CRICKET PROSPECTS

Evening Star, Issue 25678, 29 December 1945, Page 7

CRICKET PROSPECTS

OTAGO'S FIGHTING WIH STRENGTHENED TEAM AGAINST AUCKLAND [By Wallaby.] There is a feeling of restored confidence in Otago's cricket representatives since the splendid victory at Wellington at Christmas, and consequently much increased interest in the match with Auckland which is to begin at Carisbrook on Monday. Given fine weather, there should be a big attendance in spite of the fact that large numbers of people will still be out of town. Mr S. Duncan, the solo selector, has made two changes in the Otago team, which is as follows: L. D. Smith (Albion-Y.M.C.A.-Nbrth-east Valley), captain. W. A. Hadlee (Carisbrook A). C. F. W. Allcott (Kaikorai). T. C. Fraser (Carisbrook A) A. W. Roberts (Old Boys). F. W. Bellamy (Albion-Y.M.C.A.-North-east Valley) G. H. Mills (Old Boys). R. Harwood (Carisbrook A). R. Silver (Albion-Y.M.C.A.-North-east Valley) T. Freeman (Grange-University). L. Watt (Kaikorai). C. D. Toomey (Grange-University), twelfth man. A FAMOUS VICTORY. The win against Wellington was a particularly commendable one for two reasons—that it was a fighting victory, gained after being 84 runs in arrears on the first innings, and that it was achieved without the assistance of W. A. Hadlee, whose presence in the team was regarded almost as essential to any chance of success, but who was, for business reasons, unable to make the trip. The sensational collapse of Wellington in its second innings must "have staggered the locals, as it astonished us here, and the great bowling feat by Ron Silver, who took six wickets for 20 runs in 13.4 overs was something to be remembered. Silver got no assistance from the wicket, but swung the ball well, and his figures are striking ones. As he had taken four for 83 in Wellington's first innings and made a more than useful stand with L. D. Smith in Otago's first innings, the Albion player may be said to have provided the silver lining to the cloud which, up to a certain stage of the match, Otago appearel to be under. A third reason for satisfaction, by the wav, is the report regarding the splendid fielding by the team. In that dazzling second innings of Wellington, six catches were taken, and only one is said to have been missed. Mills, behind the sticks, was in good form in the match, too, catching four men in all. Praise is also due to Tom Fraser for his timely second innings knock of 49, to A. W. Roberts for his wonderfully accurate bowling, which kept the Wellington batsmen pegged down at one end, and for his 33 runs, in the vital second innings. Tom Freeman also did his share with bat and ball at critical stages, and the young Kaikorai batsman, L. Watt, thoroughly earned his place by his second-top score of 38 in the first innnigs. F. W. Bellamy made some beautiful shots, as he can do, when he was snapped up after getting his 24. But it is to Langford Smith, captain of the side, that the batting honours go. His valiant stand when things were shaping very poorly in the first innings, really laid the foundation for. ultimate victory, and he was also in at the death when that victory was consummated. Smith's captaincy, too, was apparently entirely satisfactory. CHANGES IN TEAM. Mr S. Duncan, the sole selector, has made two changes in the team to meet Auckland, changes which should definitely strengthen it. It is good to know that Hadlee is available, and his i inclusion adds enormously to 6ur ! chances. The veteran C. F. W. Allcott has also been chosen. Some may think that Allcott, at 49 years of age, has had his day. That may" be so, but he has by no means " ceased to be " as a valuable asset, being still the best left-hand spin bowler in Otago. Should Wallace and Co. tend to become unduly aggressive, two such bowlers as Allcott and Roberts, both of whom can maintain perfect length over long periods, will be invaluable. It will bo remembered how, two years ago, Allcott was brought in against Canterbury and bowled long spells without difficulty, and with distinct success. It still seems a pity that a place cannot be found for A. W. McDougall whose continued omission is presumably, influenced by a desire on the part of the selector to introduce greater variety in the attack. The two players dropped . from the team which defeated Wellington are L. Baker and C. Toomey, the latter becoming twelfth man.

AUCKLAND TEAM, Auckland, though it failed to outscore Canterbury in the recent match, has a strong side, though the bowling is not regarded, up north, as being at all deadly. The attack will be handled by J. Cowie, D. Cleverley, C. Burke (all of whom are pre-war Plunket Shield players), C. Kerr, and F. Hemmingson. The last named, a left-hand spinner, made his first appearance for Auckland this season.

The batting will be headed by W. M. Wallace, one of the finest batsmen yet produced by New Zealand, who is in great form. With 78 and 35 he was prominent in the scoring against Canterbury, though V. Scott (70 and 45 not out) equalled him in the aggregate. Scott is a sound bat, and in 1939-40 scored 100 against Otago at Auckland and, a few days later, 198 as ll ' llls * Canterbury. In the latter game Wallace made 211. Scott also got 133 against Wellington the following season. Other good batsmen in the present side are O. Cleal, H. T. Pearson and E. Meuli. The last two-named are the openers. Meuli, a 19-year-old colt, did not get going against Canterbury but he has been scoring heavly in club matches this season, L. Kent is the wicketkeeper, and is a sound batsman as well. Auckland held the Pluuket Shield for the four seasons prior to the war, previous to which it was held by Wellington. The shield is awarded on a points system, an outright win counting eight and a win on the first innings four, two points being given for a loss on the first innings.