CRICKET NOTES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23284, 1 March 1939, Page 17

CRICKET NOTES

PAMELL'S BATTING HIGH SCORES REGISTERED ENTERTAINING PARTNERSHIP SEVERAL PLAYERS IN FORM The strength of the Parnell team's batting has been clearly shown in the last two series of matches in the senior championship of tho Auckland Cricket Association. A fortnight ago last Saturday Parnell scored 491 for four wickets against Y.M.C.A. Three centuries were registered, W. M. Wallace (204), S. C. Hay (106) and H. G. Vivian (117 not out). Wallace and Vivian continued thengood form against Eden, the leading tealn, last Saturday, tho pail- being associated in a third-wicket partnership which yielded 2(39 runs. Wallace made 176 and Vivian 120. They provided tho most entertaining cricket seen at Eden Park for a long time, and their per* formanccs were greatly appreciated by the spectators.

When playing for Eden the last season, L. E. Vivian did not get many opportunities of showing his batting ability owing to tho high scores the first few batsmen were registering. Vivian has, had more chances since joining Middlcmoro, and ho came right into the limelight last Saturday with a fine 132 against Y.M.C.A. This was his first century in senior cricket. Splendid form this season has been shown by O. S. Cleal, of PonsonbyBalmoral. One of his best efforts was his 93 against Grafton last Saturday. He has some very powerful scoring shots and plays a highly spectacular type of cricket. The captain of the Ponsonby-Balmoral team, R. H. Cleave, is also in good form, his batting being lip to the standard of that which gained him representative honours tt few seasons ago. Apart from a distinct improvement in his batting, D. B. Edmonds has been keeping wickets splendidly for _ North Shore in recent matches. He is taking the ball cleanly on either side of the wicket and has snapped op several difficult chances. As the suspicion that ho was slightly off form early in the season possibly influenced tho selector in excluding him from the Plunket Shield side in favour of C.' K. Jackman, and later R. Skeet, Edmonds on his recent displays should have a good chance of being chosen for the fixture against Sir Julien Calm's side.

A GOOD DOUBLE NORTH SHORE CAPTAIN The North Shore captain, C. 0. Dacre, was responsible for a good double on Saturday, when he took three wickets for 32 and made 34 in the match against University. In addition, he took two brilliant catches, one from a low chance- off his own bowling and the other at silly mid-off. In making the second catch Dacro was struck a hard blow in tho abdomen by the ball, which had been powerfully driven, and ho had to receive attention from his team-mates before he recovered sufficiently to leave the field.

Dacro played many shots on Saturday that wero reminiscent of his batting in ; New Zealand before he left to take up a professional engagement with Gloucester. When facing D. It. Garrard, who was concentrating on a good length outside the off stump, Dacre several 'times ran across the wicket and hooked the ball powerfully to square-leg. He also pleased, with very late shots through the slips. Getting well over the ball, ho waited until the wicket* keeper almost had it in his gloves before snapping it away with a wristy shot. SUBURBAN MATCHES LEADING TEAMS TO MEET The fight for honours in the senior grade championship of the Auckland City and Suburban Cricket Association is still close and on present form Green Lane and 11.V. have strongest claims. Green Lane is leading with 33 points, while R.V. is only two points behind in second place. These teams will meet at the Domain next Saturday and the game should be followed with more than usual, interest. The last meeting of the elevens provided an exciting game, as Green Lane scored only two more runs in its first innings'than R.V, The latter is perhaps the bcttcr-balanccd eleven in batting. but Green Lane lias a greater variety in attack. McCormick, the fast bowler, is showing excellent form at.present and Kerr can be expected to subdue the batsmen. R.V. depends a great deal on C. G. Finlavson, whost? bowling ;Jwa.vs commands respect. Three more games remain to be played, and a win for R.V. would add further interest to the competition. Green Lane and R.V. gained easy wins 011 the first innings in the last series of matches, while Manukau improved its position by adding six championship points. A feature of the series was the good form of the fast# bowlers, C. S. Wildmnn, R.V., and D. J. McCormick, Green Lane. Both made a lot of pace off the wicket, particularly McCormick. whose deliveries kept very low and 110 risks could bo taken by the batsmen. Four of his five victims were clean bowled. Wildnian, with seven wickets for 62. bowled well against Poiisonby, and generally kept tlio batsmen on defence. He was aided hv the fine slip fielding of Goldsworthv, the R.V. captain, who-; took three catches.