CRICKET

Greymouth Evening Star, 5 December 1945, Page 4

CRICKET

NOTES AND COMMENTS The feature of the cricket championship matches at Greymouth last Sunday was the poor shewing of United A against 'Marist A. The -Marist team, who are leading in thebpitlpeti-; tion, were ekpefited : to meht in United: A their strongest opposition to date, but, on the contrary, at least as far as batting was cbiicerhed, 'it ‘Was tne poorest. Marist A secured an bUtriglit win easily, Uhited : makin§bnly’24 and 48 in their two iiiniiigs, While collected 112 for foUr Wickets declared; on their only visit to the Wifikets. Marist A now lead the championship ladder With 11 points dn their, four matches. Next in order are: Cbbden (four matches) Six points, Marist.' B (four matches) six points, United A‘ (three matches) nil, United B (three matches) nil, Brunner (two matches’) nil. Bowling Handicapped: Marist Ahad passed the United A score Tor the loss of one wicket, on Sunday tVheh a heavy shower caused an adjournment. This rain was a distinct handicap to the bowlers and on the resumption the Marist batsmen 'had things all their own way. Marist A had The game won as far as the first innings was concerned when the ‘rains came, and the greasy ball and insecure foothold gave the United bowlers no chance of getting Marist A otit'cheaply. United A were left With ah 'hour and a half to play and 88 Tims behind when the Mari&t declaration was made, but their efforts to ’prevent On, outright defeat Were mot impressive. United A were also handicapped by the absence of Westwood ahd Duffield.. Good Colt: S. Garforth has previously earned honourable ’mention for’ his promise as a batsman, but On Stin-' day last playing for Marist A against United A he was the star bowler on: the ground. In the first inhings he took four wickets for 10 runs, and in the second all the United A batsmen were at sea to him with the result that he took nine wickets for 13 runs Off 14 overs 10 of which were maidens. This was a good performance, enhanced by the facts that he is only 16 years of age and was playing against men who have represented the province in the past with credit., Garforth is a highly promising allrounder with good physique and the right temperament, and he should go a long way if he gets the opportunities. The reason for his not being originally considered for inclusion in the representative team chosen to play Canterbury, with so many ’unavailable, was a mystery to .most but it has been explained as in accord with the rules of the Association, if all the circumstances were not satisfactory.

Back To Form: W. Hamilton followed up his 43 against Brunner with a good 38 for Marist A against United Aon Sunday. This latter was a good knock, Hamilton exhibiting sound defence against the best that was bowled to him while' the ball was dry and some excellent shots, particularly through the covers, when looking for runs. Another feature of his play was his smart fielding and he took a really hot-catch at point to dismiss Coffey, who made a full-blooded square cut only to see Hamilton hold it. Hamilton is fulfilling the promise he showed a couple of years ago.

Useful: B. Constable played a useful knock for United A against Marist A last Sunday in the second innings, getting 20 runs with some neat shots, though he was a little uncomfortable to anything going away outside the off stump. The only bowling he had last week was with the wet ba 11. which was useless to him. J. Baird, who played for United B on November 18, held up the iftarist A attack for some time in both innings on Sunday, and with some coaching he should become a useful batsman. He has a good eye and keeps his shots on the ground, but his technique needs a lot of attention.

High Scoring: Cobden set about Brunner in the right way for a threepointer on Sunday but rain robbed them of any chance they might have had the game having to be abandoned at the completion of an innings on each side. Cobden scored 143 for two wickets. A. Knapp, who played easily his best innings of the season scored 54 not out in splendid style. It was a first class'. knock for West Coast cricket. Dewar was also to the- foie again, this time with 45 not out, and Vaughan was next with 34.

Not Eligible: Good bowling averages were plentiful bn Sunday but R. Barlow’s seven for eight off 10 overs was far from the least of them. It is a pity for the representative team that Barlow was neither available nor eligible for selection for the side. He is in his best form.

Hendry Again: D. Hendry again had plenty of support from enthusiastic spectators in his efforts,to defy the Marist B bowlers at the Recreation Ground on Sunday. He scored 17 not cut in the first innings and eight not out in the second, and made his runs in good style. This lad, who is a lefthander with the bat has enthusiasm and ability and with encouragement and coaching on the right lines should reach the best class, despite his lack of size. The way he uses his feet is an object lesson to senior players.

Useful Recruits: One of the most useful recruits for United B in the last couple of matches has been G. McLean. His bowling last Sunday against Marist B was better than his figures, three for 33 indicated. He bowled a good length and was consistent. With practice he should trouble some of the best batsmen. Krakosky was another newcomer to United B on Sunday and he did some powerful hitting in the first innings in. getting his 25. which was top score. His defence needs attention but he knows, how to deal with anything loose. H. Lindbom a Cobden player of some years ago, also appeared for United B last week and though he did not get any runs he should recover at least some of his old ability if he gets the practice.

Representative Match! West Coast will play their first representative match of the season on Saturday next when they will 'meet Canterbury at 'Christchurch. Unfortunately , too many players were not available for the team to be fully representative of W6st Coast cricket. All the Hokitika players nominated, Thomas, Howat, Keenan, .Baird and Toohey were selected, but among the Greymouth players at least nine of those, originally chosen for .practice were

able for the trip. Both bowling andbatting have been weakened by the inability of at least some of these players -to take their places in the team and West Qoast cricket is not bn such a high plane that it can afford to have so many of its stars drop out and still be good. If the opposition is on Plunket Shield lines West Coasters cannot do more than hope for the best.