CRICKET

Evening Star, Issue 20055, 21 December 1928, Page 12

CRICKET

GRANGE IN FRDHT [Notes by Substitute.] Club cricket for 1928 has ended, and the latter half of the season will commence with the matches on January 6, when tho fourth round is due to commence. The third round, completed last Saturday, has left Grange with a one-point lead eve.’ Old Boys, the only other undefeated team, and then comes Dunedin another two points back, Carisbrook two more points in arrears, and Albion and the Colts have yet to register a win. The competition promises to be very interesting before finality is reached, for while Old Boys and Grange appear to have the best chance of carrying off the premiership, Dunedin may have yet to be reckoned with, and Albion, too, may spring a surprise before the season ends. Frankly, the Colts have been most disappointing, though the players should not be blamed too harshly for that. They were all taken from junior ranks, whereas a really strong Colts’ team would have been one in which the players were drawn from the most promising of the younger senior players in the various clubs. As it is, the Colts have done their best, and one or two promising young players have been brought to light as the result of that team’s introduction to senior cricket. The team’s performances after the New Year will be watched with a critical eye. COLTS BEATEN AGAIN. The Colts raised the hopes of their supporters at two stages of the match against Old Boys, only to eventually suffer defeat on the first innings. On the first day of play several of the best of tho Old Bovs’ batsmen were dismissed fairly cheaply, but Harraway and Loader made a good stand, which made the Old Boys’ position much more secure. Tho Colts were not generally expected to surpass" Old Boys’ total of 23-1, but at one period their prospects wore fairly bright, this being after Eastman, the professional coach, had become acquainted with the bowling. He was batting confidently when ho failed to get properly on to a ball from Dickinson which landed on a soft patch on the wicket, and tho leather completed its travels when it reached the hands of A. W Alloo. Apart from Eastman’s 52, there was nothing in the Colts’ batting to enthuse over, Rae, Conradi. and Silver being the only players to reach double figures in the first innings, while in the Colts second essay at the wickets Rae and Conradi again came to light with 15 and 13 respectively. Miller made amends for his first innings by a nice all-round score of 23. He should have been not out, but ho threw his wicket away on the last ball of tho day from Harraway when he raced up the pitch and mistimed a straight one. A. W. Alloo and G. R. Dickinson wore the mainstays of Old Boys’ attack, and both came out with good averages—five for 41 and. five for 'l4 respectively. While tho wicket did not favour Dickinson, Arthur Alloo was able to get sufficient assistance from tho wicket to cause the batsmen considerable anxiety. It is a pity that Dickinson will not be available for either the Wellington or Auckland matches for ho would undoubtedly jgreatly strengthen the Otago attack. The fielding was good on the day, but Smith and Dickinson were outstanding for Old Boys in this respect. Dickinson has always been known for his alertness in the field, but .on Saturday he seemed to bo in particularly good form. Smith, whe is a (comparative newcomer to senior ranks, Was also brilliant in the field, and figured in a fine one-handed catch when he dismissed Heenan, a promising .batsman and good wicket-keeper. DUNEDIN TOO SOLID, Sludged on a score book basis the ’first-round fixture between Dunedin and Albion has shown Dunedin up in the light of all-ronnd superiority, but one hesitates to believe that tho Albion team has displayed the ability of which it is capable. M'Donald (a newcomer from Manawatu) and Simmers put tho side well on the road to victory on Saturday last, and with Shepherd as well as other likely batsmen to came in it looked as though the task of passing the 186 mark was one by no means too difficult to accomplish. Shepherd’s dismissal Ibw to Torrance and Cavanagh’s subsequent disposal of M'Donald seemed to clinch matters, however, and since all the Dunedin’s standard trnndlers were in a deadly mood the result by 4 o’clock was a foregone conclusion. True, anything might have happened when W. Vorrath strode to the crease to battle for his old team, but, although last year’s enterprising left-hander showed flashes of ms former skill, it was too much to expect that, without practice, he would pull the game out of the fire against such steady bowling.. The tail could not wag, and the innings came to a close just after a century had been recorded. Generally speaking, both teams had an even break, the wicket on each Saturday being in much the same state. If anything, however, it must have been in a more advanced stage of the drying process for the latter half of Albion’s knock. This is the only excuse that could reasonably be put forward for the team’s failure. From Albion’s point of view the loss of Shepherd’s wicket was a distinct disappointment, for had this fine batsman got going the favourite cry about the glorious uncertainty of the game might have been strikingly exemplified. Opinion is divided as to whether he was really out or not. It was, of course, impossible to voice a verdict from the stand. Let the matter remain at that. The umpire gave his word, and that’s the end of it, M'Donald’s style of batting was very effective. Ho hit tho ball a sound wallop, and so keen was his appreciation of wrist work and timing that his whole appearance wae that of a polished batsman. Early in his innings he was strong all round, but as time went on he became a specialist in bombarding the on boundary, and when Cavanagh started working the off theory his form fell away until he sent a ball up to Torrance. Still, M’Donald is one of the nmst successful bats seen at the crease this season. He is worth watching for higher honours than club . cricket. Simmers gave an attractive showing, and possibilities of better things could be discerned in Barron and Binney. M'Callum lashed out with commendable vim, his driving being too ■onnd to merit the term “slogging.” Silver did not get much of a- chance to show what he could do. Dunedin has every reason to be pleased with its battery of bowlers. On Saturday Torrance, Cavanagh, and Monk snared the honours, each collecting three scalps. M‘Gregor bowled better than his average indicated, and on form certainly deserved to gather in more than one wicket. Good length and change of pace rather than spin seemed to bo the strong point of the attack, and these attributes clearly showed their value. Torrance "and M'Gregor were certainly getting a bit of turn on them occasionally, and Monk was swinging in a manner that made him difficult to play. Claridge could not find his length at all. For a start Dunedin’s fielding was patchy, but gradually the team, to a man, became keyed up to a degree that allowed the batsmen few loopholes, and several Albion men were sent marching to the stand as the result of excellent, catches; those acI cepted by Ritchie and Strang required i outstanding efforts.. Ritchie, always a

keen fieldsman, distinguished himself by taking Riach low in slips, and in addition frequently proved his prowess at throwing in, Strang held his catch after a determined juggling feat, in the course of which the ball struck him on the forehead. White again proved bis worth as a wicketkeeper. The most pleasing aspect of Dunedin’s second strike was the success of Cavanagh. Starting with more caution than usual he played .his way into something like his old form, and at the'finisb he was finding that he could open his shoulders with confidence. Monk and M‘Gregor were the only other players to reach double figures, the former laying on the wood in his own refreshing style. CARISBROOK BADLY BEATEN. While Grange was generally expected to have a sure two points against Carisbrook there must have been few who reckoned that the latte' would go down to an innings’ defeat, but the fact remains that once again the soufchendcrs have shown most disappointing form, bowlirs and bats mou alike failing to make much of an impression. Carisbrook’s first innings total was 10 7 , and Grange had 9.1 oi>. for no wickets, this being carried to 274 for five wickets when Galland declared Caris brook batted again, and though au effort was made to play out time the dismissal of Blunt was the end, and the side was out for 101, more than half of which was made by the skipper of the team. Carisbrook started off the season well, but it has struck a lean patch, though bettor results may achieved after the New Year. Top scorer for Grange was Jack M'Mullan, who again batted exceptionally well, so well indeed that all round the ground were heard expressions ’of regret that he will not be available for Otago in either the Wei lington or Auckland matches. He put together a score of 80 runs which included fourteen 4’s, and he gave only one chance—-at 70, to Cameron off tho latter’s own bowling. M'Mullan scored well with some fine cover drives, and also made some good shots on the leg side. He did not exploit the square cut as much as usual, but generally his was a most attractive display. Morris, who had 50 to his credit when stumps were drawn on the first day, carried his score to 63 before he was out. He did not get on to them as well as on the first day, being unfortunate in that he met with an accident to his eye during the week and had to play in dark-coloured spectacles. Boyd made 38 by hard hitting, some of his straight drives being worth watching. He is a vigorous batsman, and is proving a very useful run-getter for Grange. Knight was in and out very quickly, but ho made 16, his score including a 6. two 4’s, and two 2’s. Knight is naturally a forceful batsman, and the writer feels sure that he will get runs if he will adopt bis natural cricketing style instead of cramping his play. He can hit hard, and is a far from stodgy batsman when in the mood. Galland batted very well for bis 37 not out, which included a 6 into King street. He was driving hard and placing his shots nicely, and ho is in the form at present that*, suggests that with a little luck ho may make a lot of runs during the representative season. Elmes was going nicely when ho was bowled with his score at 21. With tho exception of Cameron the Carisbrook bowlers sent down some poor stuff, and Blunt proved fairly expensive, failing to get a wicket for 44 runs. He was bowling below form, and sent down a good deal of loose stuff. Cameron was the onto bowlc who troubl'd the batsmen, his three wickets costing 38 runs. He was bowling very accurately, and maintained a fair length, but the ball that got M’Mullan shot in, and the batsman failed to sight it properly. Carisbronk’s second innings opened with Blunt and Douglas, but the latter went without scoring. Tho former, however, showed a . welcome return to form and made 52 in his characteristic fashion, scoring well all round the wicket. He batted vigorously, too, and two 6’s were included in his total. He was brilliantly caught by Tomkinson at square leg off Galland. Is one or the others did much with the exception of Aitkeu, a premising player, who car ried his bat for 15. He played a very steady innings iu an endeavour to play out time, but Esquilant, tho last man in, was caught by Baxter at silly point off Galland, who was bowling the last over of the day. Cameron batted very stodgily, taking sixty-two minutes to make 9 runs. , , _ , Galland played a big part in Granges three-point win, finishing up with the remarkably fine average of eight wickets for 45 runs. He sent down some leg breaks, which had the batsmen (messing, and throughout he mamovers including nine maidens. Elmes bowled steadily, taking two wickets for 26 runs. Ten maidens wore included in his twenty overo. CLUB AVERAGES. The leading averages for the three rounds of club matches played to date are

Others above IS.-Latimer (O.B.), 18.00; Caskio (A.), 18.00; Strang (DO. H.GO; K Silver (Colts), 16.75; M'Eao (OS.), 16.50; Conradi (Colts). 16.25; I’cttranoe (0.),, 16.00; Cherry (IX). 15.75; Simmers (A. , 15.66; Elmes (G.), is.oo; and Smith (O.B.), 15.00.

—Bowling.-

Others.—M'Ksy (Colts), 21.25; Templeton (Colte), 22.00; Blunt (Cor.), 22.50; Shepherd (A,), 24.41; and Clouston (A.), 24.5. NOTES, Next week will see the Blanket Shield matches in full swing, and the Otago team will leave for Wellington to-morrow, the match against Wellington commencing on Monday. With a •little bit of good fortune, there is no reason why the Otago team should not make a creditable showing against Wellington, and the same side will do battle against Auckland at Dunedin the following week. While Otago is engaging Wellington, Canterbury will be meeting Auckland at Christchurch. So far as Dunedin is concerned the only game to bo played over the holidays will be a match between Southland and the second Otago team, which is to be led by Dick Torrance, and, while this may not have the same flavour as Pluuket Shield cricket, it should be productive of some really interesting play, and will serve to show whether or not Southland has any players fit for consideration for the Otago team in Blanket Shield matches. In view of the good showings made by the Otago Boys’ High School first eleven locally, and in the match against Waitaki Boys’ High School, the innings defeat at the hands of Christ’s College was rather disappointing. Otago collapsed in tho first innings, but made a much better showing in the second. There are some promising players in the school team, and it see'ms pretty certain that two or three of them will be seen' in senior cricket after the holidays.

10 bO J El 40 S? s . SP © hO c$ •a & - £ o *-i o 60 fc (38 < 1 A. Gallant! (G-) - B. Sana way M/Mullan (G.) 3 1 3 5 1 218 300 — 94 94 - 120 204 i inz 262 150 94 68.W 65.50 Monk (!>•)••• Shephard (A.) ••• 3 4 - 65 132 81 163 44.00 4U.75 Boyd (GO ••• - - 2 35* 37 Duncan (O.B.) Dickinson (O.B.) Mleod (Cor.) Eastman (Colta) — ToraWnson (G.) ••• Leader (O.BO ••• "• Cameron (Oar.) ... «. Douglas (Cax.) «. Matheson (D.) Gale (JG.B.) ... -• H. O.Alloo (O.B.) ... Cavanagh (D.) Binuoy (A.) - A, W. Alloo (O.B.) ... Blunt (Car.) ... M'Donald (A.) 3 5 2 3 3 5 5 3 3 2 5 T 3 i 3 4 2 2 1 1 63 98 46* 92 52 54 22 26 47 74 37 116 46 mo 39* 44 38 64 25 40 59 88 25* 39 51 56 52 93 47 73 52.66 30.be 27.00 28.00 24.66 23.20 22.00 22.00 21.33 20.00 19.60 19.50 18.W 18.60 18.25

-2 i a .S i 3 W % Harraway (O.B.) ... 4 1 4.00 Monk {!>.) ... 16 3 5.33 Cavanagh (D.) ... ... 45 6 7.50 Dickinson (O.B.) 145 16 9.66 Elmos (G.) 179 18 9.94 Galland (G.) ... 104 10 10.40 M‘Gregor (D.) ... H. C. AIloo (O.B.) 87 111 8 9 10.99 12,35 A. W.AUoo (O.B.) 188 15 12.53 Torrance (D.) Henderson (Colts) 101 141 8 10 12.62 14.7 Proctor (Car.) ... 91 6 15.16 Eastman (Colts) 123 8 15.37 Cameron (Car.) ... 84 5 16.8 Knight (G.) E. Silver (Colts) ... 69 55 4 3 17.25 1B.33 Matheson (D.) ... 112 6 18.60 Miller (Colts) ... 38 2 19.00 Demin (G.) 134 7 19.14 Allen (A.) 116 6 19.33