SATURDAY'S CRICKET.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21101, 8 February 1932, Page 11

SATURDAY'S CRICKET.

HARD DAY FOR BOWLERS. BYERLEY'S SPLENDID HITTING THREE SIXES AND TEN FOURS. CLEVERLEY IN GOOD FORM. Tlie. bowlers were faced with an unenviable task on Saturday under the splendid batting conditions, but some good figures were secured. All four matches are at an interesting stage and providing the hatting sides are favoured by similar conditions next Saturday exciting cricket should result. A feature of the day's play at Eden Park was tlio fine display of hitting given by Byerley, Grafton, in the principal match against Parnell. Byerley was at the wickets for an hour, during which time lie scored 77 runs, including three sixes and ten fours. He hit Vivian for two successive sixes, the second being a beautiful clean hit, which went over the end of the' main stand. This six can be classed as ; one of the best ever seen at the ground. Byerley is a natural left-hand hitter and providing he always adopts the same policy more will be heard of him in the future. Grafton did not make a good start, three wickets being down at one stage for 54 runs. A fourth-wicket partnership between Allcott and Burke retrieved the position and 75 runs were added to the total before the first-named was bowled by Vivian for 47. Allcott showed easily his best form of the season arid this is pleasing in view of the forthcoming match against the South Africans. His hit one good six at the expense of McCoy. Burke played a sound and valuable innings for 42, but after Byerley's dismissal there was ■a decided slump in the batting, the last two wickets adding only nine runs. McCoy Bowls Well. McCoy was in good form with the ball and bore the brunt of the attack. He sent down 28 overs, two of which were maidens, and took five wickets for 92 runs. Vivian was always very steady. In 19 overs, five of which were maidens, he took two wickets at a cost of 64 runs. McMillan proved an effective change bowlei by taking three wickefs for 17 runs in 5 overs. Parnell also made a bad start, Hay losing his wicket with 17 runs on the board. Whitelaw played very krnnd cricket for 30, not out, and at stumps the total had been taken to 44 without further loss. Eden made a poor commencement against University on the No 2 wicket at Eden Park, but owing to aggressive hitting by the later batsmen the side's total almost reached the 250 mark. The wicket was all that could be desired and the outfield fast. Eden's opening pair, Mills and Postles faced the bowling of Matheson and Sclinauer. Mills was the quicker to get started and delighted with placements on either side of the wicket. He attempted to force the pace too fast, however, and was caught in the slips off Sclinauer after running into double figures. Postles carried on for a well-earned 34, but the succeeding four batsmen, with the exception of Smith (25), were not impressive and five wickets were down for 125. L. E. Vivian then set out to retrieve the position. Facing all the bowlers with confidence he specialised in forceful driving and pull shots. Anything a trifle short was swung hard and accurately to the leg fence. Jt was this eagerness to punish a loose, short ball from Jessup which brought about Vivian's downfall with his total at 58. Stepping back quickly he sent the delivery to the leg boundary, but in doing so he trod on his wicket.

Langton batted attractively for 22, the innings realising 242 runs. Matheson, four for 87 and Sehnauer, four for 82, were the most successful bowlers. The last-named, who was swinging dangerously might have been used to belter effect. University's Good Start. University made a surprisingly good start. Leys and Graham opened the innings. the* first-named scoring freely. Graham was content to leave the scoring to liis partner, who, in spite of frequent bowling changes, quickly reached the half-century. At stumps University's total read *74 for no wickets, Leys being 61 and Graham 12. A fine seventh-wicket partnership, which realised 79 runs and saved Y.M.C.A., was a feature of the match against Ponsonby on the No. 3 wicket at Eden Park. Cleverley, Ponsonby's fast bowler, was in fine form, and six wickets were clown for 59. ,T. Smith and Clark then became associated in a prolific partnership. This recovery enabled Y.M.C.A. to pass the 200 mark. Elliott and T. Lyon opened the innings but neither of the pair, nor Cooper, who followed, could do anything with the bowling of Cleverley at one end and the consistency of Snedden at the other. Frater, although obviously uncomfortable to Cleverley, secured some very necessary runs in quick time. When he was dismissed with 30 to his credit, 59 runs were on the board for six wickets. Clark and T. M. Smith attacked the bowling from the start., the last-named showing the most confidence as well as producing a greater variety of jhots. Clark oat ted well, however, and fully deserved his 46. Smith had n fine 42 to his credit when Cleverley clean bowled him. Sutherland, TL Lyon and A. Scott, tho last, three batsmen, then took advantage of a rather tired attack and scored quickly, securing 21, 24 and 21, not out., respectively. Tho innings closed for 229 runs, leaving Ponsonby 45 minutes in which to bat. Cleverloy's Seven Wickets. Cleverley gave a fine exhibition of bowling in securing seven wickets for 47. while Snedden bowled accurately, but with very liitle nip oil Hie wicket to take three for 106. C. North and Turner opened Ponsonby's innings, the first-named compiling an aggressive 30 before being dismissed. The score at. stumps was one wicket for 44. The opening partnership of Lewis and McMillan placed King's Old Boys in a good position in the match against North Shore at .Devonport. Both batsmen opened quietly, but scored freely later. The first, 40 minutes of play yielded 40 runs, but after an hour's play the score was at 80 and (lie batsmen were both well set. The score was taken to 128 before the partnership was broken, McMillan bring bowled by Player. Shortly afterwards Lewis was caught by Saunders, who trapped him with a slow ball. Pearson and Wilson brought the total to 150. Wilson's 50 being the reward of careful but enterprising batting. Jackson was the only other player to reach double figures with a useful 20 not out. The North Shore bowling was well tested. Coates, Saunders, Matthews, Webb, Nicholas and Player all had a turn with the. ball. Player bowled well and shared tho wickets with Webb and Saunders. North Shore's opening batsmen, Edmunds and Bush, made a bright beginning and the score of 40 was a good effort for the last half-hour of pley.