CRICKET.

Evening Star, Issue 12028, 28 October 1903, Page 3

CRICKET.

[Bt Usotkk.] The cricket season ■was opened on Saturday in perfect weather, and some fine scores were made for a start The meeting of the Dunedin and Albion Clubs attracted a good attendance, including many ladies who kindly dispensed afternoon tea. Cramond won the toss for Dunedin, and elected to take advantage of the capital wicket prepared by Caretaker Sanderson. Dm mm and faced the bowling of Corbett and M'Kay. The latter bowled his usual fast " stuff,” but did not appear to use a great deal of judgment. Drnmm played with freedom, but Latham was a bit on the stiff side. With the score at 48, E. Cummings, a brother of the Albion’s crack batsman, relieved M'Kay, and yorked Drumm, who contributed 56 by attractive cricket. Reardon joined Latham, and at 77 Cummings got through the latter’s defence. 77—2—26. Hamann was caught off his first ball with the score unaltered, and Cramond joined Reardon, who succumbed to an appeal for Ibw. 79—4—12. Maekersy filled the gap, and at 106 Cramond was bowled by Corbett. Reardon made 12 and Cramond 11. Moore became associated with Maekersy, and the partnership of the innings followed. Frequent changes of bowling were made, bat it was not until the second century was passed that a separation was effected, Maekersy being the first to go with the board showing 213—6—54. The retiring batsman played a very safe game. Gun thorp was quickly sent to the rightabout, Vorreth filled the vacancy, and with Moore played out time, the score standing at 232 for seven wickets. Moore was in fine form, compiling 7L He gave one chance. E. Cummings was by far the best bowler. He secured four wickets for 65, and had a few chances missed off brmShacklock, the English professional coach engaged by the local Association, commenced his duties on Monday, He will coach promising juniors and schoolboys. The brightest spot in Saturday’s cricket at Carisbrook was Howden’s 20. It was not a brilliant innings, but the batsman was playing the game in his solid way, and looked set for 50, when he played one low down in the slips, and H. Haaraway took ft one hand almost on the ground. A good many of the spectators in the pavilion thought that the umpire’s decision went the wrong way, but appearances are deceptive, and Harraway is not the man to appeal unless ha believed himself to be right. Hussey made a fair start for the season, and Mills was also going well when he pit one from Austin like a caiman shat into Columb’s hands at square-leg. Mills made some pretty cuts off Maitland, who was inclined to bowl short; but found it hard to get them past Siedeberg, tie latter’s fielding being easily the best shown during the afternoon.

Two of the Carisbrook A were run out on Saturday—Kahlenberg without getting a strike, and Pearless, after giving promise of making a score, although he was missed just before he got out off a hard stroke to cover-

Last season, when Siedeberg and Austin were knocking holes in the averages of other clubs’ bowlers, and Fisher doing ditto with opposing batsmen, the question would ihmetunes arise in one’s mind as to how tho two first-named would get cm if they had to face Fisher. A partial answer was provided on Saturday, and so far' the argument is all Fisher’s way. He got each of the two cracks second ball —Austin caught behind the wickets, and Siedeberg in the slips. Fisher seemed to make more pace off the wicket than any of the other bowlers. Turner also fell to him in his first over, making his average read three wickets for 1 ran. Harraway and Tamer, however, managed to put a better complexion on the game. Turner was a very consistent batsman last year in the D team.

C. Stables made a reappearance behind the wickets, and though a fair number of extras appeared on the score-sheet most of them were leg-byes, whle Siedeberg (who bowled with plenty of variation of pace) was responsible for four extras in the shape of a wide, which went to tire boundary. J. Harm way “ kept ” for the A team. The Opoho ground was occupied by fie Grange and Opcho on Saturday aftemoon. The wicket was in splendid order, being fast and true. Grange gained first lease of the wicket, and Robinson and Baker faced the bowling of Webb and Eckhoff. Both batsmen setled to their work smartly, and the bowling was dealt with very freely. Runs came rapidly, Baker hitting vigorously. than an hoar’s play saw 30 runs signalled. M’Gavin replaced Webb, and Robinson stepped in front of the new bowler's second balk One for 39. Chadwick came next, and shared equally with Baker the compiling of 40 more runs before retiring. Two for 79. Best and Baker added 7 runs each, and the former was given out legbefore. Three lor 93. Baker and A. Downes now became associated, and severely punished the rather weak bowling; the century was reached and passed. With his score at 75, Baker placed a difficult one from M’Gavin in the sups, which was held by Webb. Foot for 134. Baker showed of "bis oldfccm. B3s sfpknSd insißgs.

was marked by solid hitting. Bowling changes were frequently effected, but the bat continued to consistently have the better of the ball A. Downes was clean-bowled by a straight ball from Webb. Five for 154. Roberts and Ferguson, by fine, dean hitting, compiled 50 runs before the partnership was broken. Six for 204. Another 2 runs and Ferguson was smartly caught by Kilgour at mid-off. Henderson and J. Downes got together, and hit the bowling all over the ground. Henderson’s dismissal aignalld eight .for 258. O’Shea followed, and failed to score. J. and T. Downes carried the score to 273. when the latter was neatly caught by Kenny. This incident closed the Grange’s innings a few minutes before six o’clock. Unquestionably it was a batsmen’s wicket, but at the same time the bowling generally was weak. The fielding was smart, however.

When Carlton and South Melbourne met on Saturday (says a Melbourne writer) there were changes in both teams, the most noticeaide being the fact that Worrall was not playing for Carlton—the Selection Committee, I understand, being instructed not to pick him. If I am familiar with all the circumstances, it scans to me that this affair is being carried much too far, and I heard that view constantly approved and reechoed in the city on Saturday night. When a man admits a mistake and expresses regret for it the usage with generously-minded men is to let bygones be bygones, and sav no more about it. It is rumored, indeed,'that two leading New South Wales players have intimated that if Worrall is chosen bv Victoria they will not play. I don’t really behove it, but if it unfortunately be true the only official retort that manliness suggesta is; “We shall do as we think fit. You may do the same.” To knock a man down is one thing, to kick him when he is down is not a typical Australian course of conduct, and* a community with a sense of fair play will soon resent it. I expect, however, in the next round of matches to see this matter settled in a most unexpected wav.

Harry Graham, who Las since accepted the position of coach for the Otago Boys’ High School, was elected captain of the Carlton team.

A J. Hopkins, the promising New South Wales ba.teman, made 148 the'other Saturday. This Ls his sixth century for North Sydney in senior cricket. i B- G. S. Poidevm, who is returning to Sydney, added' another to his long list of centuries, playing for London County against Bromley Town recently. Of a total of 195 for six wickets, he carried cut his bat for 114.

It had been hoped that Hugh Trumble would be induced to re-enter big cricket this season, bat I am afraid {says a Melbourne writer) we will not have the assistance of the famous trandler in either the intor-State or English matches. Ho may, however, help the ALC.C. in some of the pennant games. Harry Stackey, the Victorian, is too ill to play this year. He is to undergo an operation.

Harry Hill, a brother of the famous Clem, njade 42 not out in Adelaide the other Saturday. Reedman was top scorer with 99. Gem Hill contributed 19, when he hit over a yorker. Cop score, as usual, for Port Adelaide v. West Adelaide, was made by A. G. Tucker. 75 not out. He is almost sure to be riven a trial in big matches this year. 'Packer's snores against West Adelaide have been 100, 103 not out, 58 not out, and 75 not out. George Giffen (who has been in hard training all the winter), C. Hill, and N. 1L Gaston have been appointed selectors of the South Australian teams for the season. Pact of English team being disinclined to "toy matting wick ex matches may he considered a hardship by. cricketers in certain country districts of Australia. But cricketers generally will agree, that the decision is wise from the English standpoint, as the alternating of matting (concrete, asphalt, and earth) with the best of turf wickets does not help first-doss players to work their form to its highest jxhnt, Purthermore. the decision is likely to benefit Australian cricket by being incentive to cricketers in big country towns to get proper)v turfed wickets.

Harry irotc has begun the season with a century (102 for United Service v. Bendigo United), and his form is very highly commended. Some Victorian writers consider that be is still good enough for price in the eleven. There are other persons who believe that G.H.S.T. would hardly be able to stand the severe physical strain of big cricket in an Australian summer.

F. Tarrant, the Victorian, gained a place in the Gentlemen v. Players match at Scarborough on Angust 51. inquiries have been made in the colonies as to Robert Abel’s few appearances for Surrey this year. The Surrey County Club recently had the following explanatory item published in the London Press;—" There scans some sort of idea still that the Committee are not desirous of availing themselves of the valuable services of Robert AbeL Perhaps the following extract from the Committee’s minutes may set the matter once and for afl at rest;—"' The hon. secretary reported that in reply to th© instruction of the Match Committee that Abel should play in the match against Middlesex, he had seen Abel, and Abel had said that he did not feel equal to playing county cricket during the present season.’ ” It might be added that Abel averaged 17.44 for eighteen innings up to August 29, a fact showing that he has not been thoroughly §t to do himself justice. The ‘Athletic News’ sirs: “Fielder, of Warner*s team, for a fast bowler, has a splendid action. Taking a nice, easv run, he holds the hall, like Mold, in his left hand until near the wicket. His delivery gives one the impression that he could keep up the attack for hours together.” To see Banjitsmhji bat at his best (says a Home writer) is to remember it for ever. -Jessop hits very hard and very often. But there have been in the past the Thorntons and the Bonnors, and so there will be in the future. Paiairet is unsurpassed at the present time for grace of style. But there have been graceful players in the past, and others will rise up in the years to come. “ Ranji” is unique. No one has ever played like him since cricket began : it is unlikely that anyone will ever play like him again. To the spectator twenty' from his bat is worth another man’s hundred. His defensive stroke is worth another man’s *' punch.” As lithe as a panther, as quick as a squirrel, to all appearance he is the most casual player in the world. There is no effort, no hurry—just a seemingly careless, graceful swing of the bat, and the ball dodges the two “legs,” or goes first bound into the pavilion, according to his wiD. When he makes a defensive stroke it seems to be in order to keep the bowler from despair rather than from inability to despatch the ball for four. He makes the best of bowling appear “ mere pie,” he makes run-getting seem the easiest of accomplishments. The more one sees of him the more one marvels. WARNER'S TEAM. To all intents and purposes the English first class cricket season of 1905 came to an end with the drawing of stumps on September 10 (writes our London correspondent), and from the averages as completed to that day a very fair idea, of the abilities of Warner’s team can be gathered. The absence of C. B. Pry and Ranjitsmhji may be deplored by some, but on the season’s form it would be difficult' to get a much better team together than the one selected. It is splendidly rich in “ all round ” talent. The batting figures of the twelve men who appear in the first class averages are suggestive, and may be reproduced here:

Those who do not appear in the fW. class batting averages are R. E. Poster Fielder, and Strudwick. The first-named figures in his county averages with 90 runs for she innings, a top score of 46, and an average of IS. Fielder, in the batting averages, figures with twenty innings {nine not onte), a total of 109, and an average af 9.90. Strudwick has played for tinxa. outsh

has scored 194 runs, and averages 6,92 per innings. These are not great figures, tat during the season he has been responsible for more catches than any other first player, his record being sixty-two, and in addition he has “ stumped ” with great success, his victories numbering thirty odd. A study of the first class bowling averages hardly suggests much weakness in this department, and certainly * Caphun Warner will have plenty of variety:

Taking the first eleven names in the battmg list as being the best team Captain Warner will be able to put in the field, we find an average batting strength of nearly 35 apiece, equivalent, say. to an innings of 350 for ten wickets. A'nd averaging out the figures of the recognised bowlers in this eleven, we get a destructive capacity of 17.05 per wicket, wnich gives the opposing side a poor chance indeed if such figures could be relied upen. Now, the last Australian team to visit England had an ,werage run-getting capacity of rather over 21 pa* man, or 210 for ten wickets, and their bowling destructively was represented by something over 18 runs per wicket, and as vou know they woo 25 out of 39 matches, lost only two, and

*4 . O *3 .£2 2 & 3 to "3 > u Pi. S S5 ~3 0 y "3 a 3 < 5 Hirst 59 4 1,610 46.00 4 Knight ... 46 6 1,854 45.85 9 Tyldesley 46 6 1,753 45.82 16 Warner ... 31 4 1.020 37.77 17 Hayward 39 5 2,070 56.96 20 Bosaaquet 50 1 1,020 35.17 27 Bnwmd ... 44 5 1,353 33.00 52 44 Arnold Rhodes _ 45 48 6 8 1J.53 1.054 31.16 26.35 45 LOley _ 28 2 675 25.96 64 Rdf 40 1 857 2L97

S -u> iS 3 t<3 S o4 ri o «s P-i.S > o £ 3 Hirst ™ 735 125 13.74 7 Rhodes ... 1,278 175 . 14.65 15 Arnold ... 1,022 159 ' 17.17 22 Fielder 466 70 18.41 23 ReJf 1,005 118 18.83 34 Bosanouet 38 Brannd 573 887 62 125 20.24 20.95