CRICKET

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 49, 21 November 1928, Page 8

CRICKET

By

"BURWOOD"

LOCAL FORM IMPROVING

SOME PROMISING BOWLERS

Local players have been prevented from getting into form this . season through unfavourable weather interfering with net practice. The undue amount of ruin which has fallen has also rendered the. pitches on the soft side, with the result that, with few exceptions, the ball has triumphed oyer the bat in the majority of local senior championship games. A Great Batsman. It is pleasing to see that that wonderful little batsman, C. 8. Dempster, who showed such consistent batting form with the New Zealand team in England in 1927, when he aggregated 2231 funs for all matches in 49 innings, With eight not outs, is as good as ever this season. To date he has played two innings, which have yielded 41 and 144 not out, which gives him the tidy average of 185. Dempster played a delightful innings for Institute against Petone at the Basin Reserve on Saturday. Resuming with 21 not out, Dempster, though opposed by such bowlers as Brice and Hope, soon warmed to his work and showed what a real master batsman he is. The secret of Dempster’s success lies in his perfect footwork. He places himself in the correct position to make every stroke, and it was a treat to watch the versatility of . his shots. One ball would go flashing through the covers, another would rattle up against the fence at square-leg, and the next would be sent speeding down the gully to the track. There was never a faltering stroke, and each one was perfectly timed and accurately placed to beat the fieldsmen. Nothing .marked Dempster’s ability so much as the severe manner in which he dealt with Brice’s deliveries, which he seemed to enjoy. In all, the Institute captain was at the wickets for about two hours and a quarter for his 144 not out and hit a sixer and sixteen fourers. It was a great knock. 11. Foley, another New Zealand representatives batsman, assisted Dempster to add 185 for the third wicket. His was a sound defensive innings, but it must be admitted that the tall left-hander missed a good many by not using his feet, as Dempster did, to get out to the pitch of the ball from the slow bowlers Foley should make more use of his height and reach. Still, he possesses the soundest of defence and is a veritable Rock ot Gibraltar when at the wickets. He will be a really great batsman_when he judiciously combines defence and aggression. In the Test matches against the Australian team last season, Foley scored ->0 not out at Auckland, and 24 and 4- at Dunedin, which shows that, he can make runs even against bowlers like Grimmett, Bia cine, Oxenham, and McNamee. A Good Performance. It was a sterling performance on the part of the Institute team to be able to declare the innings- closed against Petone on Saturday with 248 on for the loss ot onlv two wickets. c The Petone bowling did not appear to advantage in this innings. Drice and Hope each had fifty rims hit off them without securing a wicket, and neither seriously troubled Dempster and holey. Smyrk was the only trundler to take a wicket, and he got two l.b.w. decisions in his favour at a cost of 54 runs. . Key* ling who had 25 runs hit off him without meeting with success, kept a. good length, and imparted a good deal of spilt to the ball. A Useful Recruit* Petone, in their second innings agaihst Institute at the Basin Reserve on Saturday, managed to make 119 for the loss of six wickets. The principal contributor was N. C. Smallwood, who shaped neatly in reaching even half-century, and was Unbeaten when stumps were drawn. SinallwOod hails from Auckland, where he played for some seasons. With the Ponsonby team. He js a sound batsman, and can also take his turn at the bowling crease. An Army of Bowlers. institute declared their innings closed at Hie tea adjournment, and Were naturally after the four-point win. Dempster ■’ certainly rang the changes on his bowling string, as he employed no fewer than eight trundlerS. With time the essence of the contract, he would have been better advised to have kept to his four best bowlers. If your best bowlers cannot get wickets, it is hardly likely that your sixth, seven, and eighth best or Worst ti-rtodlers Will succeed in doing the trick. fteirher Massey not Henderson looked like setting a Wicket m Petone’s second innings. The honours went to Rogers, Who did really well in capturing four for 26. New Bowling Star. Local batsmen for the past two seasons haie had a wholesome respect for the bovviwig of A. M. Cousins, the fast-me-dium Wellington right-hander. Sound defensive batsmen have frequently told me timi. they dreaded Cousins as much as aim bowler in the senior competition. Cousins gave a taste of his quality, at th,- Easin Reserve on Saturday, by going dean iiirough the University batsmen on a good wicket, to the tune of eight wickets lor 39 runs. . . When University commenced their innings ou Saturda.v. with only m 3, runs required to beat Wellington, a victory for the students appeared certain.. But Cousins came to light in sensational fashion. Bowling with a light southeily breeze behind him, he pranCod up to the wicket with great buoyancy, and tired them in at ii good pace. . Mackenzie, the ’Varsity skipper, Was the first to go. He said that he saw the ball clearly, but it swerved away at the last moment, and dislodged the oil pin. This staged a rout, as none of the University batsmen could make any thing o£ Cousins’s fast swingers and bodyaction breaks. Bob Whyte, who was in great form behind the sticks, snapped Up Levs and Nelson off the fast bowler, and Cousins then created a sensation by clean bowling Tripe , and McLeod foi “blobs,” narrowly missing thfc llllt-tliui. ’Varsity fell for 108, and their downfall was Solely due to this remarkable bowlius spurt by Cousins, who clean bowled five of the batsmen, and hud three men caught off his deliveries. As Cousins is powerfully built, and has the stum ton to last, he is well worth a place in the Wellington representative eleven, and it he continues to impart the devil to s bowling that he infused into it at the Basin Reserve on Saturday, he may yet be seen sporting a New Zealand cap. Good bowlers are rare birds. Wellington's Success. ’ ■ Wellington have a compact eleven this season, and have started off in fashion With two good victoiics. llie old club is very strong in the bowlin D departnieiit this year, possess tog such a useful string as Cousins, Hydei, o connoi, Ellerm and Hiddleston. Then they hint a strong array of batsmen in Hiddleston, RobXn, Airey, Whyte, Burton, and Hiddleston has started off well With innings o” arid 37. in his lirst mulch. When he has had a bit mole piitctice, he should be as full of runs as ever. Good All-Rounder. A Very useful man on the Wellington side this season is Whyte, Who is not only a really good wicketkeeper, but has developed into a dashing b I D s !"" n ’A® took three smart catches behind the sticks last Week-end, and then went m hist wicket down, and banged up uo with sparkling strokes, in which the drive figured prominently. There is no kooner cricketer in the game than Whyte; he is a veritable live wire. C. O'Connor hit up 32 not out, in good style on Saturday, clearly demonstrating that he can but as well as bowl. With AV. I. K. Jennings, who scored 22 not out, O'Connor made a serviceable stand

for the seventh wicket against University, on Saturday, both playing confidently. - Neither Greig nor Nelson was effective oil Saturday, and Bagge (two for 24), Osborn (one for 13), and Veitmeyer (one for 25), were the only tl'undlers to meet with success. The honours of. the match were all witli Wellington, who won by 44 runs oh the first innings. R. A. Whyte has done well with the bat this season. He scored .39 and 5 against‘Hutt, and 26 ahd 53 against University, which gives him 123 runs for four innings, an average of 30.75 per innings. Midland Going Well. The older clubs appear to have taken a new lease of life this season. Like Wellington, Midland have won both their matches so far, and it Will be interesting to jsee whether they can maintain their unbeaten record. Midland did well to beat Hutt on the latter’s own ground on Saturday. Hutt always take a power of beating.on their native . heath, but this season McGirr’S rearers do not appear to be so dangerous as, of yore. Faded with 202 to get to will, the Midland eleven batted very soundly on Saturday. Though their captain, E. Roberts, fell early to McGirr, clarke (20), Lawton (2G), J. Hutchings (42), and W. A. Baker (78), all batted so soundly that victory appeared possible. Then L. Beard, who had been bowling well, came to light with a great bowling spurt, and sent Bruce, Grant, D. Patrick, and Cleverley back in dOuble-quick time. There was great excitment when the ninth wicket fell with the scores dead level. The colt, K. Robertson, however, managed to notch a single, and the score was taken to 211 before the last wicket fell, which gave Midland a victory by 0 runs. It was W. A. Baker’s sterling Innings of 78 which gave Midland the, victory. It was a fine performance against . such bowlers as Beard, McGirr, Warnes, Nunn, Aldersley, and Watson. J. Hutchings is also to be complimented on his very useful 42. This veteran is a good fighter, and never does better than when his side is up against it. Beard bowled very ably in capturing five wickets for 63 runs, and was well supported by Watson (two for 23). McGirr had to be content with one for 44, While Aldersley took one for 2G and Warnes one for 19. Good Opening Pair. A. Biggar and B. Ross are proving themselves a good opening pair for Hutt. Against Midland, in the first Innings, they put on 102 for the first wicket, Biggar making 79 and Ross 3G. In Hutt’s second effort of three for 100, they again opened strongly, Biggar feachng 41 and Ross 22. Biggar scored G not out In the opening match against Wellington, and 79 and 41 against Midland, which gives him an aggregate of 12G for twice out, and an average of 63. Ross scored 37 against Wellington arid 3S and 22 against Midland, whiell gives him an aggregate of 95 fdr three innings, and an average of 31.00 per innings. 0. F. Birch was going well with 19 on when stumps were drawn on Saturday.' Alec Bruce was the only Midland bowler to seciire a wicket in Hutt’s second innings, and he improved his average by bagging tWo’at the small cost Of five runs. A Wlh For kliblrhle. When BadcflCk whs allocated to the Old Boys eleven, it was thought that that team would make a bold bid for championship honours this season. They started off well by defeating Petone in the first match, but crashed badly in the second game against Kilbirnie, On a difficult wicket on the opening day, Kilbirnie fell for 100, while Old Boys did even worse in losing five wickets for 31 runs on a firmer Wicket oh Saturday last. Old Boys had a chance of saving the game, but tlie Kilbirnie bowlers performed so ably that nifie wickets were down with only 65 runs on the slate.. Then that resolute fighter, A. W. Duncan, came in as last man and showed his club-mates that rtihs Could bo got by clouting the leather to all parts of the field. lie reached 49 In double-quick time, and the innings eventually realised 137, or 23 short of the Kilbirnie total. Hearne (three for 35) and Bramley (three for 27) bowled well for Kilbirnie, and were ably backed ilp by Tucker (two for 31), N. Christopherson (one for 22), and Morris (one for IS). It was a bad collapse for a side which included such batsmen as Lambert, Badcock, and James. Kilbirnie batted very consistently in their second inhlngs, Which realised 198, no fewer than seven batsmen reaching doubles. , . , Badcock does not appear to have struck form this season with either bat or ball. He fell for two in this match, and could only’ manage to take two for 22 and two for 59. Lambert and James have also yet to strike form with the bat. Both were clean bowled by Bramley on Saturday. A Boy Bowler.

Good bowlers are so Scarce these days that the advent of a promising trundle? is hailed with delight. Old Boys have a youngster coming along. of whom great things are expected. Tliis is IL Morgan, a lad of sixteen years, who sends along a slow-medium right-hand delivery, and can turn the ball both ways. This - youth graduated from the AVellington South School, and captained t\e primary schools representative tettitl last Season. Mr. K. 11. Tucker, sole selector for AVellington representative teams, has been so favourably impressed with young • Morgan s bowling that lie has recommended that he be given a Trial in the Old Boys’ senior eleven. Let us hope that he will turn out another Merritt, or, better still, a Grimmett. By the way, AV. E. Merritt, bowling for Old Boys against St. Albans at Christchurch bn Saturday, captured six Avickets for 73 runs. As he has also hit up a century with the bat this season, It shows AVhiit a useful all-rounder he is. Short Rilils.

C. Oliver, who proved such a dire batting failure for the New Zealand team Iti England ill 1927, appeal's to have regained the brilliant form he showed in Australia in 1920. Fof Sydenham against Old Collegians at Christchurch on .Saturday, Oliver hit up a dashing 146. It is unaccountable how good batsmen suddenly lose form. Oliver only scored 381 runs in 31 innings on the English tour, witli an average of 14.65, and yet there was not a single SilppOtter of the gable in’ the country who would have said that Oliver had ■ no right to be in tlie team. AVitli the New Zealand tealn in Australia in the 1925-26 season, be scored 132 not otit aghiiist AVaggn AVaggn, 36 fltil Out and 58 I.b.AV. against Victoria, 1()4 against Ballarat, 22 ilnil 08 agaihst South Australia, 23 against New South Wales, 2(1 and 10 not out against Newcastle, and 37 against Northern Districts. As Oliver is a brilliant fieldsman, it is very pleasing to sue that he has returned to his best batting form. Tlio Otago all-rotinder A. Galland banged up a double century for Grunge against Aibloh at Duiledin on Saturday. His success is always pleasing, as tlie burly Grange man is one of tlie most popular figures in tlie game in this country. Winning or losing, Galland is always smiling, and will crack a joke even at tlie most critical stage of a hard-fought ganie. He is a rare tighter, too, and can play his pad r right well. either as batsman, bowler, wicketkeeper, or fieldsman. Mort power to his strong right arm. L. C. Eastman, tlie Essex professional, who is leading It team. of Colts ill tlie senior competition in Dunedin tliis season, bowled well on Saturday in taking live Dunedin wickets for 40 runs. J. Langridge, tlie youthful Sussex professional, lilt up 70 for Grafton against Ponsonby at Auckland on Saturday. Tlie veteran, S. G. Smith, who originally hailed from till! West Indies, and who at one time captained' the Northamptonshire eleven in the English county competition, secured Seven wickets for 1)0 runs in this innings, which realised 232. AVhcn the Englishmen were at tlie wickets in Adelaide someone obtruded On the sight-board. Sutcliffe, who was batting, called out, “Move away, please,” bitt the onlooker remained in repose. Then somebody else yelled from the pickets "Tell him to get out ot tlie btailky way ! Go on. get out of It!” The translation into a familiar tongue was effective, and the encumbrance llinilii'i’i'il oft. Lion and Krilignroo. After the heavy scoring done by the Englishmen at Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, and Sydney, it was quite refreshing to find a return to normal scoring in tlie game between the Englishmen and an Australian eleven nt Sydney last week-end. „ The Australian side, which included Bet-

tington and Nothling, scored 231 in their first innings, to which the Englishmen responded with 319 for eight wickets at drawing of Btumps on Saturday afternoon. The Australians found runs very hard to get against accurate bowling by Larwood, Tate, and White, each of whom secured three wickets. Bradman, the husky young man from the country, who scored ■ a century in each innings for New South Wales against Queensland at Brisbane, proved the best bat on the Australian side. Going in fourth wicket down, he was unbeaten with 58 to his credit, which took him 198 minutes to scratch together. This was a tribute to the accuracy of the English bowling. Bettington shaped freely for 34, and as he also captured two English wickets, he would apear to be a Test match possibility. Andrews (39) and V. Richardson (24) were the only other batsmen to trouble the scorers, though bight of the Australians managed to reat'h doubles. “Patsy” Hendjen had a say in the downfall of the Kangaroo, as he took three brilliant catches in the slips, which disposed of ilettlngton, Oldfield, and Scott. The Australian bowling was again weak, and tile Englishmen had to get themselves out. Hobbs, Mead, and Tyldesley all fell 1.b.w., after each had passed the halfcentury. Sutcliffe reached 42 and Tate banged Up 40 not out. Nothling, by securing three wickets, looks to have a good chance of inclusion in tlie Australian team for the first test at Brisbane. To give some idea of the interest which is being taken in the Englishmen’s tour, it need only be stated that 27,000 were present on Saturday. What a great crowd will assemble to see the tests fought out. Town v. Country. Some good performances Were put up in the provinces on Saturday. Playing for Palmerston against High School at Palmerston North, A. M. Ongley hit up 110. In the second innings of United against High School at Masterton, A. Hoar carried his bat through an Innings of 257 for 133. L. Wood, for United v. Technical College, at Wanganui, failed by one run to reach the century, and other good scores recorded at Wanganui were 85 by Coupland for Wanganui against Old Boys; 54 by C. Treadwell, for Old Boys, In the same match; 74 by Giesen for Wanganui College against Technical College Old Boys, and 51 by Doni for Technical College. At Palmerston North, Leet hit up 8G for Palmerston against Old Boys. A really first-class eleven could bo mustered from Manawatu, Wanganui, Hawke’s Bay, Taranaki, Wairarapa, Nelson, and Marlborough this season, and all followers of the game will sincerely hope that this important fixture will be continued. We have heard no word as yet of the date for the annual trial of strength between Town and Country players under the Wellington Association’s banner. This game during the past few seasons litis been regarded as one of the most Interesting of the season. To bo of any value, the match should be played early enough to give the country players a chance of Inclusion In the Blanket Shield games, which usually start about Christmas time.