Cricket.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVI, Issue 112, 7 November 1908, Page 14

Cricket.

(By " Half -Volley.") Hound No. 2 of the local champion6hips opened last Saturday under rather adverse conditions as regards the weather. The slides sourly, and wept softly for a while, but afterwards cleared a little, only to return to tears about 4.40. But the moisture was not sufficient to make only but a slight impression on the wickets, though there was qmte eno-ngh to handicap the bowlera uatil the wind dried it up somewhat. Sawdust, was in use early, and was necessary. And despite the dullness of the atmospherical conditions, and the rather monotonous stolidity of the pl«y, there mts one bright ray — a feature, if one be permitted to use the term ■without incurring the hostility of captious critics. This was the ample room for thesenior playeTa ; the almost entire absence of collision and encroachment ; the much-desired and very necessary absence of übiquitous youths wont (and permitted) to jostle with their superiors (in a cricketing sense) cheek by jowl. One could be a spectator on Saturday at the Basin without the apprehensiveness that some innocent might bo dono to sudden death, while the umpires were (comparatively) cheerful, the imminence of bolts from the blue being a negligible quantity with but two teams engaged. There was freedom, breathing space, chasing space ; one hopes senior cricket may continue under such reasonable and favourable auspices for all time. Some of the tactica of the Wellington Club bowlers as to placing the field wero very popular, and, to the writer, apparently distinctly illogical. Quinn, obviously after "work" frem the leg, and with a ball pitched on the leg stump, or thereaboirts, had hardly a man to the on : most of his field was spread over before the b«fc«nan. Nash, a left-hander, breaking orer from leg, had his field similarly placed, while for Lickie, bowling to J. P. Blacklock from the pavilion end, there was a man at long-leg. AH the out-field to long-on was empty, and absolutely called for some ondriving, high and hard. Of Courfo, if a left-hander boiling off-theory, with his field placed in accordance vritn. that idea, persists in swin^iw- across from the batsman's lejr',~ *»c' is courting an expensive avera^d 1 , if the b&tswan sees and seizes M* opportunities. As anyone is aware the ball to tempt the batsman to lie. i / a go is that on© pitened on or slightly outside the off-stump, and turning away. The writer remembers G. H. Hirst, the crack left-hasder with Warner's team in Sydney, bowling in that memorable test match when Foster tired himself in playing Sauaders and company, and Tnrmper made* that gallant effort to drag the match out of the fire. The Yorkshireinaa, for over after over, slammed down the fust stuff just a shade outside the off-stump. Hopkins, Gregory, and another — speaking from memory — patient, but Boraiy tempted, and knowing the risk, sliced away, and the unerring Arnold and Braund in the slips, or Lilley, at the wickets, did the trick. Off-tk«ory is fine theory, but there must fee jadgment with it. Lust year's premiers began well against Wollingfce-n on No. 2 wicket at the Basin on Satarday, but unfortunately their record — 165 for four wickets — fefl. away rather badly towards the close of the afternoon's play. Lomax and Monagban were both run out — Richardson's rstnrn being 'responsible — and M'QilJ was out to an excellent catoh by Mttrphy, off Nash, at mid-off. It was roc-lly a first-olass effort, tb& fieldsman heldnVs the ball at arm's length at a nasfcy angle. Ken Tucker, despite a couple of chances, played a capable innings, his cutting ana off-driving standing out conspicuously. He was in first wicket down, »nd waa Htiil unconquored at 5.55, when ctnmps were drawn. J. P. Blaeklock, who Reams to reaei-ve his best efforts f»r tb« more responsible intflr-proviivoiai matches, ran up 44, this score incln&ng fonr 4's, ono a lot shot down past point, and another a kook over the fsnee at leg. This batsman was badly roisaed by Miller at long-on against the fence, in an attempt 1 to clear tehe fence. Some of the let( theory might have been treated mdre vigorously, but the innings indicates something like approaching iorm. Birch, a batsman of tho cautious type, scored quietly but consistently till Vare hem him off a kicking ball in tho slips. The Wellington attack was only so-so Hiekson and Nash kept tho batsmen quiet, but tho others were mainly jndefatigably unsuccessful. A recruit, Miller, who bowls a sort of j ball, and prior to the moment of de- ' livery swings the ball from about the ■ small of his back, was not successful on j the easy wicket. His fielding, too, was j not edifying, though he was not a lonely ' delinquent in this respect. He was, p«rhapa, over-anxious. Dakin, at cut, stopped some hot shots cleverly, while Richardson — with one quaint error ex- | cepted — snd Hiekgon worked hard. The ball with which Nash bowled Blacklock cam"! back in great stylo. Present indications point to a close finish in this match, but Wellington should miss the points. In their first essay in Senior cricket the V.M.C.A. team bumped up against something hot to begin with in tho Old Boys. The proposition set them last Saturday in the second round was Midland, reputedly a strong batting eleven. Aided sfigktly at the commencement by the wicket, though the advantage wa-s counterbalanced by a slippery ball, the Young Men performed very creditably, and if Brett, at mid-on, had not bungled not a hard catch from C. Hiekson, the chances would haye been much in their favour. That miss cost the attacking side 54 runs, .and after the mistake Hiekson played chancelessly, eventually carrying out his bat for a patient, wellmade 75, out of a total of 161. Williams missed a well-pitched ball trom Herlihy, Wynyard was claimed by the same bowlei, while Bruce, who began the season with a nice score, and Maneon, both missed straight balls from Owens, the YM.C.A. fast bowler. Patrick laid about him in an entertaining fashion, putting a lot of wood on his off-drives. His was a bright innings, and he got hi& runs quickly. He gave one possible chance at mid-on. The fielding of the Seniors was fair to moderate, Brett being a notable sinner. Bowling, Herlihy captured five scalps for 66 runs. If judiciously handled, this man will continue to obtain ' wickets ; but he was kept on far too long last Saturday, and eventually lost his length and sting. On a fast wicket, a little more off-theory — with watchful slips provided — would probably aid his success. Owens bowled well, considering the easy state of the turf. He bowls a medium to fast ball, and should meet with fair reward m Senior cricket if backed up by the field. Midlane sent down a few overs, but was rather expensive, both Hiekson and Patrick relishing the short and over-pitched stuff. Grimmett, with two for 35, bowled without much lack. In the bad light Hiekson disposed of two of the V.M.C.A., the score at drawing of the stumps being 6 runs tor two wickets. Jf trie younger team is to get the points, Midlane, Tilyard, and Atkinson will have to do something special*