CRICKET

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 118, 14 November 1925, Page 18

CRICKET

■»■ 'Not out.'

RATES SETTLED

PLUNKET SHIELD MATCHES

FORM IN LOCAL CHAMPION--.;',,v -ship. „

;;;;The!fact" that Auckland and Otago ,"ii*cehtly'' agreed to suggestions made j" tj^-Wellington concerning dates for ; JlreJPluukct Shield matches pointed ! to-a new and more satisfactory exj perience for the local association, but

the satisfaction gained was only held for: a" brief space, later developments causing Wellington to fall back to

the state of being the chopping-block for'other associations, as ono member

put it at this week's meeting of the

local, association's Management Committee. There is usually some difficulty or other in arranging the Plun-

ket Shield fixtures, and this writer has urged more than once that something should be done to have the dates for Shield matches settled before tho[ commencement of each' season. ■ Suggestions could quite easily

bo offered by each association, and

from -those -the complete Plunket Shield programme could be compiled with very littlo trouble. Take the present season, for example. It was known last season- that. Auckland would be visiting • Wellington; that "Wellington would be visiting Dune-, din, that Canterbury would be visiting Wellington and Auckland, and

that Otago would bo visiting Christ-

church aiid Auckland. All that was r, inquired, then, was for each assocui-

turn to obtain from the others an in-

dlcation of tho time of the season they were likely to send their teams on ■ tour. This information could-bayo- been supplied before the start of "jfcha- present season, and with

it'OieZjlxlures could; have been arang-«-'d without much delay, A little negotiation might have been necessary,

but certainly not much,

Wellington,

of course, would have notified that they could not play at home on the Christmas dates, the use of the Basin

Reserve on. Boxing Day having been'

granted-to "another body. By reason ~--o& the fact that Otago would bo doing ... ths_.greatest amount of travelling this season, i^was. .due. r to them that they

'} (should- be given first consideration "in i.'?tffe'application for dates for matches A",away fromhome. This, howerer,'was J>; apparently. overlooked -when Auck-

V ■'; land and Wellington agreed to play K'i. at Wellington on the Ist, 2nd, and 'i:\4th January, this agreement being .&/ reached after it was known that :,%' Otago and Canterbury had arranged :".:;; to play at.Christchurchon the Christ- ;.■ mas, dates. . The agreement ■' between /: j Auckland and.Wellington meant that jfj'.Qta.go .would either have to' extend •>/■:■theirViouring time until the • Auck-

landers returned from Wellington or — •return' to: Dunedin. and make another ''"trip.north later in the season. It was not likely that Otago would do either, and it was only reasonable to suppose that Otago would go straight on to Auckland from Christ<ikurch'. It was to be expected, too, that'Ganterbury would want to go on to^Aucklaud after meeting ,Wellingtonfii&'Weiiington.-* -With these prob- | alJifities* iift inihdj '.the-; writer' drew j up ,'a*;'Jirogiamme :of Plunket ..Shield matches. a,;fortnight ago, and "it now tarns ouster be the satisfactory solu-tion--of tliV question 'of .-fixtures. Auck'lancOiave cancelled their agree-mejifwitli-'Wellingtoii, and are meqt'. ing Otago on the New Year dates, but this does not leave Wellington without a fixture for New Year, a3 Canterbury's wishes to play in Wel- , lington on the Now Year dates are being met, as also are those of Wellington to play in Punedin on the ■ 22nd, 23rd, and 25th January. Five of the six Shield matches-have now j been definitely fixed, and all'that is.J required .to complete the programme js an agreenr.t between Auckland and ■Wellington for their match at .Wclfihgtoiii* Tho fixtures, which- have TieQn.ireiEHed, are* as','follow*— ■:,,■ ■.-■ '■-'. '- -t»3l'flr,''"2Oth';"' ancf 28iti' v December.—": Olago !""v. Canterbury, at; ' Christchurch. Ist, 2nd, and 4th January.—Welf lington. v. Canterbury, at Wellington; ■ ■ ' -■..'■'■" Ist, 2nd, and 4th January.—Auckland v. Otago, at Auckland. Sth, SHh. and 11th January.—Canterbury v. Auckland, at Auckland. 22nd, 2."rd, and" ' 20th January.— Otago v. -Wellington, at Dunedin. Wellington and Old Boys. S'ollowera of the Wellington-Old 'Bo'y&"gaine-a(i'th6' Basin' Eeserve were not given much cause for enthusiasm, ■ interest waning after Wellington had *• •_■ netted- enough runs to make them sure ofji three : poiutor. Wagstaffe, ". Badeock, and Bruges, were largely re""'Bponsible for "Wellington's success,"•■'these"three, carrying off honours in i-"the—batting department. If other - ".•.Wellington batsmen happen to get gO- -.... ing* at.the same time as the3e three the score-book will look well from Wellington's point of view. Old^ Boys had a second strike • against Wellington, and had they shaped as well in the first knock there would probably have been a different talo to tell. Tucker treated ; the bowling with scant courtesy, although it was, in reality, better than oh the previous Saturday. Some of '■•• Tucker's strokes-on :the off were reminiscent of other days, being nicely .: .timed and placed. Bepetition of this ,;. form will.give some bowlers a hard time. ' ■ .

Barclay. was one player to give ■ cause for enthusiasm. On taking '-■»<■' the -crease-he immediately got busy "a couple of boundaries, boing followed up with a pair of "sixes." He .....yma.yzell ..caught on the boundary by Wagstaffe in trying to hit Badcock over the fence again. In his short - andmerry life he was quite disrespect- : fnl to the bowling, which had no terrors, for him. -\ Both, Craig and Badcock, in Wellington's attack, kept a good length, ns also did Maxwell in the few overs which he sent flown. Maxwell's "•-trial-was-attended with much success. „ .Wilson, might also have been put on for a,change in both innings; lie has broken up quite a number of good partnerships in recent seasons. The fielding all ronnd, in this gamo considering the conditions, was fairly good, but there was a certain amount -of weakness in the returns to the • ,^'keepers. '■'. These were mostly erratic, with the exception perhaps of those by Burton, who sent the leather in cleanly, crisply, and accurately. Mortem, of Old Boy., wu plucky In not getttiag a wicket with hif first

ball of the day. In attempting to make a catch the fieldsman ran in too far, evidently. thinking that tho breeze would pull the leather up in its flight. A stumping chance off the same bowler was also missed.

University's Debut. University had no groat difficulty in accounting for Thorndon at Kelburn Park, making an encouraging debut in senior cricket by placing four points to their credit. Their success was due in a very large measure to the fact that they possess an unusual number of good bowlers.arid a side which is always alert in the field. Hollings 'gave further evidence of his capabilities as an all-rounder, taking a prominent part in both the batting and bowling departments. He is a great asset to his side, and will no doubt be considered when representative teams are being selected this season. Greig is another good all-rounder. Mackay promises to be a useful member of the University team. When 1 other bowlers had failed to shift Thorndon's opening pair on Saturday, he came to light with his fast-medium deliveries, and ended up with the fine figures of five wickets for 26. Wilson, a slow leg-break bowler, was also brought on when the last few Thorndon batsmen were threatening to play out time, and he gathered in three victim* at a cost of three runs. A batsman with the patience of Job is Berry, of the University eleven. In compiling 26 not out he took absolutely no risks, playing a correct defensive stroke to practically ■ every ball that was sent up to him. There were times when a little more vigour would have resulted in quicker scoring, without involving any risk. Even Phillips, whose bowling was simplicity itself, could not shift Berry. The display of the Thorndon team in all departments of the game was disappointing, and did not augur very well for future success. Roberts, Jate of the Eastbourne team, and Phillips gave tho side a fair start in the second innings, but the remaining batsmen could not keep up the standard.

Midland tnd Institute.

Institute are' not so strong in attack as they were last season, but what they have lost does not make them a weak team,' if Midland's performance is auytlriug to go by. Last year's champions accounted for Midland at the .Basin Reserve without much trouble. But for the efforts of Dind auu Patrick, Midland's inning* would have been.a poor senior championship performance. These two experienced players made a very respectable showing, but others, also of the experienced type, failed to score; in fact, it was rather remarkable- that J. Hutching*, Bruce, Doueghue, and J. W. Hutchings did not score a. run between them.

Clarke, Midland's promising wicketkeeper, and Hester and Cleverley, promoted players, helped Midland's totai along, and it was no fault of theirs that Midland was 90 short of Institute's score. This youngs trio should ir.ake good; in fact, Clarke has already proved that he has outstanding qualities as a wicket-keeper. Cleverley promises to be a good all-rounder, while Hester should make plenty of runs. In the opening match.-Midland were without ■ Baker and Tuivey. Baker will resume his. place as from to-day, and Turvey,'.who has been on temporary, transfer froiii■'Wellington, will come into the team later., With these changes ond better displays from those who failed in the. opening match, Midland may be a tougher proposition than they were against Institute.

Although Malcolm was expected to do niucfe jwith the ball ior Institute, he did no,tv'(some off against Midland. Massey and Foley divided honours. Euns were kept;.down by good fielding on the part of Institute, while young Condliffe rendered excellent service behind the sticks. Condliffe made;two smart catches, thj&e accounting for • the brief ' sojourn of J. Hutchings and Doneghue at the..crease.

-' In continuing their first innings Institute .put on 59 runs before declaring with nine wickets down. Bell, after a 'solid effort on the • opening day, soon went, but Burt carried on confidently until his score stood at 55, when he was caught by the Midland 'keeper.

Petone and Kilbirnie.

The best that Kilbirnie' could do, as a first innings in the senior competition was to score 99 against Petone. By this, however, they should not he discouraged,' as it-must be remembered that; Petone are a hard side to "beat on'• their own ground. Brice had a big hand in getting rid of the promoted players so cheaply, using more pace with his deliveries. Smyrke was also in bowling form.

Having disposed of Kilbirnio so easily, Pctono set out for a four-point win, and with six wickets down for 123 they declared their second innings closed. There was a chance that by fast scoring Kilbirnio might turn the tables, but Petonc- were confident that they had tho game in hand, and.wi*h the progress of Kilbirnie's second innings any risk that may have been apparent was wip^d out. Kilbirnie were' again unable to stand up to Briee and company, though Armstrong and Laiig held out sternly, with a little support from one or two others. Two players who seemed likely to make runs went lbw, and the failure of others made it a case of playing out time. In this respect it looked as though Kilbirnie would succeed, but their luck was out, the innings terminating with the last ball of the day.

That Brice is retaining his form is indicated by his figures for the match —five for 42 and six for 43.

It is reported that C. Eobinson, was was formerly prominent in senior cricket as a fast bowler and big hitter, and who has been a New Zealand representative, may be filling a place in the Petone senior team.

Hutt and V.M.C.A

Without having a great deal to spare, Hutt led V.M.C.A. on the first innings. White, Haughey, and Grant were mainly* instrumental in keeping the Hutt batsmen rathei* quiet, and had it not been for the batting efforts of Tatteraall and M'Girr the town team might have met better fortune. Although Hutt appear to be a strong side, as also do V.M.0.A., only two members of the suburban team did anything like the amount of scoring expected. Nunn, had ho gone in earlier, might have improved matters. Still, Hutt are a good all-round side, and from now on they will have M'Leod with them.

Hutt made a big effort to get rid of V.M.C.A. in time to bid for a fourpointer, but when the effort had been completed there was insufficient time left, for Hutt to get the required 85 runs. V.M.C.A. \vero without Condliffe and White for the second innings, which yielded only 106 runs. All but two of those who batted reached double figures, but the highest score was only 19. Y.M.O.A. are capable of a better performance, although they will not be called upon very often to face an altack such as that made by Hutt. Hult have a good supply of bowlers. Beard and Watson appear to hv doing but io far.