CRICKET NOTES

Manawatu Times, Volume LIII, Issue 6536, 18 February 1928, Page 10

CRICKET NOTES

(Sjr Goner.)

Good totals were again registered on Saturday. As an easy scoring ground the sportsground has no equal in the Dominion. There is not a faster outfield ,and there are few better wickets to be had. Palmerston again demonstrated their batting strength. Ongley’s 103 was a characteristic innings, made more quickly than usual. The pull shot —one of the best of scoring strokes —was much in evidence. Ross, although not as young as he once was .still puts down a good ball occasionally,' and while he lasts, Which isn’t very long, is one of the best fast wicket bowlers we have, Gallichan continues to be somewhat disappointing as a bat. On the other ,liand, he has been showing signs of returning form with the ball. A player is seldom at his best in both departments at once. Old Boys’ total was not a very heavy one as scores go these days, but looks like proving too formidable for School. Toung, as usual was very hard to shift . He gave several easy chances of stumping, otherwise he never looked like going out. Law made his reappearance in Manawatu cricket after several years* absence, and started off with a beautiful drive for six. Ho was a fine aggressive batsman seven,or eight seasons ago. It is unfortunate he has not been here all the season, as, in form, he would be a very valuable asset to the representative team, both as a batsman and as a bowler.

Old Boys have at last secured a •wicket keeper. Baccy did good work on Saturday ,and is improving every game. School have two very fine fieldsmen in O’Keefe and Fletcher. Their work is a pleasure to watch. School’s score was going along well, d£ slowly, when an inexplicable collapse occurred at the hands of Cameron. His bowling was steady enough, but contained no difficulties. A hat trick, however, i£ not an everyday achievement .even in Manawatu. It is to be hoped that the Association will be fully represented in the Hawke Cup game at Wanganui. Of the 16 members selected for practice, one would consider the following nine as certainties:— Ongley, McVicar, Norris, Gallichan, Toung Hiedrich, Pacey, HcSweeney, O’Keefe. One at least of the remaining two must be a bowler of some kind. We should think that Mullins would have most claims for the next position, and that either Pegden, Leet, or Birch should fill the last place. ' It’s a weak bowling team at best, and is much in need of a medium to fast length bowler. The team, however, should make runs, and there shouldn’t be much difference either way.