CRICKET.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18631, 12 February 1924, Page 4

CRICKET.

NOTES AND COMMENTS. THE SOUTH SEAS TOUR. The tour ,of the South Seas in March by an Auckland cricktet team is boing _ eagerly anticipated by the flayers who will have the privilege of being members of the party. The cricket authorities in Suva and Levuka art making special arrangements for the entertainment of the visitors. The tour will extend over four weeks, during which four matches will be played, including two test fixtures. Thte South Seas cricketers are keen on the nanus, and as they do not always have the privilege of playing against overseas teams, th'o occasion will be a memorable one. Auckland will be represented by a good side, including the majority of the colts who . played against the Rest of Auckland on Anniversary Day. It is regretted that Mr. J. H. Watts, who was expected to accompany the te>ani as manager, is unable, owing to business reasons, to make the trip. Mr. E. Nnlder has accepted the position of manager, and I under his management the tour should be successful. ■ A Fiery Wicket. The ticturtsque cricket ground at Devonport was the scene of surprising, if not sensational, cricket in the match North Shore v. Grafton on Saturday. The wicket appeared true and beyond suspicion, but the batsmen were basily disposed of, and as each retired he explained that the pitch was fast and fiery, with the bowlers getting a tricky turn on the ball, which completely nonplussed confident batters. Dacre, of whom bright, and sparkling cricket is expected, lasted only long enough to compile nine runs; his brother, "Life" Dacrt, being also dismissed for a similar score. Tho latter started sensationally "to break his bat off a powerful stroke, and with a now bat hit a splendid six out over the boundry. Unfortunately, L. Dacre, like his confreres, was early disposed of. The moderate score of 85 runs was deemed unworthy of the North. Shore batting, but Grafton fared oven worse than their opponents, succumbing for 78 runs. ...... The bowling of Allcott, on a wicket that was assisting materially, was almost certain in its execution, for few of the batsmen found it' playable. Allcott took seven wickets for 37 runs. Horspool, as the chango bowler, was also successful, taking two wickets for eight runs. The ground fielding was exceptionally smart and clean, with accurate returning which cost one batsman his wicket, Scott being dismissed from a smart and accurate throw-in. the ball hitting the wicket just a moment too soon for tho batsman. . , Similarly, surprising mid sensational _ was the collapse of Grafton in the first innings, Horspool alone being able to withstand the attack of North Shore's fast bowler, Coates. Horspool's score of 43 runs, out of the team total of 78 exemplified to a degree thb solidity of his batting. Coates took six wicket* for the small score of 14 runs; Woodroffe took two for 13, and .Dacre two for 25. An outstanding feature of the game was tk'e excellence of tho ground fielding, both teams doing exceptionally clean and clever work, the stopping, picking up, and returning being equally meritorious. The arrangements made on the Devonport ground were excellent, and it speaks well for the management that, win or lose, cricket is always enjoyable and attractive at North Short). University's Fine Score. The highest score of tho senior grade championship matches on Saturday was that compiled by University against Parnell. on No. 2 wicket, at Eden Park. University compiled 373 rung for the loss of eight? wickets, occupying the (batting crease all the afternoon. The " hope of his side," waft Player, who compiled 101 runs, _ not out. by good strokes all round the wicket. That the standard of battling in Auckland is on the upward grade iti made manifest on all sides, batsmen playing with greater confidence than in previous seasons, when wickets were not so good as they are to-day. University is deserving of congratulations on the consistency of its batsmen, six of the eight surpassing double figures. Bannister played a sterling innings for 72, marked by many good strokes on both sides of the wicket. W. Garrard, a young and promising batsmen, scored 63 by solid cricket, and R. Garrard's 58 was an equally meritorious effort. Kelly, too, was in good form, batting well for 41 runs. The students are in. a good position for a victory next Saturday. Parnell, however, is a strong batting side, and should the batsmen get going the high score of University is not impossible t to achieve. Ponsonby v. Eden. There was much interesting cricket in the match, Ponsonby v. Eden, on No. 1 wicket at Eden Park, mainly duo to tho excellent batting of several of the Ponsonby players, who scored consistently well , despite goodlength bowling and alert fielding, The outstanding batsman was Sneddon, the Ponsonby captain, who compiled the highest score on his side with 81 runs, by sound strokes on both sides of the wicket. Sneddon was, unfortunately, run out from a smart return, when ho was well set for & century, S. G. Smith, who hag been showing consistently > fine form this, season, batted in characteristic style for 26, and Burton, the ex-Wsllington representative, played a good innings for 37 runs, complied at a stage when runs were wanted. Another solid innings was that played by Bass, whose 30 runs were made by good strokes. Nield, late of North Shore, also batted well for 26, while M. J. Flynn ran into double figures beforti being caught. The total of 241 runs was a good effort 4 on the part of the Ponsonby batsmen' Eden made a fair Btart in. the first innings, P9stles and Mills opening confidently and scoring freely, 'Sto the team in a reasonably good position for .the first wicket. Unfortunately for: Eden, the position was not sustained, two wickets falling for only a few runs, the score being 90 for three wickets. The issue is open and a good finish is anticipated oext Saturday. Century in Junior Cricket. In junior cricket, in the match, Manurewa v. Papakura. a promising batsman in Kneebone, compiled 106 runs for Manurewa, who scored 174 runs for the losa cf throe wickets. Kneobono is credited with being the first second grade player to score a century this season. The New South Wales team has made an auspicious opening on its New Zealand tour in the match against Wellington. The visitors have early demonstrated what was stid of them, that they are a strong batting side, which can compile runs rapidly on most wickets. That tho tour will be of real benefit to the game in New Zealand is evident. It is to be hoped that the lessons imparted, particularly in the system and methods of the Australians, will not be lost The match against "-(Auckland in the third week in March is being eagerly anticipated, and a good gate should be recorded. WHANGAREI COMPETITIONS. [by TELEGRAPH.—OWN correspondent.] WHANGAKEI, Monday, Two surprises happened on Saturday in the . Whangarei Cricket Associbtion's competition, Y.M.C.A. beating Marsden by four runs, and Portland defeating Whangarei by nine wickets and six runs. Good bowling by Rodders, who got four wickets for eight runs with 80 balls, and four for 12 in the second innings, and by Briggs, who captured seven wickets in the match for 10 runs, resulted in Whangarei being disposed of for 28 and 25. Portland made 45, and 14 for one wicket (Beniamin 11 not out). Marsden mcde 96 (Meredith 26, Bogies 24. Teesdale 20) against T.M.C.A.. who responded with 100 (McLeod 54, Hollows 13). Hikurangi, with 196 (Farraday 84). beat Onerahi, 360. The results leave Llikurangi in an unassailable position for premier honours.