Cricket. Out Door Sports and Pastime

Free Lance, Volume III, Issue 125, 22 November 1902, Page 18

Cricket.

Out Door Sports and Pastime

By Touchline.

THE bright, particular feature about last Saturday's cricket was the fielding of the Midlanders m the final innings of the Old Boys' team. Nothing in the shape of a possible chance was allowed to go by the groundwork was of a hie:h order and the keenness of the individual players was very marked. Upbam.', in the slips, was viligamt. two fine catches being brought off by him. A particularly brilliant piece was the catching of Tucker by Hickson at long slip, and Read well-judged a big hit by Sanderson to long-off, running to the ball at full speed, and gathering it in safely. # However, to get back to the beginning. The Old Boys commenced the day's play with five wickets m hand, and twenty-six runs to make to reach the Midlanders' first innings tally. The wicket was on the dead side, and the ball hung a lot. The five wickets in hand were worth only one run. apiece, for Upham and Stephenison, both bowline well, sent them all baok to> the pavilion with the total at 110. Stephenson with six wickets for 26 runs, was the most successful bowler, although, in r>oint of average, Upham, with three for 13, equalled him. Bartletts one wicket cost 25 runs.

Midland, in tiheir second innings, could only muster 85 runs — Williams, with 18, being top scorer and Ste -henson (16), and Smith (12) the only other two-figure scorers. The Old Boys were thus given 107 runs to get to win, a steep contract the way the wicket was playing. It proved too much for them by more than half, for 51 runs was the total of the innings. Tucker, with 24 runs, was the only one to reach double figures. Three of the batsmen threw their wickets away on impossible runs, and weakened their team's chances of winning the match thereby. Williams was very aggressive in gathering his runs toother, one hit in particular, over the leg boundary, being a great stroke. His work behind the wickets was also excellent, the run out of Jacobs and the stumHn^ of Wilson being- in his best style By the way. re that stumping. A player of Wilson's experience ought to know that the foot must bei behind — not on — tihe batting orease for the batsman to be in. He seemed to me to make no effort to recover his ground after he made his stroke, but calmly stood on the line. Stephenson played steadily for his contribution, and Smith once again demonstrated his batting ability V getting a two-figure score. Tucker went for the bowling m good style, although he appeared to be reckless. Some of his strokes were very effective, but were not made m the wav I have seen Tucker make them in previous years. His bowling was good on a wicket that helped him — four for 24 runs being his tally. Ralph bowled well, getting two wickets for 31 runs, and McGowan ba<wed one for 23. I have to repeat my comment of last week on this bowler — his trying to get pace is ruining his length. One ball on Saturday went right over the wioketkeeiper's head and was nearly a wide as well. Holdsworth (four wickets for 16), Stephenson (two for 17), and Upham (one for 11^ were the' causes of the dismissal of the Old Boys in the second innings.

A peculiar feature of this match was the number of batsmen who sacrificed theor wickets for a run — no less thaai six, three on each side. A batsman who allows himself to be run out shows a weakness of the knowledge of the game, for it has been truly said that one run is not the value of a wicket. If the run is lmroossible — or even hardly possible — it should not be tried. • It was certainly heartrending to the supporters of the Old Boys' team to see the prospects of a decent fight by them thrown absolutely away by no less than three players making a gift of their wickets to the opposition. It is never pleasant to see runs lost, buti extra cautiousness is at all times preferable to extreme recklessness. Sorry indeed was the batting exhibition of the Phoenix team in their match with the Wellingtons. Granted that the wicket was deiad, and the outfield slow, and that Richardson was making the ball almost talk, and, further, that Hales was coming from, the leg beautifully at times, and at other times his deliveries were hanging after they left the ground, yet tthe twenty wickets that fell should have been worth more than 103 runs. An opinion I heard expressed I feel inclined to agree with and, that is, that, as a,t present constituted, there does mot apoear to be a decent bat in the Phoenix team. Look up the daily papers for Monda,v last, and analyse the score-sheet. The two double-figure scorers of the first innings — Naughton (14) and Waters (13) — scored respectively 0 and 2 in the second and the twofigure scorers in the second innings — Lash (14 not out) and Chishclm (15)— aggregated 1 five runs between them in the first, innings. Halley 2, 2 . Sanders 0, 2 . Brice 4, 7 , Day 3, 1 , Hickey 7, 6 , Niven 0 1 White 4 (not out) 2. Comment is unnecessary a® to the scoring capabilities of these seven under adverse conditions. Four overs were sufficient to finish the Wellington innings, Brice accounting for the two wickets in his second over. Hales is bowling better this season than at any previous <portion of his

career, and thai, is saving a lot. His performances against the Old Boys in the opening match were distinctly good, but they were only forerunners. Last Saturday he bowled 28 overs, 13 of which were maidens, and the ten wickets Re secured cost but 37 ruins, or less than four runs per wicket. Richardson, also trundled in good style, breaking in from the off so neatly as to conmletely disconcert the batsmen. His figures were — 20 1-3 overs ; 8 maidens, 39 run®, 8 wickets. Ashbolt only got one wicket, Hales bringing off a fine one-handed catch in the slips. Latham was put on very late — in fact, to break up tfbe obstinate partners} 1 ip set up by Lash and Ohisholm for the last wicket in the Phoenix second innings. He bowled only four balls, the last one of which Chisholm played oi. •There were not enough deliveries to pass comment on his capabilities as a bowler, and I will not do so. Re that last wioket partnership. When Chisholm joined Lash, nine Phoenix wiokete had fallen for 25 runs, amid the end did not appear to be far off. For nearly three-quarters of anhourt^e batsimein defied the best' efforts' of the opposition to shift them, and more than doubled the tally of the innings. By the way, Chisholm was promoted from the second eleven because of his batting, and if he is> sent in among the later batsmen not much chance is given him of justifying his promotion. He was the last batsman on Saturday, but he would have done his team good service if he had been one of the earlier batsmen. His skipper should stive him a fair opportunity by sending him. in first. Mahony was late in arriving at the Reserve, having accepted an intimation that had been given him that the matches had been postponed. Clayton therefore was put on as guardian of the sticks for Wellington,, and was very successful in keeping the extras down — not one bye being obtained during both inningsi. He did not, however, seize t^e opportunities that presented themselves of stumping the opposing batsmen.

The maibches next Saturday aie Wellington v. Midland, and Old Boys v. Phoenix. Both should be leally mteiestmg, and keen games. I read somewhere tihat a charge is to be made for admission. It is to be hoped that this will not mean a diminution mi the attendance for the 1 Cricket Association is hard put generally to make both ends meet, and a good grate receipt will be very welcome. • * * * Glancing through fche excha-nges in the office this week, I came across the following note in the Hutt and Petone "Chronicle" — "'Burton is the best batsman in the Valley, and undoubtedly one of the best in New Zealand , and a really excellent fieldsman." This refers to George Burton, who has been a Wellington representative placer but, methinks, my suburban confrere flatters him in the quotation. Burton, what time he represented Wellington, and w as a member of the Phoenix Club's first eleven, was an interesting bait, to w atch his strokes all round the wioket being full of force, and excellent from the standpoint of correct cricket. "Georere" had his off-season, and was deposed from a place in his club's senior team — unjustly, according to a paragraph I wrote at thei time. Evidently, he thought so himself, for, at the beginning of the succeeding- season he joined the Waiwetu Club, in" the Hutt Valley, and has played with it ever since. Burton is an enthusiast at the game, and, as the paragraph I quote above pomts to the fact that he is m batting form, an effort should be made by the powers that be in the Phoenix Club to coax him back again into their team. In the present state of their semor batting a player of the stamp of what Burton used to be is sadly needed. * ♦ * Norman Ebsworth is a great rungetter in Svdne^ competitions so far this season. His latest "performance was thei scoraiff of 104 runs in 42 minutes, and he made them in the following wav —46614445211441624546251143241124 "Not Out" says Ebsworth hits fastfooted but, while resembling the late P. S. McDonnell and J. J. Lyons in thus respect, the resemblance does not <?o much further. He seems able to hit them in any direction. In consecutive innines in first grade cricket, the Waverley hitter (Ebsworth) has made 80 runs in 55 minutes. 106 under the hour, and 104 in 42 minutes , or, m all, 290 runs in less than 2 hours 37 minutes. t * * Cramond 91. Gunthorp 35, Harraway 35 (not out). Munro 44, Columb 76, Baker 44, J. Downes 30, Johnston 73, and A. Downes 51. These are some of the batting performances of Dunedm cricketers in "the last issue of the Otago "Witness." Writing of A. Downes, who is known here better as a bowler than a batsman, "Long Slip" says — "Spectators brace themselves up when Downes goes to the wickets, for they expect something sensational, and they usually get it. Downes mary not play correct cricket, but his innings, be it of short or long duration, is always attractive by reason of the fact that he gets his runs auickAn illustration of George Giffen's earnestness of puroose may act as a stimulus to youneer players. He trains chiefly by walking and runnine, with a oal if he can get one, solus 1 if he cannot. I was coming: into Adelaide one dark stormy, wet night, from a country town (says a Sydney "Referee" correspondent), and when we were about five miles out the driver said "We'll pick up George Giffen in a few minutes." "Why, does he come here to work?" I asked, in my ignorance. "Work? Yes, but not what you mean," replied the ready-wit-ted Jehu. Scarce were the words uttered before I saw a figure running beside the horses. "That's George " said the driver. George Giffen it was, and he kept the coach company all the way into Adelaide. Now doesn't a man like tlhat just deserve success ? Is it any wonder that he has stood the immense strain of so much bowling and batting? He is nearly 44 now and is still keen and enthusiastic, if scarcely so agile as ten years ago, when he was a holy terror to opponents. • * • A rather amusing incident marked the visit of the Australian cricketers to Warwick Castle (says a writer in "M A. P."). Lord Warwick was showing his gueste over his magnificent grounds, chatting pleasantly and in his own genial way doing everything he could to make them feel at home. It looked as if he. had been somewhat too successful in his efforts when he suddenly heard one of the Australians sing out "I say, Warwick, old man, this is Al. What are we going to do next?" Lord Warwick was willing to allow all latitude for free and easy colonial manners, but "Warwick, old man'" nonplussed him a little, and there was a

noticeable stiffness in his manner when, in reply to his guest's query, he oroceeded to give the next item in the da-"'s programme. He soon, however, found it had not, been a, case of sampling colonial manners. The explanation was a simple one — the "Warwick" addressed was Warwick Armstrong, the orioketeir. No need to add that there was a, hearty laugh all round when the mistake was discovered. * * * Five batsmen madei scores of over 50 on a recent Saturday in Melbourne, and they were each credited with a not ou t — Moona,n 74 Gerber 62, Warne 62, Mailer 57, and Horan 55. Mailer will be remembeired as one of the Melbourne Cricket Club's: team that visited New Zealand a yeaa- o>r two back. Horan is the son of old "Tom" Horan, a player well-known in connection with Anglo- Australian cricket when we were much younger. Mailer has made a bijc score in Victorian cricket — 209 runs, batting for 4hrs 35min. Noonar also referred to in another para-graph increased his. not out scoieto 125 (still not out). Horan totalled 84 (run out). * » • New South Wales defeated Queensland by 77 runs. The total scores were —New South Wales, 191 and 140, Queensland, 131 and 123. Double-figure scorers for New South Wales — C. Gregory, 33 and 30 A. C. K. Mackenzie. 18, N. Ebsworth. 16 T. R. Hogue 11 and 11 , L. W. Pye 45 and 10, W. S. Duff, 35 and 30 , W D. Loveridge, 10. For Queensland — P. J. Carew, 11; C. F. Morgan. 11 ard 11 . J. Fitzgerald, 11 A. Atkins 26 (not out), T. J. Byrnes. 44 J. Carew, 42; H. Griffiths 28, W. T. Evans 11. * * * Fred. Midlane's name does not appear among the Sydney Club's eleven in its latest match. H. Dorman was 35 years of age on the 12th instant, and C. T. B. Turner 39 on the 16th. Pye started well this season, scoring 207 for once, out. And then he fell — bowled second ball in his second match. Another English team under the oaptamcv of Mr. A. C. MacLaren, is expected to visit Australia next summer, arriving in Adelaide in November Marsh, seven wickets for 52 runs , 80-wden. two for 15 Cotter, two for 13, N. Y. Deane, five for 42.— Sydney bowling performances. L. O. S. Poidevin, the New South Wales cricketer who wrote chatty articles for the Sydney "Referee" anent the tour of the Australian cricketers in England, was 26 years of age on the sth instant. Trumper oan do other things besides bait. In the match, Players of England v. Australia, he ran from third man, to tihe boundary and threw the ball full pitch into Kellv's hands at, the wicket, aj distance of 110 yards! An answer to correspondents 1 in the Sydney "Referee" says that if a bats Iman,, in running between wickets, falls, and knocks the wicket down with the bat, he is not out I repubhsh the answer for the benefit of those who take on umpiring. Newland 120, Evans 69, Kirk wood 41, Peters 41, Peller 90 (not out), Hewer 104, Hack 59 (not out).— Some of the doingis of South Australian batsmen. George Giffen got six wickets for 176 runs, and Traiveirs, four for 40. "Hales, absent, 0." This is how one of the dailies reported Hales's batting performance last Saturday Tom has a failing, but it is hardly fair to rub it in as above when he does turn up to time, even if it is only to receive one ball, and that a straight one. A general mistake was made in all the reports of the Wellington-Phoenix match last week. Hiokey was credited with taking four wickets when five was his tally, and he was instrumental in ending the stand between Mahonev and Gore. Hiokey got half the wickets for considerably less than a third of the runs scored bv his opponents. At a recent cricket match, play was of the dullest possible kind until a young giant of the visiting team went in to bat. To such purpose did he set about ''livening up the game," as he put it, that in less than half-an-hour he had reached 50 runs. Then, after dispatching four balls in succession to the boundary, he unfortunately put Ins leg in front of a straight one. There was a murmur of disappointment from, the hitherto delighted crowd, and triumphant yells from the bowler — "How's that, umpire?" "Not out," was the unexpected reply. "What?" roared the bowler "What?" "Not out " repeated the umpire, calmly adding, "We haven't seen such cricket on this ground for twenty years or more, and we want some more of it. Not. out." The bowler protested, but the umpire, with public opinion behind him, was determined to "have some more cricket," and he got it. — "Long Slio," in the "Otago Witness."

Some Auckland tallies . — D. Clayton 74, F. Murray 42, Fish. 68, N. Lusk 52— in senior matches. A player named Peach put together 148 in an inter-col-lege match. Some Sydney scores — A. C. K. Mackenzie 150, N. Ebsworth 104, W. Bedl 48, A. Foster 46 (not out) A. Body 41, A. C. Bannerman 63, D. Gee 45, E. G. Noble 52, W. R. Iredale 51 (not out). Napier cricket has got going, and some of the batsmen there have made good figures. Bell 60 (not out), Young 59, Bishop 42 Orr 37, and Tuke 28 are the beßt in tihe report of the match I have in front of me, Lusk making a modest contribution of seven in the same game. Alec. Bannerman, the ex-Australian Eleven player, has been the subject of much controversy on Sydney side. He is a member of the Paddington Club, and the selection committee of that club left him out of its first eleven in the opening match of the season. The action of the committee resulted in a special meeting of the club being held, at which about sixty members attended. The committee were deposed, and anew triumvirate were appointed in their place. Bannerman was among the eleiven in the succeeding match, and made top score — 63 — after showing the best oncketi on his side, which went a long wax to orove that Bannerman 19 not a back number, as the first Selection Committee inferred by its action.