see Brice, who had taken the ball fi.om McGirr skittle Grimmett with an off-break. 13 —2-8. Oxenham, the Queenslander, cams in to stop the rot, and arrived to see Alexander clout Badcock to the fence at mid-on. Badcock had five men clustered round the batsmen’s legs. One from Brice went, so close to Alexander’s wicket that James let it go, three byes resulting. Two Great Slip Catches. The last ball of Badcock’s sixth over was fatal to Alexander, who lashed out and snicked the leather to Foley, who took a smart catch at first slip. 27—3—7. Kippax camo next, ami opened by late-cutting Brice for three, but Wellington were fighting hard, and a great shout went up when Oxenham went in identically the same way in which Alexander had fallen, Foley making another brilliant catch in the slips off Badcock, who had now captured tlu'ce wickets for 13 runs. 32—4—6.

The youthful Schneider, who had done so well in tho first innings, only lasted two balls, popping Badcock into Dempster's hands at silly mid-on. 32—5 — 0. Badcock had now taken four for 13 off seven overs. Tho Victorians had now got half tho runs they required, but fheso had cost, them half their wickets. Woodfull arrived to see Kippax cut Brice for four, and slam the Wellington captain to the pickets at long-off.

Brice Traps Kippax, L.B.W. Applause went up when Badcock and Brice sent down good maidens in succession. Kippax got two for a snick through the slips off Badcock, ami Woodfull placed Brice down the gully for three. Dempster then dropped Kippax at short fine-leg, after juggling with the ball. It did not matter greatly, however, as the New South Wab’S crack batsman fell I. to the next ball. 50 —6 —15. Richardson, the Australian captain, followed, to see Woodfull get two off Badcock for a pat past second slip. This brought 50 up. Richardson then booked Brice for four, and got him away "to square-leg for a single. Woodfull then got four off Brice for a snick to fineleg, ami Australia wanted one to win. Richardson made the winning hit a!4.37 by slamming Badcock Io the boundary at long-on. and Australia had won an exciting and extraordinary match by four wickets. Badcock Again Bowls Well. As in the Australians’ first innings, it was Badcock who did the damage with the ball. Tho Englishman sent down 69 deliveries, and came out with four wickets for 23 runs. Ho turned the ball both ways, and also flighted the ball in dangerous fashion, keeping an immaculate length all the while. Brice did good service in taking two for 31. THE SCORES AUSTRALIA. First innings 375 WELLINGTON. First innings 20G Second Innings. C. S. Dempster, b. Grimmett 49 11. Foley, 1.b.w., b. Morton 1 T. C. Lowry, b. Morton 0 F. T. Badcock, b. Blackie 0 J. R. Latnnson, b. Blackie 0 H. M. Lambert, st. Oldfield, b. Grimmett 35 K. C. James, not out 48 I'l. McLeod, c. Oldfield, b. Blackie 1 IT. M. McGirr, b. Grimmett 26 W. S. Brice, c. Blackie, b. Grimmett 0 11. B. Massey, c. Oldfield, b. Morton 61 Extras—Byes 3, leg-byes 2, noballs 1 6 Total 230 Fall of Wickets. —One for 20, two for 20, three for 21, four for 27, live for 71. six fo' - 92. seven for 97, eight for 126, nine for 126, ten for 230.

AUSTRALIA. First innings 375 Second Innings. W. A. Oldfield, b. Badcock 5 C. V. Grimmett, b. Brice 8 W. C. Alexander, c. Foley, b. Badcock 7 R. K. Oxenham, c. Foley, b. Badcock 6 A. F. Kippax, 1.b.w., b. Brice ... 15 K. J. Schneider, c. Dempster, b. Badcock 0 W. M. Woodfull, not out 12 V. Y. Richardson, not out 9 Extras—Byes 3 3 Total for six wickets 65 Full of Wickets.—One for 13, two for 13, three for 27, four for 32, five for 32, six for 50. BOWLING ANALYSIS.

Umpires: Messrs. J. Rodgers and L. T. Cobcroft. THE AUSTRALIA-WELLINGTON MATCH Sir,—l think you will agree with me when I say that the 'Wellington Cricket Association showed very little consideration, not only for the city lovers of cricket, but also for those who came long distances to see the Australian team batting. We can see the Wellington cricketers any old time, but it is rarely that such an array of first-class cricketers visit our shores, and yet, during practically tho whole of Saturday, we had to witness our team at the wickets. How does this coincide with the Auckland match? Well, just this, that cricket is developing into a financial speculation, that is eating into every form of sport, and only spells ruin to what has hitherto been one of our cleanest forms of sport. . . . The Wellington public showed their appreciation of the game by subscribing some .£BOO or over at the gates .during the two days, and how have they been rewarded? Echo answers bow? ... Tho match was the worst managed ever since the Basin Reserve existed, and yet could have boen made, even if Wellington were defeated, one of the pleasantest memories in the annals of cricket.—l am, etc., LONG STOP. TRIBUTE TO C. V. GRIMMETT PRESENTATION FROM LOCAL ADMIRERS C. V. Grimmett, the ex-New Zealander, who is touring the Dominion with the Australian cricket team, is one of the most popular players iu the game to-day. New Zealanders, and Wellington people in particular, are highly pleased that a New Zealander should have gained tho distinction of securing a place in the Australian team, and when it became known, that Grimmett was coming over, with the Board of Control team Wellington cricketers and supporters of tho game determined to mark the honour - he had conferred upon the Dominion in some tangible manner. After the match at the Basin Reserve yesterday, Air. C. G. Wilson, chairman of the Management Committee of the Wellington Cricket Association, handed a gold wristlet watch to Grimmett. “New Zealanders,” said Mr. Wilson, in making the presentation, “are very proud that Grimmett has won his way to the topmost heights in cricket and are still more pleased to find that success has not spoiled him in the slightest. We hope you will go on as you have been going, bringing fresh lustre to the game and honour to Australia and New Zealand.”

In a modest reply, Mr. Grimmett said that ho had always tried to do his best, and the fact that his Wellington friends had seen fit to make him such a handsome present was proof that his efforts had been appreciated. Cheers were given for tho popular player, and “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow” was heartily sung. JUNIOR FIXTURES . The following are the junior fixtures for Saturday next, being the second day of the fifth round :— A. —Petoue v. Thorndon, at I’etone; Old Boys v. Institute, at Anderson Park, No. 1; University v. Wellington, at Anderson Park, No. 3; Kilbirnie v. Midland. at Kelburn, No. 2; Hutt v. Karori, at the Hutt. B. Y.M.C.A. v. Kilbirnie. at Kilbirnie. No. 3; Old Boys v. Wellington College, at the College; Institute v. Marist, at Kilbirnie, No. 4; Railways v. Penina, at Porirua ; University v. Hutt, at the ITutf; Johnsonville v. Wellington, at. Johnsonville. C. “Dominion” v. Kilbirnie, at Relburn; Midland v. AVollingfon B. at AVakeficld Park. No. 1 : Y.M.C.A. v Alarist. nt the Hutt - AA'cllin-rlon College v. AVellington A, at the College; “Evening Post,” n bve. „ ~ D—Old Bovs v. Marist. at Wakefield. No. 2; University v. Eastbourne, at Eastbourne; Stop'Ont v. Johnsonville, nt Johnsonville; Afiillnnd. v. Institute, nt Knrori. No. 1; Kilbirnie v. AVellington. at Kilbirnie, No. 6; Y.AI.C.A., a bye.

BOWLING ANALYSIS. Morion 0. 9.1 Al. It. 24 w. 3 Blaekie 28 7 69 3 Oxenham 11 1 29 fl Grimmett 29 4, 94, 4 Schneider 2 0 0 ,

0. M. K. W. .McGirr 3 0 8 0 Badcock .... ... 11.3 3 23 4 Briee 9 2 31 2