CRICKET

Evening Star, Issue 21523, 22 September 1933, Page 4

CRICKET

[By Substitute.]

NOTES AND NEWS

The delightful weather of the past few weeks has encouraged cricketers to hope for an early start of tbe season’s activities, and flannels and boots are now being unearthed and bats got ready for the,opening of the season, the general desire apparently being that competition games should commence on October 14, if at all possible. ’ The province has suffered more seriously than usual by the departure of well-known players from Dunedin, notable among them being the New Zealand representative H. D. Smith, 11. W. Coupland, T. Chettleburgh, and A. \V. Alloo. On the other hand, there have been one or two gains, the most noteworthy being the acquisition of R. O. Talbot, the Canterbury and New Zealand all-rouuder.

As Otago are the present holders of the Plunket Shield, keen interest will attach to the doings of last season’s representatives, especially as the latter end of the season showed that there were a number of promising young players on the verge of representative cricket, and their aspiration to representative honours should make the fight for places in the shield team a very keen one. The association’s coach (Mr F. T, Badcock) will have some excellent material at his disposal, and present indications point to another highly successful season. Whether or not Otago can retain the Plunket Shield remains to be seen, but given our share of fine weather before the commencement of the shield series there is good reason for the hope that, with the blending of youth and experience of which the selectors should be able to avail themselves, once again Otago should give a very good account of itself. Whether or not an Australian team will visit New Zealand towards the end of the season has not been definitely decided upon, but in the event of such a visit being arranged Otago’s claims for a test match on this occasion are not likely to be overlooked. Although somewhat early to assess the prospects of the various clubs, the writer has endeavoured to obtain an accurate idea of the likely personnel of the various senior teams during the coming season, and the senior competition should be just as full of interest as was the ease last season, this being sustained until the very last match. Carisbrook’s Increased Membership. Last year’s premiers, Carisbrook, should be a strong side all round, and the increased membership of the club will give added zest to competition for places in the six teams to be entered by the clubs in the various grades. It is expected that over eighty members will be available for selection. The most serious loss suffered by the club is that of H. D. Smith, the brilliant young New Zealand representative. who has gone to Christchurch, and the club will also have to find another wicketkeeper, as W. W. Thomson (who filled the position last year) has been transferred to Invercargill. The exHigh School player A. G- Botting will be tried out in his place and seems likely to fill the bill. Fenwick, who played a few games last season, has gone to Cambridge University. J. A. Dunning, D. Cameron, K. Cox, A. C. Procter, D. A. R. Moloney, J. and H. Cameron, R. G. Napier, and J. Nimmo are all on deck again, and a decided acquisition will be Stan, Newman, an opening batsman, who comes here from Nelson and has represented Wellington in shield matches. Promising juniors who will be contending for places in the senior eleven will be E. W. Proctor (a left-hand batsman and a good field), who was given a.chance last season, A. Kerr (a good right-hand medium pace bowler and fair hat), D. G. M‘Kay (a useful bat and right-hand medium pace bowler), and one or two others. The batting of the side is solid almost to the last man, and big things are expected of D. A. R. Moloney, the Otago representative all-rounder, who headed the averages last season. Napier made some good tallies and finished second in the averages, and he should show further improvement this year. Cox played some good innings last season, and when tins left-hander gets going he is an attractive bat. The Cameron brothers are reliable batsmen, with Don probably the solidest of the trio. Dunning and A. C. Procter are useful run-getters, and there has been more than one occasion when Procter has saved the side. The side should he well served in bowling, with Dunning, ns usual, the mainstay of the attack. Nimmo is very keen, and good things are expected of him. Towards the end of last season ho put up several good bowling performances. Proctor’s fast bowling should be handy, and Moloney will again serve up his tricky slows. D. Cameron, Korr, and M'Kay are all right-hand medium pace trumllers. Carisbrook is now reaping the benefit of its policy of encouraging the younger players, and while able to put in the field an eleven of experienced players none of those mentioned can bo said to be yet approaching the veteran stage. Building-up Process. Handicapped . as it has been by the difficulty of obtaining really decent practice wickets on the Oval, the Dunedin Club has had a rather lean patch during the Inst few seasons, and the position of the club will not - be improved by the loss of such experienced players as K. W. Coupland (who is going to Christchurch) and Reg. Cherry (who is transferring his allegiance to Kaikorai). De Heiin (the wicketkeeper) is going to Auckland. The policy of the committee, however, is to adopt a building-up practice, ana this is the wisest step that can be taken, since it is far more important to lay the foundation for a good side for some years past than to call on tho veterans in the mere hope of staving off defeats during the present season. Should the association’s coach (F. T. Badcock) be allotted to tho club, lie will inspire the younger players witji a great deal of confidence, besides being ever-ready to do his share To mould them into a docent team. Vic. Cavanagh, who was twelfth man for New Zealand last year, will be one of the

mainstays'of the .skk, and in the light of his excellent batting last season big things will again be looked for from him this season. The departure of Coupland will seriously weaken the attack, and the captain' of the side will not have an easy task in this direction. C. Claridge. who had quite a fair season last year, will have to bear the brunt of the bowling, and while inclined to be somowiisu erratic he is a dangerous bowler • n his day. If Badcock is allotted to J)unedin the position will be made more simple for the captain, but even so every effort will have to be .n.-ule to develop what other bowling talent the club can call upon. Douglas, a ir<\!-ium-paee bowler, who did well in one or two matches last season, is expected to ■improve, and Langley has possibilities as a slow bowler. Bruce Noble, a batsman and bowler, who had one or two games with the senior eleven last season, will be-a strong candidate for a place in the team, and there are one or two juniors whose performances in batting and bowling will give them some claims for consideration. The position of wieketkeeper presents difficulties, but Dick Torrance, jun., who is also a punishing batsman,, will be tried out. If he does not fulfil requirements there is a possibility that Dick White may again don the pads to help the club out. Arnold, a promising lefthand bowler, is a doubtful starter, but his inclusion would undoubtedly lighten the cares of the captain. Others who will be in the running for places in the team are Alf. Eckhold (a promising batsman with nice shots, who is inclined to lack confidence in himself), George M'Gavin, and Jack Symonds. One of the stalwart batsmen of the side will be W. Ditchfield, who has been a consistent run-getter for some seasons past, and has always shown himself an excellent club man. With the enthusiasm that is being shown by the younger members Dunedin hopes to have a more successful season, and the support of the older members is asked : for.

Kaikorai’s Well-balanced Side. . Kaikorai’s prospects for the season seem to be brighter than ever. True, the hill side will miss Coach Badcock, but the infusion of new blood, including R. 0. Talbot, of Christchurch, is certain to be of great benefit, and there is every reason to suppose that the first eleven will be extremely well balanced. The outstanding newcomer is, of course, Talbot, whom most people will remember as a bright type of young sportsman with a fine flowing batting style and a good length, medium-paced delivery when bowling. His all-round ability should form the spearhead of the side’s attack. Reg. Cherry, formerly of Dunedin, is a solid batsman who should do. well with the team of his adoption, while G. M. Lloyd, late of 'Varsity, is another welcome recruit. The bowling is likely to be strengthened and varied witli the advent of Cooke, of the North-east Valley Club, who is a slow left-hand trundler of the deceptive kind.

It is pleasing to note also that such players as Alan Holden, Harold Balk, Constable, Rennick, and Smales, who all did well last year, will again he available for active service. The Kaikorai Club’s ground at Bishopscourt is well ahead, and some pleasant games on the hill are being looked forward to. The club is to be congratuluted on the enthusiasm of its members. Financially. last year closed with a deficit, but in the meantime great forward steps have been made. About £3O has been paid off, and the club can now start the season with a credit balance. The thanks of supporters are duo to the president (Mr W. T. Freeman) and the secretary (Mr W. Mnrie) for their untiring efforts on behalf of the club. Both were re-elected to their respective offices.

University’s Prospects. The University Club will have practically the same team as last year, the only doubtful starter being Jim M'Hnffie, who will be away at any rate during the vacation. It may bo remembered that he was in a similar position last year, and only played a few games for his club. Priest and Hawksworth, who gained representative honours last year, will again bo available; and Uttlcy is staying in town during the vacation to piny for his club. Swinton (who put together some good scores last season), j. L. Jolly, A. Cameron, Henderson, Sinclair, Gilkison, Ibbotson, and Burt will all be available. Armstrong, Robinson, and Benson, of the junior team, will also have to bo considered for places. ’Varsity should be a pretty well-balanced team, and should provide opposition to the best of them this year. Grange Getting Busy. The Grange Club hopes to make a start with its practices by the end of

the present mouth, and despite the loss of several of last year’s eleven the club is looking for a good season. Grange has been noted for years for its fielding, but there was a falling-off in this respect last season, and closer attention will be paid to this department with a view to retrieving its reputation. The biggest loss Grange has suffered is by the departure of the representative player Tom Chettleburgh for Wellington, and both as a batsman and a bowler he will be sadly missed. Breen has gone to Lawrence and M'Kay will be playing League cricket. Arthur Galland, that great club stalwart, will again be on hand, and other tried and proven players in Knight. Elmos, Lemin, and Chadwick will bo on active service. Knight has been a great run-getter during these last few seasons, and still ranks ns one of Otago’s leading batsmen. Tonkinson, the left-hander, made some good scores last year, and will again be available. Knowles, who has played in senior cricket but who has been out of town, has returned, and should strengthen the batting, being a player likely to improve. Shepherd and Mercer are another pair of promising players who may find places in the senior eleven, and good things are expected of O. Dey. who was bowling well towards the md of last season. Boyd, who was away towards the end of last season, has returned to Dunedin, and this serviceable batsman will again assist the north end club. W. Allen, who found a place in the team in the latter half of tbe season, is a likely member of the eleven and is a useful batsman. The batting should not bo lacking in solidity, although one or two of riic later men have yet to prove themselves. In Elmes, Lemin, Galland, and Dey toeside has the nucleus of a fair mwling side, but it looks as if Elmes and Demin will be called upon for plenty of irk. Members of the club have put a giod deal of work into the North Ground, and now look to,the City Council to

give it more attention so that the club can play senior matches on its own ground. Old Boys’ Bright Outlook. The coming season promises to be a very. successful one_ for Old Boys, and the outlook is decidedly bright. The new club captain is V. J. Leader, who served Otago so well last season. J. B. Clark is vice-club captain and selector. Practices have already been held on the stand-by wickets, but the turf should be in good condition for tho opening on Saturday, October 7. Of last seasons senior eleven, the following have had their “ loosening up,” as it were:—V. J. Leader, G. 11. Dickinson, J. A. Smith, N. Cherry, (5. Saxton, J. B. Clank, A. Campbell, and H. Grey. With the exception of A. W. Alloo (who was such a fine all-rounder), last year’s first eleven will again be available. His absence will be felt for some time. Two good players in H. E. Harraway and L. Logan, who were out of the game for a season, will be available for selection. The bowling strength of the first eleven should be equal to the demands that are placed upon it. Dickinson (fast), Leader (medium), and Groves (slow) will form the basis of the attack, and L. Giles will have more opportunities at bonding. If Harraway can strike form ho should be of assistance to tho attack, and the left-hander, Logan, may find a place in the senior team. When members of the school first eleven, Saxton and Smith were recognised as regular members of the attack: The former can turn the ball, while the latter could bowl an effective length ball which came in from the off. N. Cherry can put much turn on the hall and break either way, and there is no reason why he should not develop into one of tho regular bowlers. In batting the side Ims some men capable of providing fireworks. Giles, Dickinson, Groves, Gale,: and Cherry are all fine forcing batsmen. Loader is a solid left-hander, as he proved in the Plunket Shield matches last season. His form in club games in the latter part of the season was disappointing. Good things may be expected of Saxton in the batting line. He did not make many runs last season, but the experience should prove valuable. He was probably the smallest player in the first grade last season. Clark, the wicketkeeper, is a useful man in that position, and as a lefthand batsman is difficult to dislodge. He has a style of his own, but, nevertholess, it is quite precise. His form last season should make his place certain. for he was successful in each department, especially behind tho wickets. With the number of new members in the club, an additional team will be entered in the competitions, and a successful season is anticipated. There 'should be keen competition for places in the second eleven, the only member from last season, who is not available

being C. Latimer. An addition to its ranks should be R. Herbert, who last season assisted Y.M.C.A. in the.B section. 1. Smith is certain to be included, while K Stevens, H. Groves, H. M’Millan. R. Stevens, and F. Curtis are young players of much promise, and will be serious contenders for places. There is just a chance that two teams will be represented in the second grade A section lor with additions to the club membership and the keenness of W. Wood. J. \v, Walls, and W. R. Brinsley, sen., of last year’s second grade' B ‘‘ A ” team, two effective combinations can be made. 1. Turnbull, who did so well in the second eleven last season, is at present in Wellington, but will be with the team at the end: of the ’Varsity term. Albion Records No Changes. All last season’s members of the Albion eleven, with the exception of L. Silver, are reported to be available for selection again, and it is confidently expected that the team will again be a stiff proposition for the other teams in the competition. The club is gradually effecting improvements in conditions at its new headquarters at Logan Park, and in the coming season members will be able to practise under more satisfactory conditions. Special turf wickets have been laid in the enclosure of the main ground. Of last season’s players L. Smith ■ was the most promising, and if he continues to show ithe same rate of improvement as formerly he should have a most successful season. He is a lefthand batsman with a free and easy style, an excellent slip fieldsman, ancl a promising “ googly ” bowler. U. Silver is another member of the side who performed well last season. He is more impressive with the leather than his brother, ns his action is easier and his deliveries are equally ag . fast, while on certain wickets he bumps them dangerously and on occasions gets a remarkable amount of turn on the ball. J. Shepherd, J. Barron, D. Heenan, W. Vorrath, L. Henderson, S. Duncan, O. Dalziel, and H. Miller will be available, and all are certain of inclusion in the senior eleven, with the possible exception of Miller, whose run-getting has not been sufficient to compensate for his weakness in the, field. J. Allen, who was stood down last season on account of an injured arm, is sure to find a place, while several members of the junior teams are knocking at the door. The club is again hopeful of obtaining the valuable services of Mr J. Clark Baker as a coach,. and, if so, the team should show further improvement in the coming season. Christian Brothers Optimistic. While nothing, very definite can be obtained as to the actual personnel of the Christian Brothers’, side, officials of the club are optimistic in regard-to the chances of the team this season. - All of last season’s team are availablefor selection, though a number of newcomers from the north have signified their intention of taking the field with this young and solid combination. So far the team has not unearthed a fast bowler to replace Cusack, who was showing great promise when he left for Australia, though at least two are in sight. If he can afford the time, A. Shroe-. der, who played for Eden in Auckland, is sure to find a place. Shroeder is a medium-paced bowler, and reports have it that ho captured wickets regularly every Saturday last season. He should be a very useful player to Christian, Brothers. George, a B grade player from Wellington, and Taylor, from St. Kevin’s College (Oamaru), are newcomers who will be _ considered by the selectors. George is a reasonably fast bowler, while Taylor showed considerable promise for bis college last year. Of the members of last season’s team, greatest interest will be centred in V. M'Carten, a solid and stylish batsman, who is one of the most promising colts in Dunedin. Mr J. H. M'Phee, whose valuable advice and coaching was of great assistance to the team last season, regards M‘Carton as a coming representative player, and he can be looked to for some big scores in the coming season. Notes. H. D. Smith is to play for the West Christchurch Club in Canterbury. He left for the north last Saturday, and was farewelled by a large gathering of local enthusiasts, who all join in wishing the popular young New Zealand representative a successful season in Canterbury cricket. The annual meeting of the Otago Cricket Association will be held next Wednesday, and probably the date of starting the senior competition will be decided upon. There seems to be a general desire for senior matches to begin on October 14.

In accordance with a resolution carried at the last, annual meeting of the club, the Albion delegates to the O.C.A. were appointed by the committee at the last meeting. They were Messrs F. N. Binney, H. J. Greenfield, and Dr A. Reid. All three we're nominated for the committee of the governing body. The annual meeting of the club will bo held in the North Ground pavilion on Monday night. The delegates had to be selected earlier than usual because of the motion carried at last annual meeting of the Otago Cricket Association that nominations for posi r tions on the committee should close seven days prior to the annual meeting. There will bo many changes among the professionals in the Lancashire Cricket League next season (says the ‘ Sun ’). Bacup is not re-engaging E. A. M'Donnld, the former Australian eleven player; Alan Fairfax, later Australian eleven player, is leaving Accrington; Rawtenstall has decided not to re-engage S, F. Barnes, the old English test match player; Lowerhouse will not have E. St. Hill, West Indies player; Church has found a successor to A. W. Roberts; Haslingden, losing L. Warburton, has engaged G. Headley; and Rishton wants a man to replace W. E. Merritt, who will take the place that I. B. Cromb had with the East Lancashire Club this year. I am told that Jack M'Mullan, the ox-Otago representative player, will don the flannels again this season, and that ho will link np with the Carisbrook Club.