CRICKET SEASON REVIEWED

Evening Star, Issue 21066, 1 April 1932, Page 5

CRICKET SEASON REVIEWED

GAME MAKES NOTICEABLE ADVANCE INTEREST WELL MAINTAINED

[By Substitute.]

In reviewing the past cricket season one can confidently say that the game in Otago has taken a decided step forward, and this, despite the fact that weather conditions were far from being of the best during a good part of the six months. The improvement in the game applies not only to the representative eleven but to club cricket, in which interest was maintained to an unusual extent to the very last hour of the season. No doubt the introduction of the new scoring system, by which four points were awarded for an outright win instead of three as formerly, proved an incentive to the teams to speed up the game,' and the fact that three senior teams were possible winners of the shield right up to tho final afternoon of the season showed how the interest was maintained. The attendance at the final match between Carisbrook and Grange was perhaps the largest seen at a club match for many a long day, and it is very pleasing to have this demonstration of the fact that our public are still keen to follow the game whenever the attraction offered is sufficient. For some years the feeling that Otago was sure to be beaten has' been present, and undoubtedly this affected the attendance at representative matches played in Dunedin. In the season just closed, however, the representative eleven did so well that next year should find Otago equal to holding its own with the other major provinces, in which case even greater support may be expected from the sporting public. THE REPRESENTATIVE MATCHES. Tho representative matches played have already been reviewed fairly fully, but it may again be stressed that the Otago men on each of the occasions in Plunket Shield matches put up a gallant fight, and in the case of theirtwo narrow defeats they were little if anything inferior to the visitors. While the bulk of the work in both batting and howling was done by the more seasoned players, there were not wanting definite indications that some of the colts with whom the selectors very properly persevered have now found their feet in big cricket and will in all probability show their real worth from this onwards. With such youngsters as D, A. R Moloney and D. Smith, this is practically a certainty, and there are also J. M'Haffie (whose natural cricketing, ability is almost bound to force his claims on the selectors once again), H. and J. Cameron, T. Chettleburgh, and others who should not bo long in attaining the requisite standard.

If one may look hack upon the representative games some outstanding features may be mentioned. There was Blunt’s mammoth record score of 338 not out against Canterbury, Dickinson’s sensational bowling patch in the second innings of the AVellington match, and the fine all-round form of F. T. Badcock in all tho matches. There is no need for repetition, but the fact cannot be over emphasised that Badcock was at the top of his form in batting and howling, and his fielding was ari example to the younger players. The three players mentioned above all gained New Zealand representative honours.

The weakness, generally speaking, in the Otago team, as in most other teams in the cricket world, was in howling, and the indications here are that the province will have to rely upon a number of moderate!” good bowlers rather than one or two outstanding stars. Another pleasing feature was a noticeable improvement in fielding, which, of course, should be expected with the younger players coming on, though this expectation is not always realised. It might be suggested again that even greater attention should be given to this important department of the game when the representative players are being coached. In regard to the importance of good fielding, it is a verv significant fact that the teams which have been the best fielding teams have finished in leading positions in the senior competition, and those weak in this regard are amongst the tail-enders.

While the young players must ho given their chance in representative cricket, it would be unwise to too quickly-shelve the seasoned players as has been suggested in some quarters because experienced backbone, is necessary in every team. Nevertheless, there are one or two of the older players who will have to recover their form if they expect to hold their places in

future, and in this connection one can 'again emphasise the fact that a poor fieldsman needs to make a very substantial score before he-has justified his inclusion. A typical instance is Reg. Cherry, who has fallen away considerably in fielding, probably on account of increasing weight, and who will need to show a big improvement if ho is to maintain his place in the representative eleven next season. THE CLUB COMPETITION. As already mentioned, the senior competition this season was most interesting.and closely contested. Grange deserved the honour of being the champion senior team, for it was the north end club’s characteristic doggedness and ability to take advantage of opportunities together with its excellent standard of fielding which finally landed it as winners by two points. Grange was well led by A. Galland, who himself displayed excellent allround form, in spite of the fact that he is now regarded as something of a veteran. Galland, however, is a natural cricketer in all respects, and may be looked to to give good service to his old club for some years yet. He

scored 413 runs in the club games, with one fine tally of 158 not out against Kaikorai, and his average was over fifty, while with the ball he took twenty-two wickets for less than sixteen runs apiece. Alex Knight had a remarkable season. with tho bat, his scores including two innings of 173 and 157 not out

respectively, both of which were made in dashing and oricketlike style. He headed the batting averages for the senior competition, scoring 677 runs, with an average of 81.62. It is a pity he does not impart some of that dash into his batting on bigger occasions as it would appear to be undoubtedly his natural game. If lie let himself go instead of playing the rock as he so often does in representative matches, Otago would be greatly benefited and still bigger tallies would have come from his bat. Had ho shown the same freedom in the big games as in the club matches it is'finite possible that he would have reached 1,0" "* runs for the season. An average of nearly 85, however, is a very line one for club cricket in Dunedin, and is one of which Knight may well ho proud. Other members of the team who distinguished themselves and helped to place the club at the head of affairs were Elmes, Chettleburgh, Lemin,

Tomkinson (who was well up in the hatting list), and M'Kay (who bowled well at times). In, Lenun, M'Kay, Elmes, Chettleburgh, and Galland, the club had bowlers wljp at various times showed really first-class form. Chettleburgh was more than a bowler, and his whirlwind score of 80 against Cansbrook in the final match will be remembered for some time. He did more bowling than any other member of the side, took the most wickets (33), and obtained them at a cost of less than 20 runs apiece. He is a player who certainly must be regarded as being on the verge of representative honours. Carisbrook, who finished level in points in second place with Albion, was not so consistent as on the occasion of their winning the shield in the previous season, but with the help of R. C. Blunt, J. A. Dunning, D. A. R. Moloney, D. Smith, and the Camerons, they made a gallant fight to land the honours. Blunt was again the side’s mainstay in the batting, and continues to maintain his high position amongst the batsmen of New Zealand, though he, too, has been inconsistent, but only comparatively so in that his small scores would usually be moderately good scores for anyone else. He totalled . more than 400 runs, with an average of over 60, and his tallies included two of three figures. In bowling, Roger has lost a little of his sting, but now and again, when in the mood, has beaten the opposing batsmen with his wily googlies.

Dunning has had a good deal of success in club cricket as a batsman and bowler, and is one of the rhost painstaking cricketers Otago, has. He was second on Carisbrook’s batting averages, and headed the bowling list, taking thirty-live wickets for less than 13 runs apiece. His form in Plunket Shield matches, however, ryas such that had he not been captaining the side the selectors would have been quite justified in dropping him. No doubt to a player of Dunning’js temperament the anxieties of captainship tell against his individual form, and he would do much better if he were relieved of these duties. , The form of Moloney, Smith, and J. and H. Cameron has been commented on previously, and these colts are among the Otago hopes. Moloney was fourth on the batting list with 100 to his credit and second in the bowling averages with thirty-seven wickets for under 13 runs apiece. Smith batted impressively on occasions, and his 93 against Grange in the first round was a particularly fine effort, another good innings being that of 70' against Kaikorai. Jim Cameron and Harold Cameron made an auspicious entry into senior cricket, but brother Don, who fulfilled the duties of club captain, had rather a lean season. D. Allan was not always available, but batted well on several occasions, and finished third on the batting list. AN IMPROVING SIDE.

The Albion team consisted largely of young players who showed rather in-. and-out form in the earlier part of the season. 1 the outset they appeared j to have no chance whatever of finishing high on the list, but towards the end had some meritorious victories and were actually in the running up to the last day of the season. J. Shepherd was the outstanding player, and his form with both bat and ball was reminiscent of his palmy days. He finished with remarkably good figures, especially m bowling, taking more wickets than any other player and being at the top of the club competition averages (reckoning only those with ten or more wickets to their credit). Shepherd claimed forty-four wickets for 9.36 runs each, and was also high up in the batting list, totalling 344 runs with an average of 34.40. Barron was not so successful this season, though he played one sparkling innings of 83 against Christian Brothers. The cares of captaincy probably had something to do with his temporary loss of form, but he has the satisfaction of knowing that he has moulded a young side, generally speaking, into a solid eleven. Duncan was a most useful all-rounder, and in addition to finishing third on the batting list took nineteen wickets for 14.78 runs apiece. He had one three-figure score to his credit. L. Smith, L. Silver, D. Heenan (who proved a big asset behind the wickets), and Vinnicombe all showed great promise, and Smith undoubtedly showed himself to be one of the most promising youngsters in the competition. He is only seventeen years of age, but was fourth in the hatting averages, totalling over 200 runs with an average of over 20 and one tally of 74. He promises to develop into a batsman of class. Silver bowled very well at times, and took twenty-eight wickets for less than 20 runs apiece. If he bowled with better direction he would trouble the very best of batsmen. Albion has good cause to be satisfied with the results of its first eleven’s showing, and the club should be able to build up a team for the future that will take some beating. High School Hid Boys were a little inconsistent, and were beaten on occasions when thev were expected to do much better. ‘ The two experienced players in G. 11. Dickinson and A. W. Alloo constituted’ the backbone of the eleven, and A. Gale’s batting proved most valuable, Alloo again showed good all-round form, and, indeed, appeared to be one of the best bowlers Otago has even yet. He repeatedly

bore the brunt of the attack and finished well up on the list of bowlers in the senior competition. He took thirtysix wickets for 18.50 runs apiece, and topped the batting averages with an aggregate of nearly 300 and an-taverage of 32. Dickinson at times got some remarkable bowling figures, and on other occasions failed inexplicably, but he was always a useful man either with bat or ball. How well he bowled as a rule may be gleaned from the fact that ho took forty-three wickets at an average cost of 15.11. Gale scored heavily on occasions and totalled 373 runs for the season, including one tally of 105. His average was 31.08. N. Cherry showed glimpses of the form with the bat that has been expected of him for the last two or three seasons, but which somehow he failed to reproduce. It will be hoped that this conscientious young cricketer will get going early next season. He was third on the batting list, and in the last match of the season against Christian Brothers was given a few overs, with the result that he took five wickets for 36 and actually finished at the top of the club’s bowling averages for the season! Leader was somewhat disappointing with the bat, but at times was one of the most effective bowlers on the side, his twenty-one wickets costing less than 14 runs apiece. The most promising of the younger batsmen was J. A. Smith, the enthusiastic secretary of the club. This player did very well while at the High School, and is beginning to fulfil the expectations that, have been held out for him. He scored over 200 runs with an average of 26.62, and was fourth on the batting list. L. Groves had an average of over 20 and gave some good batting' displays, although a little inconsistent and inclined to be too impetuous. Christian Brothers were largely de--pendent on Badcock and Toomey, and to a lesser degree on Lynch and Blair for their scores. The coach was in remarkable all-round form both in club cricket and representatives matches, and gave exhibitions of batting which delighted the onlookers on many occasions. His bowling was valuable, and he never seemed to tire. He scored 529 runs in the club matches, his average being 52.9. As might have been expected, he headed both batting and bowling averages for Christian Brothers, and took forty-one wickets for 10.75 runs apiece. Toomey made over 300 runs and had an average of 28 odd, and the soundness of his displays was one of the features_ of the side’s batting. Lynch and Blair each scored well on occasions, and some of the younger players also made useful contributions. Their form was rather erratic, however, but the influence that has been exercised by Badcock is bound to be apparent next season, for there are undoubtedly one or two likely youngsters on the side. For its first season in senior cricket University performed very well indeed and justified the promotion. The side’s mainstays were A. K. Ibbotson, W. A. Priest, J. M'Haffie in batting, and J. L. Jolly, M'Haffie, and A. Cameron in bowling. Ibbotson proved a most reliable opening batsman, and scored 369 runs, with an average of 28.38, which placed him at the head of the list. Priest began the season well and scored nearly 300 runs, but he failed in the only representative game in which he was tried. M'Haffie was the allrounder of the team, being third on the batting list and fourth in the bowling averages. He was tried in the Otago team against Auckland and afterwards dropped, but, _ as _ stated above, his turn in big cricket is sure to come again, Cameron, with his slows, headed the bowling averages, taking fourteen wickets for 18.50 runs apiece, and also proved useful with the bat, though inclined to be a little too eager to score at the start. Burt put together some good scores, and the task of leading the team in his first senior season was entrusted to A. W. Sinclair, who has been one of the mainstays of ’Varsity cricket for some years, and did his job well. J. L. Jolly came into prominence as a fast bowler of real promise, and took twenty-seven wickets for just over 20 runs apiece. DUNEDIN DISAPPOINTING. Dunedin was again disappointing, and it is difficult to understand how this team, which included such really good players as Cavanagh, Coupland, Reg. Cherry, Ditchfield, Strang, Olaridge, and others, consistently failed to show even moderately good form. Ditchfield batted consistently and well and topped the list with 424 runs and an average of 47.11. He is a batsman of considerable value to any team, and without him Dunedin would have often been in dire distress. Cavanagh did not show any improvement in form at the beginning of the season, and consequently was dropped from the Otago team, but later he came into his own with some good scores, and was selected as twelfth man against Wellington. Coupland bowled -well, and his final effort of six for 32 and six for 12 was a fine performance, even though it was against the weakest team in the competition. He also batted with a fair measure of success, and the same applied to R. Cherry. The team, however, had a decided “ tail.” R. Torrance, jun., a son of the erstwhile representative bowler, was one of the few youngsters who showed some promise with the bat, but the side genererally had a disheartening season. Kaikorai did not show senior form and w r as unsuccessful in winning a single match. It is a pity the club has not one or two more players of the calibre of young M'Knight (who totalled 377 runs for the season, with an average of 23.56), for it must be disheartening to leave the field on every occasion soundly beaten. _ The club has a good ground and a big district to work upon, and it should make a strong effort to organise for next season if it wishes to retain senior status. THE ADMINISTRATIVE SIDE. So far as the administrative side of the game is concerned, the association has made several endeavours to improve its finances, but one cannot but comment on tlie astonishing lack of support that is given the governing body in financial matters by the cricketers generally. This is not a new thing, but during the past year, when special efforts were made to raise funds in order to retain the services of the coach and to pay the expenses of the northern 'tour, the re-

sults attained must have been most discouraging to members of the asso* ciation. A picture week, a raffle for an autographed bat, and a theatrical performance were organised, and had these been even moderately supporte4 by the players the returns would have been such as to relieve the association of. worry for this year at least. In every case, however, the lack of interest and support shown was sufficient to give good cause for this complaint. There are, of course, exceptions, and it is generally noticeable that the Grange Club forwards returns that are the most satisfactory, but, generally speaking, cricketers do not appear to show, the slightest interest as to how their game has to be financed. If the coach is to be retained it will be necessary to raise a considerable amount of money before next summer, and in view of the apathy on the part of cricketers in financial matters it is difficult to suggest what method should be adopted. It would bo a pity to have to dispense with the coach’s services, for the results of his work are now just beginning to be shown. As the years go on the older hands graduually drop off the controlling body, and though it is always,pleasing to see new; blood coming forward, it is to be hoped that in the best interests of the_ game too many of the older heads will not’ he permitted to drop out, for, just ha in the field, experience is a valuable asset on the administrative side of the game. UMPIRING. The Umpires’ Association has again given valuable help during the season in providing men to officiate in senior games and also in many junior fixtures, and these enthusiasts have to be commended for giving up their time to. the game. At the same time it, might be suggested that some of the officials enhance their value by a close study of the finer points of umpiring, especially the much disputed and always arguable matter of Ibw. There have , been many occasions when batsmen have been given out Ibw when the i ball would obviously not have hit the wicket, and although this is not common to Dunedin and exists everywhere else where cricket is. played, that need not prevent umpires from endeavouring to get as near perfection as possible.-