CRICKET.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 8144, 16 December 1904, Page 4

CRICKET.

SENIOR FIXTURES.

FIRST ROUND.

DECEMBER. 17. — Rivals v. Excelsior, at Hawera. JANUARY. 12. — Eltham v. Midlands, at Hawera. 14. — Excelsior v. Kaponga, at Kaponga. 14. — Phoenix v. Normanby, at Normanby. 14. — Rivals v. Manaia, at Manaia.

That cricket is the glorious game of chance was once more amply shown by the result of the Manaia-Phoenix match. A win to Phoenix in that game would have put them one game ahead of the next best, but their loss suffices to create fresh interest. After that game six teams were virtually even. Wednesday's games, however, have changed the order considerably.

The Midlands-Phoenix match was marked by the very poor play of the former team* in the first innings and the general improvement in the scoring of the latter. Four members got into double figures, and only two failed to score. • • »

O'Callaghan's bowling figures were very creditable. To get seven wickets for 42 when 108 were scored was no mean feat. Tissiman came out in the second innings with a good score of 32. He was very partial to leg balls, and scored a good number of his runs on the leg side.

An especially good feature of the amalgamation of the old clubs and the subdivision into four teams is that it gives young players a chance to show what they are made of. There are already several young players showing good form and improving steadily.

The practise nets are used considerably more than has been the case for some years, but there is room for improvement. Play, generally speaking, does not stop till 6.30, and as the light is quite good there is nothing to prevent members who cannot get up till late in the afternoon practising even later than that.

In view of the outside matches at Christmas time all members should make a special effort to get consistent practite.

A considerable amount of interest attaches to the fixture next Saturday between Eivals and Excelsior. Whichever team wins will be on a par with Phoenix and Kaponga for leading place.

Both teams have shaped well so far, and a close contest should result.

At the last meeting of the Cricket' Council Mr J. Baker, of Otago, was appointed sole selector of the New Zealand team. The appointment is a good one, and meets with general approval.

It was also decided that, in view of the large number of international engagements for the current cricket season, there should be no North v. South Island match.

A Wellington paper reports a rumor to the effect that an attempt is being made in the direction of playing extra men at Wellington against the Australian Eleven next February. For the sake of the game and for the sake of the public it is to be hoped, adds the writer, that the authorities will smite any such proposal with a smite that will be heard at Stewart Island.

From Sydney comes the news that probably the Australian team to visit New Zealand will consist of the bare eleven. It is said that the South Australian champion is to be married in January to a Tasmanian lady, and that he will leave for England in February, and meet the rest of the Australian team there. From this it is gathered that he will not go to Now Zealand.

New Zealanders will be much disappointed if this proves to be the case. Strong as the team is, every cricketer would like to see such a famous bat in his prime.

An interesting comparison between Oeorse Giffen and 31. A. Noble at his best shows that in test matches the latter has an average of 32.13 for forty innings, while the former's is 23.25 for 53 innings. In bowling Noble secured 94 wickets at a cost of 21.5 runs per wicket ; Giffen 103 wickets at an average of 27.09. If Noble continues his present form he ia likely to improve his present figures.

A new Australian wicketkeeper, Wright, of Victoria, is said to be showing rare form.

Ranjitsinhji expresses the opinion that a forward stroke is more or less a blind one, for the simple reason that during some portion of the stroke the batsman 10533 sight of the ball.