CRICKET

Evening Star, Issue 21013, 29 January 1932, Page 4

CRICKET

NEWS AND NOTES

[By Sumtitutx.]

The result of last Saturday’s matches leaves the games in a more interesting position than ever, and he would ho a bold man who would endeavour to prophecy the premier team from Die five teams that are now well in the running. Leaders in the competition previously, Grange was defeated by Carisbrook last Saturday, and now shares top place with Old Boys, who registered a four-pointer against Kaikorai. Carisbrook, Christian Brothers, and University each scored two-point wins last week, and are two points lehind the leading teams. Christian Brothers is a side that has shown wonderful improvement under the steadying influence of F. T. Badcock, and a pleasing feature of the side’s win against Dunedin was the good showing made by a number of the younger players, who are coming along nicely. LEADERS DOWN A PEG. When Grange went in to bat at the North Ground on Saturday the men who walked to the crease were faced with k difficult task. They had to score quickly enough to make it possible that Carisbrook’s formidable 400 should be overtaken, and yet, in order to ensure a lengthy stay at the wicket, a certain amount of caution had to be observed. The first half of the batting personnel did remarkably well, 200 runs being on the board at the tea adjournment. As was only to be expected, however, the tail-enders were not capable of fulfilling the heavy demands of furnishing the further 200 runs required, and only 40 more runs were scored. Singularly enough, Grange actually reached the 400 mark, but only after a bright second innings venture, in which Tomkinson and Knight showed up strongly. Boyd, who scored the “ devil’s number ” in each session, gave the impression- that he has the ability to score more runs than usually come his way. He is quite a good type of opening batsman. Tomkinson had a good day. He was going well in the first innings when Moloney got him, (and in the second essay he scored freely with nicely executed strokes Jto each side of the wicket. Knight’s contributions of 48 and GO were fine efforts, the second, naturally enough upder the circumstances, being much more enterprising than the first. Everybody was pleased to see Dey make good with a 43, in which powerful driving was a spectacular feature, while Galland, playing a timely innings, nearly carried his bat for over three score. Had Galland been as quick on his feet as a few years ago he would nearly have doubled his tally, for his eye was right in and he was hitting with tremendous power. He must have been sorely tempted to come forward to Moloney, but apparently ho knew that his footwork could not make the grade. Chettleburgh’s impetuousness brought about his fall, but his was a merry knock while it lasted, and, on the whole, quite a proper game to play with the team’s position as it then was. The Carisbrook attack suffered through the absence of Blunt and Dunning, but the remaining trundlers performed with credit. Moloney, who took six for 96 in the first innings, showed that he is coming into his own as a slow bonder. His trajectory was well controlled, and he varied his spins, sometimes sending down deliveries with so much turn that the batsmen were groping for the feel of J hem. Smith w r as working up considerable pace through the. air, and the ball rose quickly from the pitch. The wicket, however, was easy, and a few of the batsmen managed to get some of his off theory away fast through the slips. A well-placed field saved many runs. In getting Kni,’ t and Dey he rendered valuable service to his side. The bowling of Cameron and Procter came in very useful. With the North Ground in its present condition one hesitates to criticise the fielding. On several occasions the fieldsmen were beaten by bumping balls, which on smooth outfields would have adhered to the surface of the ground. Some good catches were taken, notably by Allan, D. Cameron, and Moloney.

GOOD WIN FOR CHRISTIAN BROTHERS. There was no doubt about the win scored by Christian Brothers against Dunedin, and, as predicted earlier in the season, the Dunedin side is feeling the want of bowlers of experience. Last Saturday R. W. Coupland had a heavy afternoon’s work with the ball, sending down thirty-one overs for 78 runs which were recompensed with two wickets. The wicket was in good order, but a strong wind was blowing from one end, and Coupland had the task of bowling against it nil afternoon. Badcock treated him disrespectfully in one over which produced 16 runs, but otherwise he was steady and accurate, swinging a bit and generally keeping the batsmen fairly quiet. Claridge bowled better than at any other time this season, and his four wickets for 91 runs were not so good figures as he deserves, several chances being missed off his bowling. With the wind behind him, he sent down some fast ones that were not relished by the batsmen. No fewer than seven bowlers were tried, and it was surprising that more use was not made of Arnold, the left-hander, who had live overs for sixteen runs. Langley, the promising slow leg-break bowler, claimed two wickets Tor 51 runs, and bowled fairly well. He is a hit erratic as yet, but as he is young should improve. There may bo some excuse for Dunedin’s weakness in bowling, but there is little to be said for the poor fielding that has been a feature or the team’s displays this season. Saturday was no exception, and the captain must have longed for a few more fieldsmen of the calibre of Cavanagh. Badcock’s 43 were put together in fifteen minutes, and, as may be imagined, it was an exhilarating knock from the point of view of the spectators. He was hooking and driving delightfully, and the remainder of the side lent him most valuable support. Frank Toomey is invaluable to Christian Brothers as an opening batsman, and his 56 were put together by very solid batting. The skipper, C. Lynch, compiled a valuable 41, scoring most of his runs by good shots in front of the wickets. T. Rodgerson and V. M‘Carten, colts who have made good progress this season, both presented a solid front to the attack. MTlroy and Brookes each made good contributions to the total, the latter being unbeaten with 34 to. his credit. He is n decidedly useful club cricketer. . AN EASY FOUR-POINTER. Consistently bright scoring on the part of Old Boys enabled the team to give Kaikorai a severe beating, the hill side being all at sea in its second innings’ strike. Alloo and C. Smith, the not out men for Old Boys, soon showed mastery over the attack, and the score mounted to 108 before a separation was effected. Alloo scored mainly from vigorous strokes placed judiciously through gaps in the field, arid Smith proved himself a batsman of great promise. M. Cherry and Ruff, the next two to bo associated ih a good partnership, also scored quickly, Cherry’s remarkably accurate timing helping him to run up his tally without much apparent effort. Ruff seemed to hit harder, but Cherry’s was the more stylish display. Another batsman to distinguish himself was J. Smith, who kept pace with Cherry in a further breezy stand. Smith was getting them nicely along the carpet to all parts of the field, and at one stage the pair were scoring off practically every ball. The fast scoring resulted in Old Boys being able to declare fairly early in the aftenoon and put Kaikorai_ in for their second knock. In the main Kaikorai’s innings was a repetition of many that have been seen before from members of the team this season. Except in a few cases there was a tendency to poke and scratch about too much at the crease, and freedom in, footwork and shoulder movement was sadly lacking. Vial played more defensively_ than usual, but his contribution was invaluable. Balk and Rennick were two others whose efforts held the team together and staved off a complete debacle. The bowling of Dickinson, Alloo, and Leader was altogether too much for the majority of the batsmen. The most satisfactory aspect of 'Kaikorai’s showing was the fielding. While Old Boys were batting the fieldsmen were subject to plenty of bombarding, and they came through the test with credit. ALBION “ REGULARS ” FAIL. , With such a perfect wicket as that provided on the University Oval it was thought that Albion had a good chance of overtaking ’Varsity’s first _ innings’ total of 249. On paper, the side looks a particularly strong batting one, but with the failure of such stalwarts as J. Shepherd, Jim Brown, S. Duncan, and John Caskie (12 runs _ between them) it was left to the junior members of the team to collect the runs. Of the youngsters, O. Dalziel (40), L. Smith (41), and Ron Silver (29) put up a very creditable performance, while Don Heenan, the club’s wicketkeeper, again put together a good score among the taihenders. His innings of 22 not out was a very sound effort, and he made some verv nice shots.

Tho outstanding feature of the innings was the very fine display by Dalziel. Although only sixteen (and a very diminutive lad at that) he played tho bowling with the greatest of confidence, and his driving and leg glides were a treat to watch. Through hesitating after calling for a run, his wicket was thrown down, but otherwise he never looked like going out, all his-shots being played neatly along the ground. His dismissal was brought about by a very smart effort on the part of N. Henderson, whose fielding during the afternoon was exceptionally good. Smith, who partnered Dalziel, while not so enterprising, played sound cricket, holding up his end till after the tea. adjournment. Included among his shots, were some pretty cover drives. Ron Silver was also settling down convincingly when ho failed to get across to one with the result that the ball was skied.

Shepherd started off in his usual aggressive stylo, but ho also skied one through failing to connect. Vinnocomhe lost his wicket through hitting a full-tosser half-heartedly, ami was caught at square leg. H.‘ Miller, who was one of the five batsmen to reach double figures, shaped well for 12, when be fell a victim to a weak shot on the off.

-tjt-(Jt-’Varsity tried six bowlers, of whom Jolly was easily the best. He maintained a good length and bowled with considerable pace when bowling with the wind. The fielding of the side was quite good, though Armitage, behind the wickets, was very weak on accasious.

In the students’ second innings L. Silver and Shepherd kept the batsmen busy, five wickets being down for 57 when stumps were drawn. Silver was developing unusual pace with the assistance of the wind, and clean-bowled his two victims.

FINAL SHIELD MATCH. The whole of the New Zealand cricket world is eagerly awaiting the result of the final Plunket Shield match between Otago and Wellington, and the home province’s fine performances on the northern tour have given rise to the belief that in the match that will commence on February 19 and be continued on February 20, 22, and 23, Wellington will be hard-pressed for the outright win the northern province requires if it is to lift the Shield from Canterbury. It may be taken for granted that there will be fen- changes in Otago’s team that did so well in the north, but room will have to be made for Dickinson, and as Cavnnagh is now in form it is going to be difficult to pass him by. Dickinson was not available for the northern tour, and neither was Shepherd, and few real enthusiasts will now cavil at Dickinson’s inclusion, as it is desirable that the province should be represented by the strongest team. That being so, it is surprising that J. Shepherd is not included in the list of players chosen for practice purposes, though it may bo that ho is not available. Still, uo intimation has been given by the selectors to that effect, and in view of Shepherd’s performances this season it would be interesting to know if he were considered for selection. In seven innings he has made 277 runs, highest score being 91, and average 39.57. Ho has bowled 135 overs. 10 maidens, for 282 runs and 20 wickets, a cost of 10.85 runs per wicket. It needs merely to be added that he is in fine form this season. The most encouraging feature of the forthcoming match is the good form that has been shown lately bv such players as F. T. Badcock, K. C.'Blunt, U. Smith, and A. Knight, and if the

'home side’s bowlers, strengthened by Dickinson, are able to turn the trick, Otago may yet emerge as runners-up for the Plunket Shield. A good deal of interest is being taken in the north in Dickinson’s performances, as it is considered that the selection of New Zealand’s fast bowler against the South Africans will lie between him and Don Cleverley, of Auckland. Dickinson is a long way better batsman than Cleverley, and if he maintains the form he has been showing with the ball, there should bo little doubt as to who will gain preference. NOTES. “ We’ll get Grimmett before the tour ends,” said one of the South Africans to Captain Ballantyne, an English journalist who is accompanying the tourists (says the ‘Sporting Globe’). The visitors had heard a lot about Grimmett and his wiles before they reached Adelaide, but after playing him in the first match there some of them were confident that they would solve his style. Captain Ballantyne listened intently to the batsman. Then he drawled ; “ My dea- 1 young man, Hobbs, Sutcliffe, Hammond, Woolley, Hendren, Chapman, Tyldesley, and many other English batsmen have been trying for years and years to solve Grimmett. And they haven’t solved him yet.” The South African became too thoughtful to speak. Some interesting sidelights on the test match at Sydney between South Africa and Australia are contained in a letter I have received from a Dunedin enthusiast who has been holidaying in New South Wales. ■ Ho saw both Bradman and Bigg make a century, and the former throw bis wicket away when 116 as he had a strained leg muscle and was obviously feeling it. “ Ho will come out and make a thousand one of these days—that is perhaps the best way to describe him,” the Dunedinite writes. He is wonderfully popular with the crowd, and outside of his wonderful prowess certainly knows how to produce the best effects. The Africans, he considered, were a better team than performances showed, and it was his opinion that, they had been suffering from the inferiority complex. Ponsford had slipped, and seemed to he a gift for the fast bowlers since Larwood broke his hand. There were 36,000 at the Cricket Ground, and, investing Is 6d, the Dunedinite went among the hillites, where he had a lot of fun. Pap

wag suggested the “fire brigade to put Bradman out,” another the “ New Guard.”

E. Kavanagh, a left-hand batsman, who made 60 and 43 for Hawke’s Bay against Canterbury in the cricket match played at Napier last week, is a middleaged cricketer, who has appeared in many places (says the ‘Sun ’). At one time he was in the Waikato district, and later in Rangitikei. Later still he played for Southland, and then moved to Hawke’s Bay. His main claim to fame at one time was his ability as a slow bowler. He took eight wickets for 134, including the hat trick, for Hawke’s Bay against Harold Gilligan’s M.C.C. team, after getting eight for 99 a week or two before in a Hawke Cup match between Hawke’s Bay and Manawatu. Now that Rupert Worker, the former Canterbury and New Zealand representative batsman, is not playing in Hawke’s Bay, Kavanagh has been promoted to the position of left-hand opening batsman. Though he is doing well on the job, his bowling seems to suffer in consequence. [Kavanagh was very well known in Otago and Southland cricket, and the writer remembers him as a brilliant field in addition to his batting and bowling prowess.] W. Hunt, the New South Wales lefthand bowler, who is to be tried out for Australia against the South Africans, in place of H. Ironmonger, does not spin the ball as well as the Victorian does, but flights the ball a little better, a*'a pace a little faster than Ironmonger’s, He is a very good fieldsman, and in tljat respect is greatly superior to the veteran. Ho makes runs, too, sometimes. “ The South Africans made a terrible mess of the second test match, and are really much better cricketers than figures would denote. They seemed to be overawed by Grimmett, and played the bowler instead of the ball, a fact that must spell defeat. It was a great pity, too, when everyone expected that they would give an excellent account of themselves. Excellent wicket and winning the toss should have been a great start, but they failed dismally. They batted like children, and it is to be hoped they will retrieve the situation in the third test at Melbourne. [Australia won the third test_ after South Africa led on the first innings.] While we did not expect that they would defeat Australia for the ‘ Ashes,’ we all expected keener and more closely contested struggles. They are a fine lot of fellows and sportsmen, and deserve to reproduce that form . which has gained them substantial reputations in other parts of the world. If you see them when they come to New Zealand you will like them and their cricket, and I am sure you will find them one and all gentlemen of the first water.”— Extract from letter from C. G. M'Cartney to a Dunedin cricketer.