CRICKET

Greymouth Evening Star, 22 February 1937, Page 5

CRICKET

VICTORIA v. ENGLAND HOME SIDE’S ADVANTAGE (By J. B. Hobbs. Copyright in all countries. Reproduction in whole or in part forbidden.) MELBOURNE, February, 21. When rain and bad light forced the abandonment of play in the match between the Marylebone Cricket Club and Victoria on Saturday, the Englishmen had been dismissed for 187. Victoria had begun well with 144 for two wickets It was another hot day. Though there was a strong breeze it was still sultry. The new stand, which stretches half the way round the grounds,

has a snowy white roof which produces a glare. The wicket had nothing like yesterday’s life and there was no new ball to contend with. Still, McCormick had. plenty of pace. He and Sievers took one’ wicket each to dispose of the remaining English batsmen for the addition of 18 runs, in 23 minutes. Ames is playing so well again that I was, surprised to see him go. He was trying to push past point a good length ball that did nothing, and he played across its flight. There was a comic interlude when Voce tried to hit a full pitch from Sievers for six, and sliced it high in the air. Pearson and the bowler both went for the catch, which was left to Pearson. I was not surprised to see him put it down. Voce, considering himself a better

batsman than .Copson, refused a long run off the last ball oran over, and was bowled by the next ball. So England was all out for 187 —a meagre score. Though the batting was poor I can find a slight excuse, in that the wicket was livelier than usual. In addition to the casual attitude of the batsmen which I mentioned yesterday, they would not take the risk of getting hurt by fast, rising balls,' with the Test so near. The boundary was very close on one side. When Voce went on, Lee, a lefthander, nearly cut the. second ball for six—a risky shot that might have easz ily been a catch by the deep third man. Eight runs were scored off Sims’s first six deliveries, but the seventh, his googly, coming quickly off the pitch, had Rigg out leg before.

This brought Gregory and Lee together, with the score at 37. It looked as if they might make another stand like their 262 against England in the first match here, in spite of a chance given by Gregory to Copson in the gully, off Voce, when he was 24. They added 64, and had just hoisted the 100, when Lee was unfortunate in being run out through a misunderstanding. Lee made a useful 40. He is a good player, though I should not call him attractive to watch, I might say the same about Gregory, but he is very young, and should become great. He watches the ball well, but seems nervous of going all out for a stroke, unless 'it' is a hook, which he .does expertly.

HASSETT BATS WELL. Hassett was lucky to receive a full toss from which he got off the mark with a square drive for four. Hassett led the Australian averages for a long time, and it is only recently that Bradman has got in front of him. He made 28 quickly before the rain came on. He is a beautifully free player with an attractive style. He stands well up at the wicket and all his strokes are executed with ease and elegance. He demonstrated a splended cut, getting well over the ball and giving himself room to bring his free wrists into play. In addition, he plays a delightful straight bat. This was my first view of Hassett. It was only for half an hour, but I can un- , derstand why he has scored so many runs. He is sure to represent Australia in the near future. ■ In the last two matches the English batsmen have given the impression that they are not taking things too seriously. Their policy on this day seemed to be to keep the regular bowlers fresh for the test. Allen and Fames are resting. Voce did not unleash himself, and did not even open the bowling, which was done by Copson and Hammond. Voce might have dismissed Gregory twice with a good length ball just outside the off stump, but generally the bowling did not look deadly. The batsmen were never ?n difiiculties. After three appeals against the light within a few deliveries, play ceased at 3.45 p.m. Rain fell and immediately the wicket was covered. Scores: —

ENGLAND,—First Innings. Verity, c Pearson, b Nash .. .. 1 Barnett, c Pearson, b McCormick 1 Hardstaff, c Pearson, b Nash .. 14 Hammond, b Ebelingl4 Leyland, c Ledward, b Sievers .. 19 Wyatt;, c Barnett, «b McCormick 1 Ames, b McCormick 64 Robins, c Nash, Pearson .. .. 33 Sims, c Edward, b Ebeling .. .. 16 Voce, b Sieversls Copson, not out 2 Extras 7 Total 187 Bowling: McCormick, three wickets for 35 runs; Nash, two for 21; Ebeling, two for 20; Sievers, two for 36; Pearson, one for 40; Gregory, none for 28.

VICTORIA—First Innings. Rigg, lbw., b SimslB Lee, run out4o Gregory, hot out 53 Hassett, not out2B Extras 5 Total for two wickets . . .. 144 GREGORY’S IMPROVEMENT. (Received February 22,’ Noon). SYDNEY, February 22.

The “Herald’s” cricket writer, commenting on the match, between England and Victoria says: Gregory’s play lacked some of the dash, of his century innings against England in the first Victorian match, but his defence was wonderfully sound. He appeared’ to aim at developing his stroke play, and he was more versatile than in the previous innings. A satisfactory feature was that he was not content to play back, but left the crease, using his feet, to Verity, who had the field spread to stop hard drives. Lee also batted well, but the most attractive innings of the match so far was played by the consistent twentytwo year old right-hander Hassett,

who in his first appearance against the Englishmen, impressed them by his artistry and confidence. The English attack was varied, but lacked sting. Robins was careful not to overwork the Test bowlers, especially Voce.

AUSTRALIA’S TEST TEAM. SYDNEY, February 21. The Australian team for the final Test will be chosen from the following 13 players: — D. G. Bradman. C. L. Badcock. W. A. Brown. J. H. Fingleton. L. O’B. Fleetwood-Smith. R. Gregory. S. J. McCabe. L. McCormick. L. Nash. W. A. Oldfield. W. J. O'Reilly. K. Rigg. M. W. Sievers. The Victorian fast bowler, Nash, is the only one who has not appeared in the current Test series. N.S.W. v. AUSTRALIA. SYDNEY, February 21. In the Sheffield Shield cricket match against South New South Wales in its first innings made 355 (W. A. Oldfield 63, E. S. White 108 not out). Bowling—Ward four wickets for 89 runs, Grimmett three for 77. South Australia in its first innings has eight wickets down for 208 (D. G. Bradman 24, R. A. Hamence 27, C. L. Badcock 93 not out). White and Oldfield added 164 in a ninth wicket partnership for New South Wales. South Australia lost four wickets for 94, and then a bright partnership by Badcock and Hamence carried the total to 173.

PLUNKET SHIELD. OTAGO V. CANTERBURY. DUNEDIN, February 20. Play in the Plunket Shield cricket match between Otago and Canterbury was resumed this morning in glorious weather. The wicket was inclined to be slow in the earlier part of the day, but dried rapidly, and' in the afternoon was in perfect order, while the outfield was fast. / Canterbury made a bad start, and lost three wickets for 63 runs, but principally through a great fighting stand by O’Brien, who made 113, and Sharpe, the side hung on until the total reached 243. Otago made a much better showing than in the first innings and was in a good position at the close of play with 170 on for the loss of three wickets. The game was witnessed by the biggest crowd to attend a shield match for some years. The scores are: —

OTAGO, —First Innings .. .. 124

CANTERBURY—First Innings. Hadlee,, b Elmes 13 Kerr, lbw., Running 27 Menzies, lbw. b Dunning .. .. 12 O’Brien, lbw., b Badcock .. .. 113 Page, lbw., b Dunningls Cromb, c. and b Elmes 3 Bellamy, b Nimmo ... 14 Sharpe, run out 28 Jackman, c Mills, b Dunning .. 1 Mappiebeck, not out 0 Mulcock, b Badcock 1 Extras ‘: •• 1? Total 243 BOWLING.

The fall of wickets was: —One for 31, two for 52, three for 61, four for 101, five for 104, six for 147, seven for 241, eight for 243, nine for 243. OTAGO, —Second Innings. Knight, b Cromb22 Uttley, not out 74 Mills, b Cromb 0 Elmes, b Mulcock4B Chettleburgh, not out 19 Extras 7 Total for three wickets .. 170

UTTLEY’S CENTURY. DUNEDIN, February 22. The Otago batsmen were favoured with a fast, true wicket for the resumption, of their second innings, in the third day’s play of the match against Canterbury, at Carisbrook, this morning. Uttley (74) and Chettleburgh) (19) were the batsmen, the former opening the proceedings by square-cutting Mappiebeck’s first ball to the boundary. It was followed by a two, and a beautiful stroke to fine leg for four, all at the expense of the medium-fast bowler. The Otago captain was now well into his stride, and rapidly approached his first Shield century, with a variety of glorious strokes. Operating from the other end, Mulcock forced Chettleburgh to

play quietly. When Uttley placed a ball from Mappiebeck down the gully lor a certain two, a .wild return by Kerr enabled the batsmen to run another three, bringing Uttley’s score to 98. He reached' his century with a characteristic shot, a late-cut stroke to the boundary. It was an innings that contained only one chance, and was compiled in 163 minutes. Uttley’s century also signalised the appearance o£ 200, and it could now be safely stated that the tide of fortune definitely favoured Otago. Neither of the batsmen had any difficulty in playing Mappiebeck, who was quite innocuous, compared with his first innings’ triumph. He was replaced by Cromb, Mulcock and he slowing up the rate of scoring considerably. So far, Mulcock was the best of the visi-

tors’ battery or nowiers, ana at an times had to be carefully watched. After a quiet period of purely defensive batting, Uttley made an electrifying stroke past cover point for four, off Cromb. The visitors’ fielding was very keen, and it had to be a hard j shot that would penetrate the closely-]

packed ring. Several changes were effected in the attack, in an attempt to destroy the partnership, but runs continued to come freely. Otago’s advantageous position was now being consolidated. Forsaking his restrained policy, Chettleburgh scored seven off an over from Bellamy, and later entered the fifties, by sweeping the same bowler to the on for four, collecting a similar amount, by lifting the ball from Mulcock to the off fence. When the

total was 262, and Uttley’s score was 130, Hadlee replaced Bellamy, but there was no abatement in the rate of scoring, neither of the batsmen looking like being dismissed. Mulcock appeared the most dangerous of the string of Canterbury . bowlers, and when he was replaced by Cromb again, his 19 overs this morning had cost only 20 runs. Though the ground fielding of Canterbury was safe, the returns to the wicket were very erratic, enabling the batsmen to reach safety. Chettleburgh was 60 when he skied Hadlee to the off, but there was no one handy. The reappearance of Mappiebeck was an invitation for the batsmen to collect runs, 11 coming off an over, including two boundaries. Chettleburgh was now 75, and’ impressed as a likely century-maker. The 300 was hoisted just before the lunch adjournment, the score being 306 for three —Uttley not out 145, Chettleburgh not out 81, extras 10.

AUCKLAND. AUCKLAND, February 21. Senior cricket championship results are:— North Shore 192 (Archer 103, F. Clark five for 71) met Ponsonby 70 (Simpson five for 23) and one for 2. Eden 256 (Carson 121, Cantlay 60) played University 38 for six wickets (McMahon three for 16, Harrison three for 13). Grafton 244 for six wickets declared (Ratcliffe 95 not out, Wallace 53, S. G. Smith four for 99) met King’s Old' Boys 73 for two. Young Men’s Christian Association 381 (V. Scott 116, Gillespie 49) played Parnell, eight for two.

WELLINGTON. WELLINGTON, February 21. Senior championship games in the Wellington Cricket Association’s competitions were continued yesterday. Results:— Kilbirnie defeated Midland by 132 runs on the first innings. Hutt defeated Wellington College Old Boys by seven runs on the first innings. t Institute beat Karori by 24 runs on the first innings. / Wellington beat University by 122 runs on the first innings. After yesterday’s play the position of the teams is now as follows:—Kilbirnie 36 points, Hutt 25, Wellington College Old Boys 24, University 21, Institute 19, Karori 19, Wellington 10, Midland 7.

DISTRICT COMPETITIONS. , UNITED DEFEAT OLD BOYS. In perfect weather, the West Coast Cricket Association’s competitions were continued during the week-end. There were no surprises.’ The only match played in the Feary Cup competition saw United defeat Old Boys; on the first innings, in an interesting match which produced an exciting finish. The principal match yesterday. Marist A. and United, was an interesting game, but there was little good cricket. Cobden juniors continued their fine run of successes on Saturday, with an outright win over Technical, while United juniors recorded sensationally low scores of 21 and 10 in their two innings against Marist juniors. Kotuku scored a surprise win over Marist 8., at Kotuku yesterday. Results at a glance: — Feary Cup: United beat Old Boys—two points. Sunday Senior K.O.: — Cobden beat Runanga—two points. United beat Marist A—two points.. Kotuku beat Marist B—two points. Junior K. 0.: Marist beat United —three points.

Cobden beat Technical—three points.

SUNDAY ILO. COMPETITION. UNITED DEFEAT MARIST. In a match which produced much poor cricket, but much that was interesting to the good crowd of spectators, United beat Marist A on the No. 1 wicket at the Recreation Ground yesterday. United batted first, and after the first two wickets had produced 33 (B. Marshall 20, M. Marshall 19), all were out for 72. G. Swinburn not out 15, was the only other batsman to reach double figures. E. Kerridge, a slow left-hander for Marist, had a remarkable spell, in which he howled only four overs for five wickets and nine runs, but missed the hat trick. H. Greenwood one for 16, F. Bayley on© for 11, and O. Morris two for 32 were the other bowlers. Marist’s innings was a procession, bad batting rather than unplayable bowling dismissing, the side for 42 runs. F. Bayley not out 13, was the only batsman to show any confidence. D. Sandman five for 12, off nine overs, and W. Rapley four for 21 were the bowlers. United batted a second time, and declared with four down for 82 (L. Coffey not out 29, M. Marshall 25). H. Greenwood secured two for 26, and O. Morris two for 26. United’s innings was bright, wW plenty of free if rather reckless hitting. Marist were left to get 113 runs in less than an hour, and with two down for 16, the task became impossible. At stumps they had lost four wickets for 58 (O. Morris 40, B. Tindale 11, Rapley two for 23, Sandman one for 24, Fiddler one for 2). United won on the first innings.

COBDEN DEFEAT RUNANGA. Playing at Cobden yesterday, Cobden defeated Runanga by 44 runs on the first innings. Runanga batted first, but made a poor showing on a good wicket in being dismissed for 46 runs. T. Nicholson 13, and Grogan 12 were the only players to reach double figures against the bowling of R. Barlow, two for 18, G. Gilbert 1 for 6 A. Vaughan 3 for 9, and D. Knapp 4 for 8. Cobden scored 90 runs in the first strike. Cl. Knapp being top-scorer, with 22 retired. Then came Gilbert 16, and D. Dewar 13. L. Smithson five for 36 and E. Dewar, four for 23, bowled well for Runanga. Smithson’s 22 overs included 8 maidens.

Runanga batted a second time, and scored 100 runs (L. Grogan 36, Watson 18, Smithson 11). J. Guy took three for 13, and N. Adams three for 17. Cobden did not bat a second time.

KOTUKU EEAT MARIST 13. Kotuku scored their first victory this season, when they beat Marist B. on the first innings, by 71 runs, at Kotuku yesterday. The home side hatted first, and scored 1 IS. mainly contributed by H. Lawrence, who

scored a good 63. G. Gilbert 18, and F. Webber 14 were next on the list. Bowling for Marist, O. Pfahlert secured five for 30, and R. Wilde two for 2. »

Marist were all out for 74 runs (J. Mathews 12, W. Meates 12, Lawrence four for 23, Stewart four for 17).

feary cup competition. UNITED DEFEAT OLD BOYS. In the first match of the Feary Cup competition, United defeated Technical Old Boys, on the No. 1 wicket, at the Recreation Ground, on Saturday, by 121 runs, on the first innings. It was an easy win in the matter of runs, but the finish was exciting, the last Old Boys’ wicket falling with only a few minutes left for play. United batted first and scored 235 for six wickets before a declaration was made. Allen 65 and Tindale 58 put on 123 for the first wicket, and Jarvis 44 not out, and Mann 25 were other successful run-getters. Lee two for 51, Lindbom one for 26, Lake one for 28, and Smythe one for 34 bowled most successfully for Old Boys. Old Boys, with the exception of Marshall, made a poor showing. They were all dismissed just on time, for 114, of which total Marshall made 67 in good style. Blair not out 12, and Lee 10, were the best of the remainder. Jarvis secured four for 26 off 12 overs, Allen four for 54 off 20 overs, and Swinburn one for two.

JUNIOR K.O. COMPETITION. THREE-POINTER TO COBDEN. Cobden scored a three-point win over Technical, at Cobden, on Saturday. Batting first, Cobden scored 151 (De Freatus 37, Skeats 31, Guy 23, Kerr 21, Groufsky 17). R. Parry took six wickets for 36 for Technical, G. Parry three for 33, and Davy one for 25. Technical’s first innings realised only 56 (R. Parry 21, Davy 11) before the bowling of Groufsky five for 17, and Vaughan three for 11. Technical did better in their second innings, hitting up 106. C. Davy did best with 51, and G. Parry was next with 23. J. Kerr bowled splendidly to secure eight wickets for 31. Cobden scored the necessary runs for an outright win, with only one wicket down for 13.

UNITED’S POOR SHOWING. Dismissing United Juniors for 21 and 9 on the No. 2 wicket at the Recreation Ground on Saturday, Marist Juniors scored an easy three-point win, and two of their bowlers came out with remarkable figures. Marist batted first and scored 141 (J. Morris 45, C. McGinley 16, Pfahlert 13, Beams 13, Wilde 12). Walker secured five for 14, Newton two for 29, off 19 overs and Banks two for 17. United were all out for 21 in their first innings, seven players failing to score. O. Pfahlert took seven wickets for two runs in 9.5 overs, and 1 Beams two for 4. United’s second innings was even more disastrous, all being dismissed for 10 runs, nine players collecting the dreaded duck. G. Peek 6 and Taylor 4 made United’s runs. Pfahlert again bowled well to take five wickets for nine runs, and Beams was even more successful with five wickets for one run. REPRESENTATIVE TEAM CHOSEN

The selector, Mr. W. Barlow, has announced the following team to represent West Coast (holders) against Bullex’ next Saturday at Westport, for the Forrest Cup: — P. Allen (captain), D. Jarvis, M. Marshall (United), O. Morris, F. Murray (Marist), A. Vaughan, D. Knapp, R. Barlow (Cobden), G. Stapleton (Hokitika), J. Peake (Ruatapu), W. Vincent (Nelson Creek). In addition to the above players, the following are required to practise, in view of the match with South Canterbury at Greymouth on March 12 and 13:— B. Marshall, H. Greenwood. W. Rapley. G. Gilbert, D. Sandman, J. Mathews.

1 0. M. R. W. Nimmo .. .. 11 4 19 1 Silver .. .. 26 4 67 0 Elmes .. .. 26 7 59 2 Dunning ..' .. 36 18 45 4 Badcock .... 2.4 1 1 2 Groves .. .. 14 9 35 0