CRICKET

Evening Star, Issue 21037, 26 February 1932, Page 4

CRICKET

[By Substitute.]

NEWS AND NOTES

INTENSELY EXCITING SHIELD FINALE.

Taken as a whole, the _ Wellington-1 Otago match was full of interest, and while many would deplore the fact that the wicket was so much damaged by the rainfall, there is no doubt that these very conditions made for the intensely exciting cricket that was witnessed by the large crowds that attended each of the three days on which play was possible. It is not often that the bowlers are given an opportunity such as presented itself in this case, and cricketers and followers of the game generally will not begrudge it to them. Reviewing the various fluctuating fortunes of each team, it appears as if the deciding factor or the whole match, apart from the bowlers’ triumph, was the partnership, between Lambert and James on Monday. Every credit must be given to these batsmen, and particularly to Lambert, for their efforts, but the fact remains that the luck was against the Otago bowlers’in the case of James, who was missed at 41 and went on to score 82. This is but cricket, however, and while it is easy to be wise after the event, the bowling at the disposal of the captain might have been used a little more judiciously. Lambert certainly showed himself to be right up to New Zealand standard as an all-round cricketer, and hq may be a trifle unlucky in not being included in the first test against the South Africans. Badcock was certainly the mainstay of the Otago attack, and as was the case in the other Plunket Shield matches this season, he has generally solved the difficulty as to the keeping of one end gonig. The presence of so much bowling talent in the eleven no doubt made it difficult for Dunning to work the other end with the best results.

There was a remarkable similarity between both innings of each team. James and Lambert, who wore associated in the partnership already referred to and put on 153 for the fifth wicket on Monday, accounted for 189 runs between them t of Wellington’s total of 2601 while Dickinson and Moloney, who put together 52 am? 55 not out respectively, made more than half of Otago’s total. There is no need for repetition concerning the batting of these two men—Dickinson showed'confidence and good, powerful strokes once he settled down, while Moloney showed that form that has been awaited by Otago cricket enthusiasts for some time. He is one of the province’s promising young allrounders, and big scores may be expected of him in a season or two. In the second innings, both of . Wellington and Otago, the individual contributions were so small in each case that the highest score of the twenty-one batsmen who had a hand was Badcock’s 23 runs. Then, in regard to the bowlers, the match served to show J. Newman at his best, and to convince Otago cricket followers at any rate that the Nelson left-hander was a good man. His ten wickets for 96 runs in the two innings was a good performance, even allowing for the state of the pitch. Apart from Newman, however, the Wellington bowling did not appear as if it would have been at all dangerous on a wicket in any respect good, and had the conditions been such as to favour the batsmen,' it is quite likely that heavy scoring would have taken place. On the Otago side, the two outstanding bowlers were Dickinson and Badcock, and the former's sensational patch in the second innings makes him, of course, the subject of highly favourable comment. Dickinson secured two for 53 in the first innings, but was inclined to be erratic in length and direction. It was a different tale on Tuesday, however, and in securing five wickets for 23 runs, Dickinson gave the crowd some of the most thrilling moments that have been witnessed at a cricket match, in Dunedin for years. It was not only that at one stage he had taken five wickets for 10 runs or that he was bowling with rare vim and pace, but he was in such form that the crowd was at fever-heat almost every time the ball left his hand. And there was just cause for it, for several times he just missed the off stump by the narrowest margin. It was bowling of the most sensational kind, and most reminiscent of his great effort against the Australians at Carisbrook a few years ago.

At the same time Badcock’s consistency in. both innings, and his usefulness in maintaining a length and keeping an end going must ~ot be overlooked, and, taking the three Plunket Shield matches into consideration, ho has certainly been tho mainstay of Otago’s attack. Blunt did not get much work, as has already been stated, but in his four overs in the first innings claimed three wickets for 9 runs, which made it difficult to know why use was not made of him earlier. His two overs on the second day were fairly expensive, and 16'runs came from them. -

Otago’s fielding cannot be looked on as entirely satisfactory, as two or three members of the team showed sluggishness in getting off the mark and going after the ball. Even in tried batsmen such as Cherry and Knight, this fault cannot be excused, for not only are many runs lost by slowness in the field, but opportunities also for perhaps getting wickets, so that a batsman with this fault has to make a fair score to

make up for his other shortcomings. Knight is usually a reliable field, and may have had an off day on Monday, but lie did better on Tuesday. Cherry, on the other hand, was too slow in his movements, especially in getting down to the ball, and he will need to show much more agility in the field to merit further consideration in big cricket. As a « set-off it was pleasing to see the keenness displayed by young players in Moloney, Smith, and Hawksworth as well as the older members of the team, 1 such as Blunt and Badcock. One cannot deny the keenness of Dunning and his enthusiasm for the game, but his performances during this season in big cricket have _ been very disappointing. If he is again to find a place in the Otago eleven next season, it will _be necessary for him to very much improve. He has proved his capabilities in the past, however, and without the responsibilities of captaincy might show a return to that form. The public was no doubt disappointed at not seeing either of the champion batsmen, Dempster and Blunt, going properly. The former has not favoured Dunedin crowds with exhibitions of his true form, and on this occasion was not at the wickets long enough to enable an estimate to be made of his true ability. Blunt failed in both innings, but, as has been pointed out already, was extremely unlucky in his' second knock, when he was run out after scoring a single. One of the features of Wellington’s out-cricket was the wicketkeeping of Ken James, and the manner in winch lie took leg balls particularly aroused the admiration of all who understood the difficulties of the position. There is no doubt that the Wellington ’keeper is one of the finest New Zealand has ever possessed, and, if the rumour is correct that ho is destined to reside in Dunedin in the near future, it will mean a decided gain to Otago cricket, although the young University ’keeper, Hawksworth, lias done decidedly well with the gloves this season. It might be suggested, too, that if James came to Dunedin the problem of finding a captain for the Otago side who is not a bowler would be solved. It was most unfortunate for the Otago Cricket Association that Saturday's play was eliminated, as there was every indication of unusually keen interest being taken in the fixture by the public. The fact that no play was possible on Saturday probably robbed the association coffers of anything up to £2OO, perhaps more, a sum which would undoubtedly have been welcome at the present juncture when the governing body is having a hard struggle not only to maintain its general funds, but also the coach fund. All things considered, the attendance during the three week days was most satisfactory, and was probably larger than has been the Case for some years past, excluding Saturday from t insideration.

. OLD BOYS’ AVERAGES. I have to thank a correspondent for supplying me with’ the following averages of the Old Boys’ first eleven to date:— —Batting.—

OTAGO AVERAGES

The following are the averages of the Otago players for the three Plunket Shield matches played this season:—

—Batting.—

DON BRADMAN’S DIFFICULTY. Rumours have filtered across to New Zealand as regards Don Bradman’s future, and Australian papers to hand confirm in part some of those rumours. Owing to the board’s attitude of player-writers, the question was put direct to Bradman by a Melbourne sports writer, and the great batsman unhesitatingly replied that: “After all, cricket is; not the main thing in life. I have to consider other things than it, and I intend to place my business before if. I have entered into this contract, and I intend to stick to it. If the board will not allow me to carry out my ,contract, then I will not bo

available for test cricket. It is just as well that my position shoiild.be made clear.” The Melbourne ‘Globe’ comments ‘ ‘ that Australians will regret it deeply if Bradman is not available for next season’s tests. He is the world’s outstanding basman, and we depend so much on him that England’s chances of success will be increased greatly if we take the field without him.” NOTES. The father and 'son element was introduced into a game recently between M'Glashau College and Carisbrook C (the “Old Men’s team”) in second grade B recently. The veterans are led by Mr J. M. Fraser, the president of the Otago Cricket Association, and playing for M'Glashan College is his fourteen-year-old son, who shapes like a promising cricketer. In the match in question young Fraser beat his father with the bat, making 33, bun Dad had his revenge by having the youngster caught off his bowling. The worthy president of the O.C.A. made 14 and took three wickets for 11, showing that his hand has not yet lost all its old cunning, while young Fraser made 33 and took three wickets for 35 runs. W, Hayes, Canterbury cricket representative a good few years ago, is Having rather a curious, season in the West Christchurch first-grade team -■ (says the 1 Sun ’). He started the season in great form with the bat, scoring a century in each of his first two innings. and cricket enthusiasts in Christchurch thought that he was going to have a great season of scoring. TBub his five innings, since then—he missed one match through having an injury—have been 47, 24, 0,0/ and 4. .However, while he has declined in his batting he seems to have regained some of his old bowling form, for he took five for 73 in Riccarton’s innings of 369 for nine wiekets last Saturday. ■ ‘‘Old Cricketer” writes:—“ln the ‘ Star ’ of the 12th inst. you refer to the question of wides. As there appears to , be a doubt ,as to whether wides are debited against the bowler’s average, I think that I am perfectly, correct in saying that such is not done. The fact that, according to Mr Alex. > Downes, wides were always counted against him in his bowling average, is not conclusive. If such was the custom then it was quite wrong. Many; old Dunedin cricketers will confirm what I say. If wides were included in Mr Downes’s howling averages during the forty years in which he was so much to the fore, it would have made no difference, for the simple reason that it is very doubtful if he bowled one wide during his long career.” It is many years since there has been such interest and enthusiasm for cricket as has been evidenced this season, a state of affairs that was reflected by the good attendances at the Wellington match. Otago has developed the cricket atmosphere, and not a little of the credit is due to the . coach, F. T. Badcock, who has been doing splendid work among the younger players. Badcock infuses his charges with the enthusiasm. ho himself possesses, and his keenness in the field particularly is always an example to young players. After Dickinson’s sensational bowling in the second innings of-the Wellington match, there will be many Otago enthusiasts of the opinios. that had he been able t 6 go north with the touring team the Plunket Shield might found a resting place in Dunedin this season. There are certainly good reasons for the hope that he will be found figuring in the New Zealand team fop the second test against the South African cricketers. . The final series of 1 matches in the first round of the Otago Cricket Association competition are set ddwn for completion to-morrow, and if Grange manages to beat Dunedin, as seems probable at present, it must be in at the finish, with Carisbrook one of the likeliest to be disputing the issue with the north-enders. Following to-mor-row’s games, only ..one more series of; matches remains to be played. There were quite a few old-time Otago representative players among the spectators at the Wellington-Otago fame this week, and one of those whom was very pleased to run up against was Jimmy- Croxford, tho old ’keeper. He represented Otago at both cricket and Rugby, and was a member of the provincial side that played Stoddart’s English Rugby teani in 1888. #Ho is now living at Dunback. Playing in one of the Old Boys’ second grade teams is Grimmett, a nephew. of the famous Australian eleven bowler. / The Old Boys’ player is a useful allrounder and a good slow leg-break bowler. If he practised more there is no telling how far he would go in the game. f A correspondent writes;—The Old Boys’ second grade A team has had a very successful season and at present is leading with Port Chalmers m this competition. The team is comprised of players who have all shown themselves capable of' scoring runs, while some have excellent performances with the ball to their credit. J. 8.. Clark, who has captained tho team during the past two seasons, has not .been so prolific a scorer as, last season J although he 'has usually reached double figures, and at present lias scored the second highest number of runs for tho season. George Watt, who has scored' the most runs, is undoubtedly the most improved. player in the side, his forcefu!_ batting : and steady bowling being of immense,, value to the,team. Cooke, Mathiesoni ■ Grant, Forbes, C. / Latimer, and C. Clauson have all performed well with the bat, while of the younger players W. Gwynne has shown distinct improvement, and more should be heard of this promising junior. Jack Beck leads the, bowling averages, and he fully deserves that position, for he has bowled exceedingly well all season. L. Logan, a left-hander, F. Green, and A. Anderson have also bowled well, while C.Clauson, a slow bowler, has been most useful as a change.

« : t! t +3 e) ' ® 5 2 . 6) © u rt 1 i* to 43 \ M © a M 55 Wg ■4 i* 4 A. Allob ... .. 9 3 74* 246 41 L. Logaa .. 2 1 35* 41 41 J. Smith ... .. 10 4 54* *65 27.5 A. Gale ... .. 10 - 105 252 25.2 N. Cherry .. 8 1 71* 168 24 G. Dickinson .. 8 68 185 23.1 L. Groves .. 10 66 193, 19.3 V. Leader .. G 1 29 54 15.4 W. Ruff ... .. 6, 1 19 65 13 C. Smith ... 2 25 26 13.5 G. Watt ... !! 4 *2 8* 13 6.5 R. Edwards .. 6 1 10 22 4.4 A. Holden .. 7 1 9 26 4.4 i -Bowling. Cfi a oi 43 0 b&2 m u a> w ® rM 2* S o *3 S O S Ph o g u t 61 *4 a Dickinson 329 54 * 573 43 13.3 Leader •68 16 211 15 14 Alloo 221.3 65 521 27 19.3 Groves 29 2 98 424.5

S , -P 4a cS ® ■ S w tC tc ' 9 JU O Ui 3 t. • -p w) u tc <0 2 o -Sro A wa bO < < Blunt . 6 1 338* 385 77 Badcock 6 — 105 271 45.16 Dickinson . 2 — 52 62 31 Elmes . 6 1 4S 118 23.60 Cherry . 6 — . 79 126 21 Knight . 6 — 42 122 20.33 Moloney .61 55* 97 19.40 Smith 6 — 39 116 19.33 Coupland .. 6— 27 108 ‘ 18 Hawkesworth 6 3 21 44 14.66 M'Haffie .. 2—13 19 9.5 Dunning .. 6—36 -56 9.33 Priest .. 2 — — —Bowling.— i ■ o . Sfl 0 rt u c 0 <0 3 03 % u <. Dickinson 76 7 10.85 Badcock .... 318 - 14 22.71 Coupland 164 7 23.42 Blunt 173 7 24.71 Dunning ... ... ... 267 8 33.37 Moloney ... 176 4 44 Smith 127 2 63.50 Elmes 122 J, 122