CRICKET

Evening Star, Issue 20089, 1 February 1929, Page 12

CRICKET

WITHIN STRIKING DISTANCE FOUR TEAMS TOGETHER [By Substitute.] Four teams arc now within striking distance of each other, and anything may happen beloro the senior competition is brought to a close. Old Boys have 8 points, Grange 7, Dunedin and Carisbrook 6, and Albion and the Colts 2 each. With the great improvement shown by Albion of late, this team is likely to upset the calculations of some of the teams higher up, and Carisbrook is another side that lias shown considerable improvement. Both Grange and Old Boys, who wore leading formerly, were defeated last week, and the position is now one ol great interest. PLENTY OF EXCITEMENT. With the bowlers on top all afternoon, the scoring was slow in the second day’s play between Dunedin and Grange at the Oval, but there was plenty of excitement, first when Dunedin was lighting hard to secure the lead on the first innings, which it eventually did, and then when Grange was doing its best to dismiss Dunedin the second time to allow of sufficient time- for the north-enders to bat again in an effort to retrieve the position by obtaining a three-point win. Dunedin finished up with a lead of II runs on the first innings, but after a disastrous collapse in the second innings just managed to hold out long enough to inako it not worth while Grange going to the wickets again, as with 70 runs needed there was but ten minutes left for play. With one wicket down lor 75 Grange looked to have a. royal chance of leaving Dunedin well in the leeway when the second innings was commenced, Dunedin’s first strike having produced 172 runs. The uncertainties of cricket were admirably illustrated in this mutch, which might well bo described as being anyone’s game practically until half a hour before the stated time of the drawing of stumps. . The wicket was dead, and while m better order than the previous week was still far from good, the outfield in particular being very rough. Fielders on the Oval require to keep their wits about them, lor one never knows when a ball is going to rise. Knight batted with much more caution than was called for, being much less free than was the case the previous Saturday. As a result ho added but 2 runs to his previous Saturday’s score of 43 before ho was caught by White off Monk. It seems fairly evident that when Knight gives his natural talent full play he makes'he runs, but once lie adopts the cramped style of play he finds much more difficulty in scoring. This has been evidenced during the past few weeks when Knight has come to lio-ht with some displays of free batting, and it is to be hoped he will usually be found favouring his natural game. Ho has a wide variety of strokes, and when he gives himself_ a chance is one of the best batsmen in Otago. Boyd made 34, adding 10 to his previous Saturday’s score, chiefly by means of hard driving. Boyd has been a very useful man to Grange this season, several wood scores having come from his bat.° Ho was out from an oft-pitched hall by Monk, Hardman holding a great catch at point, falling full length on the ground to take it. Limes went cheaply, being caught and bowled by Torrance alter making 2, and then Gailand and Chadwick ottered a stubborn resistance, which, in view of the number of young players among the tail-enders, might well have been described as Grange’s last stand. Chadwick contributed 11 to the total, makjim several nice shots on the leg side, and also one or two good drives. While Gailand played far from stodgy cricket, he was a little more restrained than usual, but in view of the state of the irainc, when he went to the wickets he did the right thing, though_ he let few runs go a-begging. His 39 was an invaluable effort so tar as his side was concerned, for he made runs at a time when the bowling was steady and very accurate. He drove hard on both sides of the wickets, his timing leaving little to be desired, while he also connected with some hard shots to leg. Towards the end of the innings, when it was apparent that he could get no one to stay with him, Gailand went lor a hit, and lifted M'Gregor beyond the ou-boundary for 6. Gailand was suffering from an injured leg, and lor that reason Chadwick took his place in the field, Gailand going behind the stumps. . . Grange was unfortunate in being without the services of M'Mullan iu this and the previous game, and the juniors who comprised the later batsmen failed to make a stand, the last five batsmen making only one run among them. Lemin went lor a hit, being bowled by a good ball from M’Gregor. None of the other batsmen shaped like making runs, and the side was out for 158.

Strang handled Dunedin’s bowling well, M'Gregor being the most successful trundler. Ho bowled much more effectively than on the first day, finishing with tho splendid figures tf seven wickets for 43 runs. M'Gregor has been bowling very well this season, and on Saturday he was getting some work ou the ball, turning from the off', lie sent down an occasional slow, which had several of tho batsmen puzzled. Torrance bowled without luck, hut in eighteen overs, of which eleven were maidens, only 17 runs were scored off him for one wicket. Torrance maintained a perfect length practically all 'afternoon, and for a while the batsmen were able to take no risks with him. Monk bowled with less pace than was the case the previous week, but he was more accurate, and took two for 43. Monk opened-Dunedin’s attack on this occasion, and before the present season ends should have_ some good bowling performances to his credit, especially if ho can get a wicket to suit him. As usual, ho distinguished himself in the field, his catching of Gailand at square leg being a line effort. Dunedin’s fielding was patchy in places, the returns to the wicket leaving something to be desired. Claridge showed a little more keenness in the field, and if he will put his heart into the game this youngster has cricket ahead of him, for he has shown himself to be possessed of the ability. White is usually very safe behind the wickets, and he took a good catch early in the innings. His stopping, however, was not as clean as usual, and a largo number of byes was registered in the total. . .

As is often the case when the batting order is reversed, the opening batsmen for Dunedin failed badly, and the whole side was dismissed for 55. But for a good stand by Cavanaghand Dick Torrance Dunedin would have been dismissed for a very paltry total indeed. Cavanagh carried his bat for 19, and displayed some nice scoring shots on both sides of the wicket. Torrance hit out for 14, but none of the others reached double figures. Strang went after making 2, being deceived by

Knight’s variation of pace. Ho just failed to get properly on to the ball and sent it back into tho bowler’s hands. Monk rarely fails, but on this occasion ho failed to open his account; and another unlucky one was Cherry, who went Ibw to Knight, Hardman collected a pair of spectacles in this match, and while he certainly shaped most attractively and seenis to have cricket in him tho selectors were rather premature in adding his name to the representative practice list after only otic game in senior cricket. Ritchie has been rather unlucky this season. He got only two on Saturday, but held his end up for a while. Ho has shown the makings of a good batsman, and with a little more luck may yet do something this season. There were one or two others, however, who did not look like making runs, and in view of tho form shown by one or two of the Dunedin juniors, such as Torrance and Turnbull, they might reasonably be given a try in the first eleven. Knight and Elmes were in deadly form for Grange, both bowling remarkably well. Knight bowled with Tor-rance-likc accuracy, and finished with five wickets for 13 runs, his twentytwo overs including twelve maidens. He was swinging from leg, but it was his variation of pace that tied many of the batsmen up. It was one of the best displays of trundling seen this season. Elmes, too, bowled remark--ably well, taking five wickets for 31 runs. He was swinging dangerously from the off, and none of the batsmen could afford to take risks with him. While Dunedin collected two points in this game, the honours were fairly evenly divided. Grange’s fielding was very keen, and the gaps in the field were few and far between. Cavanagh being one of the few who was able to find them with any regularity. EASTMAN GETS TO BUSINESS. To make tho best part of 220 runs on a wicket which was assisting spin bowlers was rather a difficult task lor a young side like tho Colts to accomplish in an afternoon at Carisbrook. Yet, thanks largely to a dashing innings by L. Eastman, coach and captain, the team came within less than 50 runs of overhauling Curisbrook’s formidable total of 268. Granted that Eastman’s efforts have in the main been responsible for the Colts’ fine showing, it is obvious that tho team as a whole has improved under its leader’s tuition, oven if some of the players are not up to the required standard. As an all-rounder Henderson has come to light in convincing fashion, his last week’s stand with Eastman under trying circumstances being a display which effectively topped off his howling performance of the previous Saturday. Conradi gave rather a laboured display in reaching 25, hut, nevertheless, his stand with Silver came in very useful, and it must be said that towards the end of his knock he gave every appearance of being willing to go for the bowling. However, tho wiliness of Blunt, Cameron’s dangerous turn from the off, Grove’s pronounced leg break, and Spackman’s deceptive flight were factors which might have puzzled older batsmen than Conradi. Silver made better weather of it, but at times gave the ball too much air, and at least twice he could have been caught. Still, in the face of odds his was a, good display, for quite a number of excellent scoring shots, particularly a stylish off-drive, were revealed. As far as Dunedin performances go Eastman undoubtedly played his best innings this season. A little'initial difficulty in getting away tho leg stuff was quickly ■ overcome, and the coach soon pleased the spectators mightily with a battery of strokes which rendered no part of the boundary immune from the attack. Most of his scoring, however, was done in front of the wicket. For the reason that he hatted for the gaps an inclination to lift the ball did not lead him into any trouble. With the exception of llyan, Henderson, and Collett the remaining batsmen made practically no headway at all. Ryan, by good steady batting, run into double figures, and Henderson distinguished himself with a particularly stylish innings. On strokes to the off he was very strong. Collett was quieter than usual, but under tho circumstances his methods were the soundest that could have been employed. As a whole the team could have been smarter between the wickets. From a Carisbrook point of view the game lias been entirely satisfactory. Not only have some of tho younger batsmen come to light, but also, contrary to expectations, the bowling has been particularly sound. There were occasions last week when it was flattered by the batsmen, but all the same some really classy stuff was sent clown. What the team lacks, of course, is a good express bowler. There is only one remedy lor that. Find one, grab him, and never lose sight of him. Both Blunt and Spademan were difficult to follow in the air, and the captain frequently worked for the leg trap. At times the turn acquired by Groves w-as remarkable, and Cameron’s deliveries were always dangerous, his length being uniform all through. Lynch, although swerving perceptibly, did not meet with success. Except for a couple of mistakes early in the innings the fielding w r as very good, Blunt being presented with three catches which he never looked like dropping Gourley was always ready to stop anything. In Clarke (the ex-Kilbirnie player) Carisbrook has found an excellent wicketkeeper. OLD BOYS TROUNCED. Albion’s sudden reversal of form was reflected in no uncertain manner in the match with Old Boys. After suffering defeat in every match previously, it must have been encouraging to the players to secure such a decisive win against the leaders in the competition. The victory was due, in no small measure, to the splendid form of Shepherd, who was in the limelight with both hat and ball, while the field work of the side had a telling effect on the result of the game. ■ Shepherd’s innings of 120 was the brightest feature of the match, and his mastery of the bowling must have considerably strengthened the confidence of the other batsmen who assisted in running up the good tally of .253 for five wickets (declared), Vorrath being unable to complete his, notout innings of 45. This > was Shopherd’s fourth big hit this season, as he had previously scored two 65’s and 1123,- His average stands at 75.4 after

five ventures to the crease. Apart from the giving of two difficult chances his display was a particularly attractive one. Hie other Albion batsmen also played good cricket for their -scores, and 145 runs were added in a little over two hours. M'Haffie made a most promising debut with the bat, scoring 24 by cihaiiceless cricket. He collected bis runs from shots all round tho wicket, and showed no fear of the fast Dickinson. Among some of his shots made from Dickinson’s bowling were a prtety hook and a good drive. Naturally M'Haffie was the cause of considerable comment, and one heard many of the “ old hands ’* expressing the opinion that he was one of tho best Otago has secured for a long time. Barron, Gaskio, and Hamilton all batted well, and tho last two looked like making runs when Duncan declared. For Old Boys Leader bowled most successfullv, capturing three wickets at a cost of 35 runs, # after sending down fifteen overs. Dickinson iailed to make any impression on the batsmen, and Ins wicket cost him 75 runs. There wore two exceedingly disappointing features in tho match, the first being the very poor batting of the Old Boys’ side and the second the wretched fielding of some of the leading team. There was a marked contrast in the batting of the two teams, nearly all the Old Boys’ batsmen adopting stone-walling tactics, Leadoi and Jlarraway being the chief oflenders in this direction. Maiden alter maiden was sent down b.y the Album attack, which was well varied, but the batsmen were content to allow the. ball to hit the bat. Tho fact that the Albion bowlers sent down twenty-three maidens out of fifty overs gives some idea of what the cricket was like. Old Bovs made 59 in two hours, wmle Albion ‘made 145 in a little over the same time. .Moloney, who just reached double figures, was the only player to bat at all well, and ho was dismissed with a beautiful hall from Shepherd, which would have beaten nine out oi ten batsmen. Old Boys were successful in staving off a three-point defeat, but theirs was a far from -•mpiling display. , Of tho Albion attack Shepherd and Caskio were most successful, getting four for 13 and three for 12 respectively. The former bowled 1 really well, mamtaining a good length and being on the wicket. Oaskie was not tried until well on in the innings, ami, although 12 runs resulted from his iirsl over, he was responsible lor a sudden collapse in tho Old Boys side. He beat both Leader and Harraway and brought about M'Rao’s dismissal lliw within three overs, two ol which were maidens. AUCKLAND’S HOPES SHATTERED. A yorker, which shot through the dust and a shattered wicket, saw the end of Auckland’s hopes m the ihinket Shield game, which was concluded after a struggle which had extended well into the fourth day (says, the Auckland ‘Star’). By the narrow margin of 34 runs Wellington got the victory, and another shield senes passed into history. Set 334 runs to win on a crumbling wicket, Auckland had a very Heavy task, but an oven, though slow, rate of scoring was maintained, ami right up to the tea adjournment the home team had a winning chance. In fact the general impression was that Auckland would pull through, as at that stage only 50 runs were required for victory, and three wickets were in hand. With the score at T»l Dunning and Player went in (pin k succession, and Meir—the hero ol Auckland’s second venture—was kit to face a crisis with Rowntrec—the Auckland wicket-keeper. The latter has no great pretensions as a batsman, but he grounded his bat resolutely and fought hard on the defence. Realising that the hopes were frail indeed, Weir gamely changed his tactics and went for runs at any price, and amid excitement another eight were added, then the end came, Rountree succumbing to a deadly low ball which would have beaten any batsman in the land. There was a scramble tor the ball as a memento of quite a historic occasion, tho Wellington players trooped joyfully off the field, and the spectators, with one accord, gave Weir the great reception he deserved. Jo get -99 runs on a wearing wicket Auckland had put up a very fine performance, particularly for the reason that Wellington had in Henderson and M Girr tho right type of bowlers to take advantage of the special conditions thatruled, when the batsmen had to he eternally on the look-out for ow nalU and shooters, and could not play anything but a watchful game in a soau-h for loose balls, and they were surpnsingly scarce. The batting honours went to Mills and Weir. The former gave a splendid exhibition of stroke plav until beaten by a ball delivered with a change of angle, while Weir gave the best defence display seen in Auckland since the memorable occasion when Haddon defied an Otago attack. Invaluable support came ii’oin Allcott, Dunning, and Whitelaw, the latter shaping like a potential champion during a comparatively brief tenure, and fully justifying the high opinion which good judges of the game hold of him. Good fielding captaincy were fea-, tures of the Wellington play, Lowry showing genius in blocking scoring strokes. M'Girr and Henderson bowled in the form which won them places in the New Zealand representative side, while James s work behind the wickets was clean and of a very high order. COMMENT ON AUSTRALIAN TEAM. Looking at the team selected to represent Australia iu the fourth test match from the view of the best that could be chosen to represent Australia, E. H. M. Baillic, in the ‘ Sporting Globe,’ states that there is not much fault to lie Found with it. Indeed, if the rubber had not already been decided, it is probably somewhere near what most followers of the game would have chosen. True, there arc some what think that Oxenham should not have been chosen again, but 1 thought the Queenslander bowled exceptionally well in Melbourne, although he did not obtain a big haul of wickets, and 1 would certainly have given him another trial (he writes). Seeing that, the rubber has ,been decided, however," and looking to the future of Australian cricket, it would not have been out of place if the selectors had decided to give a trial to at least one

now bowler. They have done well in bringing-in Jackson, who is one of the most promising young batsmen in Australia, even though it has meant tho dropping of Richardson. But while it is pleasing to sec Jackson given an opportunity to prove himself, it would have been also pleasing if a new bowler had been tried iu view of the future. I do not agree with those who have been contending that there should he a wholesale trial of young players, because that would take away from the team the solidity that older players would give to it. We must make our experiments gradually. Seeing, however, that tho groat need is -howlers, little harm could have been done by trying out one now bowlersay Nothling, Bettingtou, or Wall. Nothling certainly has had hue trial, in which he did not succeed with his bowling, but he is tho type of man who might he very successful in England, and should be given every encouragement. ’

Baillic docs not at present regard Wall as being up to test match standard, but ho is the most promising young fast bowler that Australia seems to have, and as it is a fast howler that is needed most of all, it might have been worth while to give him a trial on his home wicket. Bettingtou is a slow bowler, who has made a name for himself in England,- and he has tho additional value of being an excellent batsman and a good fieldsman For the next Australian eleven such promising young players at Bradman, a’Beckett, and Jackson are already iu sight, and every effort should bo made to bring forward as many more as possible, without taking undue risks of weakening our team for tho task at present in hand. In support of the argument that wo must not make our changes too radical is the fact that the Englishmen arc keen ou winning ail five tests, and our duty is to prevent them From doing so if possible (he proceeds). The selectors, therelore, are to be commended for not taking undue risks. Against that wc have to look to the future of Australian cricket, and the young men arc tho ones who will have* to carry our banner in the near future. Hero we have two conflicting aspects, and it is a question which ought to prevail. As things stand, the future seems more important than the present. The general view, I think, is that wc ought to endeavour to bring on some of our young players, even if we have to sacrifice one or two of the older men, who, at tho moment, seem to be indispensable, but whose careers of usefulness arc nearing tho end. THE COLTS. With the season now drawing on, it is fair enough to make some comments, in a general way, on tho Colts’ team, and while the side has performed fairly well in some matches, it can not be denied that the brunt of tho work has been thrown upon the shoulders of tho professional coach, Eastman ; and, after all, while the latter’s services as a leader were a big advantage to the side, more should be expected ol a colts’ team than that it should depend for victory upon the efforts, largely, of one man. The Colts’ team was drawn from the ranks of last season’s junior players, and while one or two promising cricketers have been introduced as a result, it must bo said of the majority of those who have played for tho Colts that they were introduced to senior cricket before they wore really ready for it. The fact seems clear that the method of selection of the Colts’ side in the first place was wrong, and that if a Colt-S’ side were at all desirable it should have been drawn from the ranks of tho senior clubs, from promising young players who were on the verge of representative cricket. With them Eastman would probably have achieved groat results. As it was, the clubs perhaps might have objected to this course, as it might weaken some of them unduly, but the opinion seems to be fairly general that the present basis of selection was not a sound one. Under those circumstances _ the clubs should demand that the position he revised next season. PLUNKET SHIELD. Wellington's success in the recent Plunket Shield match will most likely assure the province of retaining possession of the Plunket Shield for the 192829 season. There is a possibility of Otago being successful, though it is a very remote chance (says the Auckland ‘ Herald ’). Wellington has had a. win and two losses, and if Otago beats Canterbury its record will be the same. Tho shield would then have to be awarded on averages, and here Wellington holds a particularly strong hand. In its three matches Wellington has scored 1,678 runs for the loss of forty-four wickets, an average of 38.13, while its opponents have scored 1,754 runs for the loss of fifty wickets, _ an average of 35.08. This gives Wellington a surplus of 3.05 runs per wicket. Otago’s position so far is that it has scored 1,031 runs for the loss of thirty-three wickets, an average of 31.24, whereas its opponents have scored 870 runs for the loss of eighteen wickets, an average of 48.33. This leaves Otago, with a deficiency of 17.09. The position, therefore, is that Otago will have to beat Canterbury by an average of more than 20.14 runs per wicket to win the shield. This, of course, is not an impossibility, but it is a very difficult task. So far as averages are concerned Auckland holds easily the best record of the four provinces. It has scored 1,402 runs for the loss of thirty-five wickets, an average of 40.05, and its opponents have scored 1 ; 333 runs for the loss of fiftythree wickets, an average of 25.15. This gives a surplus of 16.90 runs per wicket. Auckland was decidedly unlucky in striking wet weather in Dunedin, as it was in a strong winning position against Otago. Similarly Otago may have defeated Wellington but for rain, the southern province being in the better position when stumps were drawn. NOTES. One of the most unfortunate cricketers in Dunedin is Walter Strang, captain of the Dunedin eleven, whoso claims for consideration in the Otago team have been frequently overlooked. If 1 remember rightly Strang was chosen In an Otago team a couple of seasons back, but owing to a trip to Australia having been arranged previously he was unable to play. This season in three successive innings lie

has reached the 50’s, and as an opening batsman lie has Irequently proved his worth for Dunedin, being also a good field. He has some good strokes, mostly in front of the wickets, and wastes no time in setting about tho bowling. It is very difficult to understand why liis name docs not figure on the list of those selected for representative practice when one sees those of some of tho players who arc included in that list. The fractured bone in tho left hand of W. H. Ponsford has mended well. It was hoped ho would bo able to take his place in tho test eleven at Adelaide, hut lie is not likely to do so now (says “Not Out,” in the Sydney ‘Referee’). Ponsford is too great a batsman for cricket-lovers to fear his ultimate success against Larwood, who has been described as his hetc noir. The Victorian has done such marvellous things in rungetting that his Brisbane test experiences were a disappointment to many. But it was the same with most of tho others in that match. Tho greatest of players come down unexpectedly and completely at times, as though to show that they arc human, and not machines. Victor Trumper once made a pair in a test, and on Australian wickets, too. In fact, ho made three blobs in succession, scoring 4 and 0 at Adelaide, and U and 0 in Melbourne: but he rose above' it lo make a glorious 166 in the next and final match in Sydney. And M. A. Noble made “a pair” at Leeds in 1899, only to come out in tho next test at Manchester and make GO not out and 89. And why not Ponsford 'i Ho would probably have been among the runs in tho Melbourne test had he been lit and well. Tho writer understands that present indications point to Otago being able to get a fairly representative si.de together for the match with Southland, to which some i interest will attach in view of Southland's good showing in representative matches this season and by reason of the fact that one or two budding Plunket Shield players may be found among those pitted against the Otago eleven in this game. The match will probably be played next week, if it is to eventuate before the Canterbury match.

The name of Torrance is well known in footballing circles of more than one .decade, while Dick Torrance has made h renowned iu the cricketing world. Now Dick Torrance, jun. has come to light with liis first century in second grade cricket. Last Saturday, playing for Dunedin against Carisbrook B iu the second grade A. competition, Dunedin made 37 in response to Carishrook’s 240. Batting a second time, Dunedin made 240, Torrance batting extremely well for 104, while Arnold made 39 and Turnbull 27. Carisbrook lost two wickets for 35. Nimmo, who has been relegated to the second grade team, took live wickets for 13 for Carisbrook in the first innings. G. Groves taking three for 10. Torrance, the younger, is an aggressive type of batsman, with a very fair variety of strokes, and he has certainly been well scored. His enthusiasm for cricket knows no hound, and in addition to being official .scorer in the Otago-Southland match he assisted Mr W. A. Rowland during the OtagoAuckiand game. That a match is not won until it is lost was exemplified at Dovonport (Auckland) reccntyl, when the Ponsonby senior B team snatched a victory from Shore Colts when in an apparently hopeless position, thanks to an excellent bowling performance by D. Cleverley, who played last season in Wellington club cricket (says the New Zealand ‘ Sportsman ’). Requiring 45 runs from the previous week’s play to save an innings defeat, Ponsonby started their .second innings. “ Life ” Dacro (live for 39) was at his best and a moderate total of 93 resulted. Lendnnn (37 not out) hatted steadily throughout, Commons (11) being the only other double figure scorer. Shore thus needed only 49 runs to_ win. Cleverley, bowling an exceptionally fast ball, with a good change of pace, started to got wickets in Ids second over, ami live fell for 37, Icaying Shore five wickets to obtain 14 rims. After 7 more runs had been scored, Cleverley took three wickets in one over and Ponsonby .were up against it. Kelly, at the other end, was keeping a good length and was rewarded next over by obtaining the last two wickets, finishing with three for 21. Cleverley, who was congratulated all round, got seven for 16. He should go a long way if he keeps up his present standard. In the previous match against Windmill lie obtained seven for 19, and in three matches has obtained twenty-one wickets at a cost of only 91 runs.