Northland Must Root Out Casual Cricketers

Northern Advocate, 31 March 1937, Page 2

Northland Must Root Out Casual Cricketers

The match between Northland and Auckland junior reps, was productive of good rather than entertaining cricket. The city youngsters, of whom several can be expected to figure in the Plunket Shield team within a season or so, proved their worth in every department. Their batting was solid and correct, with little in the nature of spectacularism; their fielding was keen, accuracy in returning to the wicket being a particularly noticeable feature; and their attack was varied and well handled. Perhaps the most impressive trundler was Mutton, who during the present season has risen from third grade to senior status, and, owing to the dearth of slow bowling in the Dominion at present, was actually a candidate for the team for England. On concrete, his big turn both ways was not so deadly, although several of the Northland batsmen found themselves tangled up with legs, bat and elusive ball. Middleton, the son of the popular Waipu postmaster, bowled with remarkable pace for a boy of 17, perhaps being inclined to overstrain him? self. Last-Minute Withdrawals. That Northland put up such a splendid fight reflects great credit upon our players. It was the same old story of lastminute withdrawals; a story that must be altered if Northland is to achieve prestige in big cricket. It ,1s distinctly unfair for such keen enthusiasts as the Dunnings and Poole, of Rodney, for instance, all farmers and busy men, who continually put themselves to inconvenience and expense in order to represent their province, when the team in which they play * is weakened in this manner. .

It is to be hoped that the two representatives from Bay of Islands will be able to furnish a reasonable excuse for tlieir non-appearance. Several casual gentlemen from Whangarei, too, failed to arrive at the ground. It is an honour to be invited to play as a representative of the whole North, but some do not appear to look at it in this light, and even go so far as to ignore the matter altogether. Such a lackadaisical attitude would not be tolerated by any of the olddr associations, and the sooner Northland wakes up to the fact that players who regularly turn down selection should be taught a lesson, the better it will be for the game.

It was a pleasing feature of Monday’s match that two men who were given a last-minute opportunity to fill gaps, turned out to be among the most successful cricketers of the day. Knowing the Angelo of a year or so ago, it was not altogether surprising to see this player get among the runs. He has reached his best form right at the close of the season. Against Auckland he batted flawlessly, and his stand with P. Dunning saved Northland from annihilation.

Charlie Rowe, the popular secretary of the North Auckland Association, too, seized his chance with both hands, and, going in last, played a real batsman’s innings. His hitting abilities have never been in doubt, but the way in which he coped with the fast straight deliveries in a failing light, was quite an eye-opener.

Although Bill Dunning failed to get going, Pat carried on the family tradition, and in a stay of two hours played rattling good cricket. His eye seems as true as ever, although he does not move to the pitch of the ball quite as freely as of yore. However, the flashing blade was there for the loose ball when it came along. Really it was tiredness more than anything else which resulted in the fall of his wicket.

Flower, who, before Christmas, was the champion bat in the Whangarei competitions, has not been getting among tbe runs lately. On Monday, he moved off confidently enough, and it was a pity for him that the tea adjournment intervened. ,

Lacking a fast bowler, the Northland attack was somewhat limited. Neither of the Dunnings turned the ball to any extent, although Bill kept an immaculate length, and caused the Aucklanders to play subdued cricket. Batten and Fy|e might have been given more to do.