CRICKET

Evening Star, Issue 22261, 12 February 1936, Page 4

CRICKET

Notes and Comments

FIXTURES. February 14, 15, 17, and 18.— Otago v. Canterbury (Plunket Shield), at Christchurch. ' _ February 15.—Otago v. North Otago, at Oamaru; Otago v. Southland, at Invercargill; Otago Colts v. South Otago, at Balclutha.

UNUSUAL ENDING GALLING OF TIME Many persons were a little fogged at the unusual ending of the 'cricket match between the M.C.C. team and Taranaki at Pukekura Park, but the rules leave no room for doubt on the matter, and the umpires (Messrs J. M. Thomson and A, Ramshaw) acted in accordance with the lavs of the game, says a Taranaki writer. The position was that the time for drawing stumps was 6 o’clock. Langridgo (Sussex) commenced to howl the last over of the day before the time for drawing had been reached, and the clock struck six as he sent down his first ball. The second ball clean bowled T. Pritchard, and there seemed to be a little hesitation. In the meantime W. Qroombride. the last man on the Taranaki side, nad come out to play, and had reached the wicket before the umpires called- time, or at least before it was realised that they had done so, and the match was concluded, Taranaki gaining the benefit of a draw. . . The point that seemed to be in issue was whether or not the visiting team should have been allowed to complete the over that had been commenced and probably win the match. There was nothing arbitrary in what the umpires did, as the rule distinctly, says, under ‘ Notice to Umpires ’ in the M.C.C. Book of Laws, that: “If a wicket falls after ‘ time ’ has been reached the umpires should call “ time.” In ‘ Wiseden’s Almanac ’ the matter appears more emphatic, and makes it mandatory upon umpires, in such circumstances, to call “ time.” Had no wicket fallen the over would have been completed, but in such circumstances there could have been no difference in the conclusion of the match. Members of the visiting team from England agreed afterwards that the umpires’ decision was the correct one.

SATURDAY'S MATCHES ABANDONED

ALBION STILL WEIL IN FRONT There was some talk among; cricketers on Saturday concerning the decision of the Match Committee at noon to abandon all games for the day. It was decidedly unfortunate,' for, as it turned out. the afternoon was fine, and had the decision been left until later in the afternoon, as is usually done, it might have been'found possible in some cases to make a start by 3 or 4 o’clock at the latest. _ When matches are played to a definite fixture list, it is just as well to make very certain that Jjlay is out of the question before deciding on abandonment, otherwise the end of haying a fixture list at all. may be defeated. Cricketers were rather disgruntled at the early hour at which the decision was reached last week. It is_ significant also that the League cricket games were played. With so many representative games club cricket has suffered this year, and matches should not be abandoned while there is even a remote possibility of play. . Albion might be regarded as a little luckv to escape with a division ot the points in the match with High School Old Boys, and with a lead of 8 points over Colts, it is in a fairly unassailable position in the competition. CarisbrooK comes next with 25, and University 23. while Grange, last year’s winners, have only 21 points 1 .

APPEALS AGAINST THE LIGHT

A successful appeal agaipSt the light by the captain of the fielding side brought the second test match between Australia and South Africa to a conclusion. Describing the incident, J. Worrall writes as follows in the ‘Australasian ’“ When the score had reached 274 runs for the loss of two wickets the home captain appealed on account of the bad light, which heralded a thunderstorm, which broke in due course. It would appear that a great deal of surprise has been occasioned by the appeal, but why it is difficult to *ee. Most people are evidently under the erroneous impression that the fair and unfair law applies only to batsmen, and that if they are content to bat in the dark it is no concern of the other side. There are many others to consider besides batsmen. The law of fair and unfair plav applies to players of both sides and the game generally. In order to win a game batsmen may be willing to play on in a poor light, but why should the fieldsmen dance to their tune?”

NOTES The congratulations of all Otago players will be tendered to Ced. Elmes on being selected for his third match for New Zealand against the M.C.C, team. Elmes did well with the ball in the match against the Englishmen at Carisbrook but after showing fine form up to Christmas with the bat the lefthander struck a lean patch. Elmes has the ability, and_ he is such a good cricketer that it is to be hoped he will reproduce his best form in the forthcoming game. A good score against Canterbury At the coming week-end should put him right. Disappointment would be felt in some quarters that the claims of A. R. Knight were passed over by the. selectors. Knight contributed two good scores for Otago against the M.C.C., played very attractive cricket for the province against Wellington, and, as he is an opening bat, it was thought he would have been considered, Knight has shown form

worthy of New Zealand honours, and. deserved consideration. ,

Among the more promising colts in Canterbury. R. C. Webb is one of the most outstanding (says the ‘Press’), He has just recently joined the St. AI--bans Club, and has already shown some really good form as wicketkeeper for the first grade team. On Saturday, playing against East Christchurch, he took three excellent catches, and although the tally of extras against him was 19, he showed that he had a sound knowledge .of keeping wickets Webb has played for Canterbury in the Brabin Shield matches more than once. He learnt his cricket at Christ’s College. Not only is he a good wicket- 7 keeper, but he is also a sound bat. Aiconfident he can play every stroke without hesitation. It wiR probably take him a short time to become used to first grade bowling, but if he strikes form he should be a valuable run-getter for his team. » Umpiring in the New South Wales v. Victoria cricket match in Melbourne has given rise to a little talk. When, efficient umpires give their decisions there should be no public “ inquests,” even if one might give an incorrect decision or two (says an Australian writer). The reports of captains on this and other cricket matters ought* to be private, and not discussed at open meetings or elte where in public. If it be otherwise very few captains will make true reports. They will glossover anything that otherwise might be'well for officials concerned to know. As far as can be gathered, umpiring in Brisbane has not been quite so good as some of the visitors expected it. It is to be hoped when the Englishmen come to Australia next season the efficiency of the umpires in every State will be, ; such as to impress them. ■

The inability' of George Dickinson, to make the trip to Chritschurch for the Plunket Shield match against Canterbury will bo regretted, for lie has often got among the Canterbury Ijatsmen with success in the past. ; Thai team _ will now be captained by J. A. Dunning, who has had previous experience in that role: but a further loss |s the defection of C. E. Saxton. 1 Ken. Uttley, who was relegated to twelfth', man, goes in after all, and by reqsoh of his fielding alone he will certainly‘he valuable. He has had a very lean sea-, son with the bat, but bis form in the big games has been too bad to he true.' apd perhaps the Canterbury match will set him right. G. M'Gregor, of Kai-. korai, who was chosen as twelfih man for Otago against the M.C.C.' gains representative selection for the first time. He is a promising all-rouhder who seems to have the right tenipefa T ment. The team does not appear so well balanced, as it might be,’and inth«, absence' of Dickinson a good, deal may ' depend, upon ■ Silver, who T has fully earned the confidence of the selector. UNIVERSITY RUGBY TEAM TMR OF JAPAN ANOTHER WIN Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright TOKIO, February 11. The New Zealand Universities team defeated Western Universities at Hanazono, 23 points ■to 8/in a fast, open game. Staco, Wild, Gillies, and M'Auliffe scored. Tricklebank, whose kicking was a feature of the .game, converted all the tries and also ? kicked a penalty goal. The visitors ; Were superior in all departments, though they committed a number of infringements. The team was,: : Tricklebank,Watt, Wild, Grant, Lewis, Gillies, Mc‘Auliffe, Laney, Burke, Wilson. Hudson, Simmers, Drftke, Stace, Eades. ' The visitors are how spending a quiet time seeing the sights of Nara and Kyoto before; the final test next Sunday. They are enjoying the quiet and beautiful surroundings of the old . capital after a heavy, hut delightful programme in Tokio. They were pleased to receive their first home mail today.