CRICKET

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 60, 12 March 1927, Page 22

CRICKET

By "not Our" NEW ZEALAND TEAM

AN INITIAL DIFFICULTY

THREE PLAYERS OUT OF

ACTION

• The New Zealand Cricket Council has decided, after consultation -with Messrs. Hugh Trumble and Warwick Armstrong, of the Melbourne Club's team, that fourteen players are sufficient for the tour to England. It is to be hoped that the council has been wise in its'.'judgment, but just at the moment there is a striking illustration of the difficulties with which a team on tour is not infreqsently faced. In assembling the cioten players here in their home county for a Teat with a visiting team, the N«w Zealand selectors find that three of the men are unfit for play. That lea res just the bare eleven, but at least two more of the elect are not able to make the trip to Christchurch, so that a full team from the tourists for England will not be seen in the Test at Christchurch. The absentees will include the captain (T. C. Lowry) and the pace bowlers, M. Henderson, B. H. L. Bernau, and H. M. M'Girr. "When the team gets to England the players will find that they will require to become accustomed to a new set of conditions, and, if they are to give of their best, this obstacle will have to be surmounted with all possible speed. They may find the wickets of somewhat similar type to those in' New (Zealand, but for nearly all of them it will be a new experience in a new country, and they will be strangers to the existing conditions. The hope is that they will quickly fall into the changed order of things, and become well fitted for a really strenuous tour. At the same time, it is hardly likely that they will find their feet as an Australian side does. This is New Zealand's first venture, whereas the Australians are guided by long exr perience. The New Zealand team would have been all the better with a little more experience behind it. Still, the council says that fourteen men are enough, and one hopes that the chosen players will be able to stand up to the tow and see it through without any repetition, of the experience which the New Zealand selectors have had in getting a team together for the Test at Christehureh, commencing on Friday next. With regard to the report from the New Zealand council that Messrs. Trumble and Armstrong considered that fourteen players were sufficient for the tour, Mr. Trumble pointed out in Wellington that "a team cf fourteen men might be too many and it might not be enough." The main thing, he said, was to have someone in the team to provide stiffening, and if it meant strengthening the side the number might be increased to fifteen. Most people are agreed that in the main the team is a good one, but it does seem that it would be all the better for some of the stiffening to which Mr. Trumble referred.

Wellington and Hutt.

The defeat of Hutt by Wellington does not affect the championship outlook, as with only one more series of games the present champions have a clear lead of seven points. Hutt are champions for another season.

Wellington's win last Saturday was brought about largely by the exceptionally fine batting performance of W. B. Airey, a colt who is on the right way to high honours in tho game. He gave a splendid all-round display against Hutt, using the stroke which sends the ball speeding past point to very good advantage. This was Airey's first century in senior cricket, and it should be by no means his last.

H. E. Burton, former Wellington and Auckland representative, came up from the junior ranks, whero he has been performing well,- to play a conspicuous part in Wellington's success over the champions. He was uneasy at the start, but settled down to give a good display and to make a valuable contribution to the score.

Hutt's efforts in the fieM last Saturday were considerably below the order usually supplied by the suburbanites. It is seldom that Hiitt have an off day in the field. One player who was missed for his fielding was M'Leoa, who had pulled the side out of the fire when they were batting. Kilbirnie and Petone. Although faced with a score of 404, Petone made Kilbirnie strive hard for success, and did exceptionally well to. put on 343 runs. Sturdy opposition on the part of the Petone batsmen in the concluding stages of the game greatly reduced Kilbirnie's prospects of a win, and before the fall of the ninth wicket the indications were for a draw. Kilbirnie, however, managed to get the last two wickets in the nick of time. The big feature of Petone's innings was the batting display by Stan Brice. It wag thoroughly enjoyed by the spectators, who gave the captain a great rally when he reached the century. Most of Brice's 103 runs were scored f rop boundary hits, three of which were "sixers;" ' Finlayson also rose to the occasion, giving one of his best displays with the bat. Capgtick, who opened for Petone, kept his end going in commendable fashion, and was unlucky in being given "run out." Over the concluding stages Corner, Cate, and Smyrk used the bat to some purpose. University and Old Boys. University found Old Boys in scoring mood on Saturday at the Kilbirnie Eeserve, and suffered another defeat. Old Boys, with three wickets down for 89 on the first day of the match, quickly passed University's tally of 182 on Saturday. University's bowling was mastered, and although D. Dustin was absent, Old Boys took their total to 324 after giving quite a good display. James, who, besides doing well behind the wickets, gave a good display •with the bat. He helped himself to 88, and was unlucky in being run out when he was shaping so well. James batted freely. When in the fifties he gave a chance, but it was not accepted. _ H. C. Bailey also gave splendid assistance in putting together an attractive 74, and W. Dustin, who obtained 33, was another Old Boys' batsman who shaped well. Thorndon and V.M.C.A. ■ Playing at the Hutt, Thorndon and T.M.O.A. had a very interesting tussle in which victory went to V.M.C.A. by the narrow margin of six runs on the first innings. Once again Kortlang gave a splendid lead to his players, and it looked as though Y.M.C.A.'s score was within easy reach. Following Kortlang's dismissal, however, there Was a "rot," and only one player (Hyder) was able to break the run of "outs" at one end while Phillips held out staunchly at the other. Thorndon ■were unfortunate in being a man short. Kortlang gave a good display in compiling 58 runs. Tomer and Henderson were the successful V.M.C.A. bowlers, the former doing exceptionally well in bagging five wickets at a cost of only eight runs apiece.

Thorndon are weak in bowling, but Borne of those who have no claim to ability in this department can get wickets. "Teddy" Eoberts proved it in the previous match. Several of the V.M.C.A. batsmen took advantage of the Thorndon bowling experiments and made runs in plenty. Others were caught napping. H. Murphy and Browne scored well, and Jraoiflsog was heading for another good

score when he was run out. Mat Henderson carried his bat for 26. Midland and Institute. The Midland-Institute match at Kelburn Park was remarkable for tall scoring. On the first day Institute compiled the huge score of 523, Malcolm and Banks each making a century. Midland, on the second day, made a great reply, and. with a little more speeding up they may even havr passed the opposition total. As it was" they knocked up 477 runs for seven wickets, making a total of 1000 runs for the match at the high average of 58.82 per wicket. W.^ A. Baker came back to his own, a.nd in carrying his bat throughout the afternoon for 226, not out, he was within reach of the record individual score. now held by Banks. A few seasons ago Baker held the record. On this occasion he was as sound as ever; it was a great innings. Dind and Turvey were other members of the Midland team to deal severely with_ the Institute bowling, the former playing a very forcing innings. Promoted for this match was J. Tidman, a batsman who has been a heavy scorer m the junior grades. Senior Batting Figures. As a result of performance in the eighth series of senior matches, concluded last Saturday, there have been numerous changes in the'list of averages J. K. Lamason and B. J. Kortlang, however, still retain first and second places respectively, and they are now separated by only a fraction of a point so far as average is concerned. W. S Brice by his second century of the season' has taken third position in place of F. T. Badcock (now fifth), and A. M. Pollings retains fourth place. W E Airey has moved up a few steps, this player having made a century last Saturday. H. Nunn is next on the list, and then follows W. A. Baker, whose score of 226 not out gives him a very big 3 ump. All the players mentioned have made their runs at an average o± over 50 per innings. J. S. Hiddleston, K. Mason, J. Hutchings, and H. ■E. Nicholls have lost a little ground while W. Turvey and K. C. James have made forward moves. Places of some prominence are still held by W. J. E. Christophersen, H. Foley, A. Eonaldson, H. Baumber, A. Bruce, and H. J. Tattersall, these names completing the first twenty on the list of those players who have batted at least five times. The next half dozen on the list W Dustin, D. Patrick, J. Banks, A. Greig, E. Eoberts, and M. Bilby—have averages of over 30. A. Doneghue, whose run of good scores was broken last Saturday, comes next • with 28.75. Good scores made last Saturday bring H. C. Bailey, N. Dind, M. Corner, and F. Capstick into the list of players having averages of over 20. There are a number of players with good averages who have had less than five innings.

The figures of those players who have had at least five innings are as follow:—

Senior Bowling Averages. Although scoring generally has been high this season, many of the bowlers in the senior competition have done well. Those who have taken over ten wickets number thirty-nine, and among this lot there are thirteen with "bags" of twenty or more wickets. Once again Beard is performing conspicuously, and his figures at the present time read exceptionaly well. Ho has taken 42 wickets at the small cost of 9.35 runs apiece. His aggregate is beaten only.by that of Badcock. The Wellington coach has taken 45 wickets at an average of 14.17. The list of those players who have taken more than ten wickets has other interesting features. Four Hutt players are among the first ten, while Wellington Club players claim three places, and Petone two. There are fifteen players with averages of under 20. M'Girr and Henderson, who are included in the New Zealand team for England occupy third and eleventh places respeclfi VQR y> w"*. avera Ses being 12.51 and 1b.96.. Henderson is fourth in the aggregate and M'Girr sixth. The averages of bowlers who have taken over ten wickets are as follow:

, Other averages include those of Grant and Massey who have withdrawn from the competition:— •

There are, of course, many other players who have taken wickets, and quite a number of them have good averages. They will be shown in the list when the competition, is concluded.

11. N.O. H.S. TI. Avb. I>amason (Y.M.) 8 2 9j 393 65.50 Kortlang (T.) g 1 201 456 65.14 Br'ce (*"•> 7 1 127 389 64.83 Boilings (U.) 10 1 135 550 61.11 Badcock (K.) 12 1 115 638 58.00 Alrey (W.) 8 — 109 455 56.87 Nunn (H.) 11 5 71 330 55.00 Baker (M.) 10 1 226* 486 54.00 Chrlstophersen (K.) ..13 2 153 539 49.00 Poley (I.) 8 — 123 391 48.87 Hlddleston (W.) .... 8 — 88 385 4812 Turvey (SI.) G — 96 277 46 16 James (O.B.) 11 1 88 431 43.10 Ronaldson (O.B.) ..11 2 73 371 41.22 Baumber (I.) ..... 8 — 100 311 38.87 Mason (T.) 8 1 132*205 37.85 I. Hutehings (M.) ..10 1 114 322 35.77 H. E. Nlcholls (P.) .8 — 108 286 35.75 Bruce (M.) \ -5 1 77 140 35.00 lattersall (H.) 10 — 84 338 33.80 W. Dustln (O.B.) ..11 2 38* 290 32.22 D. Patrick (M.) .... 10 1 117* 287 31.88 Banks. (I.) 9 1 107 248 31.00 Greig (K.) 11 1 109* 304 30.40 Roberts (T.) 9 1 72 242 30 25 Btlby (I.) 10 2 60* 242 30.25 Doneghua (It.) 8 — 54 230 28 75 %>ya (U.) 11 _ 89 303 27.54 Burt (I.) 9 — 130 245 27 22 Osborn (U.) 7 1 69 103 2715 Gibson (T.) 8 1 30* 190 27.14 A. C. Tripe (UJ 11 1 67 268 26 80 Whltwell (W.) 9 2 52 187 26 71 Aldersley (H.) . 9 1 112 211 26.37 Craig (W.) 9 — 77 225 25.00 Malcolm (I.) 10 — 150 238 23.50 Bailey (O.B.) 10 1 74 212 23.55 ML, Henderson (Y.M.) 12 1 50 249 22.63 Dlnd (M.) 10 — 94 224 22 40 MorrJ s <X.) 13 2 65* 245 22^7 Ward (I.) 5 — 49 111 22.20 M'Glrr (H) B—6l 177 2'> 1» Griffiths (I.) 10 4 42 130 21!66 Armstrong (X) 8 1 84 151 2157 Cofner (P) 8 3 38*107 2K40 M Lc°d. %> 10- 2 111*170 21.25 Capstlck, (P.) 7 _ S9 147 2100 The players next on the list are:— Redmond (K.) 13 1 33 239 19 91 M'Kay (H.) 10 — 84 198 19 80 Lambert (OB.) .... 8 — 48 15S 19.75 Flnlayson (P.) ..... 7 — 56 i 3 g 10.71 Patrick (O.B.) 12 1 44 213 19.36 £ ayf r, t I> 10 — 80 193 19.30 Gwllllam ( (I.) 9 2 34*134 19.14 Prince (I.) g — gj 159 j S J7 Vir"'e (Y.M.) 14 1 78*238 18^0 M. Nicholls (P.) ... 9 — 62 162 18.00 Among others with averages of over 20 are the following:— Burton (W.) 1 — 75 75 75.00 Ca«uthers (T.) ...... 4 3 38* 56 56.00 Wilson (P.) 4 2 69* 83 41.50 Murphy (TM.) 4—Bl 151 37.75 Martin (TO- 1 — 33 s3 33M Grant (Y.M.) 5 — 39 127 25.40 f/ 1" <T-> S — 41 71 23.66 Massey (I.) 7 2 35 105 21.00 Stevens (I.) 2 1 14* 21 21.00 •Not. nut.

Wickets. Beard (H.) 42 Tucker (W.) ....;. 15 M'Girr (H.) ...." 2? Smyrk (P.) 12 Badcock (K.) > 45 O'Connor, (W.) " ik Aldersley (H.) 12 Finlayson (P.) 33 Ntran (H.) ......;; 13 Cousins (W.) ' 2» M Henderson (Y.M.) 30 Brice (P.) 28 Baker (M.) j! 11. Nlcholls (P.) .. 11 . Hollings (U.) 23 Browne (Y.M.) 11 Lambert (O.B.) 15 Duncan (O.B.) .. 17 piant <w.) ......::: li> Hyder (T.) 22 A. C. mripe (U.) .... 16 Tucker (O.B.) 19 J. Hutchlngs (M.) .... 27 Morris (K.) 12 Mackay (U.) 13 Hiddleston (W.) ... 15 Ellann (T.) 12 "Vietmeyer (C) 15 Baumber (I.) 11 Malcolm (I.) 19 Malcolm (I.) 19 Wnite (Y.M.) 19 Judd (M.) 2(i Lusk (O.B.) 17 Reyllng (P.) 14 Armstrong (K.) .... 11 Bramley (K.) 11 Craig (W.) 11 Runs. 393 165 338 102 638 249 187 51U 199 509 479 209 219 472 241 333 378 445 384 '109 GB6 305 334 301 320 403 299 532 532 537 739 503 419 343 410 417 Ay. 9.35 11.00 12.51 13.50 14.17 15.58 15.58 15.63 36.58 115.00 IG.9G 17.10 19.00 19.90 20.52 21.90 22.20 • 22!25 23.40 24.00 24.68 25.40 25.41 25.69 26.06 26.66 26.5G 27.18 ,28.00 28.00 28.26 28.42 29.58 29.92 31.18 37.27 37.90

Wickets. Jrant (T.M.) 13 Uassey (I.) 21 luns. 219 431 Ay. 16.84