MERCANTILE CRICKET

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 127, 22 February 1939, Page 13

MERCANTILE CRICKET

Problem Of Time Lost By Wet Weather UMPIRES’ RULING (By Quidnunc.) As a result of many confiding rulings regarding lost time through wet weather in a recent series of matches, the Mercantile League Umpires’ Association has given the following ruling, which is subject to by-law 1 of the league’s rules: “The first batting side may bat for two hours and fifteen minutes and may continue its innings past 4.15 p.m. so as to make up all time lost on account of weather. The side to bat second shall not make up time lost ou account of weather.” The ruling is strictly in accordance with the by-law. and should serve to clarify the position. At the same time it is'doubtful if it will prove satisfactory, and the time would appear opportune to alter the by-law. Till the past two seasons there was no compulsory declaration, it was found expedient to introduce such action, limiting the batting time of the first team to two’hours and a Quarter because of the number of drawn games and in an endeavour to allocate both sides as nearly as possible a similar amount, of batting time, thus ensuring fairness to the competing teams in one-day cricket. It should be quite apparent. however, that where such arbitrary rules apply to give each side a reasonable chance of forcing a win, a rule should also be introduced so that time lost throuyh rain should ibe redistributed (o achieve a similar purpose. The ruling given by the umpires’ association is the only logical one in accordance with the league's by-laws, but it is not satisfactory from a playing point of view. For instance, if half an hour were lost through rain by the side batting first, the side would be entitled under the ruling of the umpires’ association to bat on till 4.45 p.m., this leaving the second, side an hour and 20 minutes for play. This would be distinctly unfortunate if the second side were in the running for the championship, and was deprived of a winning chance by the short-

iige of time, as the ruling has the effect of decreasing its batting time. Many other issues are involved, and it would appear essential either that the management committee o_f the league, or the annual meeting should give a lead in the matter. Successful Season.

All three teangs representing Taxes Department in the Mercantile League were successful in their matches on Saturday. This elub has now received 74 championship points this season, which is the best performance recorded by it since it linked up with the Mercantile League. Impressive Performance.

impressive performance well worthy of the leaders of the C grade-was given by Excelsior in securing a five-point win against Seatoun on Saturday. The batting, bowling and fielding were all uniformly good. In addition to taking nine wickets and making 46 runs, Baker, one of Excelsior’s best all-rounders, took several brilliant catches in slips. Seatoun’s performance was a disappointing one. The team contains many players who have had considerable experience in Nettleton, Birch, Cato and Dykes. Nettleton played for Auckland in a Plunket Shield match iu 1925. Unlucky Batsman.

Eighteen fours, two sixes and nine singles made up H. Lowe’s 93 for Hannahs against Jasco. This player has on numerous occasions been in the nineties, the coveted three-figure mark having evaded him time aud again. He was shaping full of confidence on Saturday and looked certain to reach the century, but a nice pull to leg proved his undoing, Sadler taking a good catch.

A Bradman Average. Reaching 1000 runs for the season the previous week with 159 not out, F. Holz, who plays for Colonial Carrying Co. in the G grade, was again in scoring mood last Saturday, his tally being 129 not out. It was his sixth century, and brought his figures to date to 14 innings, 6 not outs, 1140 runs, average 142.5. Holz is an experienced cricketer, having represented minor associations. Though well above the class in which he is now playing, he is rendering meritorious service by coaching young players in the G grade, mail}’ of whom are showing marked signs of improvement.

Sparkling Cricket. Some sparkling cricket was witnessed in the A grade match at Newtown Park on Saturday between Harbour Board and Prestige Hosiery. When these teams met earlier in the season similar high scoring was witnessed, Harbour Board rattling up 287 runs for five wickets in response to 246 by Prestige Hosiery. On Saturday the latter turned the tables in a carefree game in which both sides fought to win. At least 20 shots went flying over the boundaries for six, Jupp and Janes

getting five each mid Moore three. Prestige Hosiery compiled 251 for seven wickets. declared, A't one stage with Jupp scoring with the greatest of freedom it appeared that Harbour Board would seI cure the required runs easily, but alter his departure the side collapsed and was all out. for 195 runs compiled in 90 minutes. Altogether 446 runs were scored in approximately three hours and three-quar-ters. Loading Averages. Following are the leading A grade averages : — « Batting: J. Moore (Prestige Hosiery), 7 innings, 396 runs, average 56.5; K. Hatch (Taxes Department), 12 innings, 651 runs, average 54.2; J. Ward (Amalgamated Bricks), 10 innings, 1 not out, 388 runs, average 43.1 : W. Jupp (Harbour Board), 14, 1, 509, 39.1; 11. Lowe (Hannahs), 13, 1. 468. 39; A. Erskine (Jasco). 10. 2, 308. 38.5; R. Barrett (Taxes Department), 11, 2, 343, 35.2; B Mitchell (Harbour Board), 13, 3, 369, 36.9; J. H. Potier (Taubmans), 13. 2, 394. 35.8; M’. Smith (W.M.C:). 13, 1, 424, 35.3; M. Liddicoat (Amalgamated Bricks), 14. 0. 469, 33.5; L. Myers (Harbour Board). 9. 0. 302. 33.5; A. Davis (W.M.C.). 11. 0. 326. 29.6; D. Wiren (Woolworths). 14, 2, 355. 29.5; R. Kemp (Prestige Hosiery). 13, 0, 375. 28.8; E. Pickering (Amalgamated Bricks), 14, 0, 397, 28.3; J. Allen (Taxes Department), 11. 0. 299. 27.1. Bowling: J. Sandholm (Taubmans), 57 wickets for 583 runs, average 10.2; M. J. Goodson (Woolworths). 59 for 639, 10.8; J. 11. Potier (Taubmans), 39 for 439. 11.2: F. de Clifford (Amalgamated Bricks). 50 for 597, 11.9; L. Beveridge (Taxes Department). 37 for 484. 13; C. Murphv (Amalgamated Bricks). 17 for 223, 13.1 ; K. Hatch (Taxes Department). 53 for 717, 13.5; P. Torrington (Taubmans), IS for 296. 16.4; G. Bait (Hannahs), 45 for 751. 16.6: F. Bryant (Customs Agents). 26 for 435. 16.7; IV. J. Matson (W.M.C.), 26 for 488. 18.7; AV. Smith (W.M.C.), 29 for 539. 19.2; J. Donovan (Jasco), 18 for 353. 19.6. Saturday’s Fixtures Following are the Wellington Mercantile Cricket League’s grade championship fixtures for Saturday next: — A Grade. Amalgamated Bricks v. Taubmans. Newtown No. 7, O. E. Dormer and G. Williamson. Hannahs v. Taxes, Kelburn 3. F. Barber. Customs Agents v. Jasco, Athletic 1, T. McLean. Woolworths v. Harbour Board, Athletic 2, D. Calcinai. Working Men’s Club v. Prestige, Newtown 1. J. McGillivray. B Grade. Gasco A v. Celtic, Karori 2. W. F. Clark. iSargoods v. Telephone A, Wakefield 9, P. B. Wakeford.

Justice v. Smith and Smith, Wakefield 8, D. Preston. U.L.M. v. Tramways, Anderson 5, H. W. Cater. Grey Cabs v. Niven Clarke, Wakefield 6, R. Brooks. C Grade. Atlantic Union v. Ferguson and Osborne, Polo 2, Hale; Advances v. Berhampore, Kilbirnie 9, G. Hartshorne; Ross and Glendiuing v. Pastimes, Wakefield 3. G. Huss; Wright, Stephenson v. Excelsior, Kilbirnie 5, F. V. Sanderson; Audit v. Seatoun, Anderson 4, W. N. Broadley. D Grade. A.O.T.N. v. Star Stores. Nairnville 4, J. Mason; Shipping A v. Milk Department, Kilbirnie 7, R. Williams; Labour Tourist v. H.M.V., Karori 4, G. Flint; Bonds Hosiery v. Labour Bureau, Anderson 6, G. H. Eniinins; Printing A v, Self-Help, Polo 1, G. Nicholson. E Grade. Lands and Survey win by default; Insurance A v. Burch and Co., Wakefield 7, G. Harris; Duthies v. Central, Newtown 2, A. Millar; National Bank v. Insurance B, Newtown 5. -S. 'Smith: Customs Department v. Taxes B. Nairnville 5, A. Kerr. F Grade. General Motors v. Shipping B, Newtown 3, E. Upton: ’McKenzies v. Printing B, Karori 5. A. Newman; Wellington Woollen Co. v. Moore Wilson, Karori 3, H. E. Upton; Harbour Board v. Rovers, Athletic 3, E. R. Newton. G Grade. Gasco B v. Telephone B, Newtown B. F. Ryan; Dominion Motors v. Taxes, Newtown 4, Riggs; P. and T. Stores v. Taubmans, Karori 1. E. W. Smelt; Colonial Carrying v. City Council, Athletic 4, A. J. Wilson.