CRICKET

Evening Star, Issue 21007, 22 January 1932, Page 4

CRICKET

NEWS AND NOTES

[By Substitute.]

Club cricket bas been of a higher standard this season .than for a Tong time past, there has been much brighter cricket, and more players are in form, due undoubtedly to the fact that a better, season from the weather aspect has been experienced. There was much to exhilarate and delight in last Saturday’s games, and in at least three of them the issue is fairly open. Carisbrook lias given Grange a solid task to make 400, but it is not an impossible one, though popular opinion will probably be towards a two-point win for Carisbrook. Albion has no easy thing to head University’s total of 249, having lost one wicket for 12. Much will depend on Jim Shepherd on the second day’s play, and indications are that Albion will find the students a fairly solid proposition to overcome. Christian Brothers has,a good chance of scoring a win against Dunedin, having lost one for 75 in reply to Dunedin’s 212. Badcock has yet to bat, and there are others in the side who are capable of making runs. Dunedin’s bowling has been of rather a doubtful quality, but the issue is fairly open in this match, and the second day’s play should be most interesting. So far as the Old Boys’-Kaikorai match is con«erned the point most at issue will be whether Old Boys can notch a fourpoint win. SPARKLING DISPLAY AT NORTH GROUND. That interest in the game is increasing this season was indicated by the large attendance of the public at the North Ground, and the spectators were well rewarded with sparkling displays of batting by several of the Carisbrook men, keen fielding throughout a long afternoon by the Grange players, and the highest tally for a season or two past, Carisbrook taking a little less than four hours to put together a score of 400. The wicket was easy, and the bowlers had a difficult task with so many of the Carisbrook batsmen in run-getting vein. the outfield was so rough that it was surprisng indeed that Grange’s ground fielding was of as high a standard as it was. The leaders in the competition were without the services of the left-hander, Elmes; Carisbrook did not have Dunning, in whose absence the team was captained by Roger Blunt. The latter and vSmith both treated the bowling mercilessly, and it was well for Grange indeed that it had tliat shrewd general, A. Galland, to handle the attack, and .that the fieldsmen never let up in their attempts to keep down the runs. For quite a time, while Smith and Blunt were together, it was not easy to find gaps in the well-placed field, and apart from the three or four catches that were dropped—and they were most expensive —Grange’s out-cricket was uniformly good. Galland himself was looking for work all tho afternoon, and he had plenty to do. O. Bey, at point, stopped a lot of hot ones, and Weir was another whose work called for special mention.

Galland himself came out with the best figures, taking five Avickets for 63, and he deserved them. He did not boAvl himself for long stretches, but Avhenover the batsmen Avore inclined to become too hostile the captain came on again, and, apart from one over Avhich produced 15 runs, he Avas not to bo treated too lightly. He mixed them up Avell, and that slower ball of his had several of the batsmen tied up badly. Lemin took three'for 26, and sent doAvn some really good balls. Ho maintained a good length, and Avas fairly accurate, though ho bowled Avithout a great deal of luck, Chettleburgh avus most expensive, bowling in most erratic fashion. He Avas either overpitching badly or boAvling short, and 91 runs came from his fifteen overs. Although he took only one Avicket for 73, H.. Weir, a left-hander, got through a heavy afternoon’s work. He swings the ball a bit, and is likely to he an asset to Grange. He played Avitli the Grange in junior cricket twenty-two years ago, and had the distinction of taking 99 wickets one season. Playing in Wednesday cricket as avgll, lie brought his bag to over the hundred. It is years since, ho figured in a Grange team, but up til! a feAV years ago was playing in South Canterbury. M'Kay did not prove very dangerous, and avas too erratic. He is a medium pace bowler Avitli an off break, but troubled the batsmen little on Saturday, 81 runs coming from his fourteen overs, Avitli the compensation of one Avicket. There Avas much to enthuse over in Carisbrook’s batting, and both Blunt and Smith played delightful cricket. The latter Avas decidedly unlucky to miss the century, as his 93 Avas made without blemish. Driving with plenty of poAver on both sides of the Avicket, The shot that pleased most, however, Avas a characteristic stroke to third man Avhich produced many runs. Smith Avas stronger on the on side than usual, and, taken altogether, his runs Avere made in cricket-like fashion. This is the third time in his three seasons of senior cricket in Dunedin that he has missed the century. He got 92 not out against Christian Brothers, 98 in a representative match against Southland, and 93 on this occasion. Blunt’s knock of 140 was not so free from blemish as the innings played by Smith, but it Avas a characteristic display all the same, and the fart that he got his runs in 117 minutes shows what it Avas like to Avatch. After giving a couple of chances before scoring 10, Blunt neA'er looked back, and all tho boAvling Avas the same to him, seventeen 4’s and five o’s indicating lioav hard ho AVas hitting. Many glittering strokes Avere included in a polished exhibition of batting, but Avhat delighted most Avas his square cutting and late Cutting, and his cover driving, all of Avhich produced many runs. Apart from the chances referred to already, it Avas one of Blunt’s best displays here for a long time, and one that augurs Avell for tho Wellington match.

After the departure of Blunt, one or two batsmen went cheaply, neither J. Cameron nor H. Cameron contributing materially to the score. U. A. li. Moloney, who had gone earlier, was the victim of his third successive Ibw decision, and seems to be experiencing that lean period that falls to the lot of

all batsmen at one time or another. Don Allan infused a bit of dash into tile game during his stay at tho wickets, and his 24 was brightly made. Don Cameron got 16 nicely, principally by good driving, and pleasing was the showing made by two of the youngsters of the side, Napier being unbeaten with 48 to his credit and Geddes making 20. The former gave a chance, hut generally speaking his runs were got by nice clean strokes on both sides of the wicket, though it was his on-side play that was the most impressive. It was on tho North Ground that young Ray Geddes’s father made his first century in Dunedin cricket, and though the youngster did not do anything brilliant as that he put together his 20 in workmanlike style, and shows promise of developing into a good man, Tt took A. C. Procter only about ten minutes to make 34, but his stay at the wickets was an enjoyable one from the spectators’ point of view, as he attacked the howling most vigorously and hit with all the power at his command. Grange has 13 runs on without loss, and though it has a big task ahead of it to-morrow, the issue is by no means certain, and there should he plenty of interest in tho second day’s piny.

VERY INTERESTING POSITION. The match between Dunedin and Christian Brothers is in a very interesting position, and it is quite on tho cards that there will bo a close finish. Mainly through the efforts of three men—Cavanagn, Cherry, and Ditchfield—Dunedin reached the useful total of 212, while Christian Brothers have lost one yieket for 75 runs. Whether or not the Brothers will make tho runs depend to a large extent on Badcock’s performance. It the coach once again strikes his quick-scoring form, the task of his side should he made easy. Even if'the coach goes cheaply, however, it is quite likely that the steadiness of some of the other batsmen will prevail. All things considered, the Brothers’ chances are distinctly rosy. For their good position the Brothers have to thank Blair, who in tho course of tho last hour of play on Saturday knocked up 51 runs. Partnered by the reliable F. Toomey, Blair scored quickly with wristy, forcing shots to many parts of the outfield. His cutting was particularly good. Toomey, who played a useful opening knock, was orthodox and safe. Blair had bad luck in going out to the last ball of the day—one from Langley, which seemed to hound from bat to pad and then on to the wicket. Dunedin’s innings was a mixture of batting, good and indifferent. The most pleasing features were Cnvanagh’s assurance that he has struck a rich vein of sparkling form, and Ditchfield’s masterly display. It is doubtful if Cavanagh has ever been seen in such good nick in club cricket. Without being too reckless, he seemed always eager, for runs, and the manner in which he used his footwork to defeat the ends of length howlers was worth watching. Once again his hooking was powerful. Despite the fact that he was lucky in not being run out at 16, his display could he termed chanceless, for the actual howling at no time found him in difficulties. His opening partner, Cherry, played a characteristically steady knock, , and it took a particularly good ball from Badcock to beat him. Ditchfield started cautiously, and later worked into a free, natural style, which at the same time made his defence look secure and produced runs. Coupland tossed up an easy catch as the result of a sudden change of plan, and Dick Torrance was taught the lesson of never waiting outside the crease for an umpire’s decision, Both these wickets went more cheaply than should have been the case. _ Eckhold’s “ duck ” —a first-ball affair—need not cause him undue worry; he has plenty of runs tucked away in his make-up. Hope’s forward play, which was decidedly confident, brought him well into double figures before a skier to the outfield was taken by Toomey. It will probably pa^ 7 Dunedin to persevere with these younger club members. The outstanding bowling performance was undoubtedly that of Badcock, who bowled with such deadly consistency that only 46 runs were scored off him in the course of thirty overs. Gradually the wickets fell to his arm, and, when the final reckoning came, it was found that he had taken seven of the nine scalps which were credited to tho trundlers. The wicket was easy; otherwise the destruction might have been quick and lively. Cahill’s efforts were distinctly - promising. _ The Brothers’ fielding was not as crisp and accurate as it should have been.

KAIKORAI’S MODERATE TOTAL. Steady hut rather sloav hatting marked Kaikorai’s innings against High School Old Boys, and though the total reached only 138, the batting of several players indicates that the experience gained in the senior competition this season should be shoAvn next season, especially ns the team has had an acquisition or tAvo since the beginning of the season, Constable being perhaps the best asset the club has acquired. M'Knight’s contribution of 47 avos a valuable one to Kaikorai. He AVas patience personified, and did not look like going out, presenting the full face of his bat to everything that Avas sent up. His lack of height handicaps him someAvliat, hut he should endeavour to punch the halls that are bowled a bit short. As it is, he merely aIIoAVS them to hit his bat. Dickinson presented no terrors for him, but the fast boAvler Avas hardly at his best on Saturday, though ho did claim four Avickets for 58 runs.

Although Hood Avas in no hurry to score, his 17 Avas helpful. Burgess contributed a brisk 27, and relished Leader particularly in one over. None of the others did much, Alloo’s accurate boAvling keeping the runs doAvn. He Avas tile most effective unit of the attack, and took four Avickets for 45. He Avas turning tho ball from the off, and varied things by sending doAvn a slow log-break occasionally. Leader’s Avicket cost tAventy-four runs, and apart from one fairly expensive over, he bowled Avell. Groves also collected a wicket. Old Boys have lost tAvo Avickets for 67, Gale and Groves both running into the tAvonties before being dismissed. There Avas a big improvement in Kaikorai’s ground fielding. CAN ALBION WIN? The new seniors, University, without the services of .1. M'Hnffic (the exAibion player), hoisted the excellent total of 249 against the Albion attack

last Saturday, and to-morrow the rapidly-improving Albion side lias to start off to overhaul its opponents’ total, one wicket already being down for 12 runs.

So far Skipper Jim Barron has been pushed out of the hunt, but with such excellent scores as Shepherd, S. Duncan, and J. Caskie to inspire the promising youngsters on the side, Albion may manage to secure a two-point victory.

While University managed to collect quite a respectable total, the individual efforts of the side were not particularly impressive, and the anxious spectators may look forward to a brighter display from the Albion batsmen, who, although they have won little fame for big scores, can gather respectable totals in pretty quick time. They certainly play the typo of cricket that holds the interest of spectators, and if the weather conditions are at all favourable a very enjoyable and exciting afternoon’s cricket should be witnessed on the final day of the match. It was particularly noticeable that none of the students found the Albion attack to their liking, and they were all troubled considerably by Duncan’s slows. Duncan claimed three wickets for 41 runs, though ho deserved more success from his twenty-two overs. While only one actual catch was dropped, Albion’s fielding left room for improvement, and quite 30 runs could have been saved if some members in particular had watched the bat more closely and got in lino with the ball before it reached them. L. Smith, who fields brilliantly in the slips, was responsible for the only dropped catch — namely, in the longfield from Cameron off Duncan.' It was a bard catch, but a fairly expensive one, as Cameron went on from 10 to rnake 42 in a ninthwicket partnership which yielded 63 runs.

Driest, who was_ top scorer with 52, batted very cautiously and was not particularly at home to any of the howlers. He scored quite a number of his runs on the leg side. Hamm batted steadily before he was clean bowled by Duncan, while Giikisou was also very scratchy in getting his 27. The only bright spot of the innings was the stand by Cameron and Jolly, who

hit hard, the latter getting three 6’s off Caskie on the leg side. Shepherd did not equal his recent successes, but nevertheless bowled steadily and better than _ his figures (three’ for 72) would indicate. Silver also bowled well. J. Vinnecomb, who showed good form against Carisbrook, failed to meet with success: there was little sting in his bowling. D. Heenan, the Albion wicket-keeper, did his work well. The large total of byes (20) could not be put down to his poor work but to a great deal of loose stuff on the leg side. LEAGUE NOTES. Post Office was very lucky in securing a draw last Saturday against Loco. Baxter saved the situation by holding up the last wicket against time and making 11 not out. The fielding was bad, six easy catches being missed. Tcmpleon’s average would nave been b etter, but M'Leod was dropped twice in one over. Briggs was hitting every ball and soon made his 26. Templeton waited for the loose ones in putting together 34. The wicket was in good order. THE WELLINGTON MATCH. The only Phmket match of the season to be played in Dunedin will be that between Wellington and Otago on Eebruary 19, 20, 22, and 23, and as Wellington must secure an outright win if it is to lift the shield from Canterbury there will be more than the usual interest taken in the game. An outright win for Otago would mean that this province would be runners-up to Canterbury for the shield. Competition for places in the Otago team will be keen, for while the team is almost certain to bo similar to that which did so well on the northern tour, room will have to bo made for George Dickinson, and it must also be borne in mind that Vic. Cavanagh is back to form. It seems to he a matter of uncertainty as to whether Jim Shepherd will be available. In form, Cavanagh did well in representative cricket, and if ho can maintain his present form over the next week or two will have to be given another chance. The difficulty that presents itself to the selectors is which players to drop.

Neither Priest nor M'Haffie did much on the northern tour, and their omission would leave the way open tor Dickinson; hut if Cavanagh is to be plaved there is still one other to be dropped. The last place 'is likely to have several claimants, and the form shown in the next week or two will have a big bearing on the final selection no doubt. WELLINGTON COMMENT. This is what “ Burwood,” the authoritative writer of the Wellington ‘ Dominion, ’ has to say concerning the Wel-lington-Otago match prospects;— All Wellington has to do to place itself at the top of the cricket tree this season is to defeat Otago outright at Dunedin next month. This sounds quite simple, but the side has a fullsized man’s job in front of it. Otago is" always a hard proposition in its own stronghold, and every cricketer knows that Carisbrook is one of the best scoring wickets in the dominion. Plunket Shield matches are now limited to four days, and big totals do not spell finished' games. By its great second innings of 589 against Canterbury this season, when Blunt hit up his record score of 338, and Badcock hit up 105, and by its consistent batting at Auckland, Otago has shown that it has an eleven to be seriously reckoned with. Blunt and Badcock at Dunedin will be reinforced by Shepherd and Dickinson, and with this solid quartet will bo consistent performers in U. Cherry, A. Knight, S. Elmes, J. A. Dunning, D. Smith, R. Coupland, D. R. A, Moloney, J. M'Haffie, and W. Hawksworth. The match between Wellington and Otago should prove a regular battle royal, as Wellington will be all out to win the premiership of the dominion for 1931-32, and Otago will be just as determined to finish ahead. In order to finish the match in four days Wellington n il have to score! fast, and toward this end Dempster, Dustin, Lambert, M'Girr, James, Hepburn, and Crook should be able to play their part well.

Wellington’s strength lies in the bowling, as, apart from Badcock and Dickinson, Otago has no bowlers of tho deadliness of Newman and M'Qirr, and this pair may repeat tho fine form which led to the downfall of Auckland and Canterbury this season. It will be no runaway victory, though, and we have not forgotten that Otago is confident that its eleven can defeat Wellington next mojith. It will be a match worth seeing, and just such another battle royal as took place between the provinces in the 1923-24 season at Dunedin when the record aggregate of 1,005 runs for forty wickets was piled up. This heavy scoring, however, was not done in four days. BAN ON MERRITT. Tho governing body has acted quite, within its rights,in regard.to Merritt, whose disqualification was, nd doubt, imposed in order to protect the public which subscribed so well toward the cost of arranging tho recent tour. Outside Canterbury, however, it is felt that the council has taken an extreme view of the position (says the Auckland ‘Herald’). When Merritt returned from England he stated quite frankly that he had no intention whatever of deserting New Zealand cricket. In the interests of his firm he considered he could employ himself better in the New Zealand winter by being in England for the cricket season. This, he also thought, would help to improve his cricket, and thus benefit the game in the dominion as well.

His interpretation of the agreement with the New Zealand Council was that he could not go back to England to qualify for a county, and his signing on with a. Lancashire club was for the purpose of playing League cricket—a very different proposition from fulfilling a residential qualification for the purpose of playing for an English county. By going to and from England Merritt would not be lost to the game in the dominion. However, where he made the mistake was in not consulting the New Zealand Council before entering into his present agreement. Mr A. T. Donnelly, chairman of the Management Committee of the council, was in England with the team, and Merritt had every opportunity of talking the matter over with him. NOTES. In seven knocks against the South Africans Don Bradman has made five centuries, four of them being put together in the five innings he has played in the tests. He has made twelve test match centuries, and only J. B. Hobbs has made more in this class of cricket, Bradman has now made 889 runs against the South Africans at an average of 127, and he should have little difficulty in reaching an aggregate of 1,000 against them. No Australian batsman has ever made such an aggregate against a visiting team. , , ~ , The Phmket Shield matches which have been played so far have made it clear that New Zealand, unfortunately, will have to do without a right-hand slow howler in the test match against the South Africans, since W. E. Merritt now is ineligible (says the Sun ). The lack of another good bowler of this type is all the more deplorable because iii Australia slow bowling has generally been the most effective against the Springboks. H. G. Vivian, a lefthander, will have to provide the dominion’s slow bowling in the test. FRUITS OF COACHING. The most obvious feature of the Otago team’s northern tour is the fact that the Otago selectors have at last embarked on the idea of team building. Otago in the past has suffered from tho fact that a number of its best players have not gone on tour, with tho result that we have never been able to get together n team which played as a team’. , , Our coach now has got together a learn of young players which bids to go far, and winch, in fact, in a short time should annex the Phmket Shield. Wo are now obtaining the first fruits of Badcock’s coaching, and tile result has oulv been obtained by hard work oil the"part of the coach. It is an eye-opener for anyone to go out to Carisbrook in the evening and see the coach at work. Ho is on the job from start to finish, and never relaxes for a moment. Otago cricket is now reaping the benefit of his coaching, and is now in the position it was in m 1914, when tho war practically put an end to tho efforts of J. A. Crawford,

the effect of whose good work was obvious long after his departure. Another noticeable feature of the present series of matches is the lamentable showing of Auckland. Keen followers of cricket will remember that after the departure of A. E. Belt Auckland cricket slumped considerably, and only revived when another coach 1 was obtained. The departure of wensley reveals a similar state of affairs. The moral is obvious. Money spent on a good coach is not Wasted ; and some of the greatest benefits derived from the work of a good conch are the least obvius. When our province does well in cricket interest in a manly sport is stimulated, and it is far better to get our boys on to the playing field than to have them frequenting the streets and street corners. If any subscriber to tho coach fund of the Otago Cricket Association is in doubt as to whether he is receiving value for his money, he should pay a visit to Oarisbrook some evening. . One visit will bo sufficient to dispel Ins doubts. Last season it was difficult to obtain primary school boys tor coaching. This year when Badcock resumed he was inundated with boys, and has had to divide them into north and south divisions.