SYDNEY’S CRICKET SUPREMACY

Evening Star, Issue 18173, 13 January 1923, Page 14

SYDNEY’S CRICKET SUPREMACY

BATTLES FOR SHEFFIELD SHI FDD. The recent victory of Victoria over JS’cw South Wales in tho second Sheffield match of the season affords au opportunity of reviewing these interesting contests. Dating back to 1856 (says tho ‘Dominion’), they have provided many stirring battles iu the past sixty-six years, and many fluctuations in tho fortunes of the two States —or colonics, as they were up to a little over twenty years ago —have been witnessed. Bach has had its periods of success and depression, and, although (New South Wales lias been very much in tho ascendancy in decent years, Victorians are looking forward to the turning of tho tables. They won both tho games last season in handsome style, and this year's match, in Christmas week, by eight wickets, despite tho fact that on paper the Sydney men have a very formidable team.

It is interesting to note that in the 102 matches that have l>cea played (excluding the Christmas week match) New South A Vales lias scored 41.905 runs for the Joss of 1,785 wickets, giving her an .average of 23.4 a Wicket; while Victoria has scored 40,354 runs for 1,884 wickets, an average of 21.4. Victoria has been (represented by 219 plovers, and Now South Wales by 213. An in tho case of New South Wales and South Australia, all the big things have been done by Now South Wales. Among tho totals put up by that State against Victorian bowling are 815 in 1909, 805 in 1905, 775 in 1882, 675 in 1914, and four others of over 600. Against these, Victoria’s one total of over 600 was 511 m 1908, although they have got very near tho 500 on several other occasions.

It has been the same in regard to individual feats with the bat. More Now South Welshmen have reached an aggregate of 1,000 runs than have done likewise in Victoria, and the number of individual century scorers for the senior State greatly exceeds the Victorian lust. When it comes to scores above tho 200 mark, Victoria has been right out of it. Frank Tarrant, with 206 in 1903, is the only Victorian to reach tho second century; but for New South Wales, W. L. Murdoch made 321 in 1882, P, S. M‘Donnell 239 in 1886, H. Moses 297 not out in 1888, V. Trumper 230 in 1901, M. A. Noble 281 in 1905 and 213 in 1909, A. Diamond 210 not out in 1907, S. E. Gregory 201 in 1908, K. B. Minnett 216 not out in 1912, C. Oh Macartney 201 in 1914, andi T. J. Andrews 247 not out in 1920. lb is a surprising list, and) demonstrates tbe great superiority of the New Booth Wales batsmen over all others in Australia in tho past twenty odd years. M. A. Noble has been tho most wonderful performer in the century lino, twelve three-figure totals being down to his credit, two of them in one match. Warwick Armstrong lias stood alone as Victoria’s greatest batsman, and ho has made seven centuries, the highest being 17L There is much the same tale to bo told with regard to tho chief bowlers, although here the 'difference is not so pronounced-. Hughie Trumble, the Victorian, has taken more wickets (129) than -anyone else in these games; but Charlie Turner and Ted ■Evans, who have taken more than 100 each for Now South Wales, have better averages. Evans, however, played’ in tho days when batting was not nearly so strong as it has been, since bo finished bis tareer, while Turner did not have to bowl against many of the cracks of recent years. Of the bowlers who have played in the past twenty years, the New South Welshmen, naturally, have the better figures, seeing that .the Victorian scores have been much below those of Now South Wales. However, Victorians are hoping for better things in the future. Who knows but that before long she will produce men who will compare with Victor Trumper, M. A. Noble, C. T. B. Turner, G. G. Macartney, and others who have done so much to place New South Wales in the position of the leading cricket State of the Comnaony.'caithd