CRICKET

Evening Star, Issue 23727, 7 November 1940, Page 15

CRICKET

[By Wallaby.]

NOTES AND COMMENTS

So far this season cricketers have been fortunate in tho matter of weather and wickets, and in most cases these conditions have been taken advantage of to the extent of quite satisfactory scores. In Dunedin anything over 200 is quite a good total, and this has already been exceeded on several occasions. If the supply of true wickets continues it is reasonable to expect even higher scores as batsmen work into form. At the close of last Saturday’s play the position in each of the four senior matches was interesting, and in no case can it be said that a team has a “ sure thing.” The individual scoring was again somewhat patchy, and in at least two instances the sides collapsed after the opening batsmen had given them an excellent start. Old Rivals Meet. The old rivals, Grange and Albion (the latter now a hyphenated concern), met on the ground on tho northern side of the University Oval. Here the outfield was rather uneven, this doubtless accounting for a number of instances of misfielding. The wicket was quite good, but tho ball came along at different heights, and it needed watching. There was nothing uncertain, however, about the batting of tho first four or five Albion-Y.M.O.A. men. Duncan, who opened with Smith, played a characteristic knock for 24, with four 4’s, and then ensued a splendid partnership of 96 runs between Smith and Ditchfield. Both these batsmen batted freely, and it will surprise most cricketers to know that it was Ditchfield who scored at the faster rate. This player brought off some beautifully-timed strokes past point and on the drive, while he was also effective with placed shots to fine leg. He accumulated his 51 (five 4’s) in 54 minutes, and was badly run out—his own fault for starting for an impossible run. Lankford Smith also batted neatly, his driving, cover-hitting, and placing giving him his 62 in 80 minutes, with nine 4’s, most of ■'iL'ni clipping shots. Ditohfield’s scores to date, by the way, are 70 afid 51, Another batsman who impressed was Riley, the only Y.M.C.A. representative in the side, for Everson was an Albion player last season. Riley batted very confidently for 36. He is a left-hander, and be made some excellent strokes in front of the wicket. Like numbers of other batsmen, however, he often fails to put the front leg across sufficiently when making off strokes. Albion-Y.M.C.A.’s total should have been greater than 226 considering the fact that 130 was up before the second wicket fell. The later batsmen allowed the bowlers to get on top. Knight again proved Grange’s best bowler. His slowish leg breaks, which at times dipped nastily in the air, troubled the last few batsmen, and his average of six for 83 from 16 overs was a good “ fol-low-up ” to his five for 66 the previous Saturday. Elmos bowled rather well when put on at the eastern end, and Chettlcburgh kept a good length for five overs. Grange are out after the runs, having 78 up for the loss of Donovan (run out). Payne, and Freeman batted confidently for 39 and 24 respectively. It should be an interesting finish.

Young Player’s Hard Luck. Jaffiray, a young Kai’korai batsman who has come up through the grades in that club, gave an outstanding display against Carisbrook A bowling at Bishopscourt, and it was unfortunate that the last couple of batsmen could not stay long enough to allow him to get his century. His 97 not out included 16 4’s and a 6. It was a sound display, particularly as he'went in when six wickets were down for 42 runs. At this stage it looked as though the .A’s would have an easy task, but M’Gregor was still there, and he held the fort valiantly while his more youthful partner piled on the runs. M’Gregor’s experience and soundness were invaluable in this partnership, which yielded 71 runs. Later Grimshaw made a useful 24, and the total reached 211. Dougan, who has not been regarded as a particularly dangerous bowler, came out with the very , creditable average of six for 57 off 27 overs. The A’s have lost two for 49, and will have to settle down to it on Saturday if they are to win.

Weak Batting. Dunedin’s performances to date brand theside as very weak in batting. Last Saturday, against Old Boys at Tonga Park, Robertson (38) and O’Sullivan (25) set a fine example as an opening pair, but, except for M’Donald (19) and P. Wedlake (24), the rest failed badly, and the total reached only 148. O'Sullivan is proving a useful all-rounder, thus fulfilling promise. Robertson, of course, is looked to to carry the biggest burden, and this he invariably does. M’Donald again shaped nicely; this young player should develop into quite a good bat.

The Old Boys’ bowling did not appear to be very deadly until Groves came on with his leg spinners. It was then the wickets began to fall. Groves capturing five at a cost of 38 runs. Old Boys have lost Leader (who failed to score) for 28 runs. If Robertson should strike a patch on Saturday things might bo interesting; otherwise Old Boys should get the runs. Fireworks at Carisbrook. There was some bright batting at Carisbrook, where University put up the biggest score of the day (246) against the B’s. The students were not very happy at the outset, when Nimmo got a couple of quick wickets, but first Rennie, and then Weston, using a long handle frequently and effectively, put the Varsity in better heart. Rennie got his half-century quickly and well before being run out It was Weston, however, who provided a premature Guy Fawkes Day display of fireworks. In one over from Nimmo he hit the tall bowler for three 6’s, a 4, and three 2’s. In all, he scored 74, with three 6’s and five 4’s. Dunn batted soundly for 31, and there were other respectable contributions which made the score sheet look like a score sheet. Valentine’s four for 46 was the best bowling performance, but Nimmo, in spite of the Westonian onslaught, came out with tour for 92. Oavanagh is batting very attractively indeed this season. He began with 30 and 58 against Dunedin, and last Saturday he led off aggressively and has made 48 not out of the B’s 96 for two. If Cavanagh gets going again when the match is resumed University will encounter trouble.

Syd. Hiddleston Passes. J. S. (Syd.) Hiddleston, who died last week at Wellington, will be remembered by the older generation of Dunedin cricketers as a member of a young and sparkling Albion eleven round about 1908-10. In this team which was led by Frank Williams, that staunch Otago wicket-keeper, and supported by C. IVordsworth, the imported Sydney professional fast bowler, who came over here with F. Ayles at the instigation of the 0.C.A., were Hiddleston, Jim Shepherd, Tom M’Farlane, Gordon Duthie. Ted Cummings, Norman Cramond, Billy Shelton. and other youngsters, every one of whom played cricket with a zest. Syd. Hiddleston was then still in his Teens, but he got into tho Otago team in 1909 ' It was not, however, until he went to Wellington, after a spell at Invercargill, that he really developed into a great batsman, who was recognised as one of New Zealand’s best performers in Plunket Shield matches. Indeed, he scored more runs in those matches than any other player with the exception of R. C. Blunt, and made ei«rht centuries. Strangely enough, he showed his best form on his appearances for New Zealand, his highest score in those matches being 67 and his average 19 2 for 14 innings, whereas his Plunket Shield average was over 50 runs per innings. He was also quite a good change After giving up cricket Syd. Hiddleston plaved golf, and was well known on many courses 'in the Dominion. His passing at the early age of 50 years will be regretted bv his many old friends in Dunedin.