COACHING IN OTAGO

Evening Star, Issue 21864, 30 October 1934, Page 4

COACHING IN OTAGO

EXTENDS OVER SIXTY YEARS LAWTON, CRAWFORD, AND BADGOCK OUTSTANDING The professional coaching of its players has always been a feature of the activities of the Otago Cricket Association, and even before that body camo into existence round about 1876 coaching . had been carried out. Naturally

enough, it may be realised that over a period of more than sixty years the expenditure in this direction has constituted a severe drain upon the association’s resources, but often when it looked as if tho services of a coach would have to be dispensed with altogether, the support of cricketers _ and supporters of the. game was invariably forthcoming, and in this respect Otago may count itself fortunate in being possessed of some wonderfully loyal enthusiasts, without whose assistance in difficult times in days gone by the game might have gone out of existence almost completely. So far as records show, the first coaching in Otago was, done by W. Hendley, an old English player, who was the Dunedin Club’s professional, and subsequently became caretaker at the Oval. Hendley was an excellent bowler, and on one occasion in 1870 against Canterbury captured eight wickets for 28. The Dunedin Club of that time, which had its headquarters at the Oval, subset quently engaged George Paramor, who was formerly an English cricketer. As a player he occupied a prominent place in Otago cricket, being a tall, upstanding man, whoso long, reddish beard was usually tucked in his shirt. His 62 against Canterbury in 1874-75 at Hagley Park was considered to be the best innings till then given by an Otago batsman. He was a popular player indeed. Up till this time Uttle had been done in New Zealand about the engagement of professionals to coach young players, and following Paramor’s term of service there followed a long lapse of time before, in 1890, through the agencies of Fred Harper, Otago engaged J. C. Lawton, a prominent Warwickshire cricketer, to come out to New Zealand for a term of four years. The time was opportune, for several young cricketers or promise were available, and Lawton at once built up a team that became really first class, as Mr T. W. Reese describes it in ‘ New Zealand Cricket ’; “ One of the historic team of New Zealand.” Lawton played for Carisbrook, and even after he returned to England the influence of his coaching was long felt. Lawton built up a side which included G. G. Austin, H. G. Siedeherg, A. Kinvig, Fred Liggins, Len Monk, and Ernest Howden. Following Lawton, the services as coach of Frank

Shacklock, a Notts professional, were obtained. Ho came to New Zealand, and was subsequently engaged by the Otago Cricket Association. Round about 1901 Shacklock was playing tor the Albion Club, ami lie was a good, steady bowler, and a hard-hitting batsman, able to make runs at times. Later on he wi j given an engagement by the Dunedin Cricket Club, for which lie plaved. The old Notts player, did good work with this club, Dick Torrance (one of the best left-hand bowlers developed in Otago in the present century) and the late Alf Eckhold being two of the players who came under his charge. E. S. Wilson (secretary of the Otago Cricket Association) was at that time secretary of the Dunedin Chib which raised the money to engage Shacklock in an art union. To show the keenness of the young fellows of the time, many who would not otherwise have been selected for coaching used to forgo

their dinner and paid Shacklock to give them coaching on the Caledonian Ground, which was the Dunedin headquarters at the time. Others who played for Dunedin at this time were Billy Mackersey, Bert Cramond, Bert Collie, and Percy Courtis. Shacklock subsequently went to Christchurch, where he did good work in the Boys’ Association. Following Shacklock, a player named Holland was engaged in coaching for a short period, and then came the engagement as coach for one season of the famous Australian eleven player, C. G. Macartney. His services were really secured through the instrumentality of Mr C. R. Smith (who was president of the Otago Cricket Association). Mr Smith met Macartney at Home during the Australian team’s tour in 1909, and was able to enter into negotiations which led to Macartney’s services being available to Otago for the following

cricket season. He received £IOO for the season, but was feeling the effects of the long English tour, and, though he did well with bat and ball, was certainly not up to his Australian form. He scored 118 against Southland, but in the six other matches he totalled only 131. With the ball he captured twentytwo wickets for 224. Macartney played for Carisbrobk. Macartney was followed by C. Wordsworth from Sydney, and Fred Ayles from Melbourne, both of whom acted for a short period. Wordsworth played

for Albion and Ayles for Opoho. They were paid about £4 a week each and toured north with the Otago team, but met with indifferent success. Wordsworth was a fast bowler, but an erratic one, and as a coach he was not a great success. Fred Ayles was not very successful cither as a player or as a coach.

Not since the days of J. C. Lawton had such good results been obtained as wore marked by the advent of J. X. Crawford, who had played

for Surrey, England, and South Australia. He came to New Zealand shortly before the war after having played for England in Australia in the 1907-08 season, and for England against the South Africans in 1907. Crawford came across to New Zealand with Arthur Sims’s Australian team in 1914, and negotiations were entered into to obtain his services as coach for Otago, the late Mr T. Ritchie (a member of the Otago Cricket Association at the tira.c) being one of the prime movers in arranging for the engagement of Crawford, who had previously signified his desire to settle in New Zealand. Crawford did excellent work, and would have done very much better but for the ,war breaking out. He was coaching here for about two seasons, and among those who came under his charge were players who were to bo the mainstays of Otago cricket for the next twenty years, some of whom are still exercising a valuable influence on the game. They included Arthur Galland (one of the greatest all-rounders New Zealand cricket lias produced—a fine batsman,' good bowler, and excellent wicket-keeper); J. Shepherd (a brilliant batsman ar.d good bowler—he has been described as one of the most attractive batsmen ever seen on a Dunedin ground) ; J. M‘Mullan (one of New Zealand’s best lefthanded batsmen—he is still playing senior cricket and is an Otago selector) ; A. W, Alloo (a fine all-rounder who captained Otago and represented New Zealand); H. C. Alloo ; and Reg. Bell.

During Crawford’s stay in Otago; he played in a memorable match against Wellington at Wellington. Fred Midlane made a double century for Wellington, but during the course of the game there was some discussion between C. G. Wilson (the Wellington captain) and Crawford, who said: “ I’ll show you how wc can stop you.” Ho did itj too, making 176 not out, while A. E. Eckhold made 80 not out, the game being drawn. Stan Brice did not turn up to' play for Wellington in the morning because of the easy thing Wellington looked to have on, but at lunch time Wilson sent a telegram to Petone, telling Brico to come. Brice’s advent made no difference, Crawford hitting the bowling all over the field. Following the war years finance was a serious problem with the Otago Cricket Association, and then through the generosity of many loyal supporters of the game, L C. Eastman, the Essex professional, was engaged. Eastman was a -fine all-rounder, but though he did good work as a coach he was handicapped through the disability he suffered with injury. Besides being a good coach Eastman was a very fine player as will be agreed by those who saw his 96 against Canterbury, which competent judges, such as Mr Dan Reese, considered one of the finest knocks seen on Lancaster Park. Eastman acted for two seasons, and was followed by F. T. Badcock, who also learnt his cricket in England, and who, before coming to Dunedin, was the Wellington Association’s coach for some years. Badcock, who is recognised as one of most capable coaches to be engaged in New Zealand,

is also one of tbe finest all-round cricketers it has been the good fortune for Otago to be able to call upon. A dashing batsman, excellent bowler, and outstanding in the field, Badcock led the .voting Otago team to victory in the Plunket Shield competition in 1932-33, and no man has been more responsible for creating so greatly increased interest in cricket in Otago. Badcock has just returned to Dunedin after a highly-successful season in the Central Lancashire League. in England, and with the promising material that will be at his disposal, his fourth year of service with the Otago Cricket Association will, it is hoped, be his most successful to date. The association has contracted for Badcock’s services for another two years, and the stimulus he has given Otago cricket during his stay here makes it all the more desirable that the association’s appeal for members should be _ successful in order to ensure that it will be able to retain the coach’s services at least for two more years. ASSOCIATION EXECUTIVE OFFICIALS During the fifty-eight years or so of its existence the Otago Cricket Association has been governed by many men who have been notable in the public life of Ducdin, and while impossible to go through the list, without discriminating, it may be said that many of the presidents had practical knowledge of the game in addition to being eminently suited to the position of chairman. They were of great assistance during the most difficult times through which the association has passed.

Prominent personalities who have occupied the presidential chair include Messrs J. P. Maitland (an early president), J. Smith (of Greenfield), C. R. Smith (who was also secretary of the association for a time), J. Hope (who not only was one of the finest cricketers Otago has produced but a wonderful enthusiast and capable administrator), A. C. Hanlon (another great worker for the game many years ago), L. Joel, J. J. Clark (who did very valuable work for the association in a material sense), C. Todd, G. A. Wy-

cherley (a great lover of the game who, coming from Australia, has been prominently associated with Otago cricket for something like forty years), and J. M. Fraser (who holds office today). Of those mentioned above, Messrs Hanlon, Clark, and Wycherley were made life members of the association in recognition of the services they had given to the game. Mr J. M. Fraser, who has been president of the Otago Cricket Association for several years, has worked unceasingly to place cricket in the province on a higher level, and no one is more enthusiastic in his efforts to make a success of the association’s present membership campaign. Mr Fraser’s fine work for the game was recognised last year when he was made president of the New Zealand Cricket Council, a position he has filled with distinction. 10KG SERVICE No man could l have given more faithful and valuable service to the Otago Cricket Association than Mr E. S. Wilson, who has occupied the position of secretary since 1903, a period of thirty-one years. His connection with the game goes back still further than that, for besides being secretary of the Dunedin Club he was a good cricketer himself, especially useful as a bowler. Mr Wilson has seen the Otago Cricket Association pass through good times and had,_ and he is most optimistic concerning the future outlook for the game in this province. Mr Wilson has not been merely a secretary in the routine sense. He has taken a live and practical interest in the game, has acted as manager of Otago teams, and in the efforts that have been necessary to maintain the association’s finances at a satisfactory level he has played a prominent part. Prior to Mr Wilson’s appointment as secretary that position was filled by men who had the best interests of the game at heart, and among them might be mentioned Messrs Davie Thompson, Fred Liggins, W. M. MacLean, Johnny Smyth, C. R. Smith, and Arthur M'Donald. CLUB'S AND GROUNDS IMPROVEMENT OF WICKETS One of the biggest advances made by the Otago Cricket Association has bden in the direction of improving its grounds, and in comparison with the conditions that ruled as recently as twenty or twenty-five years ago. cricketers of to-day are extremely well catered for indeed, the co-operation of the City Council being very much appreciated. Twenty odd years ago, outside of games on Carisbrook, all matches were played on matting wickets, and the outfield on some of the wickets, especially the North Ground and Opoho, were very rough at times, though Opoho was a fine wicket to bat on. Some big scores were made