CRICKET

Evening Star, Issue 18809, 6 December 1924, Page 4

CRICKET

OTAGO’S LAST WICKET STAND. knight prevents rout. Judging by the meagre attendance at Carisbrook yesterday, the public were under the impression that the OtagoSouthland match would be a poor affair. They were nearly right. For two-thirds of the day the display on both sides only rose above the mediocre at rare intervals, but the final two hours provided some rich compensations, and the credit for this transformation belongs to Knight, though when the bouquets are being handed round Douglas must not be overlooked When most of the “cracks” failed Knight and Douglas made an heroic effort to retrieve disaster, and they succeeded so admirably that Otago at the finish of the day’s play were over 100 to the good, and the partnership had not been broken. It had previously been decided that the game should finish for the day »t 6 o’clock, but by mutual arrangement it was extended for nearly half an 1 Caretaker Boss provided one of his best wickets, whilst the outfield was in excellent order. . tI , The umpires were Messrs E. A. Hamel and R. Foster. THE PLAY.

The following is a description of the play after the' fall of Southland s fifth wicket: — _ . Driscoll got Douglas away for a quartet and then was out low. 123—0—20. Shirreffs, the 'newcomer, sent the first ball he received resounding against the rn-and stand fence. Walsh was always in difficulties in trying to negotiate Douglas’s slows, and ho eventually had his stump spreadeagled. 131—7—1. Shirreffs, whoso long suit was a sweep to leg despatched both bowlers to the fence, but he soon lost Goodsir, who skied one into Shepherd's hands ttt nnd-off. 141- —B—o.8—0. . , , . J Doig filled the vacancy, but before he took strike Shirreffs helped himself to a 4 and a 3 off Blundell, and Doig opened 1-is tallv with a boundary, that saw 150 on, and later pulled Douglas to leg for a like amount. After contributing 10 he also went back to the pavilion, Ibw. 163-9-10. , Eniison, the last man, scored 4 off the first ball sent down to him, but he poked the next into Blamires’s hands, the innings closing for 167. , Worker and Shepherd wcre_ Otago s opening batsmen, the former taking strike to Doig. Both batsmen added a couple of singles apiece off the first over. Kavanarii took the ball at the Workshops end, "end Shepherd got him away to leg twice in succession, both being beautifully crisp shots, and, altogether, lo came off the over. When 15 Shepherd went back to a good ball from Doig. and had his wickets shattered. 17—1—13. . M’Mullan was the newcomer. Hoig bent M'Mullan with a ball that came in immediately it passed him. and just missed the leg stump by the smallest margin. M’Mnllan got a nice one to the fence through the gnp between point and cover, and put some “pep” into two other shots that reached the pickets at Kavanagh's expense. This bowler’s three overs had cost 25. Worker, when 9, gave a possible chance to point, the fieldsman trying to get under the leather with one 'hand. Thirty minutes’ play produced 48 runs. Before the afternoon tea adjournment M'Mullan added two more 4’s to his tally, tho last ono being a magnificent square cut. At the interval the score was 58.

A drizzle, was foiling when the game resumed, and sawdust had to be requisitioned. M’Mul'lun, who found Doig’s leg theory a little troublesome, was out Ibw after a nicely compiled 37. 70—2—37. Blamires joined Worker, but after adding a single, tried to pull one from Poole, but skied it instead into the bowler’s bonds. 723—1.

Knight’s opening -shot was a square out to the stand, and the next was a fine otf-drive that reached the chalk line. Knight added a brace, per medium of a nice glance, and the score mounted to SO. At 97 Worker, who had been at the wickets for sixty-three minutes, was clean bowled by Poole, 97—1—28. The century was hoisted as the result of sixty-six minutes’ play. A. W. Alloo, who filled the vacancy, had his defence pierced early, but went- on to bat steadily, whilst. Knight was also adding singles and pairs freely. He saw 120 up with a crisp square-cut to the boundary. Alloo just reached double figures, and then stepped right in front of Doig, and went Ibw. 122—5—10.

Dickinson walked in and out again, the Cnrisbrook plover being given out Ibw. 124—6—3.

Baker, the Dunedin Club’s colt, partnered Knight, who continued to play confidently. Baker opened with a square cut that went to Min boundary, and then played all round one from Doig. 136—7—4.

(1 Chadwick was the incomer. Knight drove an delivery from Poole to the street fence, and Chadwick “ broke bis duck ” with a single. A straight drive by Knight made tho grand total 150, and the batsman's own tally 51, which ho had compiled in forty-eight minutes. With two more added, Chadwick tried to pull a straight one, and was clean bowled. 153—8—3.

Blundell failed to add to the total, playing a. straight ball on to his wickets. 154—g—O.

With 13 wanted to reach Southland’s total, Douglas, tho last man, went to the crease. Knight had the howling collared. and with the assistance of two 4’s off Poole, the southerners’ score was passed. Poole's next over was also expensive. 10 being hit off it. two superb 4's going to Knight's account. At 195 Kavanagh relieved Doig, who bad sent clown eighteen overs, whilst S. Lynch took up the running from tho Workshops end. The second century then appeared, having taken 135 minutes to compile. At 88 Knight sent a high one back within reach of the howler, but it was an extremely difficult chance. Douglas was loudly applauded for two well-run 3’s and a boundary. At this stage the partnership had added over 60. When Knight faced Lynch ho required throe to reach his century, and he “ punched ” the first delivery through cover-point for 4. His tally had been compiled in 110 minutes. Knight continued to score all round the compass, and ho was aided in his enterprise by slack fielding and poor bowling. Buns came steadily, even Douglas being tempted to have “a go” at times. At 269 Goodsir replaced Lynch. At 6.25 stumps were drawn for tho day. The following are the scores: Southland. —First Innings. J. Lynch run out 10 A. J. Hamilton c Blamircs b Blundell 26 A. Poole run out 23 E. J. Kavanagh b Alloo 3 S. Lynch b Blundell - 26 A. Driscoll Ibw b Douglas ... ... ... 28 A. Walsh b Douglas ... 1 H. tShirrefis not out 22 F. Goodsir c Shepherd b Dougins ... 0 J. A. Doig ibw b Douglas 10 S. Ennson c Blamires b Douglas 4 Extras Total „ ... _. ... 167 Bowling Analysis.—Blundell, 160 balls, 5 maidens, 48 runs, 2 wickets; Dougins, .120 tails, 2 maidens, 62 runs, 5 wickets ; Alloo, 72 balls, 2 maidens, 25 runs, 1 wicket; Dickinson, 52 balls, 18 runs. Otaoo. —First Innings. J. Shepherd b Doig - _ 13 B. De B. Worker b Poole ... ... 28 J. MbMullnn Ibw b Doig 37 K. O. Blamires c and b Pools ™ ... 1 A. Knight not out 132 A. W. Alloo Ibw b Doig ™ G. Dickinson Ibw b Poole —2 H. Baker b Doig ... ._ ... - C. Chadwick b Pools E. D. Blundell b Doig ~. 0 W. Douglas not out ... 30 Extras - ••• 12 Total for nine wickets —^272

Bowling Analysis.—Doig, 144 balls, 59 runs, 5 wickets; Kavanagh, 80 balls, 79 runs; Poole, 104 balls, 89 runs, 4 Wickets; S. Lynch, 52 balls, 1 midden, 29 runs; Goodsir, 8 balls, 4 runs. NOTES ON THE GAME. The appearance of tho seventeen-year-old Waitaki Boys’ High School lad, E. D. Blundell, who has been acclaimed Otago’s bowling hope, was awaited with considerable interest. Like most “hopes,” however, he was somewhat disappointing. He is of magnificent physique, and from a distant view reminds ono of “Joe” Bennett. He has an easy, ■ almost rhythmic action, and in delivering the ball his arms work like a well-greased piston rod. He is medium-paced, but has a fastish one that must prove very at times. He appeared to come in a little from tlio off, and it was noticeable that the batsmen could not do much with him on the leg side. There was very little sting, however, though an excellent length, which ho is said to be able to maintain for a long time, always made him respected. Only 10 were hit off his first twelve overs, though it must be emphasised that most of the batsmen treated him far tea timidly. On yesterday’s performance he couldhardly supplant either Casey or Torrance. Ho showed considerable promise, and with coaching will undoubtedly develop into a trundler that may rank with Otago’s best. Biamires is to be congratulated on giving the lad ‘every chance, as ho bowled practically throughout the innings. ■Southland’s batting was of the labored, dour order, though Poole was a decided exception. It was probably their best available eleven, and their 167, under all the adverse circumstances, was quite satisfactory. There were two unfortunate runouts, and both the victims when they were sept back to the pavilion appeared to bo shaping with the greatest confidence, which made their departures all tho more regrettable. Poole, particularly, looked ns if he might have made runs. Ho belongs to the pyrotechnical order, but he restrained his ardor valiantly, and then to bo run out! It was Poole’s call, as although S. Lynch hit the ball it went behind the wickets. Poole ran, but Lynch stood at his end like a rock —an attitude, by the way, he adopted all day, as ho was seventy-one minutes getting his

The Kavanagh stocks, which were being boomed as much as the Big Exhibition, crashed with a hearty thud almost from the time he took centre. It was probably one of those days when nothing will g'o right, and certainly everything went wrong for Kavanagh. The bat simply refused to “ click,” and ho was hopelessly ill at. ease. And then when ho handled the ball fortune was still against him, and he failed equally in this department. Shirreffs, a six-footer, with considerable anatomical mobility, and therefore seemingly well fitted out by a kindly Nature to become a versatile wieldor of the willow. can make runs; but if yesterday’s performance is any guide, ho has only one way of doing it. This is per medium of a sweep to leg, a very inelegant shot, but one productive of runs. He just waited patiently for the right one to come along, and it was surprising how frequently It did. Hamilton and Driscoll batted as if they wanted the match to rim over Sunday. Theirs was an excellent example of southern stolidity. A painful feature of Otago’s innings was the rather feeble showing of many of our “ reputation ” batsmen. Doig, full of wiles, but equally full of years, was the most troublesome one amongst the- attackers, but it would require the eyes of a hero-worshipper to discern anything very deadly in his howling. And the other trundlcrs were really negligible. Of fhe earlier batsmen, M'Mulian was the only one who seemed to be at ease. His total of 37 included eight fours. How many times has A. W. Allon had Ibw against his name in flip score hook? He added another one yesterday. Worker has slackened up 75 per cent, this season, and he, went in mistiming a ball that caught his off pin. When Douglas joined Knight Otago still required Id.’ So many had failed that Dougins wasn’t given a- chance,; but he stayed, made runs, and never looked to bo very hard pressed. Knight batted magnificently. and showed the, virtuosity and enterprise of Shepherd at his best. When stumps were drawn the, partnership, had produced 128 and had lasted sixty-one minutes. Otago’s total took 178 minutes.

ENGLAND V. AN AUSTRALIAN TEAM. HOME SIDE MAKES 528. A CENTURY TO THOMSON. Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Press Association. BRISBANE, December 5. Interest lias boon thoroughly aroused in the match between Australia, and England, and a large crowd saw the resumption of play, increasing to 3,000 in tbs afternoon. The wicket was hard and fast, (lie howlers getting little assistance from it. The (wo Queenslanders, Oxcnham and Thomson, resumed Australia’s innings, hut the balling was painfully slow, neither showing any enterprise. Howell was troublesome, swinging the ball from the off to leg. Freeman kept a correct length, and varied his deliveries, but lie was not able to swing in much. The howling was really flattered, and made to look more difficult than it actually was by tho batsmen’s ultra-cautious strokes. Oxcnham was 2yds out of Ills crease when he was deceived by one of Freeman's elusive deliveries, and was easily slumped. Interest was awakened by the appearance of Taafo, tho West Australian, who had done so well in tho Perth match. Ho opened confidently with an easy, swinging style, hut his strokes lacked vigor, and he was unable fo pierce (he field.' Still, considering tho fact, that the surroundings were .strange, and that ho was playing his first really big match, he did as .well at least as the more experienced Thomson, who is the only Queenslander to score two centuries for Queensland in interstate matches. There is still a feeling that tho English howlers are not yet np to tost match standard. Thomson and Taafo, were associated in the third century partnership, which soon figured as (Tie/most productive of the innings. They collared tho howling, which was not impressive. The alow bowlers were still doing tho bulk of tho work, tho pace men failing on the fast wicket. Thomson, after 185 minutes, passed the century mark, and joined the select baud of Queenslanders who have made a threefigure score against England. The last previous ono was by Ilartignn (116) in tho third test match at Adelaide in association with Clem Hill in 1908. Thomson did not give a chance, and played round, though at limps ultra-cautious, cricket. Taafo now settled down, driving hard and often, but his placing was faulty. Chapman was fielding in great stylo, stopping and returning the hail brilliantly. The bowling was thoroughly mastered again. The Englishmen sent down good accurate stuff, hut it was without pep, Thomson, when hitting out, went for a freak stroke to leg, which robbed Taafe of his chance of reaching a century, as nobody else could stay with him. Taafo after lunch played punishing cricket. His delightful free style greatly pleased the spectators. The English fielding was always superb, and no actual chance was missed. Strudwick was in great form, and only ono by was recorded. The innings closed at 5.40 p.ra., and the Englishmen batted for five minutes, when

stumps were drawn. Douglas was missed at the wickets off the third ball. Scores: — AUSTRALIA. First Innings. O’Connor Ibw b Freeman ... - 50 Ponsford c Sandham b Howell 81 V. Richardson Ibw b Tyldesloy 35 Kippax st Strudvvick b Tyldesley ... 14 Oxenham st Strudwick b Freeman 54 Hendry c Strudwick b Freeman 68 Thomson c Sutcliffe b Freeman ... 114 Taafe, not out Hornibrook b Freeman ... Grirnmett b Freeman ... ~. 0 Wallace b Howell Extras „ ~ ‘ Total ' 526 Bowling Analysis.—Howell, two for 125; Douglas, none for 53; Kilner, none for 69; Freeman, six for 160; Tyldesley, two for 105; Bryan, none for 9. ENGLAND. First Innings. Douglas not out ._ Strudwick not out Extras Total for no wickets 4