CRICKET

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 48, 26 February 1927, Page 22

CRICKET

"- BY, "NOT OUT" % 1 A HELPING HAND MELBOURNE TEAM'S TOUR , - ■ IMPROVING DOMINION" | ;.. STANDARD j - The Melbourne Cricket Club's members, now- in Wellington, are engaged upon a mission which is likely to be of great, benefit to cricket" in the Dominion, and at the same time those of tho visitors who still have most of their cricket before them are bound to derive much good from the tour. "We have come over to help New Zealand cricket as much as we can," said W. W. Armstrong, who is captaining the side, "and I, personally, will give all the advice possible to advance the game." That expresses the desire of the team as a whole, and, while the side is not as great as some other teams which have visited the Dominion, the tourcis bound to succeed in its main object.' It is being made at a very opportune time, in view of the dispatch of a New Zealand team to England, and if^hbse players who are to represent New Zealand in England make the_ most of the opportunities afforded by the visit-of the Melbourne players they will be tetter-fitted for' their big undertaking. In addition to the provincial matches, two Tests are to be played with the' Melbourne team, and these should serve to put the New Zealand 1 team'into its stride. The experience of playing against H. L. Hendry, Warwick Armstrong, ■ Vernon Kansford, H. I. Ebeling, and company will be valuable, as also will the advice that Hugh Trumble and his men are only too eager to hand out. But the- benefits to be derived: from this tour of the. Melbourne Club's team will not be confined to the players for England. The chance, is open to all cricketers from one ■ end of the, Dominion to the other to obtain something to their advantage, and, if accepted, as it no doubt will be, the standard of the game will be further advanced, with •an added ■■'lift in the good likely to result from the trip, to England-. In the matches to date,, the Melbourne - players have done their best to provide the spectators with good cricket, and they have succeeded. They are -certainly being rushed about the.-.-conntry, ; but-being fully alive to the.objects of the' tour they do not mind that in the least. So much travelling is not altogether good for their ganiej but with it all they aro showing fine form. Some of their displays have been great, and already four members of the side have knocked up centuries. So far they have not been beaten, and Warwick Armstrong considers that it will take a good side to score a win over the visitors. "But we wil! not be disappointed if New Zealand does lower our colours,' 1 he adds. The' two Tests with the -New Zealand team, the first at Christchurch on the 18th, 19th, 21st, and 22nd March, land the second at Wellington on the 25th, 26th, and 28th March, are being awaited with the keenest interest.' Melbourne Team's Averages. The batting and bowling figures for the Melbourne Team up to the match now in progress show that the side has capabilities all round. Every member of the team has had a turn with the ball, even those who are looking ■ after the 'keeping., .. Armstrong heads the list of batting averages, with B. Onyons, who captains the Victorian second, eleven,Jn''second place. ?he four players-whirhave scored centuries areW. W. "Armstrong, H. C. Sandford, V. S. Kansford, and K. Jewell. Sandford missed a double-century by oiiTy eight runs. Apart from Dakin, who has been used very little as a bowler, Ebeling has the best figures, while the accounts of Wood, Johnstone, and T. Armstrong also read well. Hendry had had only one day's play prior to the Wellington match, ,and once under way he will take a 'very prominenfplace in the erages.The.outstanding partnerships to date are:— ' : 226 for the tenth wicket.—By W. W. and T. G. Armstrong, against Waikato. 16!) for tho third wicket.—By H. Sandford and It. Jewell, against Hawkes Bay." The ' averages of the Melbourne 'in -- Dij-yn-s for all matches played to date in New Zealand, except that now m progress with Wellington, are as follow:— * , -'- ■■■-;; _■:.*.• ■: '. .-- ■

Senior Play and Players. Kilbirnie had a merry time at Petone s expense at the Basin Keservc lastSaturday; and the manner in which over 4QO runs wore netted was entertaining :to the enthusiasts assembled. It is a very rare occurrence for Finlayson and Brice to be dealt with as they were last Saturday. ' Badeock's knock for Kilbirnie was brilliant. This dashing batsman was at his best—a century in 65 minutes. The coach has now scored three centuries in three successive club matches. I Greig.was heading the right way for i another ,big score when he was run out. As it was he made 49. Badeock was also run out, the result of a brilliant throw-in. With Badeock and Greig out,' and Christophersen for once having failed to get going, Petone's problem was not solved. Kilbirnie made merry to the end, -with Armstrong and Algar figuring in a bright and productive ninthwieket stand. ' ■ On occasions Petone's fielding was loose, and there were times when the glare of the sun was a handicap. However, sonlo members of the team did excellent'work in the field. The champions (Hutt) emphasised once again that their possibilities with the bat extend right down to the last wicket. They were making but a poor impression against Wellington at the Basin Beserve, but just when runs were badly needed M'Leod. came to light. The ex-Aucklandcr h,ad been right out of form" this season, but he came back with a rush, and playing a sterling innings ho made Hutt's score-book quite respectable. Of 180 runs put on by the last four wickets M'Leod contributed 111 without being tieaten. The return to form of this good lefthander is pleasing. Wellington gave a poor performance in the field against Hutt. Quite a number of chances went begging, but fortunately for Wellington the misses

were not costly, except, perhaps, in one case when a good chance of stumping was lost.

Cousins was employed as Wellington's 'principal ..with.■the ball, and he took five wickets ; for 102 runs. "No ball" was called a number of times during Hutt's innings, and it was bad luck for the bowlers oh at least two occasions that the incorrect deliveries took wickets.

University failed to show up as a batting side against Old Boys, for whom Tucker again rendered valuable service as a bowler. Leys and Hall were the only batsmen to get going. Old Boys made a fair start in reply to 'Varsity's first innings, but the students did well to get rid of Konaldson and Lambert for 15 and 7 respectively. H. Murphy saved V.M.C.A, from a collapse against Thorndon, his score of 81 being badly needed. M. Henderson and Browne gave useful assistance. Thorndon made. fair progress Before stumps were drawn.

Institute gave Midland an exceedingly busy time in the field at Kolburn Park, rattling on runs in ' great style. Banks returned to form, and his effort paved the way for a heavy score. He himself notched a century, and later in the innings Malcolm opened out in. delightful fashion, and going well for an hour and a half he compiled 150 runs. Prince, Griffiths, Baumber, arid others also contributed to a spectacular performance which realised the huge total of 523 runs. Senior Batting Averages. Recent performances in the scniil grade matches have accounted for run* erous changes of position on the lint of averages, although most,of the players whp were previously in the leading division have maintained their place of prominence. Lamason is still at the I top, with a fine average of 72.80, and ho is closely followed by Kortlang, whose total exceeds 400 for an average cf 68. Next on the list is Badcock, who has a big aggregate of 638 runs, compiledl at the rate of 58 per innings. Bad- , cock's recent efforts with the bat have given his figures a big lift. Hollings, ' Brice, Nunn, Hiddleston, Airey, Christopherson, H. Foley, and Mason remain well placed. It is worthy of note | that'the Wellington opening batsmen, Hiddueston and Airey, are separated by ' only one run in the aggregate, and each j having made the same number of visits to the crease their averages are almost ! the same. Christopherson shares with i Hollings and Badeock the jMstinction of passing the 500 mark in club oricket. I Ronaldson's consistency has been maintained,.and H. E. Nieholls has kept up ' his^ average. James has dropped a little, ' though his figures are still good. An improved position has been gained by J. ' Hutchings, while there are a number of i others who have also improved their averages considerably by reason of recent ' good scores, among them being Banks, Greig, Aldersley, Malcolm, Armstrong, and M'licod. % All told, there aro 52 | players credited with averages of over ■ 20. Seventeen players have averages I ranging; from 72.80 to 40.00. Aggregates of over 250 runs are held by 23 players. The figures of those players who have had at least five innings are as follow:

Many Centuries. The batting department of senior cricket in Wellington this season is not. able for the number of three-figure scores being made" by individual players. Already twenty-one centuries and one double century have been registered. The double century was scored by Kortlang, while Badeock and Rollings have each scored three centuries. -Hoilings made his three earlier in the season in successive visits to ■' the crease, and Badcdckimade his three in the last three matches. Christophersen has scored two 'centuries. Hiddleston has not yet reached the centuiy mark in this season's club cricket, but he has made two centuries in representative cricket. Badcoelc and- James have: each made a three-figure score in representative cricket, and Kortlang made two centuries in one representative match. The list for club ; matches is as follows:— 201—8. J. Kortlang (Thorndon). .153 —W. J. Christophersen (Kilbirnie). 150— J. A. Malcolm (Institute). 135—A. M. Hollings (University). 132 not. out—X. Mason (Thorndon). 130—I). Burt (Institute). 127— W. S. Brice (Petone)'. 124—A. M. Hollings (University). 123— H. Foley (institute). 121— W. J. Christophersen (Kilbirnie). 117 not out—D. Patrick (Midland). 117—A. M. Hollings (University). 115 —1\ T. Badeock (Kilbirnie). 114— J. Hutchings (Midland). 11C.-W. A. Alderslcy (Hutt). ' 111 not out—E. M'Leod (Hutt). 109 not out—A. Greig (Kilbirnie). 108— F. T: Badeock (Kilbirnie). 108— H. E. Nicholls (Petone). 107— E. Banks (Institute). 101— F. T. Badeock (Kilbirnie). 100---H. Baumber (Institute). Junior Grades.

The junior A grade cricket competition this season has been one of the most interesting on record, and prior to the commencement of the final series of matches last Saturday it was possible for three teams to finish up on equal terms. , Petone, with 25 points, are playing Institute, with 22 points, and Kilbirnie, with 23 X'oints, are playing University, with 21 points. A three-point win for Institute and a four-point win for University would bring these teams to the same mark as Petone, but 'Varsity's chances o;. success have faded, and unless Institute can secure a four-point win over Petone the championship will be won by Kil- , birnic.

r££f:::::: '• 5»- ss T. G. Armstrong ..6 1 ,80* 192 38.40 v" o 1""1!." "■; — •'•■ 7 x 13r 219 30.50 V S Kansford ... fi 1 100 ,179 35 80 t" V ?v n s°- d ••• 8 - lft2 '2SS ' 35-3? £ t &•:::; 5 z 7 3 i T 5 " »kj ?:K.-&r.:: ? i -JS"}?? tJ 8 5 H. I. Ebellne 4 i 18 28 Bowling. t t> t^ ,'■' WKts' Rlms- 'Avg. E. P. DaWn 4 20 7 an H. I. Ebelins "6 321 l»4o £• »■ vrjod ::: n !" is:*. H S Sandfor.l 1 3 1? jj^ J. S Kansford 6 i; 0 23.00 T. Armstrong 10 4 80 23 26 B. Onyons » 03 3150 H. L. Hendry 1 31 33 . 00 „; ,% B°ecrs°n « 213 35.50 W. W. Armstrong 3 125 4166 K. Campbell ■ ■ 0 g ' ' K. Jewell; 0 36 —

Inn. N.O. H.S. Total. Avg. Lamason (T.M.) .. 7 2 95 '304 72 80 Kortlang (T.I .... 8. 2 201 408 08.00 Badcock (T.) .... 12 1 113 G3S 58.00 HoUlnga (U.) ..... 0 — 135 521 57.88 Brlce (P.) 6 1 127 280 ' 57.20 Nunn (H.) ........ 11 5, 71 330 55.00 Hiddlestou '(W)) . M 8 1 '88 339 51.28 Airey (W.), **v 8 1 S7 358 51.14 Christopherson (K.) 13 2 153 539 ' 49.00 Foley (I.) ........ 8 1 123 391 48.87 Mason (T.) ..;.... 7 1 132* 205 44.16 Honaldson (O.B.) .11 2 73 371 41.22 H. E. Nicholls (P.): 7 — 108 285 40.71 J. Hutchings (M.) . 9 1. 114 ■ 322 ;40.25 James (O.B.) .... 11 2 70 300 40.00 Tmrey (M.) ....J. 5 —: 96 196 39.20 Baumber (I.) ..... 8 — 100 311 38.87 Bruco ■ (M.) ...... 5 1 77 140 35.00 Tattersall (H.) .... 10 —84 338 33.80 Patrick (M.) ..... 9 1 117* 203 32.87 W. Dustin (O.B.)) .io 2 38* 257 32.12 Doneghue (M.) ;... .7 — 54 221 31.57 Banks (I.) . ..9 1 107 248 31.00 Whitwcll (W.) .... 8' 2- 52 . 186 31.00 Grcig. (K.X., .11 1 109* 30-1 30.40 Roberts- (T.j ..-.r.- 'li-'-l'-'.-72 " 242 30.25' Bilby, (I.) ....;. 10 2 GO* 242 30.25 Baker (M.) 9 — 70 200 28.88 Craig (W..) 8 — 77 225 23.12 Leys (U.) 11 — 89 303 27.54 Burt (I.) 9 — 130 245 27.22 Gibson (T.) ■..:... 8 1 39* 190 27.14 A. C. Tripe (U.) ..11 1 67 268 26.80 Aldorsley (HO ... 9 1 112 211 26.37 Osborn (II.) 6 — 69 347 ' 24.50 Malcolm (I.) ..:.10 — 150 238 23.80 Morris (K.) 13 2' 65* 245 22.27 Ward (I.)' .... 5 — 49 111 22.20 M'Girr (H.) ...... B—6l 177 22.12 Griffiths (I.) 10 4 42 130 21.66 Armstrong (K.) .... 8. 1 84 151 21.57 MXeod (H.) ..... 10 2 111" . 170 : 21:25 Patrick.. (O.B.) .. 12 2 44 209 20.90. M.'Hondersbn (Y.M.) 11 ■ — 50 \,223 -20.27. M. Nicholls ' (P.) .B—o2 IG2 20.25 Tho players next on the list are:— Redmond (K.) .... IS 1 33 23!) 19.91 Sl'Kay (H.) 10 — 81 198 ]9.80 Lambert (O.B.) .. 8 — 48 158 19.75 Calvert (I.) 10 — 80 193 19.30 Gwilllam (H.) .... 9 2 31* 134 19.14 Prince (I.) ....... 9:— 07. 169 18.77 Virtue (Y.M.) .... 13 1 78* '224 . 18.66 Capstick (P.) .... 7 1- 36 110 18.33 Among i other players' with 'averages of over 20 are the following:— Wilson (P.) ...... 4 3 69* 82 " 82.00 Carrutliers (T.) ... 3 3 38* 55 55.00 Murphy (Y.M.) .... 3 — 81 89 29.66 Grant (Y.M.) .-... 5 — -39 127 25.40 Price (T.) 3 — 41 71 23.66 Masscy" (I.) ..'. 7 2 33 .105 21.00 Stevens (I.)-...... 2 1 14* 21 21.00 •Not out.