NOTES AND COMMENTS

Evening Star, Issue 19447, 4 January 1927, Page 3

NOTES AND COMMENTS

[Ry Wallauv.J

The real cricket-lover iound plenty to please and satisfy in the cricket at Cnnsbrook yesterday. »ul patenes there wore, certainly, but _lhc.su v.crc frodv interspersed with bright, exciting 'and even dramatic episodes. At times the crowd, which numbered .some o 50U were amused to enthusiasm, occasionally to humorous comment, and anon to'satirc which held a strain ol seriousness as befitted the situation. COMMENDABLE ITNCTfALITV. It, canm as a. surprise to those, who are accustomed t<> depend upon tho dilatoriness of cricketers in tho maG-ei of starting play to find (he teams not only in the field hetore tho. advertised time, but, the first hall actually tielivered by one* minute to 11 o clock. Such punctuality is commendable, and its continuance is hopelully looked tor. Another hope may he expressed, and that is that when it is arranged that tlie grass in the ont field is to be cut during the. match, the cutting will he completed before the day s pl*jy gins. A half-done job makes .or inequality in tho value of strokes and innings. THE CRACKED ” WICK fir. There was some tajk by “experts” who inspected the wicket hetnre play was resumed to the effect that cracks were appearing thereon. But the interstices discernible to the. naked eye were .so minute that a 'Woodtull might look in vain for the worms which cnuld wriggle through them. It was obvious, however, that towards the end of the day a “spot” or two developed, in proof of which not only Dickinson, but Shepherd and Blunt got up nastily on one or two occasions. But on the whole the wicket wore well, and gave the bowlers little assistance. A DRAMATIC CHANGE. Otago were in a comfortable position with four wickets down for a tola! equalling the whole of Auckland s innings. And they were still more happily placed when, at the, luncheon interval, but five of the side were cut with the score at 301. It was then that one of those dramatic changes which resurrect the time-worn phrase annul, “ the glorious uncertainty of the grand old game ” took place. In one disastrous over a few mijiutcs after resumption three Otago wickets wore lost, a fourth falling a. minute of two later. It was a stunning crash, and those spectators who were a little late in returning to the ground after the interval could scarce believe their eyesight, or at least they double,d the accuracy of the new score board. Alas! it was only too true. Blainires was run out,, and flic board read six for 300. Cecil Alloo went Ibw first ball; seven for 300. Zimmerman notched a, 2 and then was snapped up by Rowley in the, slips; seven for 308. And (hen Arthur Alloo ended his long and patient, innings by letting one of Aleott’s into his wicket, nine for 3113, As a Shakespearean student in the pavilion remarked, “Oh, what a. fall was there, my countrymen.” Before luncheon the tipsters were naming nothing less than 400. and some as high as 400, as tho probable total; but even a. valiant effort by the tnil-enders, Torrance (10) and Green G) not out), who added 38 for the tenth wicket, could only raise it to 330, or 181 to the good. DEFICIT OVERIIAURED. Then camo tho English professional. Rowley, and the watchful youngster Mills to the task of overhauling that 181 of a deficit; and so well did they perform the task that they, with the subsequent assistance ot Cooper, did tho trick and placed an additional 31 runs on the slate before stumps were drawn with the score at 21.2 for two wickets. So that when play was resumed this morning no .sensible man would venture to prophesy the final result. Thus, again, “ the Glori——,” well what 1 said before. OTAGO CASUALTIES. The change of fortune which afflicted Otago dated from Blamircs’s dismissal, or just prior to it, for it was then that the burly skipper suffered a strain, which prevented him subsequently taking the field. Thus the side was deprived of it.s leader, though Arthur Alloo, as deputy, did not do at all badly in somewhat harassing circumstances. Later came another misfortune. tho wicket-keeper, Green, who had “kept” so ably during the match, being compelled to retire. It appeared that on Saturday Green had been struck on tho ribs by an extra sKtttish one from Dickinson, but, though there was a suspicion of grievous bodily harm having been done, the exSydneyite carried on yesterday. Another blow in the same spot by a ball delivered by Arthur Alloo settled the matter, it being found that one of Green’s ribs had been cracked. And the crack, being more serious than those “ discovered ” in the wicket, put him out of action. It was hard luck, both for Green and for Otago. Knight took on the thankless job of “ keeper ” for the rest of the day, and did very well, though he dropped Cooper off Blunt in the last over. Blair fielded for Blamires. and Wilson (Auckland’s twelfth man) came out as substitute for Green.

CAPTAIN’S BRIGHT JUMP. Blaraires, who top-scored with 62. played bright, free cricket. His chief scoring strokes were in front of the wicket, and there was no doubt about the wood being behind them. The reverend skipper was watchful of the good-length halls, and, with straight bat, and, on occasions, the “second line of defence” (to wit the pads), kept the bowlers well in their place. Jt was unfortunate for Otago the skipper’s dismissal, and it looked as though Alloo (a fast and eager runner) had forgotten for the moment that his heavier and older partner was incapable of breaking even time. A slight hesitancy on the part of Blamires proved fatal, though it must_li3vc been a close thing. The skipper hit nine 4s, and, with Alloo, added 10-4 for the sixth wicket. THE OLD-TIME SHEPHERD. Shepherd, who with Blamires put on 58 for the fifth wicket, was something like the Shepherd of old, except that his placing was at fault. Time after time he got well on to an off drive or an on hit, only to send the ball straight along the ground to a fieldsman. In between, however, came those sweet cover hits and pats to third man that brought the old-time cry of “Good shot, Jim.” from the crowd. Following a period ol slow scoring, Shepherd suddenly “ had a go ” at Bowley, and lifted the Englishman here, there, aiul t’other place. But success in eluding the field came to an end when he hoisted otic to deep extra cover, for Gillespie, running in, took a grand catch close to the ground, and, much to the regret of the crowd, Shepherd had to depart pavilionwards. TEN RUNS AN HOUR.

Arthur Allno's innings, like those of the rest of the team, was spasmodic; only his scoring spasms came upon him late in life, so to speak. At the outset he played the barndoor game, ami lor an hour was content with an occasional single, 10 of which ha, collected in that (mm. Then ho broke loose, and hit a 4 or 2 now and again, and finally reached 4S (six 4’s) before playing over one from Alcott, who had Ircquently had the batsman “tied up” in the earlier stages. Alloo for a long uliilo was not tuning the ball well, hut as he invariably keeps a straight' bat ho saved his wicket. Like Shepherd, too, ho lacked “ ph’.cing ” skill. TAIL ABLE TO WAG.

Torrance is looked upon as a bowler only, but. like Grimmet and Mailey m a higher wnrlo, ho frequently proves a snag to the bowler. Yesterday he played free/and quite good cricket for 10. and, with Green, showed that the blow which ids team had received in Ihe middle of ilio buck biifl priced the tail of its wagging power. AUCKLAND'S BOWLERS.

Apparently luncheon had the opposite effect upon the Auckland bowlers to Hint which it had had upon the Otago hatMiicn. for after the midday interval the Inrmer sparkled up wonderfully. Mat heson particularly sent them along with an extra whizz that made him appear almost a fast bowler, and a. fast bowler with a “ nip.” Bowlev, too, increased in wdiness, and, old head that he is, look Ins earlier Hogging conllv, and came nut with most, wickets after all. Alcott always kept the batsmen quiet, hut was not, as deadly as most cricketers expected to find him. Taking the first innings of oa"h side ns a guide, Torrance was the bettor left-hander. Player, though he did mil get a. wicket, sent along some good ones, but. Cooper did not appeal' dangerous. During the sudden lively interludes with which the Otago batsmen entertained In' onlookers, there wore some expensive overs, notably two of Bowlev's, Irom winch wore scored 16 and 15 respectively, and one of Dacrc's, from winch camo 14 The Aucklanders fielded keenly, bub iheir work" sudered in comparison with Otago’s first inning's display in the Held. Gillespie and Daere stood out as bright examples, both doing brilliant bits eff work. Gillespie’s catch that disposed ol Shepherd, and Bowley’s catch in llie slips off _ Zimmerman's bat were both magnificent elforts, Bowntrce kept wickets finely and allowed only lour extras.

ROWLEY’S FINE KNOCK

In making 85 at his second knock, Bow ley showed what he was really capable of. It was a beautiful innings, ami his runs were made in a style that might well bo taken as a model for young cricketers. The straight, bat; the ••shoulder up and elnow out” to the bumpy ones; the sweeping off-drive, all indicated sound training in correct methods. The Englishman did not display brilliance—the occasion was inopportune, anywaybut his confidence and judgment made for success. He adopts the “ two-eyed stance,” and, picking the right bail to hit, makes no mistake about it. Blunt caused him a little anxiety now ami again, and Torrance kept him fairly quiet, but Dickinson presented no difficulties, and was Ireely hit. Bowley did not appear satisfied that ho had boon caught, but the umpire (Alec Downes) "and Ibe fieldsman (Blair) wore quite sure about, it. On the other hand Rowley made no attempt to move away, ami "shook his head when the appeal was made. It is a pity that any doubt should have arisen, as the same batsman was, I understand, dissatisfied with his dismissal in the first innings. Anyway, ho played a fine innings, and was a treat to watch. Hn made some delightful shots past point, and brought oil' the off-drivc in true. English stylo. He hatted for 21i 2(lmin, and hit twelve 4’s. His only chance was a difficult one to the bowler (Shepherd) at 78. MILLS, THE “ STRIKER..”

Mills again proved a “ sticker,” and though. Ins style suffered in comparison with Bowlev’s, his innings was undoubtedly useful. Anything short or overpitehed he got well on to, and was going along well when run out. Cooper soon got busy. He, too, is a sound hat who, oir good wickets, will make lots of runs. He was missed behind the sticks just, before “stumps,” and the mistake may prove n costly one to Otago. Gillespie had just got into his stride, when ” time ” was called, but showed term that, if it. did not justify the assertion that he is “the best bat in New Zealand,” was sufficient to indicate that he is in the first flight. BOAVLTNG LACKS SUNG. The Otago howling had not the sting of Saturday in it. AVhat sting there was Bowley and Mills soon extracted, and the attack deteriorated, as it invariably does when collared by the batsmen. Torrance and Alloo were the steadiest bowlers, the latter’s first seven overs producing only 13 runs. Blunt was carefully watched, but was unable to spin them as he did on Saturday. Nevertheless the batsmen took no risks with him Dickinson sent down but few that could be labelled “dangerous.” and did not gather pace as he should have done on the wicket. Shenperd and Zimmerman wero ineffective. The fielding of the home side was also affected by the steady and successful onslaught by the batsmen, hut still there was no lack of keenness. Zimmerman. Blunt, Torrance, and the AI loos all did good work.