CRICKET

Evening Star, Issue 22517, 9 December 1936, Page 4

CRICKET

[By H.P.S.]

LEFT-HANDERS BEWARE NEW LBW RULE Unforeseen dangers face left-hand batsmen under the ' new leg-before-wicket rule, writes Arthur Mailey. It was thought that the new rule would assist only off-break howlers, or bowlers operating mainly on tho offside of the wicket to right-hand batsmen, but the Englishmen’s match against New South Wales revealed otherwise. The left-hander is in danger when facing a right-hand leg-break bowler, because of the worn wicket. The leg side of the wicket is always more worn than the other, because most bowlers, fast and slow, bowl over the wicket and damage the leg side of the surface with their spikes. Therein is the left-hand batsman’s danger, for the right-hand leg-break bowler invariably, pitches the ball into the broken surface of the wicket. This, I believe, is why tho left-hand batsmen were all at sea against the slow bowlers. Leyland stayed a long while, hut cnly his amazing ability saved him on many occasions, and had the new rule not been in operation may possibly have been doubly as effective as he was. : -H* " HOW’S THAT 7 " The Otago Umpires’ Association is not confining its functions to providing umpires for the competition games, and is to be .commended on its action in sending several copies of _ ‘ How’s That?’ a handy ' little treatise by a well-known Auckland umpire, J. H. Harvey, to the secondary schools and also to the Boys’ Association. This book contains much of value for .umpires and cricketers, and the' Umpires’ Association thought it would he cf interest particularly to the yoUnger cricketers, who are sometimes, called upon to umpire games in which- it' is not. possible to provide official umpires. BIG FIELD IN AUCKLAND The Auckland Cricket Association’s selectors, Messrs N. C. Sneddon, H. Duncan, and A. J. Postles, have chosen the following players for representative practice:— J. E. Mills, A. J. Postles, W. Carson, D. Macßae, P. E. Whitelaw, H. G. Vivian, W. M. Wallace, A. W. M'Coy, J. Carroll, S. Ferguson, V. S. Sale, J. B. Simpson, D. C. Cleverley, P. Scholium, A. M. Matheson, R. G. Bush, D. R. Garrard, H. T. Pearson, F. M. Andrews, J. Cowie, L. Spring, N, Ellis. G. Hook. Colts selected to practice with tho representatives: H. Harrison, R. Emery, H. Cotterall, M. Williamson, A. Bright. Twenty-two players have been chosen for practice, and five suburban players are to he added to the list, so there will he keen competition for jdaces in Auckland. Matheson, a New Zealand and Auckland representative, was 'struck above the left eye by a ball at practice last week, suffering a gash which necessitated medical attention. Matheson was bowling on one wicket when a batsman on the adjoining pitch hooked a ball, which glanced off the net and struck the other player. CANTERBURY TURNS TO YOUTH Messrs H. B. Whitta, R. H. North, and E. A. Gasson, Canterbury’s selectors, have chosen the following:—l. B. Cromb, M. L. Page, A. P. Cobden, H. Davis, W. A. Hadlee, J. L. Kerr, C. K. Jackman, E. Mulcock, F. P. O’Brien, E. A. M'Rae, C. Shackel, 11. E. Menzies, A. W. Roberts, C. G. Crawford, F. W. Bellamy, C. J. Oliver, M. Graham, N. Burtt. Tho feature of their list is the number of new players, who may or may not have appeared because there are two new selectors. Davis (mediumpaced bowler and forcing batsman), Mulcock (medium-paced leg theory bowler), M'Rae (left-hand bowler and forcing batsman), Shackel (batsman), Menzies (batsman), and Burtt (righthand slow bowler) have yet to play for Canterbury.

The Canterbury selectors arc making unusually thorough preparations this season, and have already had two one-

NOTES AND COMMENTS

day trial matches—one on Labour Day and one on Show Day. Mulcock, the new in-swing bowler, in throe matches has captured 24 wickets at an average of 8.3 runs. Roberts, New Zealand stock bowler, has taken 16 wickets for- 253 runs. THE FIRST BOSY In tho flood of obituary notices in tho English Press on the death of B. J. T. Bosanquet, “ inventor of the googly with which ho won a dramatic test at Nottingham in 1905,” the following comment by a ‘ Daily Sketch writer is probably most interesting:— “ He told mo not long ago that the first ‘ wrong ’un ’ he ever bowled in test cricket bounced three times before it hit the startled Warwick Armstrong’s wicket. That was Sydney, 1903. “There are (as always) those who say Bosanquet was not the first to google. I believe it is true Bosanquet’s father conceived the idea of an offbreak delivered with a leg-break action, but it was B.J.T. who first dared to bowl it in first class cricket.” POPULAR SOUTHLAND CRICKETER A spectator at the North Ground on Saturday was Mr Alf Driscoll, well known as the leader of several Southland elevens to visit Dunedin, and who represented that province for close on 20 years. For health reasons Mr Driscoll has spent two years in Central Otago, and he has now decided to make Dunedin his home. When Jim Baker and Billy Johnston were the opening batsmen for Grange, Alf was a member of the junior eleven, and then went to Invercargill, where he took part, not only as a player, but as an administrator, and was always a strong advocate for the coaching of tho.boys. When Laurie Eastman visited .Invercargill with a strong Otago eleven Mr Driscoll umpired, and was complimented by Otago’s coach on his fine, work. Many cricketers will recall that Mr Driscoll had the distinction in the 1923-24 season of scoring 1,138 runs in club and rep. cricket during the season, a remarkable effort on Southland’s wicket. In recognition of his work for Southland oncket, he was the first man to be made a life member of the Southland Cricket Association, and he should be a big asset to cricket in Otago. He is likely to umpire one of the matches during Country Week. UTTLEY TO' THE RESCUE FINE CENTURY FOR VARSITY With the rapid approach of representative matches, the improved form revealed by likely candidates for positions in the Otago team has been a happy feature of the last few games. A case in point is Uttley, who completely atoned tor rather disappointing batting form so far this season with a century for Varsity against Carisbrook A that was reminiscent of his best form. He appeared to be sighting the ball much more confidently, and consequently hitting it with greater freedom because of better timing. Uttley could not settle down in the first innings, and was poking at the ball, but on this occasion ho seemed to have the measure of the bowling from the beginning. When Uttley is in tho mood to make runs there is no mistaking his purpose, especially when he belts the ball outside the off stump. Most of his 11 fours were obtained from the impressive exploitation of this stroke on Saturday, but he also swelled his undefeated score with some pretty shots down the gully, and also from the judicious use of the leg glance—a stroke at which he is unusually adept. Considering the parlous state in which University was placed before Uttley and Toomey became associated, the value of both their innings gains in importance. The strength of the Carisbrook attack is this season a force to be reckoned with, and had not these two batsmen matched that strength with reliable batting it is quite possible that Varsity would have had to accept more than a defeat on the first innings. While Uttley could only score off Dunning when his deliveries lost their length (and that -was occasionally), or when he placed him through the slips (and that was often), the Carisbrook bowler again reproduced his wicket-collecting form. A. Kerr also trundled consistently to obtain his two wickets. A POOR DISPLAY ' BATTING IN ALBIOH-DUNEDIN MATCH If the baiting displays provided in tho Albion-Dunediii match are to be taken as an indication there is no wonder that one frequently hears the opinion that cricket in Dunedin is definitely on the decline. It is admitted that Mother Nature has not been too kind to cricifeters so faf this season, but after making some allowance on this account one expects something more than totals of 134 and 107 from last season’s championship winners. There was some excuse for Dunedin’s meagre total of 95, because Albion’s attack is unquestionably the strongest in Dunedin, but other sides have proved that tho Dunedin bowling can bo trounced. Coach Badcock has certainly strengthened Dunedin’s attack, but then against Albion he caused

the batsmen least concern of all. It was the other members of the attack who mot with the greatest success. Albion’s highest total in one innings this season was 215 against Kaikorai, to which Lankford Smith contributed 81. He has not made more than 21 since, but his team mates have fared even worse. Litchfield made a stub* born stand against University for 60, and Duncan scored an attractive 34 in this match, but the other batsmen have little to show since the season began. Martin has scored only 22 runs in five visits to the crease, and as it is reported that he rarely attends the club’s practices, it would seem high time that the club’s selectors gave consideration to some of the junior players. For instance, it is difficult to understand why a player like A. Sinclair, who has brilliantly led the club’s intermediate side to victory in two seasons in succession, has not yet found a, place amongst the seniors. Sinclair was one of Eastman’s colts, and he later represented Southland. He showed great promise at that time, and since coming back to Dunedin he has set an example, so far as fielding is concerned, to junior cricketers which has almost been unrivalled. This is the opinion of all those who have come up against this enthusiast in the field. Judging by the performances of. some of Albion a senior players in the field, his inclusion could well be justified on that account alone. But Sinclair is not only a brilliant fieldsman; he is an all-rounder, being a particularly sound batsman. So far this season ho has scored 175 runs in six innings, his figures being 0, 17, 22, 45, 37, and 54. In the Albion-Dunedm game, however, some of the Albion batsmen were victims of questionable decisions, though this question is invariably raised when a team suffers from the Ibw rule, as did Albion. No fewer than five appeals for Ibw succeeded against Albion in its second innings. Whilst the umpire is always in the best position to give such a decision, critics can seldom say he is wrong. Most students of the game, however, will disagree with an umpire when he gives a player out Ibw when ho steps out two paces from his crease to a leg-break. No man could say definitely whether such a ball would strike the wickets, but nevertheless these were the circumstances under which Smith was dismissed to Robertson. GRANGE JUST GET THERE GALLAND’S FINE LEADERSHIP There was never a better fighting skipper in Dunedin club cricket than Galland, and his leadership was an inspiration to his side last week. At one stage-Old Boys seemed assured of a win, but with the rather weak attack at his disposal, Galland performed wonders. Although there were lapses in, the ground fielding, it was not altogether catching, and Galland set his men a fine example. Mercer’s magnificent one-handed catch at backward point sent Dickinson back to the pavilion, and practically settled Old Boys’ hopes of a first lead. Blair, too, calls for commendation. He is a first-rate fieldsman, and has a keen sense of anticipation. Lemin and Elmes carried the brunt of the. Grange attack, and both performed well. Lemin put up a performance mindful of his best of some years ago, and he got just that little bit of extra help from the wicket which made all the difference. Giles was the only one to treat him with any lack of respect, and he had his revenge eventually by taking his wicket. C. Elmes bowled better than his figures (three for 70) might indicate, and he was flighting the ball cleverly at times. If Elmes tried to make the ball “ do ” more, he would achieve greater success with his bowling. With the array of batting talent at their disposal it was expected that Old Boys would head Grange’s total, but unexpected failures among the midway batsmen placed a different complexion on the game. Mahony and Payne were both disappointing, but Mills batted well, and looked like getting among the runs when he fell to a catch in the slips by Elmes. Leader batted attractively for 47, but the highlight of the afternoon was the half-hour hitting exhibition given by Giles. He ran up 48 in most breezy style, and, though he hit very hard, he was not reckless altogether, nis strokes being made cleanly and well. This is Giles’s natural game, and if he elects to play the forceful cricket of which he is known to be capable he should make many good scores for Old Boys this season. KAIKORAI’S IMPROVED SHOWING SOME BRIGHT BATTING DISPLAYS A sure eye and powerful hitting characterised the bright display given by L. Constable for Kaikorai against Carisbrook B, this aggressive batsman including 15 4’s and two 6’s in his score of 87 not out. It was a most exhilarating knock, and played a big part in Kaikorai’s well-deserved eightpoint win. Although he made some lofty drives ho gave no actual chances, and his cover-drives and off-drives were very cleanly executed. Just as refreshing was the display of Ron. Talbot, the former Now Zealand rep. taking his score to 79 before he was dismissed. Talbot was quickly into his stride the previous week, and Kaikorai supporters are hoping for a repetition of this form. Next to Talbot and Constable, one of the best efforts of tho afternoon was the good innings played by I. M‘D. Stevenson, for Carisbrook B. This colt reached the half-century, and batted very well indeed. He is one of the most promising left-handers in the province, and lias an array of good shots, but specialises on the hook and the straight drive. Ken. Cox put together a very creditable total, batting very attractively. He did not look like giving a chance. For Kaikorai, M'Gregor, who played so prominent a part in this match, bowled well and kept a particularly good length. He occasionally bowls an

off-spinner, which he conceals very W< a‘ feature of tho match was KaiIkorai’s good fielding, while Dotting kept wickets very well for Carisbrook. This game was L. Riley s last appearance for Kaikorai. He has been a real asset to the team, bowling well and being a very forceful bat. FAST BOWLER IH FORM Otago cricketing enthusiasts are not likelv to forget the sensational last bowling of Don Cleverley against Otago some years ago, the Aucklander securing most impressive figures. in another Shield game with Wellington about the same time he took six VVellington wickets for 70 runs. Cleverley, who is a brother of the New Zealand Olympic representative, Alf. Cleverley, is right after the trip with the New Zealand team to England, and is training hard to try and make the trip. He started this season by taking seven wickets for 33 and five for 37 in two games. In 1932 Cleverley played, in the first test against the South African team, but the fast bowler was dropped for the second test. On the deadened Eden Park wicket Cleverley has obtained some remarkable averages and if he can reproduce the form he showed in the Otago-Auckland match some years ago the selectors will have to give him most serious attention once again. With several fast bowlers in the running the forthcoming Plunket Shield series will be watched with more than the usual amount of interest. “ LOW GEAR RUNNING " Low gear running between wickets was criticised by Mr T. W. Garrett, veteran Australian cricketer, who is the only living member of the first Australian team to visit England. In the opinion of Mr Garrett, the methods employed by Hammond and Leyland during their stand for England in the New South Wales match “ were not cricket.” “They scarcely went beyond, an amble,” ho went on. When two runs could be scored they were_ content with one, and when a quick single was offering, no move was made by either player. “ Evidently they were playing to orders, or had a certain plan of campaign mapped out, but the fact remains that their running between wickets was not according to the ethics of the game. “The team is supposed to be a young, quick-scoring side, full of hardhitting batsmen who can get runs, but they didn’t display any of these characteristics against New South Wales.” NOTES Manawatu candidates for the Wellington team this season have the following performances:—N. Gallichan (left-hand slow bowler), five for 29, four for 15, four for 12 and four for 30, four for 7; D .A. R. Moloney (batsman and slow bowler), 127 and 104 not out and six for 24; J. Murchison 101 and four for 46. Australia has a real fast bowler to counter Allen’s speed team in the test matches. Commenting on the recent Sheffield Shield match Victoria and South Australia, J. \\ orrall said: “ Faster and better bowling than that given by E. L. M'Cormick has not been seen on the Melbourne Cricket Ground since the days of Larwood. We have a fast bowler at last and ail doubts are removed.” Dunedin cricketers are not the only ones who have suffered from the weather In spite of the fact that the season has been in progress for eight weeks, Auckland cricketers have had little opportunity to reveal consistent form owing to rain curtailing play on several Saturdays. The inclement conditions prevailing during the last two months have also handicapped players with regard to practiceAccording to reports from the north W. M. Wallace, the outstanding Auckland cricket colt, has developed a bad fault, which ho will need to rectify before the representative.matches are played. He is hitting right across good length balls at times, and had three narrow escapes the other day off this shot before it finally brought about his downfall. A little more patience against good bowlinJg should soon see him remedy this weakness. Some cricket followers are still hazy concerning the effect of the new legbefore rule. A batsman is out under the new rule if ho stops a ball with any part of liis person except his hand or bat, which, although pitched outside the off stump, would, in the opinion of the umpire at the howler s wicket, have hit the “Wicket. The part of the batsman’s person struck, however, must be in„a direct line between the howler’s and striker’s wicket. Because the umpire responsible neglected to forward the points to the secretary of the association m connection with the University-Cansbrook A game, it is impossible to give the full list of fielding points in the last senes of matches, but in the other games points were awarded:—Albion 7, Dunedin 5, Kaikorai 5, Carisbrook B 4, Grange 4, Old Boys 3. The Grange Club has now been running its euchre tournament in the pavilion at the North Ground for oyer two years, and perhaps the most regular attender is the club secretary, Mr u. A. Rowland. Mr Rowland has not missed more than six nights since the inception of the euchre, and the members of the club would do well to appreciate how much Bill does for tho club and cricket in general. The secretary receives every support at the euchre from Messrs A. Galland, J. Nesbit, C. Chadwick, C. C. Mercer, M. Anderson, N. Lindsay, G. Burgess, and O. Dey.

While the senior game, Grange v. Old Boys, was in progress on the North Ground on Saturday, the Grange third grade team was playing Port Chalmers on an adjoining wicket. While H. 5.0.8. scored 170 runs the Grange junior side

put together 314 for five wickets. Included in this score was a fine 101 by Payne, who in his three innings this season has scored 88, 36, and 101, giving him an average of 75. Payne was particularly severe on anything pitched on the leg side, and scored many boundary shots on the on. B. Miller, the captain of the Grange team, scored 90. This lad plays his shots very correctly, and when he advances to meet the ball he goes right to the pitch of it and plays it along the ground. Miller is also a fair bowler, and spins the ball well from leg. Port Chalmers scored 54. Sissons, for Grange, took seven for 23. The boy is an ex-High School player, and is a bowler with speed. If he concentrates more on direction he will collect a crop of wickets in this grade during the remainder of the season.