THE CRICKET SEASON.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19254, 17 February 1926, Page 15

THE CRICKET SEASON.

GAMES ON ; SATURDAY. INCIDENT AT NORTH SHORE. THE DISMISSAL OF SAUNDERS. - The wickets were everywhere in favour of batting on Saturday, when another •series of games in 'the second round of the Auckland Cricket Association's senior championship was concluded. There were several good batting performances, but the failure of I'onsonby on No. 1 wicket was difficult to account for. Throughout the day bowlers who could turn the ball met with the greatest success. The best performances were:— BATTING. A. E. Irving (Parnell) ■.-« 101* L. Elliott (North Shore).., 85 T. McLcod (Fonsonby) .. 73* C. W. Wells (University) 71* I. Macallan (Parnell) .. .... 48 E. Horspool (Grafton) .. 45* W. J. Coates (North Shore) M 42* "Signifies not out. BOWLING. J. B. Simpson (Eden), three wickets for • 17. A, S. Plaveir (North Shore), three wickets for 27. , I. W. Cooper (Eden), four wickets for 54 and three for 34. L. Taylor (Grafton), four wickets for 41. The event of the day was the dismissal of Saunders at a critical time in University's first innings against North Shore. When play was resumed the. visiting team had lost four wickets for 55 and were still faced with a deficit cf 161. Their chances of victory seemed remote, but, Wells struck fonn and when Saunders pined him and commenced playing confidently it looked as if University might- be the first team to defeat the leaders this season. They put on 70 runs and then the much-discussed incident occurred.

Wells had blocked a ball from Dacre and there was no possible chance of a run. Saunders called his partner with the object of giving him, i>ome advice, but Scott, the wicket-keeper, had picked up the ball and as Saunders was out of his crease he whipped /off his bails. The umpire was bound by the strict rules of "the game to uphold Scott's •appeal, and gave Saunders out.

The game between JPonsonby and Eden at Eden' Park resolved itself into a struggle by Eden to obtain the extra championship point awarded for an innings' victory. They had scored 300 in thoir first innings, and then Ponsonby failed dismally and could only compile 85 runs in their first venture, Sneddon and Smith were both dismissed early, and this spelt failure, although McLeod and N. Kemp an effort to improve matters. This pair played purely defensive cricket, Kemp staying at the wicket 40 minutes to score a single.

Th e follow-on provided much better cricket. Snedden and McLeod commenced well, th<i former playing bright shots for 21 before he was bowled by a ball from Butler that kept low. McLeod carried on merrily ana saw six more batsmen leave him. When Wheeler and Newdick were dismissed, it. seemed as if Eden might obtain the extra point, but McLeod and N. Kemp were successful in playing out time.

McLeod's innings for 73, not out, was the best he has playfed in senior cricket. A Useful Ceatury.

When three of ■Parnell.'s best batsmen Were dismissed cheaply - and five ivickets were down for 57, Grafton, with a first innings' score of 160/ were in a good position. However, Macallan joined Irving, and this pair by sound batting practically put the result beyond question. Macallan gave a fine display of free batting and «• cover-drive was the best shot- of his. extensive repertoire. Irving gave the tt;v?t batting display of the day, carrying hjs bat throughout the innings for 101. He scarcely gave a chance and made his rans chiefly with strong leg shots and powerful driving. His innings wa:j more solid than brilliant, and he is far from being a pretty batsman to watch, !?ut he made his runs very well. Grafton visited the wicket a second time, although thero was practically no chance of Parnell obtaining an innings' victory, and Horspool- showed that he has retarhed to form by scoring 45. not out, in good style. ' < *