OUR CRICKETERS

Evening Star, Issue 19712, 12 November 1927, Page 3

OUR CRICKETERS

MATCH IN SYDNEY BLUHT HIGHLY PRAISED Speaking after the defeat of the jaded New Zealand cricket team by New South Wales, W. A. Oldneld said; “ The largo margin does nob accurately indicate tho merits of the play of the New Zealanders. They had bad luck, and this bad luck irtis an element in what, judged merely on the figures, was an overwhelming defeat. They bad to bat on the last day of the match, and all cricket-lovers know that this is a positive handicap, so that I have no hesitation in saying that their score of 292 runs in the sccpnd innings was a creditable performance. There is general agreement among cricketers, considering tho handicap worked under, that the New Zealanders did remarkably well. Tho wicket apepared to be in good .condition; but it had had the wear and tear of three days. This inevitably results in the ball coming off tho pitch at different places and heights, and in more frequently keeping low. Bowling of this cliaractcr is difficult for the batsman. There is one slight compensation, however. Bowling on _ a worn wicket is awkward for the slips and other fieldsmen close to the wicket. For tho reason stated, the side that bats first always has an advantage, although fit times it may not be a great advantage, and it is therefore always essential to amass as many runs as possible when the wicket is fresh and new. Furthermore, by losing Dempster on Saturday, the visitors were faced with a much more serious difficulty. This loss undoubtedly was one of the reasons for the slow tactics which they adopted.” Oldfield’s considerate review Is typical of the general views of Sydney writers concerning the match. YOUNG PLAYERS WIN PLACES Arthur Mai ley had the following to say: ' “Travelling through New Zealand about three years ago on a cricket tour, I had the temerity to condemn the selection of certain dominion players whom I thought were 4pq old to

make tholr debut in test matches against Australia. “It is pleasing now to note that some of these young players who might have been chosen in preference to older players found their way into the Now Zealand team for England. One. of those players, Blunt, is now what might be termed one of the dependable of New Zealand cricket, and his influence should do a wonderful amount of good. I would say that there are at least 1.0 of tho visiting team who should set a standard to be followed by the rising generation in the dominion. If the trip has done nothing else, it has given New Zealand tho foundation of .what might become a force in the cricket world “Although they were beaten rather easily in the match against Now South Wales, it must be understood that these tourists were at tho wrong end of a, trip to be thoroughly keyed up. Let us go back to the time when a returning Australian eleven played the Rest of Australia, and wo will find that on nearly every occasion the. returning heroes were made quite a show of when opposed to those _ fresh, keen players who were just beginning the season. So it was with the match just finished. Consequently when reviewing the game and tlie individual performances we must make allowances for that lack of mental keenness which was rather apparent with the New Zealanders. This was obvious while they were in the field. Two 01 three players appeared to he out of position always, which means that the placing of the whole team is out of order.

“The New South Wales batsmen took advantage of this, and found vcrv little difficulty in finding openings through which the ball might find the boundary. As a result the bowlers looked mediocre, and did not perform up to their English reputation. Nevertheless, the Australian team which visits New Zealand early next year will find a more formidable opponent when the tourists have had time to collect their scattered thoughts. While the match here ended very satisfactorily for New South Wales, it must not be taken for granted that this team is good enough to win Sheffield Shield matches. “ The loss of Gregory and Andrews, who, I understand, are not available for the southern trip, will weaken the State team more than we realise. Although we helped ourselves somewhat generously at the expense of New Zealand, we must not get an inflated idea of our strength. If New South Wales ex-

pects to supply tho mojority of players in test games next year much depends on the results of Sheffield Shield cricket during the coming season.” “SIGNS OF PHYSICAL STALENESS.” “Not Out,” writing in the ‘Rcfcre*.* states: Tho New Zealanders faced a sympathetic public in their Sydney match,. But as a team they never rose to anything like the heights their cricket in England had inspired lovers of lb* game to expect. As they neither batted nor fielded with the dash, charm, and skill of the team that carao across two years ago, it is mere justice to a band of excellent sportsmen to say that they played ton soon after tho sea trip and revealed signs of physical stalouess “Those who saw the New Zealand learn on Friday noted their ■weakness in the field. The lack of skill as well ns lack of ginger in the efforts of several of the eleven provided a painful surprise. Nevertheless, it may be qnita wrong to sum up the skill and powers of the team on this form. Tho conception of high-grade fielding by several of the players was too bad to be true. Possible catches were not attempted, the ball, being awaited and then taken on the bounce; other catchable ones were missed. Little or no ground was made to get to the ball in an attempt to cut down runs from tho stroke to the minimum. Returns were weak and hacking tip just as weak. And the foot was used to stop the ball many times when the hand should have been used. The two finest fields were Dempster and Blunt, the former anywhere, but mainly in the country, and the latter generally on_ the off side. These me* rank with high-class Australian fieldsmen. And T. C. Lowry, who kept wickets, was very good and alert. As captain he found several of the players irresponsive on the field, and most certainly not alert as that terra is understood in first-class cricket in this country. Some of the men are hard grafters, but not quick-moving and sure with their hands.