CRICKET

Evening Post, Volume CXIV, Issue 98, 22 October 1932, Page 20

CRICKET

Bv3"Nor Out" THE BRIGHTER SIDE

PROMISING OUTLOOK

NEWS AND NOTES

One did not have to look far last Saturday when the season's competitions commenced ±'or encouraging signs of good cricket being the order this season. In all departments of the game some excellent performances were registered last Saturday; in fact, some of the efforts were surprisingly good for the start of the seas.on. Tho senior grade competition promises to be keenly contested, and as it progresses there are bound to be many additions to the list of outstanding performances which has been- given quite a glowing beginning. Apart from tho senior match play there will be much else to attract attention, with the progress of the M.C.C. team's tour lending added interest. Some preliminaries to the more important representative matches of the season are to be staged on Monday. Chief of these will be a match at Nelson between the Wellington and Nelson representatives, and this will be continued on Tuesday. Nelson is making it quite a big occasion. Apart from the Plunket Shield matches and the visit of the M.C.C. team, other additions to what should be a most attractive season's programme are receiving consideration, and when the programme is finally, completed it is likely to appeal as one of the best on record. The details, some of which, are as yet only in the preliminary stages, are such that cricket interest is likely to 1- gradually stirred until it reaches its highest point late in the season. Attention is being paid to the bright- * <?ning Tip of club cricket, and in this connection, it was interesting to note that last Saturday there was no waste >of time at the Basin Beserve. Evidently the Wellington Club's move had .-i good effect before it had been considered by the representatives' of the clubs. It was stated that in only one case at the Basin Eeserve last Saturday did a player exceed the time allowed between wickets, and in that case there was a good excuse for the little delay in getting to the wickets. In other respects promptness was the order. W. E. Merritt, who returned from England this week, gave some interesting particulars of the scheme of things in tho Lancashire League, and if cricket were played in New Zealand as it is in tho League there is no doubt that. it would have a far greater appeal. Brightness is the key-note. Time is a big consideration, especially as the matches' are confined to one day, or really to an. afternoon-—from 2 o'clock until 7 o'clock. There is no "sitting on the splice." The crowds do not like it; and the crowds turn out because they know that they are going to get bright cricket. Then, the teams and players are. invariably right on time. If a minute too long is spent between wickets, that minute goes on to the playing time, and the same thing happens if the rolling of the wicket exceeds the time allotted. Usually, however, everything is on time, and, it is also worthy of note, play stops on tho tick of time. There.is no finishing .an over if one has been commenced just before time is up. It is Saturday afternoon cricket of the right order, and it attracts the crowds. Hollings in Form. At his best A. M. Hollings, who has started the present season with a ceni tury, is one of the best all-rounders in club cricket. However, he has not always had the best of good fortune, and one of his most unlucky "misses" was in not getting a trip overseas. Prior to New Zealand's first visit to England Hollings was regarded as a strong candidate for the team which made that tour, but somehow he, did not gain selection. Since then, he has also occupied rather a back seat so far as big cricket is concerned. But in club cricket he has kept pegging away, and with the bat alone he is making up quite- a formidable list of good performances. Having started-the present season so well> it is to be hoped that this good player will keep going in such a way as to bring him back to prominence in first-class cricket. His innings last Saturday for Wellington against Kilbirnie was masterly. Hollings has made, nine three-figure scores in local senior club cricket. He started off with, three centuries in the .1926-27 season when playing for University. His highest score is 213, made for Wellington, against Old Boys in the 1929-30 season. Notes on Local Seniors. One of the bright spots in. the play at the Basin Eeserve last Saturday was the batting display by E. Tindill. This young Midland player has started tho right way for a really good season. He is an attractive left-hander, and as such he must come in for consideration later on for higher honours. Tindill is also a good wicket-keeper, but when Midland took the field late in the afternoon the 'keeping was done by Clark, who is in his element behind the stumps. As a Eugby football halfback Tindill made quite a name for himself last season. J. W. Hatchings is a batsman of no mean calibre, and he jumped right into form for Midland last Saturday. Early in his valuable innings he made many a good stroke without getting/anything for it, but after the tea interval he sent the score along in good style.1 W. A. Baker is now placed, well down the list of Midland batsmen, and it seems that he is to be depended upon mainly for his bowling. However, it would come as no surprise to find Baker doing much better with the bat than was the case last season. He has a great Tecord as a batsman. W. Dustin, who created such a .fine impression last season as a Wellington representative, did not get very far in his opening "knock" this season. His Tuns came mainly in singles. Not a few tidy scores are to be expected from Ms bat. Midland appear to be short of bowlers this season. F. Bryant and A. Cleverley were not in action last Saturday. Another member of the Cleverley family, however, was on trial. It is reported from Auckland that D. Cleverley will be out of action for a month or two on account of having injured a hand during the football season. There are several changes in the Wellington College Old Boys' senior team. The most noticeable gap requiring to be filled is that created by Dempster being allotted to Petone. Some more colts are to be tried out this season, and there is reason to expect good things of them. Duncan is likely to be kept in solid ■work again this .season with his goodlength left-arm bowling. He had plenty to do for Old Boys last Saturday, and he did it well without meeting with much success. Browne, the Old Boys' colt who bids fair to become a slow bowler of note, was not • afraid to toss them up last Saturday, As a result he finished up with, an excellent "bag" for the start of the season. - Parsloe is not yet quite ready to "rock them in" as expected of him. Nevertheless* he was able to get some wickets for Old Boys last Saturday, one as the result of a briliant catch by . Moore. This bowler is likely to be dangerous when he finds a length..As a batting side Institute showed siens of weakness in the effort against

Hutt last Saturday. Notable absentees were Banks, Cleave, Princo, and Henderson, and this meant that there was a big gap to fill. However, Institute have a good supply of promising material in support of thoso who have had experience, and there should be a big improvement upon the intial performance, in .which Lambert, Wareham, and Tucker were the principals. Although they have lost McGirr, Hutt look like being strong again this year. The colts should be even more conspicuous than ever in sending the score along. Biggar, although failing to get going with the bat, performed well behind the stumps for Hutt, catching two and stumping two. , Judd and Champncss did most of the bowling for Hutt. Champness met with little success, but Judd was in deadly form, taking fivo for 34 in 22 overs, of which 10 were maidens. Boss and Gwilliam, each not out with scores of 42 and 59 respectively, plac-. Ed Hutt's batting in as favourable a light as the fielding. Although he was not spinning the ball as much, as lisual, Alleott had the University batsmen playing him carefully throughout the innings on his first appearance with the Petone team. The ex-Aucklander's accurate length made it difficult to score off his deliveries. In obtaining four wickets at a cost of a fraction over 10 runs apiece, Alleott sent down 23 overs, four of which wero maidens. C. S. Dempster has generally been one of the first local players to show something approaching first-class form each season, even before he took over the position of official coach, and this season he again showed signs of jumping quickly into his stride on tho opening day. His three catches were Teally brilliant efforts, and when he came out to bat with 11. E. Nieholls, although a glaring sun, low down, wa3 followed by a' fading light, ho displayed a complete mastery over the University attack, and put on the runs at a good rate. Bailey proved the sheet-anchor when University were batting against Petone. He scored his runs slowly, but gave valuable service by remaining at the wickets about two and a half hours, during which time he reached top score (SS), included in which were four fours. Cutler and Caldwell gave Bailey good support, but wero dismissed before reaching the thirty mark, both falling victims to Dempster's safe hands in the slips. The only other University batsman to reach double figures was Barton, who batted fairly soundly, though, always en the defensive, after a somewhat uncertain start. The second highest scorer on the Wellington side last Saturday was "Mr. Extras," who contributed a useful half century to the tally. In addition to the wicket-keeping, the Kilbirnie fielding generally can be improved. Griffiths (Kilbirnie) put up a very fine performance on a wicket that could not have given him much assistance. Senior Captains. The election of the captains of the local first-grade teams for the ensuing season gives E. A. Whyte, of Wellington, the honour of being senior captain. The following are the team leaders: — Wellington.—B. A. Whyte (re-elect-ed). Institute.—H. N. Lambert (re-elect-ed). Midland. —L. G. Clark (re-elected). Hutt.—E. Aim. Petoue.—C. F. W. Alleott. University.—L. M. Pacey. Wellington College Old Boys.—J. E. Lamason. Kilbirnie.—M. Bilby. Redpath Cup Award. If one player stood out last season as being worthy of the honour of holding the Eedpath Clip it was H. G. Vivian, of Auckland. On top of his fine performance -with the New Zealand team in England, he gave some excellent displays in New Zealand last season, and, in fact, actually scored the greatest number of runs in those matches which are taken into consideration in awarding the cup.' The New Zealand Cricket Council, however, has seen fit to pass over tho claims of'the brilliant young left-hander, and much surprise has been caused. A. W. Eoberts, of Canterbury, has received the honour of holding the Eedpath , Cup, and, while he has the best average in batting for last season's first-class matches, his performances were not to be compared with those of Vivian. Eoberts played in both Tests with the South Africans last season, and his scores were 54, 17, 1, and 26. Vivian played in one Test, and his scores were 100 and 73. Then, in Plunket Shield matches both players made a big score, but Vivian's 165 was unquestionably a more meritorious effort than Eoberts's 181. Apparently the council has based its decision upon averages, but the cup has not always been awarded to the player having the best average. In 1924-25 Dempster had the best average but the cup was given to Worker, and in the,following year Hiddleston had an average of 107.40 (537 runs) but the cup went to Alleott with an average of 51.28 (35D runs). On the latter occasion only those who toured Australia were considered. The following are some of the leading performers last year:— Inn. X.O. Ir.S. Tl. At. A. W. Roberts ..10 1 ]81 476 52 6C R. C. Blunt 10 1 338* 407 51.66 H. G. -Vivian ... 10 — 163 478 47.80 W. Dustin - 6 2'■ 92 IS6 46.50 H. N. Lambert .. 5 — 107 221 44 20 C. S. Dempster .. 30 — 154 430 43.00 •-. T. Badcock .. 10 — 105 393 39,30 M. L. Page ..... 9. — 20G 336 37.33 •Not out. Those who have been awarded the Eedpath Cup arc:—l92o-21, A. H. Anthony (Auckland); 1921-22, J. S. Hiddleston (Wellington); 1922-23, E. C. Blunt (Canterbury); 1923-24, J. S. Hiddleston (Wellington); 1924.-25, E. de E. Worker (Otago); 1925-26, C. F. W. Alleott (Auckland); 192G-27, E. C Blunt (Otago); 1927-2S, C. S. Dempster (Wellington); 1928-29, G. L. Weir (Auckland); 1929-30, C. S. Dempster (Wellington); 1930-31, C. S. Dempster (Wellington); 1931-32, A. W. Boberts (Canterbury). Mercantile League. In the Mercantile League's matches on the opening day some splendid performances were registered. E. Beynolds (Health) galve a fine display of free hitting, his score of 119 including four sixes, two of which were from successive balls. S. James (Smith and Smith), in compiling 123 not out, also opened his shoulders to some purpose, and although favoured with an element of luck, he gave a sound display. Norris (Printing Office) and Meado (Gas Co.) were unlucky in just missing the coveted century. Although not having quite the success of the players mentioned, several others made healthy scores, the more prominent of which were:—Kershaw, 85; Crisp, 82; Osborne, 76; and Cochrane, 75. In spite of the high scoring in many of the games the bowlers as a whole were not' overshadowed, and, as often as not, were masters of the situation. Dare (Labour Department) gained the splendid figures of seven for 7. In Dare and Bramwell the Labour Department team has a combination of outstanding worth and with the addition of two good batsmen would do really well. Mann (Sargoods), eight for 43;. Jupp (Boseheath), eight for 26; Eobinson (Taxes), seven for 21; and Johnston (H.B. and J.), five for 2, all gained splendid figures. In no case were the figures the result of "freak" performances. C Ferris (Whitcombes) ! suffered rather a severe -knock from a rising ball on Kilbirnie and -was unable to take any further part in the game. The ball struck him hard on the face, the wound necessitating three pitches.