THE CRICKET SEASON.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19171, 10 November 1925, Page 6

THE CRICKET SEASON.

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

FIRST AFTERNOON'S GAMES.

ANTHONY'S GOOD BATTING.

The wintry weather on Saturday afternoon made conditions rather uncomforttble for players taking part in the first Snatches of the cricket season, especially tn the more exposed grounds, but luckily the afternoon was not further marred by rain and all matches were carried out according to schedule.

The King's College ground, Middlemore, was in fine order, iivspite of rain earlier in the day, and the wickets were hard and true. The senior wicket at Devonport also gave satisfaction and bore ligns of recent improvements. None of the team scores was remarkably high, and .with a few exceptions the play was somewhat disappointing, when it is remembered that a long spell of fine weather provided scopo for plenty of practice. The outstanding batting feat was Anthony's 110 for Parnell against Eden, at Middiemore. Ho opened the innings with J. Smith, and settling down quickly treated the varied bowling confidently, finding outlets in the slips frequently, and executing many fine shots to leg. When .the innings eventually closed through a ball from Simpson rebounding from the wicke.tkeeper's pads and stumping / Anthony, the batsman had notched 110, including five boundaries. Several Cheap Wickets. J. Smith scored only six before he returned a catch to Cooper. D. F. Smith, Irving and McCoy were unable to show to advantage against Simpson's bowling and were soon dismissed, four wickets then being down for 51. At this stage Simpson had captured three wickets fcr 20. The next batsman was Macallan, a new recruit to Parnell, who has captained the Waitaki High School eleven and has represented North Otago. Macallan and Anthony added 47 before the former was bowled by Strachan at 23. A further 75 was added when Somervell partnered Anthony, some of the best defence of the match being seen at this stage. At 41 Somervell was caught at mid-on. Mann celebrated his return to the game after a lengthy absence by engaging in some hard hit-ting to gain 19 before Cooper bowled him. Although Harvie was absent ParneH's final tally was 234, the highest team score, of the day. Gillespie, 12, and Mills, 8, were batting nicely for Eden .when stumps were drawn. Eden have gained by the enrolment of Simpson, an ex-King's College boy. He had by far the best bowling average, securing four wickets for 50 runs. University's Bad Start. On the adjoining wicket Ponsonby scored 120 in their first innings against University, last, season's champions, who replied with 99 for ninti wiekets. Commons, 25, ' was the most successful Ponsonby batsman, although fortune favoured him. His partnership with Taylor realised 33 before the latter was stumped. South batted attractively for 23 runs, and McLeod added a useful 20. Others to reach Rouble figures were R. Kemp, 18, and Worth, 11, a new arrival from Wellington. Davies, the former Taranaki representative, raised a ball to Gee after he had scored two. Smeeton proved an acquisition to University, as he took four wickets for 14 and scored a well-played 21. ' A similar number of wickets were taken by R. Garrard for 47 runs. University made a disastrous opening against the bowling of N. C. Sneddon and Newdick. Four wickets fell for only six runs, but Saunders, Bannister, Smeeton and McDougall all ran to double figures, and thereby saved the position. Bannister topped the score-with 34, not out. Sneddon took four wickets for 27 and Newdick a young, fast bowler, captured three for 38. jtfOrth Shore's Good Position. As on the opening- day last season North Shore and Grafton met at the Devonport ground. Batting first, Grafton compiled I i 62. After C. Sneddon and Horspool had contributed 28 for the first partnership the next three batsmen went cheaply for 15. Wilson then became established, and knocked up 35 by hard hitting. Double figures were also reached by Allcott, Leech, Sloman and Goodwin, the former University player. Townshend had the best bowling average, taking three Grafton wickets for 12. The batsmen had difficulty in keeping his deliveries down. Player, the ex-Univer-sity. cricketer, made his first appearance for North Shore, and secured three wickets for 57. Beginning cautiously, Frater and Gerrard gave North Shore 97 before the latter was caught and bowled by Horspool. Frater wa3 60 and Monieith 14 when the match was adjourned. With the loss of only one wicket for 122 North Shore will resume next Saturday with 41 required to exceed Grafton's total. The Suburban Association. The many primes in the Auckland Suburban Cricket Association's competitions produced a satisfactory standard The Domain was the centre of activity, six senior matches being commenced there. Ponsonbv's 155 against Ellerslie was the highest team score, although Glen Eden's 134 for six wickets in their match at Victoria Park with the newlv-forrned British Isles team was almost as good. In the second grade Y.M.C.A. beat Papakura by six runs on the first innings, scoring 87 runs against their opponents' 81. Tramways, in their match against | Otahuhu on the latter's grgunrl, scored 60 in the first innings, and had lost six wickets for 42 when rain intervened. Otahuhu, who batted first, were dismissed for 43 in their first venture, and declared their second innings closed when 94 runs had been scored for the loss of six wickets. Tramways won by 17 runs on the first innings. PLAY AT ROTORUA, [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] ROTORUA, Monday v Cricket was resumed at Rotorua on Saturday, in very cold and showery weather. At Ngongotaha the home team were heavily defeated by St, Luke's, being 52 behind on the first innings. They were dismissed-on' batting again for 43, St. Luke's: winning by an innings and 9 runs. In the City v. Druids match, City in their second innings scored 113 for three wickets and declared." The Druids, however, played out time, the score being 44 for five wickets, City getting a two-point win. FRANKLIN ASSOCIATION. [BY TELEGRAPH.— OWN CORRESPONDENT.] PUKEKOHE. Monday. * The Franklin Cricket Association's competition for the Warin Cup was continued on Saturday. Waiuku A beat Pukekohe B bv 1M runs to" 72.. For Waiuku Doull made 57 (retiredi, Hodgkinson,- 33. H. Hay, <£fo , and Arlde, 14, not out. For Pukekohe. Deane 37, was the'only batsman to reach double figuies. In bowling, Duthie, Wa>ukn. tooK four wickets for 24 runs. Hokhm, Pukekohe, four lor 51. Puk--kohe A beat. Waiuku B by 163 runs to £l, For Pukekohe. Pleydel! (ietired) nnuta 53 runs and Fox (retried) 46. SchlaepfiM., Pukekohe, took seven w'ckels frti nine urns. Ibo PukfiiuOm Technical High School ", ;U * - u /pttUh resulted in it draw, i-iftuku m.'ril t i|3 |v,. wickets nim high Sch.o) 1:3 i. * lA 62. . nil. • Si'-K.unai: .;3 T ~ 9<\ SllouLt-u, 15. ' ' SSIfcK

NEW ZEALAND TEAM. LOWRY REPLACES BANKS. [BY telegraph.—press association.] CHRISTCHURCH, Monday. The New Zealand cricket team selectors have chosen T. C. Lowry, of Hawke's Bay, to replace Banks, of Wellington, who is unable to make the trip, Lovvry is now in Australia. M. Henderson, of Wellington, is unable to obtain leavs to accompany the team. GU'lichan, of Palmerston North, will probably be asked to fill the vacancy. PLUNKET SHIELD DATES. CANTERBURY V. WELLINGTON, [BY TELEGRAPH."-—PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON. Monday. The Wellington Cricket Association received a suggestion from the Canterbury Association of January 1 to January 4, at Wellington, for the Plunket Shield match. The dates were accepted. MATCH AT WAIHI. [BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT. ] WAIHI, Monday. Mataura defeated City by three wickets and six runs. For City King made 73, Littlefair not out 32,-Finnell not out 21. Bowling for Mataura McDade got five wickets for 17, and Saunders five for 28. For Mataura, McDade made 53, Saunders not out 35, Hearn 21, Thorpe 13. Bowling for City, Peacocke got six wickets for 43, and Heath two for 9. NORTHERN WAIROA. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] DARGAVILLE. Monday The first Northern Wairoa cricket championship match this season was played on Saturday between Dargaville and Aratapu. The former won by 37 runs.