Cricket Season Opened

Evening Star, Issue 22782, 18 October 1937, Page 4

Cricket Season Opened

The Otago Cricket Association s grade competitions opened under happy auspices on Saturday afternoon, • weather conditions being ideal. The games were played in bright sunshine and an absence of wind, and hard, fast wickets were conducive to good scor- ■; iu<r though Grange and Dunedin nere the only ones to fulfil expectations in . this direction. ...... - ... Grange gave a true indication of its hatting strength bv huge score against Kaikorai of 450 for the loss of eight wickets in the match on the North Ground, A. Knight playing .’a great knock for his side of 137. ine veteran Grange captain, A. Galland, was unbeaten with 103 not out, his runs being made in less than 80 minutes. C. Elmes hatted well for 77 runs, and T. Chettleburgh played an attractive innings for 73. It. Talbot was the best of the Kaikorai bowlers, and took three for 81. He trundled very steadily, but without any luck. ' ; The most gratifying feature of the games was the splendid showing miade by Dunedin, who batted all afternoon and put together the good score of <304 runs for seven wickets against Cans- , brook A. G. J. Robertson played a ■ first-rate innings for his side, being out ; to a brilliant left-handed natch by the Carisbrook colt J. Caradus when he had scored 98. This game was played at Tonga Park, and A. Eckhold was useful run-getter, compiling 41. J. O’Sullivan and T. llodgerson each made 31, R. Torrance 28, and Holley , 21. Eight Dunedin batsmen reached double figures. Carisbrook’s most suc- ‘ cessfnl bowler was Carter, who, making bis first appearance in senior cricket, took three wickets for 68 runs. _ • At Logan Park High School Old ■Boys finished the day in a strong position against Albion. The ex-pupils made 194, L. Giles scoring 57 and 0. R. Payne 55. R. Silver took four wickets for 46 runs and J. Allen three for ■ 66. Albion was dismissed for 89, J. : Allen being top scorer with 21, Dickinson was in great form, bowling with plenty of hostility, and after the first few overs he ivas very accurate, taking five wickets for 18 runs, L. Groves collecting five for 31. Low scoring was the order in the game between University and Carisbrook B on the University Oval, Var- • sity making 86 and 17 for no wickets, Carisbrook ,B being dismissed for the meagre tally of 51. For Carisbrook V A. Kerr took four for 22 and W. KindA] € y five for 20. Some femiarkabie figurse were obtained for University, Gowland taking three wickets for 2 runs, . Howden three for 14, and Little three ; for 17. , HONOURS BOARD \ ■ BATTING. r A. R. Knight (Grange) 137. i A. Galland (Grange) 103 not out. ; G. J. Robertson (Dunedin) 98. C. Elmes (Grange) 77. ' T. Chettleburgh (Grange) 73. ! L. Giles (Old Boys) 57. i O. R. Payne (Old Boys) 55. ? A. Eckhold (Dunedin) 41. r ’ BOWLING. 1 Gowland (University), three for 2, G. R. Dickinson (Old Boys) five for : 18. • W. Kindley (Carisbrook B) five for • 20. ; . Howden (University) three for 14. • A. Kerr (Carisbrook B) four for 22. F. Little (University), three for 17. • f L. Groves (Old Boys) five for 31. 1 R. Silver (Albion) four for ,46. GRANGE USE LONG HANDLE * 1 \ ... CENTURIES TO GALLAND AHD KNIGHT The most eventful opening-season match of a senior competition in Duni; edin in years was provided by Grange at the North Ground. An uncompleted score ?of 450 runs was hoisted in the first innings against Kaikorai. including . sparkling centuries, by: the veterans Knight and Galland, and also scores that topped 70 by Elmes and Chettleburgh. Such an exhibition of free, easy batting,, quite unexpected • in the initial ''stage of the season, delighted the big crowd spread round the ground, which was treated to one of , the most care-free displays one could desire. .It was the ,easiest of wickets, ; and. after Knight and Elmes had taken ; the sting out-.of the attack .it was the < \ easiest of bowling, Kaikorai having a - very tiring afternoon’s work and con- : jscientiously carrying 'out an exhausting task with great credit. The. ground ■ fielding was always clean, but several I catches, especially in Elmes’s innings, were missed, To Knight goes the credit of the best innings, for he set , out to tire the bowlers, and succeeded, ■with Elmes’s assistance, admirably. His ‘form was devastating, his strokes being produced with clean; vigour and with brilliant force.

Ideal Weather Conditions BIG TALLIES BY GRANGE AND DUNEDIN —CENTURIES TO KNIGHT AND GALLAND —DUNEDIN’S IMPROVED SHOWING—OLD BOYS IN STRONG POSITION—DICKINSON GETS FINE FIGURES.

It was after the cheap dismissals of first Toomey and then Knowles, when the score was 47, that Knight and Elmes became associated, and it was during their early association that Knight pulled a ball from Cherry for a magnificent 6 (his only one) the hit nearly resulting-in a broken pane of glass in a shop in Cumberland street. Incidentally, the ripe understanding of these two batsmen between the wickets was uncanny, and many short runs that would have been very risky to most were made to appear remarkably simple. These two got 193 runs before the now captured bowling resulted in the dismissal of Elmes. * The left-hander did not make his runs (produced in 142 minutes) with the same confidence as _ Knight, his timing of hook shots, for instance, being poor in comparison. Elmes hit nine 4’s. If anything, Knight became even - more dashing after Elmes’s dismissal, and treated all' the bowling with the same harshness, though Talbot quietened him for a few overs when he was racing towards his century. He received a great ovation after the ex-Southland representative, Anderson, had nicely accepted a catch to dismiss him. Knight batted for just over three hours, and besides his hitting of one 6 his scored included 15 4’s. When he was out the bowling was captured properly, and Chettleburgh ■and Galland helped themselves to a feast of runs. Galland gave the impression that even had the attack had some sting he still would have made a big score.. He certainly took risks right from the start, hut they were compensated for by faultless timing. Unlike Knight, whose innings resulted in the widest diversity of strokes, he mainly relied on flashing drives, reminiscent of his halcyon seasons, and he hit two magnificent 6’s, besides 13 4’s. He was undefeated with a really commendable century when play finished, the partnership with Chettleburgjh, who gave a stylish • display in making 73, being worth 106 runs, compared with the Knight-Elmes -association that produced 193 runs. Details:— GRANGE.

DUNEDIN V. CARISBRDOK A HIGH SCORE REGISTERED In compiling 304 runs for seven wickets against Carisbrook A at Tonga Park Dunedin not only put themselves in a sound position, but they succeeded in making their highest score for two seasons. Conditions were ideal at the start of the game; but as the wind freshened they became cold. The wicket was fairly fast and the field generally in good order, though the outfield was inclined to be slow. The pace of the game was lethargic, and scoring at times was painfully slow. Dunedin were obviously determined to run up a score, and they were aided by somewhat indifferent bowling and fielding that was below standard. Indeed. Carisbrook’s ground fielding was poor, Cox being the worst offender. Caradus, however, was outstanding, and little got past him. He brought off three catches, and the third was really a brilliant effort. Robertson, at 98, drove a fast ball in his direction, and Caradus caught it left-handed. In the absence of Hercus H. Cameron acted as wicketkeeper. It was an unusual position for him, but on the whole he made a good, showing, though at least twice he missed stumping Robertson; The bowling lacked vim and never looked dangerous. Perhaps the absence of Dunning has a moral effect upon the bowlers, but certainly , Dunning would have been an asset on the day. Nimmo, who was responsible for 29 overs, was erratic, and his bowling_ had not the dash that characterised it last season, Campbell, Carter, and M'Kay bowled fairly steadily, all maintaining an even length, but they did not trouble the batsmen unduly. Stevenson maintained the most consistent, standard, but his was not the type of bowling that gets wickets. _ The Dunedin batsmen took no chances and played somewhat stolid cricket. Robertson and Holley were the opening men, and at one stage appeared as if they were set for the rest of the day. Holley skied the first ball of Carter’s second over, and was caught by Caradus at 21. He was followed by Torrance, who proceeded to enliven the game. He had a short, merry knock before being caught by Caradus. His 28 included a 4 and a 6 in succession hooked off Nimrao’s bowling. Eckhold also gaa r e a lively innings, and his 41 included five 4’s, one 3, and three 2’s, and many of his runs came from neat cuts through the slips. O’Sullivan, who played as a substitute fqr Egan, knocked up 31 He was dropped'by Stevenson when he was 3, and this escape appeared to unnerve him, for he was rather shaky thereafter. Robertson, the captain, played a very steady game. Ho took no chances, and many of his strokes were well executed. His was a slow innings but a valuable one to the side. Ho was unlucky missing his century by 2 runs, but it may have been some satis-’

.faction to him to realise that the catch Caradus took would have been missed by most fieldsmen. He batted 188 minutes, and his tally included one 6, five 4’s, one 3, and 14 2’s. Details: — DUNEDIN.

BUSY BOWLERS SLOW SCORING AT LOGAN PARK The University wicket at Logan Dark was in good condition for the opening of the game' between University and Carisbrook B, the balls in the majority of cases failing to lift. This tended to make the batsmen very cautious, so that when stumps were drawn m the evening University li&d made 86 runs in the first innings and had a score of 17 for no wickets in the second, while Carisbrook B had scored only 51 in the first innings. Due to the guarded tactics of the batsmen, the batting was not spectacular, but the bowling featured more prominently. The first four University wickets to fall were the result of Kerr s efforts, while the next four and the last were taken by Kindley. Little, Howden, and Gowland proved the most dangerous bowlers against Carisbrook B, each being responsible for the fall of three wickets. • following are the individual scores: UNIVERSITY.

ALBIM FOLLOWS OK DICKINSON STRIKES 4 FORM High School Old Boys placed themselves within reach of 8 points by running up 194 in their first innings and then dismissing Albion for 89. Payne and Giles,'associated in a fourth-wicket partnership for Old Boys, contributed 101 before Giles left. . With Dickinson and Groves—a fast and a slow bowler —heading the Old Boys’ attack. Albion offered little resistance after the fall of the first wicket, an early rot being stopped by Duncan and Allan. Giles took the batting honours with 57, and Dickinson captured five wickets' for 18 runs. The wicket and conditions generally were perfect. Old Boys, winning the toss, elected to bat, Leader and Smith being .the opening pair, facing the howling of Silver and Allan. A few overs sufficed to dismiss Leader; after two chances had gone begging, Mitchell, fielding at raid-off, held the third. 13—1—2. Mills partnered Smith and displayed some fine strokes in his contribution of 19, but in attempting to swing Beckingham to leg he skied the ball, Silver accepting an. easy catch about 10yds behind the wicket. 48—2—19. Groves, the incomer, lasted seven minutes, adding 5 before playing over the top of a straight one from Duncan. 57—3—5. Smith, who was_ playing quietly but confidently, was joined by Payne. Albion were changing bowlers frequently, and Duncan and Allan took over. Smith was the next to leave, being given out to a leg-before decision. 71—4—24. He was at the crease for 68 minutes for his 24, which included two 4’s. Payne opened with confidence, and was but a short time getting on top of tho bowling. The first 6 came from his hat, a well-timed hit to leg. Giles and he made an excellent partnership, runs coming more freely, with the Albion bowling lacking sting. Payne played pretty cricket, with solid leg strokes a feature. Giles was getting a lot of wood behind his shots. The first 100 appeared after 90 minutes. Giles, set, used the long handle to advantage and placed two consecutive 6’s to leg. Duncan and Allan, slow bowlers, tempted the pair to hit. Silver came on again, with Mitchell at the other end, the scoring slackening slightly.. Payne 'at 46 gave a hard chance in the slips, Miller failing to hold it. His partner, with 57 to his credit, was dismissed by Mitchell through playing over the top of a straight _ one. He played a vigorous knock, hitting two 6’s and five 4’s. Russell went to the crease with Payne, who had 50 on the board. 172— 5—57. Payne appeared set for tho rest of the innings, but in leaning back to a straight one from Silver he lifted it, the bowler running to the off to take the catch. 178—6 55. Payne, who batted 78 minutes, hit six 4’s and a 6, and played a most attractive and colourful innings.

Dickinson came in after the tea adjournment and lifted his first bail back to Allan, and Graham, with the next ball, went Ibw. 180—8—0. Colvin and Russell continued, the former hitting strongly to register double figure's in short time, then swung a cross bat to miss a straight one. M'Leod, the last man, missed a straight one, and the innings, closed for 194. Scoring was slow when Albion went in to bat at 4.45, and three maiden overs were bowled before the first run came. Dalziel and Miller opened, the latter leaving at 27, and then Dickinson took Miller’s wicket with a fine ball. 27-2-18. Beckingham left after 10 runs ,had been added. Dickinson next took wicket, and Mitchell followed almost immediately, with Groves the bowler. Mitchell swung right across the ball. Dickinson had another victim in Sinclair, who turned the ball on. 38-6-1. Byers lasted two minutes, and 60 appeared at 6 o’clock. Duncan and Allan carried the total to 66, when Duncan skied one to the long field. 66-8-13. Allan and Chisholm set about the bowling, the latter hitting two 6’s off Groves before Giles took a fine catch in the slips off Dickinson.

INTERMEDIATE GRADE North-east Vialley, 181 (Peart 44, F. Hughes 34, Mount 23, Wallace 20), met Carisbrook, 46 for three wic.kets (Bell, 25, Buckley 15 not out). Kaikorai, first innings 104 (Mathias 41. Milburn 28, Agnew 15), second innings five for 94 (Smales 20, Mathias 37 not out), played University, first innings 82 (Ibboteon 25, Rayner 18, M'Lauchlan 11). Bowling for University, Ltaney five for 36 and three for 47; bowling for Kaikorai, M'Fadzieu six for 43 and three for 19. Old Boys, first innings 114 (A. Edwards 58, M‘Knight 29; Frood six for 28, Latimer four for 17), second innings 14 without loss, met Albion, 106 (Kean 27, Paul 18, Coding 15; A. Edwards three for 13, Walls two for 17, Manning two for 18, Sharp two for 27). , CHRISTCHURCH COMPETItIDN The second round of the competition was played in ideal weather. Results:— St. Albans, 130 for six wickets, declared (M'Cann 45; Stribling three for 14), beat West Christhcurqh, 62 and 222 for two, on the first innings. Lancaster Park, 242 for seven,wickets, declared (Cromb 125 retired; Waine three for 83), beat East Christchurch, 140 and 68 for two (Lohrey 46; Cromb four for 17), on the first innings. Old Collegians, 220 for nine wickets, declared (Buchanan 53, Alexander 42; Escott four for 40), drew with Old Boys, 214 for eight (M'Ewen 90 not out; Alpers three for 44). Sydenham, 258 for seven (Gasson 91; Andrews two for 63) beat Riccarton, 253 for eight, declared (Jacobs 62, Andrews 72 not out; Butterfield five for 69).

First Innings. F. Toomoy b Constable ... 5 A. Knight c Anderson b Rennick 137 T. Knowles c Talbot b Cook 23 0. Elmes b Cherry 77 T. Chettleburgh b Talbot 73 ■N. Henderson run out ... 0 A. Gallant! not out 103 B. Rush b Talbot 0 0. Dey Ibw b Talbot .... 5 E. Brown not out ... ... 7 Extras ... ... ... 20 Total (for eight wickets) 450 —Bowling Analysis. — 0. M R. W. Constable ... 12 3 24 1 Rennick 11 0 52 1 M‘Gregor ... 10 2 93 0 Cherry ... ... 8 0 46 1 Talbot ... ... 23 1 81 3 Cook 15 0 78 i Anderson ... 3 0 15 0 Vial 6 0 28 . 0 Holden ... ... 2 0 13 0

First Innings. Robertson c Caradus b Carter ■ ... 98 Holley c Caradus b Carter 21 Torrance c Caradus b M’Kay 28 Rodgerson Ibw b Carter 31 Eckhold b M‘Kay ••• 41 O’Sullivan c H. Cameron b Nimmo 31 Foster c Fraser b Campbell . 18 Douglas not out ••• ••• 11 Donnelly not out 2 Extras 23 Total for seven wickets 304 —Bowling Analysis.— 0. M. R. W. Nimmo 29 5 78 1 Campbell ... 24 3 o* 1 Stevenson ... 8 3 11 0 J. • Cameron 5 • 2 ■ 110 Carter .X ... 16 0 68 3 M'Kay ... 21 2 61 2

First Innings. Uttley b Kerr ... i Lawson b Kerr ... 0 Gowland b Kerr ... o Toomey b Kerr ... 13 Hoivden b Kindley ... 21 Dunn b Kindley ... 17 Aldred c Nicol b Kindley ... 4 Little b Kindley ... 0 Farrell b Francis ... ... ... 1 M'Kelvey riot out ... 14 Begg b ; Kindley ... 0 Extras .. ... 9 Total ... 86 —Bowling Ana'lvsis. o. ii. R. W. Kerr 17 4 22 4 Francis ... 11 2 13 1 Coombs 2 0 14 0 Kindley ... 10.4 4 20 5 Lambert ... 3 1 8 0 —Second Innings. Uttley not out ... 15 Dunn not out ... 0 Extras ... ..; . : 2 Total for no wickets !!.’ 17 . CARISBROOK B. First Innings. Wilson b Little ... ... 2 MacGibbon b Begg ... ... 2 Lambert b Little ... .. 0 •Kean b Little-... ... '6 Rotting c Lawson b Howden ... 6 M'Mullan b Howden ... ... 6 Cootribs b Gowland ... ... . .. 13 Nicol b Howden ... 0 Kindley b Gowland ... 7 Francis not out ... 4 Kerr b Gowland ... ... ... 0 Extras ... 6 Total ... ... 51 —Bowling Analysis. 0. M. R. W. Begg , 14 9 13 1 Little 9 ' 4 17 3 Howden ... 9 5 14 3 Gowland ' ... 4.2 2 2 3

Details: — OLD BOYS. First innings. V, ,T. Leader o Mitchell b R. Silver 2 J. Smith Ibw b Allan 24 G. H. -Mills c Silver b Beckingham 19 L. J. Groves b Duncan ... 5 0. R. Payne c and b Silver ... 65 L. A. Giles b Mitchell • <« 57 N. D. Russell not out 4 G. R. Dickinson c and b Allan 0 A. Graham Ibw b Allan ... ... 0 W. D. M'Leod b Silver ... 1 N. M. Colvin b Silver ... 10 , Extras ... 17 Total ...' 194 .—Bowling Analysis. — O. M R. W R. Silver ... ... 17.14 46 4 J. Allan 17 2 66 3 Beckingham ... 4 — 17 1 S. Duncan ... 8 — 31 1 A. Sinclair ... 4 — 17 1 ALBION. —First Innings.— D. Dalziel b Groves ... ... ... 7 H. Miller b Dickinson 18 J. Beckingham Ibw b Groves 4 W. Ditchfield b Dickinson 1 A. Sinclair b Dickinson ... ... I N. Mitchell b Groves 0 J. Byers b Groves 0 J. Allan c Giles b Dickinson 21 S. Duncan c Colvin b Groves 13 R. Silver Ibw b Dickinson ... 0 L. Chisholm not out 16 Extras ..., ... 8 Total ... ... 89 —Bowling Average. 0. M. R. W, G. R. Dickinson 11.2 7 18 5 V. J. Leader ... 6 2 9 — A. Graham ... 3 — 9 1 L. J. Groves ... 12 2 31 5 0. R. Payne ... 2 — 14 —