CRICKET

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 54, 27 November 1929, Page 8

CRICKET

By

"BURWOOD"

KANGAROO HOPPING AGAIN

NEED FOR FASTER SCORING

It would certainly appear that Australia is regaining the place she occupied in the cricket sun before, such stalwarts of the game as Armstrong, Macartney. Gregory, Mailey, and Bardsley had to retire to the bank under the weight of advancing years. 'The New South Wales eleven made hay on the Sydney Cricket Ground last weekend when they piled up the mammoth score of 029 for eight wickets against the ’English bowling. This was a triumph for youth, and would lend the impression that .Australia has plenty of good-material coming along to uphold her honour on the cricket field. Three centuries figured in the solid total. Don Bradman, who must be regarded as one of the very best batsmen in Australia to-day, led the way with a dashing 157. Two seasons ago, this brilliant young batsman was blushing unseen away back amongst the mallee scrub. They are, however, on the look-out for promising talent in Australia, and it was not long before Bradman was induced to come to Sydney. He was taken in.hand, and straightway developed into an international batsman of the very highest class, as he unmistakably demonstrated in the last series of Test- matches in Australia,

Allsopp, another young batsman, hit up 117, and Alan Kippax, the New South Wales captain, who has just recovered from an illness,’ notched 108. In addition to this, other bright youngsters did extremely well. Andrew Jackson (49), McCabe (90). and Marks (38), all took heavy toll of the English bowling, which wilted under the strain. The cables told us that both Bowley and Barratt had to leave the field with strains. 1

Must Be Fit. An extraordinary feature about the tour of the M.C.C. team.so far is the number of casualties the side has suffered.

Indeed, so depleted had the side become through injuries and sickness that Arthur Gilligan, the captain, cabled to the New Zealand Cricket Council requesting that the Queensland mateh should be cancelled. The obvious reply was sent that this could only be done by permission of the Australian Board of Control. Queensland stood firm for the match, the president of the Queensland Association telegraphing that he hoped .the Englishmen would honour the engagement, and thus uphold the truest traditions of English sportsmanship. ’ The Englishmen eventually agreed to play at Brisbane, but stipulated that the match should be limited to three days. Now, all this only goes to show that cricket is a very strenuous game, and * ' that in order to stand the wear and tear of a tour it is essential that players I should systematically fit themselves phyI sically. Cricket, to my mind, makes a greater demand upon physical endurance than does Rugby football. A Rugby match is all over in 90 minutes, but a cricket match lasts four days, and occasionally, as in the case of Tests in Australia, a week. As soon as one match has been concluded another comes along. Now, players, must be physically fit to .bowl day after day, and to chase, the fleeting leather with flying feet tinder a broiling sun. If a player has not prepared himself for a ericket tour, be sure the strenuous work he will be called upon to do will be too much for undeveloped muscles and tendons. I am not suggesting for a moment that the M.C.C. team at present in Australia, is physically unlit, but the fact that Bowley and Barratt had to leave the field at Sydney only goes to show that cricket makes serious demands upon human endurance, and that it is essential to thoroughly harden muscles before embarking upon an arduous tour. The brightest feature about the New South Wales score of 629 for eight wickets last week-end was that the runs were put on in 420 minutes, which is remarkably fast scoring. The fact that New South Wales hit up such a huge score does not necessarily imply that the English bowling is weak. The side which wins the toss on a glass' wicket, such as prevailed at Sydney on Friday, can be expected to make a solid score. Had the Englishmen won the toss, the boot might very easily have been upon the other foot. Woolley Again.

Kippax declared the innings closed at 3 o'clock on Saturday, and the Englishmen hit up 171 for the loss of three wickets.

Frank Woolley, the brilliant Kent lefthander, showed his appreciation of the wicket by bringing up 61 not out in double-quick time. Opening with three dazzling boundaries, Woolley continued to rattle the leather up against the pickets, aud by the time he had reached the forties he had made eight boundary shots. This showed that if the New South Welshmen could make runs on the shirtfront wicket so could the Englishmen. Arthur Gilligan scored 45 stubbornly before falling J.b.w. to Hooker, and DuIcepsinhji gave a taste of his quality in running to 34.

It as good to read that there were'22.4-13 spectators at the match’ at Sydney on Sat-' urday, and that a little matter of £1924 was taken at the gates.

Need tor Faster Scoring. Though some-very solid scoring has been witnessed in local cricket during the past ; . fortnight, it is clear that if teams want to win matches they will have to score at a faster rate. Both the Wellington-University game, at the Basin Reserve, and the Institutefl Hutt match, at the .Hutt -Recreation (■round, which ‘were concluded on Saturday, ended in drawn games. University did well to hold possession of the . wickets for the whole afternoon against Wellington, who declared with the first day’s total of 407 for six wickets. University met with a slice of bad luck right away, ns after scoring a couple Mackenzie touched a fast swinger from Cousins. and was beautifully taken In the slips by Holiings. There were no further failures, however. The 'Varsity team batted very soundly and when stumps were drawn at 6.30 the . board showed 312 for the loss of seven wiekets. T.'B. Nelson' led the-way with an enterprising 72, which included seven boundary shots. He met the ball with the full face of the blade, and was not afraid to use his feet in getting out to drive. He seemed well oh his way to a century, when he attempted to drive one from the colt R. Morgan, and.spooned It into Hyder's hands at mid-on.

A Useful AIl-Ko under. L. T. C. Leys is one of the most useful all-round players in the 'Varsity team. His 6- on Saturday was a bright performance. He was after runs all the time, and -lie drive figured prominently in his scoring , strokes. He, too, was beaten by a particularly good ball from Morgan. Eddie McLeod, the University captain, shaped in ills best style for 57 not out. It would have paid him to have gone in higher up in the batting order, and to have opened out to the bowling: University only required 1)6 more runs to win this match, and had McLeod gone in earlier, and boldly taken the risks he might have done the trick. McLeod can score very fast when In the mood. Bailey (24), A. C. Tripe (29 not out), Caldwell (lo), .Macallan (13). and Bagge (18). all did well for 'Varsity in this innings. Whyte employed eight bowlers for Wellington, and of these R. Morghn (three for 19) was a long way the most successful This youngster is quite a good slow bowler, and had he been given more to do Wellington might have got rid of-the whole 'Varsity side. Cousins (two for 71) and Hyder (none for 66) bore the brunt of the attack, and both pegged away with great heart. It was largely due to the excellent length bowling of this pair that 'Varsity were unable to accelerate the pace sufficiently to reach the Wellington total of 407.

Another Draw. Hutt also did well on Saturday to hold possession of the wickets for the whole afternoon, and make a draw of their game with Institute. ' Institute declared with the 380 they had made for the loss of only two wickets on the opening day. , , Those two able young opening batsmen, Biggar and Ross. gave the Hutt teaman excellent start by putting on Hl in

-first wicket. The colts showed the soundest of defence, and Institute saw their chances of a win disappearing as the minutes slipped by with both batsmen still valiantly holding the fort. Ross, who had reached 47, was .the first to go, clean bowled by Fortune, and a little later the same bowler broke Biggar's sticks with a good one. The exNelson College miin shaped 'very soundly for his 07. The remaining batsmen contented themselves with staying at the wickets as long as they could without troubling greatly about scoring. They succeeded in their mission, as when time was called only seven wickets had fallen for 263 runs. Birch (29), Lee (25), McGlrr (22), McKenzie (28 not out), Wnrnes (10), and Roberts (10 not out) all set up a solid defence, to the Institute attack. Mat Hendersou bowled well in securing four wickets for 54 runs, and received valuable assistance from Fortune, who gathered in two at a cost of 55 runs.

Brighter Batting. Kilbirnic have quite a respectable team this'season. They added, another victory to their credit at the Basin Reserve on Saturday by defeating Old Boys by 118 runs on the first innings. Old Boys fell for 131 ■ on the opening day, and to this modest ' total Kilblrnie responded with 249. The feature of the innings was a bright knock’ by the exSydney player, C. Hayman, who made 57 in attractive style. His carpet drives had power behind them, and "he also hooked and pulled cleverly. H. Bramley laid the wood on with a will in assisting Hayman to add 57 for the ninth wicket. He had a go at anything within reach, and hit clean and hard in rattling up. 38. Badcock, though suffering from a strained wrist) camo out with the best bowling figures for Old Boys, four for 68. Parsloe, Dunean. Barclay, and Lambert all pegged away steadily at the crease. Breezy Hitting.

Some breezy hitting was witnessed in Old Bovs’ second innings, in which 220 were put on for the loss of five wickets. H. M. Lambert hit three sixers and seven fourers in smacking up 62, while. J. R. Lamason rattled up 89 not out in quick time. It was quite an exhilarating, display, and in direct contrast to the timor-. ous exhibition given in the first innings. Kilbirnie, in their second innings, scored 61 for the loss of three wckets. S. Ward shaped stylishly for 25 not out, which, with the three wickets for 43 he secured in Old Boys’ second-innings, enabled the colt to look back with satisfaction upon his doings for the afternoon.

Petone Again. Petone notched their second win of the season by defeating Midland on Petone Oval on Saturday by 67 runs on the first innings. In reply to Midland’s weak opening knock of 131, Petone scored 198. Mark Nicholls, who has developed into quite a sound batsman, top-scored with 57, and he would have made many more had he not had the bad luck to be fun out. He found' the boundary eight times, and every stroke had power .behind It. Smallwood (31),,Tattersail (23). Spence (20), and Brice, G. Nicholls, and Hope, who got a dozen each, all helped to shove the score along. The colt K. Robertson bowled really well in capturing five wickets for 51 runs. It is pleasing to observe that he was employed as opening bowler In this innings. Bryant and Baker got a couple of wickets apiece. 'Midland’s second Innings .was noteworthy for a fine stand by Baker: and Tindill for the third wicket. Baker, who found the boundary eleven times, shaped in his best style, while Tlndlll was enterprising while hitting up 69. Mr. Extras.

Extras figured largely in the scores last Saturday. In Kllbirnie’s first innings of 249, Ken James allowed no fewej than 43 extras; Whyte allowed 22 to University; Tattersail allowed 35 to Midland; and Institute allowed 25 to Hutt. It would pay local teams to field a deep fine leg to the fast-medium bowlers to cut off some of these extras.

Encouraging Hitting. Cricket "reformers” in Australia are suggesting that a hit which clears the boundary, shall count eight runs instead of the present six. .

The idea obviously is to induce a batsman who is more or less cautious by rule to “have a go” when offered a bigger reward than previously for enterprise. Until the middle ’nineties the ball had to be lifted clean out of the ground in firstclass cricket before a six was awarded. Even if a batsman broke the secretary’s window with a mighty drive, or lilted the ball into the refreshment bar, only four runs were added to his score.

It needs a giant of a hit to "carry” out of the bigger grounds •in England—the Oval, Old Trafford, Lord’s, and Trent Bridge, for example, so that the sixes obtained by C. I. Thornton. Bonnor, and other old-time smiters were 1 thirty yards or so longer in range than most of those of, modern players. University has a most promising colt in Robinson, who hit up 151 not out for 'Varsity against Kilblrnle last Saturday, in the Junior A match. He made his runs most stylishly, and scarcely made a faltering stroke. He is worth a trial In the ilrst eleven. The 243 which E. R. Neale (117) and S. Newman (108) put up for the first wicket for Old Boys against College at Nelson on Saturday must have been worth seeing, as the runs were made in 100 minutes. • A. W. Roberts (212 not out) and P. Allen (175) were in great form for Riccarton against St. Albans at Christchurch on Saturday. The side scored 453 for five wickets. J. Newman, the Hampshire professional, was in form with the ball bn Saturday, as he secured six wickets for. 75 for Sydenham against Linwood in Christchurch. Although he has been very successful in Australian club cricket, R. 11. Bettington’s friends consider it unlikely that he will be seen in England next year with the test team. After returning to Australia in 1928 after an absence of nine years, he married T. C. Lowry’s sister, and went as junior partner to a well-known Sydney nose and throat surgeon, whose death soon afterwards left Bettington in charge of the practice. He has, therefore, a great chance of doing well, but an invitation to play for Australia would take a good deal of resisting. Mrs.. Bettington is sister to Mrs. Percy Chapman. Herbert Sutcliffe, whom Yorkshire has long elected to the place in its heart occupied by George Hirst in other days, took a benefit this season just passed, the historical battle between the Lancastrians and Yorkists providing the occasion. The weather was villainous, and attendances suffered accordingly. Nevertheless, the Yorkshire and England opening batsman was handed a cheque for £3900. subscriptions from all over England and from sources far outside swelling the total to that desirable amount. G. Dickinson, the Dunedin express bowler, was in deadly form with the ball for Old Boys against Christian Brothers in the match which concluded at Dunedin on Saturday last. In the first innings he secured six wiekets for runs, while in the second innings he captured live wickets for 19 runs, thus securing eleven wickets for 31 runs in the match,, at an average of 2.81 runs per wicket. Dickinson is without question the best fast bowler New Zealand has ever produced, and It is pleasing to see that he is at the top of his form on the eve of the English invasion. The 209 which Frank Woolley, bit up for the M.C.C. team against New South Wales at Sydney on Monday is by no means the largest score which the famous Kent lefthander has made by- the light of the Southern Cross? In the 1911-12 season, Woolley compiled 305 not out for England against Tasmania, and in that Innings put on 200 for the second wicket with W. Rhodes and 264 for the third wicket with J. W. Hearne. Woolley started making centuries for England in Australia in the 1911-12 season, when lie hit up 133 not out. He has gone on like the brook ever since, and now has over a hundred centuries to his credit in first-class matches. Followers of the game in New Zealand this season will have the rare pleasure of seeing this master batsman at the top of his form, as already on the present tour he has smacked up 140 and 299 against South Australia and New South Wales. Young Blood Wonted. More youngiplayers will have to be introduced into future English Test teams, according to Mr. Frielinghaus, the manager of the South African cricket team. He told an interviewer at Cape Town that England had plenty of cricket talent, but sooner or later the Issue of Introducing new blood into the Test teams would have to be faced, particularly in view of the forthcoming visit of the Australians. There was a wealth of batsmen, but a scarcity of bowlers. He thought the bowling difficulty might be overcome if the selectors persisted in playing promising youths instead of omitting them when they failed in their first match. He thought England's young players wore not given enough chances in the' u-st xest matches.