CRICKET

Evening Star, Issue 19723, 25 November 1927, Page 14

CRICKET

[By Wallaby.]

TX V, .. ' " : , . /, & DOTES AND COMMENTS

Brickcifij's were fortunate, in all the jifteuaistanucs. to get in A full day’s play last Saturday. The prospects on the previous day, and indeed on the Saturday morning, were’ decidedly dark, but the weather cleared. As a matter of fact, the last hour or so of play was the brightest period, and made up somewhat For the cold winds which precoded this glint of sunshine. But the grounds and wickets could Lot recover so quickly, and were slow ivnd heavy. To those who had been used to seeing the glossy, ironed wicket nb Carisbrook the strip prepared for Saturday’s play looked ns though tho “shirt-front” had been badly rumpled and muddied, while the area surrounding it was badly churned. No doubt the late closing of tho football season gave little chance to tho caretaker, and consequently tho top-dressing has had insufficient time to settle. Dunedin could scarcely have failed to consolidate its position,into a>two-point win against Carisbrook, and in increasing its first innings score from 86 for four to 182 the team made the game safe, even though it was without the services cof Eastman. Had the coach been playing it was extremely likely that he would have enabled his side to add the extra point, for, as it was, Carisbrook’s second strike yielded only 168, which was but 71. runs to the good. However, it was some minutes after 7 o’clock when the last wicket fell, so Torrance and Co. had no hope of knocking off the runs in the .time available. The cricket in this match was slow but fairly interesting. Cavanagh added only four to his not out score of 38, but his remained to the end tho most cricket-like innings of the match. Norman Cherry (a younger brother of the Otago representative), who played in a match or two at the end of last season, got 23 quite nicely, though his batting .was a little timid. As he gains confidence ho should develop into a useful member of the team. His brother Reg. was brisker, and got his 22 quickly, bitting three fours to leg before skying one for Dickinson to take. This was a good catch of “ Dickie’s,” tho fieldsman doing a fast sprint from the slips to fairly deep leg in order to bring it off. it was a real footballer’s effort. Torrance got in a few good hook strokes, two of which went to the boundary, in making 18'. Ho was out to a catch at micl-olf by Cantrell from what the batsman reckoned was a bump ball. But those near the wicket, and. of course, tho umpire, had no doubt that it came direct from the bat. Sinclair and White, aided by “Mr Extras,” added 20 for the last wicket, tho latter making some unorthodox though effective shots. Dickinson was really the only bowler (on the side, and his figures—six for 40 off 144 balls—were excellent, especially as the wicket was so putty-like. Douglas could do little with his slows for the same reason. The fielding was fair, Gourley doing some smart things at times. The veteran Frank Anderson Unfortunately met with an accident before play started, slipping and falling on his shoulder. Consequently he could scarcely raise his left arm, and this accounted largely for the formidable total against “Sundries.” Frank was not fit to bat, so Carisbrpok’s innings closed .with tbe fall of tho ninth wicket. Gourlev top-scored in this second Strike. His 44 included a few pretty allots square with the -wicket and jthrough tho covers._ In between he was jtpatchy, and his innings was a slow one. (The surprising knock of the day, however, was Dickinson’s. Usually his advent is the signal for fieldsmen to drop out deep, and tho spectators to rouse (themselves and look for G’s. On Saturday George, probably batting to orders, ■ showed ho could “play the rock ” as well as anyone, and stayed there just on 50 minutes for 19 runs. It was (for him) a curious and not an inspiring innings. Nearly all his runs •were singles, and he was out to a ball well pitched up from' M ‘Gregor, the batsman playing over it, Holden showed good form in getting 25, being very severe on anything pitched outside his legs. He was out to a fine catch by R. Cherry, who took a hard hit from a full toss cleanly. Allan and Priest each got 15. the former being strongest on the leg side.' Dunedin’s fielding was not good. The returns, to the wicket particularly were highly erratic, and Wicket-keeper Wiiitc Was given a rough time. The field, too, was badly placed, runs being lost by cover standing too deep and by the absence of a second slip to Torrance. With Eastman away tho heavy task of carrying the bowling devolved upon Torrance and M'Gregor. And right well did they handle it. M'Gregor, when he went on first (at tho toil mid), was inclined to pitch them to Jog, and h© thus presented a-good many runs to the batsmen. But on changing ends he kept an excellent length, and probably bowled better than ho over did before. Ho refrained from trying to put on the pace, finding that ins slows turned nicely and troubled the batsmen a good deal. His six lor 78 off 21 overs was, in the .circumstances, a good performance. Torrance bowled like a machine. He, too, trundled from either end, and his 22 overs yielded less .than two runs per over. Ho claimed three wickets, and was never easy to hit. Cavanagh was the only other bowler tried, and though he failed to net a wicket he put plenty of life into his deliveries and kept a nice length. Albion found its 284, made a fort■night previously, sufficient to gain the team a first-innings win against Grange, the latter’s total being 229. This was largely a two-man score, M'Mulian (96) and Dimes (58) accounting for 154 between them, while the other nine batsman contributed 64. This pair of lefthanders took the score from 57 for six, to 191 for seven. ■M’Mulian is always interesting to watch, and his effort on Saturday was a particularly plucky one, by reason of the fact that ho was purely handicapped by a bad finger. He was in for 105, minutes, hit a 6 and 12 4’s, and was out to a catch in tha long field. It was hard luck to be sont back when so close to tho coveted three figures, though he should have been out at 62, M'lvor dropping an easy one. Mac scored all round the wicket, and, in spite of the slow pace of the turf, he at, times brought off some sweet cuts. Dimes, wlio gave no actual chance, scored mostly with on-shots, interspersed with some solid off-drives. He is a promising lad of 18 years or age, and ‘ ought to develop into one of Otago’s hopes. Arthur Alloo did not got going, spooning Blair into Allan’s hands at close mid-on when only 7;. ‘Brown,'a youngster who shows promise, was shaping well when ho let one past into - ins stumps.. 'Knight drove strongly, but stayed only long enough to make 11. Conradi (13) batted I nicely. I Apart from the M'Mullan-Elmes partnership, the feature of tho Grange innings was Blair’s bowling. It looked simple enough, and doubtless should have been hit far more freely than it .was (a good deal of bowling should be thus dealt with, but is not); nevertheless, ho came out with the splendid figures of seven for 48. It fs a wonder vas not bowled more, for lie sont ■Sown only S 3 balls, and is a type of bowler who does not tiro easily. Shepherd was ineffective, his one wicket costing 60 runs; yet ho was on for 14 overs (112 balls). . . _ On going in a second time Albion batted “ anyhow,” Some of the players, I'understand, went home to tea and returned to hat; others had ordinary togs on. Tho tail w r as sent in first, and.even when thus reversed it failed tq wag.. .But so did tho head

when placed iu tho tail’s position, Shepherd being tho only one to show any, form at all. Ho carried Ids hat for 23. and has evidently “ got his eye in'” tliis season. Duncan, With 13, was the only other doublo-figuro scorer. Duncan, by tbo way, is a versatile “sport." Ho has represented Otago at cricket and at Soccer football, and ho is now showing groat promise as a runner by winning sprints in good stylo. Tho Albion wickets wore distributed between Alloo, Galland, and Elmes, each of. whom put up good figures. While batting for Dunedin against Carisbrook on Saturday. Alby Sinclair, tho diminutive member of Dick Torrance’s team, “stopped ono ” from Dickinson with his chin. He did not appreciate the humor in Umpire Butler’s query, which was “Did it hurt?” Dick Torrance himself got a crack on tho cheek, but this was from a return 'from the field.- The ground was certainly “lumpy.” ( The second “test” between New Zealand and Tho Rest aroused very little interest in Christchurch or elsewhere, and petered quietly out on Monday. The Cricket Council was unfortunate in tho weather, certainly, but it could hardly expect to arouse enthusiasm by making economy the main feature. At least, 1 take it that that was the reason for tho personnel of “The Rest” team. On the other hand, it would have cost no ‘more to bring a couple of men from the south than to bring men from tho north. I understand that Dickinson was asked to go to Christchurch and declined. Ono can scarcely blame him. But what of Worker? and Alloo?. and half a dozen others? These so-called test matches have proved a farce. it is extremely unfortunate for Otago cricket that Eastman should have met with such a nasty accident iu Wellington. He was very lamo when ho arrived back cm Monday, ami looked worn and tired from loss of sleep occasioned by tho pain from his injured leg. Ho is tremendously chagrined, too; first because his work has been interfered with, and, secondly, because tbo accident would never have happened if common sense had been exercised by those controlling the arrangements in connection, with the first “test.” Tho ground, I believe, was in a shocking condition, and the wicket quite slippery and unfit for cricket. Yet tbo players were compelled to go out, with the result that Eastman (tho first bowler put on) was tho victim. Since his return ho has clone his coaching (when the weather has made it possible) mostly from the back of the net. It will bo two or three weeks, it is feared, before ho will be able to get into full action. < Roger Blunt returns by to-night’s express, and is to be received by the officials of the 0.C.A., the mayor and councillors, and other “heads.” Our sole representative in the New Zealand team deserves a very .warm welcome, and will no doubt receive it. His performances in tho Old Country, as well as prior to that and since, are too well known to need repetition. It is satisfactory to know that Blunt is definitely staying in Dunedin, for,,if lie keeps Ids form, he should be a very big factor in winning Otago’s matches. A correspondent puts tho following query:—“lf a batsman is caught out after he has completed a run, and started on the second run, does the firstrun count? Are there any circumstances under which a bowler can have a run, or runs, scored off him and secure tho wicket also? In other words, ran a wicket and a run he taken olf the ono ball?” Tho answer is that, if a batsman is caught no runs made from tbo stroke count. 1 A bowler cannot he scored from and gain a wicket from tho same hall; but a batsman can score a run or runs and be out from the same stroke—m the case of a run-out. Tho following is tho itinerary of the Otago team which goes on tour this season: — 1 Leave Dunedin December 23. Play Canterbury December 24, 26, 27, and (if necessary) 28. Play Auckland December 31, January 2,3, 4. _ Play 'Wellington January 6,7, 8 (not a Shield match). Arrive back in Dunedin January 30.

Tho team will consist _of 12 phvycrs and tho manager, who will bo Mr L. S. Wilson, the secretary of the O.C.A. Tho Reserves Conuuilice of tho City Council is obstinate concerning the making of a charge for alleged special rolling and mowing of the No. 1 wicket on tho Oval. As a matter or fact, the wicket receives very little extra attention, and part of that is willingly given by members of- tho Dunedin Club. Apart from this, however, the charge iV'entirely an unfair one; but (he hostile reception given to the deputation sent by the association to meet the Reserves Committee prepared the executive for the town clerk s reply. However, the association still harbors hopes that the committee will yet look at the matter in a fair and equitable light, and has written asking for its reconsideration. There is a tcehnff among cricketers (despite assertions to the contrary bv certain councillors) that most of the city councillors are hopelessly out of touch with that portion of the community which is deeply interested in athletics and games, and the observations of some of these City Fathers, when approached on matters connected with these clean and healthy pastimes, certainly strengthens that view. One of them, for instance, contended that cricketers in these days should not complain, “for,” be added. “ the wickets were far worse when J played in 1878 ” (or was-it 48? 1 forget, exactly). The association decided at its raeetin o on Tuesday that the resolution of tho recent conference in Christchurch to revert to the six-ball over should take effect from to-morrow. I don’t know that it will bring any great relief to our “ overworked ” bowlers, but it will givo more exercise to the fieldsmen, in that they will change over more frequently,' which is something in this wintry weather. I have to thank Mr J. F. I cake (hon. secretary) for a copy of the annual report of the New Zealand Cricket Council, which I received last week. ■ This is a well-compiled pamphlet graced with the photos of the Management Committee, the New /onland team, and the selectors of that team. There is also much interesting information concerning the doings of our bovs nt Home, also the full scores* of the matches played by the Melbourne C.O. team in the dominion last season, of the Plnnket Shield, Hawke Gup, and Heath cote Williams Shield matches. And, of course, therois a full and concise report of tho season’s general activities. JUNIOR NOTES. Quite a crop of centuries among the juniors on. Saturday. Playing for Albion second grade (A section) against Old Boys. O’Brien made 109; for the Christian Brothers third grade team against Carisbrook, Cusack made 104 pot out, and for Carisbrook C (second

grade, B section) against Technical College I/. Cameron made 102 not out. Most of tho junior matches finished a good deal earlier than 7.30 on Saturday, somo,of them pulling out before 6 o’clock. There is really no need for play to ho continued to the bitter end when the result lias, already been arrived at, and there is no hope ot a first innings verdict being reversed. This only means prolonging the agony —except to those rare enthusiasts_ who, when tea time interferes with cricket, give up eating. Leader, who has been prominent in fourth grade matches for the Albion team, played with a damaged hand, on Saturday, but nevertheless took five wickets for'27 against Grange. Smith, of the same team, bagged seven Grange ■wickets for 35. . Sinclair again did well for Albion thirds, taking seven for 21 and making 21 runs. A youth of 17 years, Sinclair should in a year or two be 1 seen performing well in higher grades than this. Albion thirds, by the way, are particularly strong in bowling just now. Tho Dunedin “Veterans” (second grade, B section) had another win, this time against Old Boys. The vets, are batting well, and on Saturday Tommy Thomson knocked up 83 before being run out. Mackersy, tho old-time senior and rep. player, has also “come back” effectually. He made 37 very nicely. Anderson (last year’s senior player) took six wickets for 25. Hat tricks are not so common that thev are unworthy of comment. On Saturday Proctor, a Carisbrook player in the second grade (B section), performed the feat, taking in all four wickets ior .Another outstanding performance will) the ball in the second grade (A section) was Harry Bunn’s seven wickets lor 6 , for North-cast Valiev against Dunedin, who made but 26 all out. The Valley’s B section team also carried some heavy guns whirh thev used with effect against y.M'.O.A. ‘in two innings, fpr instance. Cullen took eleven for 11. In the Boys’ Association mated), Albion v. Christian Brothers, which the -latter won by an innings, one of their bowlers (Cusack) took fourteen wickets lor 9 runs. Something of a record in Dunedin school cricket was made by the Caversham School B team at Montecillo on Wednesday. Batting first they carried their score to'lo7 (Shephard 32, Fowler 16 not out, Thorn 11). They then dismissed the whole of the opposing team in three overs for no runs (Barr five for 0). ,