CRICKET.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 53, 4 March 1901, Page 3

CRICKET.

CUP MATCH. ORMOND V. GISBORNE B. [Notes by Biffer.] Ix response to a mandate from the sporting editor of the Times, I wended my way to the Victoria Domain on Saturday afternoon last to “do” the cricket match Ormond v. Gisborne B. A more lovely afternoon could not havo been imagined, and the glorious sunshine was most exhilarating after the gloomy weather experienced during the greater portion of the preceding days of tho week. Ono felt as if ho could expand his chest, and drive tho ball into the harbor. When I arrived on the ground, I found the Ormond players already there, immaculately arrayed in snowy flannels, and looking fit to play for all New Zealand. After watching the Ormond men indulging in practice at the nets for a while I strolled round the ground ITko “ Felix,” looking for items of interest for these notes. The first person I struck* was the capablo and energetic hon. secretary of the Auckland Cricket Association (Mr Broughton), and we had a pleasant chat on cricket in general while we watched the equally efficient and indefatigable secretary of the Gisborne Club (Mr R. W. Cole) artiscally painting the creases on the match wicket. Meanwhile, the rival captains, Messrs A. W. Rees (Gisborne) and E. Jardine (Ormond) approached each other, and performed that important ceremony known to cricketers as “ spinning tho coin.” The bland smile' which o’erspread the features of the Ormond skipper’s face like the first blush of an approaching dawn, too plainly told us that he had been successful, and I think he acted wisely in electing to take the field, and sending his opponents in to bat. The Ormond men filed on to the field, and were promptly followed by the pioneer batsmen, Hussey and Vincent. Foote opened from the town end to Hussey, who placed the third ball nicely to the on for a single, and Vincent carefully played out the over. Shillabeer trundled from the seaward end, and a couple of singles to each batsman were scored off the opening over. The wicket was playing truly, but, of course, the heavy rain of the preceding days had thoroughly saturated the ground, which made it a bowler’s wicket. The fourth ball of Foote’s second over dismissed Vincent, who knew very little about it. Cole filled the vacancy, and watched Hussey stop two wicked shooters from Shillabeer like an artist. Shillabeer at this stage was bowling excellently, and spread Cole’s pins all over the turf with a fast ball, which made pace from the pitch, with the fourth ball of his second over. Howard joined Hussey, and the pair made the semblance of a stand. Hussey was playing confidently, but was beaten on several occasions by Shillabeer with balls which just grazed the sticks. Shellabeer was employing the festive yorlcer frequently, and with effect, Howard, Rees, and East all falling victims, tho last two _ being secured with successive balls. _ With the score standing at 20, Crawford relieved Foote at the town end. After Howard’s departure, the burly and genial A. Cuthbert emerged, and stayed. This batsman has plenty of defence, and can hit like Bonnor, of glorious memory, on occasions, but contented himself with keeping them out of the sticks on Saturday, and notching one occasionally. Hussey, with his score at 15, was beaten all the way down tho pitch with a good-length, perfectly straight ball from Crawford. G. C. Johnstone, a recently-returned trooper, was greeted with a round of applause as ho stepped up to the crease. The first ball he received from Crawford, a. fairly fast one, beat him completely, and just missed the bails, and tho batsman was heard to remark: “By jove; this is worse than the pom-poms.” Crawford’s next shot tumbled the popular trooper out of his saddle. There was insufficient cover, and he passed out of the firing line, the prostrate middlo pin explaining what had happened. Tho genial Gisborne skipper, Arthur Rees, came and wont, yorked by Shillabeer, with the smile which acknowledged the clap he received on appearing still hovering round his lips. Cuthbert made 9 carefully, but Shillabeer was not to be denied, and after knocking at the door persistently, was admitted at last, and the big nmn trailed his bat after him to the' pavilion. One ball from Shillabeer was one too many for East, and, playing two men short, tho innings closed for 85. Shillabeer bowled well. He has lots of pace, but should use his head more, and mix his pace and length. He should also try and cultivate a break. He is a young player, and has all his cricket before him, and there is no reason

why he should not develop into a firstclass bowler. Crawford was not in his customary bowling trim; his deliveries lacked “ devil,” but he occasionally sent down some real good ones —Hussey and Gordon Johnstone will admit that. Foote also bowled well. The fielding was not good. Of course, one must make allowance for the unevenness of the outfield, but that does not excuse men dropping the simplest of catches. The weakest part of the Ormond men’s field work was their throwing-in, which at times was of the feeblest—and again at others of the wildest possible description. I would advise local clubs generally to cultivate picking up and returning to the ■wicket promptly and accurately. Several golden opportunities of running men out presented themselves to the Ormond men on Saturday, but in the majority of instances an over-throw, instead of a wicket, was the outcome. I was not altogether favorably impressed with Gisborne’s batting in this innings. Admitting that the bowling was good, several men lost their wickets with insane strokes. Hussey, Cutbbert, and Howard were the only three to shape as if they had played the game in former years. A glance at the score-sheet will show how the others did.

Requiring 36 runs to win, it was any odds on a win for Ormond, and the batting side were wreathed in smiles over their success in dismissing Gisborne for such a paltry score. The Ormond skipper sent in Crawford and Ivere to wipe ofl the deficit. Hussey opened to Crawford from the seaward end, and Crawford started in his usual style, recklessly lashing out at anything and everything. Ho got on to the last two balls of the over, and drove them each hard for 2. Arthur Rees opened to licre from the e town end, and I think he must have been bowling for a reference. Our greatest bowler sent down positively the worst over I ever saw him bowl. Kere nearly dislocated his shoulder-blades swiping at full tosses to leg, long-hops, and half-volleys. Fortunately for the bowler, he only got on to one, which he drove to leg for 3. Crawford continued his aggressive tactics, and quickly hit up 7. He then jumped out to Rees, and was beaten all the way down the pitch by a beauty, which landed a perfect length, and broke beautifully. "Why Crawford —who can play as correct cricket as one could wish to see, and who is really a good" bat when he settles down —should lash out in the manner he does at the commencement of his innings, I cannot understand. I have seen this batsman play long and patient innings, and I advise him to go back to his old—and the correct—style of play. Shillabeer filled the vacancy, and hit Hussey grandly for the first four of the match —a fine drive to long on, and Ormond’s hopes rose high. The third ball of Rees’ second over Kere snicked on to his wicket, and 16—2 —4 was hoisted as Barton joined Shillabeer. The game became exciting at this stage. The time was wearing on, and it was recognised that there was little probability of time being left for a second innings; consequently, the side which won on the first innings would win the match. Twenty- runs wanted and eight wickets to fall ! Suroly, Ormond .must get them, with the wicket steadily improving. The Gisborne men recognised the seriousness of the position, and Hussey and Rees bowled with great heart. Slnllabeer’s timbers were strewed all over the pitch by a fast one from Hussey, and 16—3—5 went up. Hood joined Barton, who was playing like a tradesman. We have always admired this batsman’s stylo, and he further confirmed our good opinion of him by his stubborn defence and correct style on Saturday. He met the ball with the full face of the bat, and watched it all the way down the pitch. Hood had a short and merry life, but Hussey fired him out, clean bowled, neck and crop, and 19—4—3 appeared. Humphries joined Barton, and the stand of the innings was made. Runs came very slowly, but the batsmen played the bowling, and, as over after over passed, Ormond’s hopes again rose, and it looked as if they must win. A smart piece of fielding by Colo should have run Humphries out, but Hussey foolishly got in front of the wicket fully a yard, and the opportunity was lost. The score slowly mounted to 25, when Hussey, who was bowling splendidly, sent Humphries back, and 25—5—4 were the figures shown on the board. The Ormond skipper, B. Jardine, walked to the crease as if the eyes of the whole world were upon him. Eleven runs wanted, and five wickets to fall ! But, alas; the deadly Hussey sent down a trimmer, which the batsman misjudged, and that peculiar noise which every batsman knows so well was heard, and the Ormond captain was seen wending his Way, with measured step and slow, towards the pavilion. 26 —6 —o. Smith came in and scored a single, and was beautifully bowled by one of Arthur Rees’s well-known leg-breaks. 27—7—1. Caesar filled the breach. He came, he saw, and —was conquered by Hussey, without scoring. 30 —B 0. Barton meanwhile had been exhibiting sound defence, and playing attractive cricket; but his strokes lacked power. Foote, the last man, came in only to see Barton beaten by Hussey with a real good one, and the ings closed for 31, five behind. A feature of this innings was the fact that all the ' batsmen were clean bowled. Hussey secured six, and Rees three, and both bowled well after they had found their length. The fielding of the Gisborne men was not good, and one or two men fielded simply abominably. After an adjournment for refreshments, Gisborne started the second innings, and at call of time had put up 87 for seven wickets. Cole and Vincent made a great stand for the third wicket, and put on 46 runs. Both batted well. Cole made 31 and Vincent 28. None of the others did anything of note. The bowling calls for no special mention. The match was greatly exciting towards the finish of Ormond’s first innings, and was keenly enjoyed by the spectators. The Ormond men are to be to be congratulated on the great fight they made. It was a most creditable performance for a club in the first year of its existence. Messrs 11. W. Varley, Broughton, and Gibson officiated as umpires during the afternoon. Following are the scores: — Gisborne —Ist innings. Hussey, b Crawford 15 Vincent, b Foote 3 Cole, b,Shillabeer 1 Howard, b Shillabeer 5 Cuthbert, b Shillabeer ' 9 Johnstone, b Crawford ... ... 0 A. Rees, b Shillabeer 0 East, b Shillabeer ... ... 0 Dods, not out. . ••• 0 Extras ... ... ... . ••• 2 Total 35 Bowling analysis: Foote 4 overs, 5 runs, 1 wicket: Shillabeer, 6.2 overs, 16 runs, 5 wickets; Crawford,, 5 overs, 12 runs, 2 wickets. Ormond —Ist innings. Kere, b Rees ... 4 Crawford, b Rees ... ... 7 Shillabeer, b Hussey ... ... 5 Barton, b Hussey ... .... 6 Hood, b Hussey .3 Humphries, b Hussey 4 Jardine, b Hussey ... ... 0 Smith, b Rees 1 Caesar, b Hussey 0 Foote, not out 1

/ Total ... 31 Bowling analysis : Hussey, 8 overs, 18 runs, 6 wickets; Bees, 7 overs, 13 runs, 3 wickets. Gisbokne.—2nd innings. Hussey, b Crawford ... ... 3 Howard, b Crawford 1 Vincent, c Barton, b Humphries 28 Cole, b"Barton ... ... ... 31 Cuthbert, b Humphries ... ... 6 East, e Barton, b Smith 4 . Johnstone, not out ... ... 3 Bees, b Crawford 3 Extras 8 Seven wickets for ... ... 87 The following is the position of the Saturday Senior Cup contest: — ■ - ' 1 ■ ' r Won Lost Gisborne B ... ... 3 0 Gisborne A ... ... 22 Ormond ... ... 22 Ranginui •

Next Saturday, 9th inst., Gisborne B meets Banginui, at Gisborne. Last Saturday Gisborne A was to have met Banginui, but failed to-put in an appearance, antL|o forfeit the match. ,