Whangarei Superiority In Northland Cricket

Northern Advocate, 15 March 1948, Page 4

Whangarei Superiority In Northland Cricket

DARGAVILLE SHIELD

(By Athol D. Cook) THIS season’s series of Dargaville Shield matches has proved that the standard of cricket In Whangarei is much higher than in any other Northland district. ' . The successes of the Whangarei colts, . too, in the Golden Bloom Shield competition have confirmed this.

In extending congratulations, I realise the decided advantages which Whangarei possesses over its rivals. A much larger population more centralised, the biggest and longest-estab-lished secondary school, better playing conditions and the presence of players who have made their mark in provincial cricket in the south, all constitute strength which.is largey denied the more rural districts. Weighing-up advantages and disadvantages throughout the North, it is not unfair to anyone to say that Whangarei should occupy the top rung on the Northland ladder. Generally, the standard of cricket shown in the shield series has not been very inspiring. With certain exceptions, the batting has lacked colour, the bowling lias been devoid of devil and the fielding often has left much to be desired. Lack of coaching and lack o£ practice are obviously the principal reasons for such deficiencies, and it seems that country cricket must always suffer in these respects. The scattered nature of sub-associa-tions and the inability of players to give the time necessary to develop technique have always been a big handicap in Northland. WAR LEAVES MARK The manner in which some players, who have enjoyed outstanding success in their own districts, have failed to show up in shield games shows that the standard generally is patchy. The six years of war, no doubt, have left their mark on cricket in the North, just as they have done all over New Zealand and in other countries, but so long as there is enthusiasm there must be an improvement in the standard. The new generation of players must be given time to develop, and perhaps then we will sec more dynamic struggles for the premiership trophy. Whangarei has played four Dargaville Shield matches this season, with the result that club cricket has suffered badly. The same would probably apply to any sub-association strong enough to resist challenges. This represents a problem which needs thought and perhaps a revision of rule.-; to effect a cure. ZONING SUGGESTED It may be found necessary to split the North into two zones and to decide the shield-holders for the season by pitting the respective zone-winners against each other in the grand final. Whangarei, Bay of Islands, Mangonui and Hokianga could constitute the northern zone, and Rodney, Mid-West-ern and Northern Wairoa the southern. This would eliminate the necessity for one team to play four or five shield games in a season and would leave the way open for a more frequent interchange of visits between representative teams. Another point worthy- of note lias been the difficulty many players have experienced in adapting themselves to a different type of wicket. So long as there are turf, matting on turf and matting on concrete wickets within one association, so long will the pendulum swing erractically. Again is exemplified the disadvantages which the country cricketer suffers. A NORTHLAND XI In Whangarei at Easter, an Auckland representative second-grade team is playing Northland. The match will probably take place on the turf wicket at the Hjgh School ground, which means that all players chosen, with the exception of those from Whangarei and Mid-Western, will be playing under strange conditions. The Northland team which played the Fijians was not impressive. The fielding at times was definitely below standard. A team something like this should look much more the part: B. Patrick, G-. Hook, H. B. Massey, W. Bain, E. Dunn, A. Kelly (Whangarei), B. Child, E. Child (Mid-Western), G. Dickeson (Bay of Islands), S. Mason (Northern Wairoa), R. Russell (Mangonui); R. Nisbet (Whangarei) 12lh man.

That side contains several promising youngsters, and every member should acquit himself well in the field. R. Panting (Mid-Western) played in only one representative match this season and appeared the best wicketkeeper in the North. Kelly is preferred, because it is doubtful if he has a peer as an opening bat and he is also a smart, and fairly sound, keeper. No Rodney players will be available, and David Weston (Whangarei) will be in New Plymouth with the Auckland Brabin Cup colts’ team. The writer picked this team after seeing all Dargaville Shield and Golden Bloom Shield games. SHIELD HOLDER’S AVERAGES

In its four Dargaville Shield games, Whangarei beat Mid-Western by 97 runs, Rodney by eight v/ickets, Bay of Islands by an innings and 153 runs, and Mangonui by 106 runs on the first innings.

Individual averages of the Whangarei players are: •

BATTING Inn. H.S. N.O. Agg. Avg. A. Kelly •.. 2 81* 1 97 97 B. Patrick .. 4 101 1 122 40.6 C. Jackson .. 4 52* 2 73 36.5 E. Dunn .. 1 29 — 29 29 R. Nisbet 2 42 — 51 25.5 R. Thomas .. y 5 G1 — 96 24 G. Hook .. 5 •41 1 90 22.5 D. Weston .. G 49' — 134 22.3 H. B. Massey .. 5 53 — 106 21.2 W. Eain .. 5 40 1 72 18 H. James .. 3 39 — 47 15.6 L. Wilton .. .. 5 27 — 51 10.2 T. McKoy . . 3 7* 1 17 8.5 J. Drake .. 3 7 — 9 3' N. Izzard had one innings * Not out. for 2 not out.

BOWLING O. M. R. W. Avg. 3. Patrick .. . 125.3 52 173 24 7.2 T. McKoy ... 32 14 36 5 7.2 H. B. Massey . 75.3 39 87 11 7.9 E. Dunn 18 6 26 3 8.6 L. Wilton ... 46 21 54 5 10.8 R. Thomas ... 20 7 38 3 12.6 J. Drake 65 21 101 7 14.4 N. Izzard 27 1 100 6 16.6 Also bowled : C. Jackson, 17—7— 25—0; D. Weston, 1— 0—6—0. Mid-Western beat Northern Wairoa in the first datch ol the season.