CRICKET

Evening Star, Issue 22273, 26 February 1936, Page 4

CRICKET

[By H.P.S.]

OTAGO'S WIN CANTERBURY TAKES WOODEN SPOON It might be said that Otago was fortunate to win the toss in the final Plunket Shield match of the " season against Canterbury, as in the fourth innings Canterbury had to bat on a wicket that was difficult in. that the ball was continually coming through at different heights, kicking disconcertingly in particular. _ Although slow, the wicket suited R. Silver, and he thoroughly justified his inclusion. In addition to disposing of Bellamy and Page in the first innings, he got* Bellamy, Kerr, and Hadlee in the second. His batting was quite sound also, and the same applies to Mills and M'Gregor, the other new members of the team. Uttley’s innings in the second was a very determined effort, and was probably the turning point of the game, as he ‘held up the attack for two and a-half hours, making it possible for the batsmen following him to get the runs they did, the Canterbury bowlers being tired out through being in the field all day. . M’Gregor’s 32 not out in the first innings was a surprise, quite ■ a refreshing knock. A splendid hit for 6 to long-on merited the applause it received. ' Badcock’s two knocks were fine efforts. Unfortunately, they were too short from the spectators’ point of view. In the first innings both Kerr and Smith shaped well, although both gave easy chances early. Scandrett stayed long enough to reveal possibilities, and while the Southlander is at present a correct batsman with nice off-side play, he needs to learn to keep the ball down on the leg side. The same remark is applicable to L. Smith. The decision against Ehnes in the second innings s*eemed rather doubtful, hut that is all in the game. He was going quite well at the time, but has not regained his best form yet. Dunning plugged away as usual, and in the first innings in particular was very accurate, and got the most from the wicket that was possible. Summed up, Otago was too solid for Canterbury, and the bowlers were able to get more out of the wicket than Xpre the members of the Canterbury attack. Although four chances were dropped, Otago showed all-round superiority in the field. Cromb’s innings of 73 for Canterbury was, a fine one. He placed the ball very well on either side of the wicket. Hadlee’s century was a very good one. Om chance at 92 should have been held, this being jin the slips. A loose ball was usually, a 4, but he showed a very broad bat to the good bowling. Merritt’s performance in taking 13 wickets speaks for itself. His figures flattered him in the first innings, but he bowled really well in the second. The inclusion of Silver was well worth while, and next season he must be selected as Otago’s No, 1 fast bowler. PLUNKET SHIELD POSITION RECORD OF THE TEAMS With the Otago-Canterbury game, the Blanket Shield' competition was brought to a close. Wellington had previously won the trophy, and Otago and Canterbury were contesting thi “ wooden spoon.” This went to Canterbury. It is interesting to note from the figures that, although Wellington won the shield, Auckland had much the better' record regarding percentages. The points gained by the provinces were as follow: —Wellington 18, Auckland 16, Otago 8, Canterbury 2. The following table from the Auckland ‘ Herald ’ shows the percentages gained by the respective provinces;—

Following are the averages of the leading players in the series;— BATTING.

not out. BOWLING.

Notes and Comments

DUNNING'S GOOD BOWLING Popular “ Jack ” Dunning, who so capably led the young Otago eleven to victory against Canterbury with an exhibition of aggressive and skilful bowling, played a major part in his team’s success (says the Christchurch ‘Star ’). Employing' clever variations of spin, pace, flight, and length, occasionally swing considerably and invariably at-

tacking the stumps, Dunning was always dangerous, and enhanced his fine reputation as a really good medium-pace bowler. Lancaster Park appears to be a happy hunting ground for Dunning, as he upset Canterbury’s calculations some years ago in a similar manner when playing for Auckland. TRIUMPH FOR WICKETKEEPER The recent "Wellington-Auckland women’s representative game was a personal triumph for Miss Hilda Buck, ot Wellington. How many men s clubs throughout the world have a wicketkeeper who, besides specialising in that particular branch of the game goes m as opening batsman ? There are very few, and yet this girl, after giving a first-class exhibition behind the stumps, went in first on the batting list and gave an innings that was reminiscent ot the famous Miss Snowball, of the English team (says the ‘New'Zealand Observer’).' With her cap set at a jaunty angle, Miss Buck was confidence itself and the manner in which she showed the Auckland girls how to run between the wickets endeared her to all the spectators, many of win mi forsook their own clubs on adjacent grounds to watch her. AS OTHERS SEE US There are good grounds for saying that the members of the English touring team regard H. G. Vivian, of Auckland, as the best batsman they have met in New Zealand, with J. L. Kerr, of Canterbury, a close second, and M. Donnelly, the young Taranaki lefthander, as the most promising colt in the Dominion. The tourists name A. W. Roberts, of Canterbury mediumpaced right-hand, as the best bowler they have met on tour. The development of Vivian and Kerr, incidentally, is a fine vindication of the faith of the selectors who picked them as youngsters for the tour of England in- 1931 (says an exchange). Roberts, then more of a batsman than a bowler, just failed to secure selection in that team, but, if the Zealand side to visit England next year were chosen to-morrow, he would be the first bowler chosen. A PROMISING BOWLER

Silver’s bowling for Otago against Canterbury in the Plunket Shield match thoroughly impressed good judges of the game. Hi s fast-medium delivery is well controlled. Silver is also an Otago representative footballer, and he has the stamina and the heart to keep up a persist- ' ent attack. Bowling with a naturally fluent and free action, keeping a consistently good length and direction. Silver skittled Kerr, Bellamy, and Hadlee, had Page caught in slips, and always commanded high respect. A notable feature of his attack was that, unlike many aspiring fast merchants, he never attempted to bowl too fast. He thus always had something in reserve—that extra fast ball which brought him success. A keen, fit, and natural cricketer, Silver with first-class coaching, impresses as being the type for the coming tour of England.

BOYS' ASSOCIATION ACTIVITIES [Contributed.] Last Saturday’s postponement was a particular disappointment for King's Scliool A and the Carisbrook teams because, owing to shortage of wickets, their match was to be played rit the Carisbrook No. 3 wicket. One of the great ambitions of a boy cricketer is to play on Carisbrook, and the thanks of the association are due to the Carisbrook Club for permission and Mr Rosa for preparing the wicket. An examination of the association’s wickets at Logan Park showed that they were of a high standard. This is duo to the zeal of Mr Knox, who, in the interval between the association seasons (the school vacation period), has taken particular care of them. The wickets are such that there should bo k

a steady improvement in individual performances. It was unfortunate for High School LV. that they failed by 4 runs to reach their opponents’ score when they had. at one stage three wickets in hand. To be so near winning and then to lose happens quite often in cricket, and gives the game its zest. The running of singles requires judgment, and too often the wrong batsman calls, and the opportunity of obtaining a run is lost. The rule for the running of singles is roughly this; If the batsman hits the ball into that part of the field covered by point round to front of square leg; it is iiis call. If it travels in the field covered by square leg round to back of point it is the non-striker’s call. It should be a regular habit to call every ball played. The batsman whose call it is should say “Yes” or “ No,” and if he is undecided should say “Wait,” and then when he has made up his mind, “Yes,”'or “No.” ft is also the duty of the non-striker to back up at least a couple of yards from his end, as the bowler is on the point of delivering the ball. , Mills, of Christian Brothers’. High School, for a beginner at bowling trundled very well to capture three wickets for 24, He possesses quite a good, natural break, but bis run up has yet to be improved. He is inclined to take short, shuffling steps, whereas a run up should gain momentum at each step. Mutimer and Myers, of High School VT., bowl very well, but they do not balance themselves for the correct foot. A right-handed bowler should, as he delivers the ball, have the weight of his body transferred to the left foot. Conversely a left-hand bowler has his weight on the right foot. In the junior A match, M’Glashan versus High School, several of the M'Glashan batsman were caught in the slips when they felt at balls pitched where it was too far for them to reach with their front foot. To hit a ball safely they must reach well out, and their front shoulder must be on top of the ballScorers in the association games are requested to keep the bowling analysis. The bowler’s performance should be recorded, as he is just as important in his way as the batsman is in bis. Should any scorer require information as to the method, Mr Booth, who is present at either one of the grounds, will be pleased to show how it is done. NOTES At a social function on Saturday night, the Port Chalmers Cricket Club presented a junior batsman, Gordon VVilson, with a miniature cup to mart; his performance of putting together a score of 109 not out. The presentation was made by the secretary .(Mr L. B. Wilson). In the third grade match, between Port Chalmers and Grange at the North Ground recently, G. Wilson scored 109 not out for Port Chalmers, this being the first century recorded for Port since 1900. The club games which were to have commenced last Saturday will now be played on Saturday, all of them being confined to one day. Some interesting cricket should be witnessed in view of the limitations thus imposed on the players. In view of the fact tiiat the financing of visits of overseas cricket teams to the Dominion has proved a somewhat hazardous undertaking, the news that the Maharaja of Nawanagar is prepared to bring an Indian team to New Zealand at his own expense will bo welcomed by the cricket authorities. It was little wonder, therefore, that the New Zealand Council at its last meeting jumped at tho offer. Cricket has made great progress in India during the last several years, and a team fairly representative of the country’s strength would prove a great attraction in New Zealand. The former English test player, Duleepsinhji, will accompany the team. W. A. Oldfield is still a great wicketkeeper, says a South African writer, Oldfield’s stumping of Ken Viljoen m South Africa’s first innings of the test at Cape Town was a good effort carried out at lightning speed. But there was another occasion during the game when Oldfield was even quicker. Eingleton, fielding at cover-point, threw very accurately and hit tho wicket. The ball went off at a tangent and the bails Hew into the air. Oldfield had no possible hope or chance of getting to the ball, which had ricocheted off the wicket, so he did Hie next best thing—he caught botli the bails as they went flying through the air and nonchalantly proceeded to replace them as though that sort of thing was very simple. The third match between M.C.C. and New Zealand commences at Auckland on Friday and will be continued on Saturday and Monday. SHEFFIELD SHIELD Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright ADELAIDE, February 25. South Australia defeated Victoria by an innings and 190 runs. Victoria in the second innings scored 174 (Ledward 47; Waite, four for 29; Ward, four for 72),. TARRANT'S TEAM RETURNS Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright FREMANTLE, February 25. The members of Frank Tarrant’s cricket team returned by the Strathnaver. Ryder, the captain, said the tour had been very successful. India had a definite cricket future and the game should bo encouraged by an interchange of visits. BILLIARDS WORLD'S RECORD BREAK Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON. February 21. Davis, playing' .against Newman in the Gold Con match, scored a break of .1,177, a world’s record under tho amended baulk-line rulo.

Auckland Runs. . 1,546 Wkts. 44 Ave. 35.13 j. +7.53 Opponents . 1,518 55 27.60 Wellington .. . 1,255 55 22.82 \ +3.86 Opponents .. . 948 50 18.96 Canterbury 1,381 60 23.01 | -2.65 Opponents .. . 1,463 57 25.66 Otago . 1,317 60 21.95 | -5.59 Opponents .. . 1,570 57 27.54

In* N.O. H.S. Runsr. Ave. W. M. Wallace (A.) 5 0 100 335 67.00 E. G. M'Leod (W.) 2 0 94 126 63.00 G. L. Weir (A.) ... 4 0 191 223 55.75 A. M. Matheson (A.) 4 1 92 147 49.00 J. Lamason (W.) 6 0 127 240 41.00 B. E. Garrard (A.) 1 0 40 40 40.00 W. A. Hadlee (C.) 6 0 101 ’ 220 36.66 G. M'Gregor (0.) 2 1 32* 36 36.00 A. E. Knight (0.) L. E. Townsend. 4 0 68 143 35.75 (A.) 5 1 68 135 33.75

Runs. Wkts. Ave. c. Parsloo (W.) ... ... 232 18 12.90 E. D. Blundell (W.) ... 59 4 14.75 B. Griffiths (\V.) ... ... 273 18 15.17 H. G. Vivian (A.) ... 28+ 18 15.77 W E. Merritt (C.) ... 528 31 17.03 J. Newman (W.) ... 55 3 18.33 R. Silver (0.) ... 99 5 19.80 L. F. Townsend (A.) ... 33+ 16 -20.87 G. Dickinson (0.) ... 149 7 21.28 J. Dunning (0.) ... ... 395 18 22.00