CRICKET

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXII, Issue 4824, 29 November 1902, Page 6 (Supplement)

CRICKET

(By “The liittite.”) ■V promising beginning has been made in the jUdlaaud— Wellington heat, me Midlanders having put 011 151 runs a veiy good score to be made on suca a heavy wicket as that which obtained on Saturday last. Tho probability is thx the U oiimgton innings will not greatly exceed this total, in winch event tne slrimgle lor supremacy in the second innings' will provide an -exciting event lor cricket devotees. Tho fielding of the Wellington team on Saturday was very weair. The. trail of the practice net is over \S elliugtou holding generally, and to remedy the weakness it should be made a misdemeanour for more than two men to stay at tho bowling crease. Even th» fielding practice that may bo obtained in the outfield of a practice-net pitch would Un eminently useful to some of the nerve-less-fingered fieldsmen now taking pan 111 local cricket.

Play in the Phoenix-Old Boys game induces the reflections-that Phoenix may win hy an innings; that Old Boys may mako a desperate stand and retrieve their position; and that whichcvei team nuiv win eho match neither deserves to on lasi; Saturday's play. A record of tho fall of the wickets in each innings is as good criticism as a column of elaboration would be. Old Boys, Ist innings: 1 for 0,2 for 0. 3 for 1, 4 for 12, 5 foi M (i for 30, 7 for 30. 8 for 3a, 0 for 36, 16 for 36. Phoenix, Ist. inumgs: 1 for a, o f or q 3f 0 pi, 4 for 43, 5 fox 49, o for 56, 7 for 59, 8 for 68. 9 for 83, 10 for S 3 -Old Bovs. 2nd innings: 1 S, - for 8, 3 for"a.

There were some howling fonts done on Saturday, notably by Hickey Tucker and Hake. Hales sent down <SO overs at a cost of 55 runs, and obtained file wickets. Hickey trundled most eftootively, nine wickets falling to his wiles at a cost of only 22 runs. Tucker ian him very close in order of merit wiJJi nine for 27. Latham did damage to the Midland tail, three wickets at a cost ot 22 runs being his portion. A game that seems to resemble cricket in water, is thus described by the •'Town and Country Journal : tor two years now Sydney has boon favonred -<tb' a visit from a team of llockloy players from tho country. This year s combination came to the metropolis early this month, and played several Matches in Sydney. There was a fair gathering on each occasion to watch tho game, which resembles cricket in many respects. In fact, the only !* o \ nt “ ° n Z?, ll jl tho two games differ are; A soft used iustead of a hard one. a the bowling is done from one end. and the wickets are only 15 yards apart instead if “I as in cricket Tho game was originated by Mr J. S OTlara nnd derivos its name from having been first played at a place called Hockley. . .. ••'Mid-on," m Uie Melbourne Leader, thus allows his liver promptings to make him write "with the gloves on : Various causes have admittedly combined to lessen—ouo might really say minimise—punlio interest m club oucket, but the ouo place whereat the lact least noticeable is Carlton. At the Princes Park ground on the occasion oi a club match there may always be found an ■ enthusiastic assemblage ot tors, strong in local preiuaice, no aoubo, and not prepared to admit that theio is another batsman in Australia as hard to Bhilt as “Xoiamjd U arne but who miss few if any points of the game. Genuine "barrackers" are these same enthusiasts, who express their opinions in language the meaning ot winch can never be misunderstood, and which ultia susceptible folk might sometimes consider unduly forcible. It must bo remembered, however, that force of expression is tho outcome oi intensity ot feeling, and therefore even when we may ho disposed to involuntarily exclaim “Bh-h-li" at the mere sound, we can hardly stifle our sympathy witn the feelin if -which impelled its production. i can't stand, tho lymphatic in man—or woman! Commend mo to the boisterous enthusiast —rude m speech though he may be—rather than to the intensely genteel "patron" of tho game of cucumber temperature. I remember hearing one of tho latter class, at an intercolonial match, cn being asked if he had ever seen anything liner than the stumping oi a certain Sydney batsman by Blackham replv languidly, "X didn t see it, old boy—X was watching the'tennis! Ton know the sort of fellow I mean. He is a chap who looks as though he had never taken enough exorcise to work up a perspiration, and whose stand up collai will not become limp at 95 in the shade. Eligible enough, no doubt, to assist successfully at a garden party or an afternoon tea,'hut at a cnckei match I prefer ' the irrepressible Carlton barrackor. Better for bis spontaneous volubility to give your ears a shock than tor the other fellow’s inanity to. make you yawn. Well, at Carlton they make more or less noise allthe time, and tho oonsenuonce is that the enclosure is pervaded bv a radiating air of vim and virility which is refreshing after visiting other grounds where cricket supporters while the game is proceeding wile away the afternoon bv watching ponderous DTcybeards at bowls, or by discussing politics and social problems, with backs turned to tho wickets. The Queenslanders have an aboriginal bowler named Honry, of whom groat things are prophesied, opeakmg of his performance in the New South Wales— Queensland game the "Sydney Mail" remarks:—"Henry was in very fine fonn with the ball during Now South Wales second innings. At one time ho sent down eight overs, five maidens, nine runs, for two wickets, and when the fifth wicket fell his debit was no more than 22 runs. His expense, however, reached 40 before the innings closed. He bowled at a great pace. JTJNIOE NOTES. (By "The Canaanite.”) Tho College eleven will have to improve in view of their approaching annual inter. College fixture with Nelson College. Not for some time has the team been so weak as at present, and it is weak m batting as well as bowling, as shown bv last Saturday’s Cup fixture with H ellington The College had choice of first innings, but compiled 55 only. • Skipper Macintosh was highest scorer, with a not out innings of 13. ... , Perry, who obtained 6 for 14. was altogether too tricky for the College. _ The Wellington replied with eight wickets for 243, towards which number Johnson (by excellent cricket) contributed 109. He was ably backed up by O oullivan (52). and Wilson. 37. A hitherto undiscovered bowler' in Mathews seems to have done the best bowling for College. On its present form, the Wellington team looks like again annexing_ tho junior Championship, although in a match with the Newtown Club on Election Day the latter had rather tie best of the argument. Scores: —Newtown 222 (Hawthorne 57, Marten,. an ex-Sydney player 40, Pliramer 29). Wellington, 103 for 5 wickets towards which Tom Maunsell made 53 and Ashbolt 21. both not out. Contrary to expectations, Newtown got rather tho worst of their fixture with Gas Company, hut not without unnatural causes, referred to later. The Gas Company were somewhat lucky in reaching 97. Their crack batsmen, Hutchings, Howell, Stevens and Topp, did but little.

Newtown made a i>oor showing for 43 in its first essay, Hawthorne contributing 23, Topp capturing a wickets for 16. Uld Boys had first innings against M:dland, but could only reach Vo. Goldfinch compiled 34 iu'good style, and was then splendidly captured by “Bobby’' Head at point. IVeddo cjimc next with 10. Midland replied with 112 for 4 wicket's. Read was uuiortunatc in being*bowled oil' h:s pads. Wiudlcy made a cureless stroke to a good bull trom Bell,, and failed to score. Old Boys had four of the Midlands out for 50, but Wcybourne and Mills then became associated, and were unbeaten when time was called. Woybourno batted in excellent style, and restrained a tendency to hit. Ho survived a very confident appeal for l.b.w. decision by House, the bowler being convinced that Weybourae had broken the law. Davis was given out, caught behind tire wickets off a bumpy ball, which the wick-et-keeper says was at least six inches away from Davis's bat. I was watching the Newtown-Gas Company's game during last Saturday afternoon, and, to say the least of it, was astounded by the curious (?) umpiring of one of the officials. Whether the umpire in question is connected with either club or with both 1 do not know, but objection should certainly be taken to his officiating again. Hirst Prank Alpo was given out as caught when the catch was made on the boundary, and then Hawthorne was given out when bo was over the bowler's crease before the wicket was knocked down. X imagine that should Newtown Jose this match they would be enabled to protest over the decision in Alpe's case ns being a point of law. Several players belonging to other clubs saw the catch made, and are certain the fieldsman was over rhe boundary. Johnson, who scored 109 against College on Saturday, had to be content with a “duck" on Tuesday. Ken. Tucker’s coaching has had little effect so far on the Old Boys’ second eleven, and it is time the latter shook themselves together. Players such as Odliu, Prouse, Ingles, Salmon and Gilmer ought to be worth more than seven between them. The bowling is very “so-so," too. Bell (of the thirds) bowled a long way the best against Midland though P rouse bowled without luck. But has Ingles gone off so much that ho was not tried? Wlghton has not so far been a success in junior circles this season. Some junior bowling performances in Christchurch last Saturday: —Lawrence (High School), 10 wickets for 30 j Wells (Lancaster Park), 6 for, 27; Sinclair (Midland), 8 for 26; Fisher (United), 5 for 12; O’Farrell (Linwood), 7 for 16. THIRD CLASS NOTES. (By “The Jebnsite.") An Umpire’s Association is sorely needed in this city. When a “Jehu" of the travelling team is asked to decide an interesting point, I cannot consent that he is a fit and. proper person for the position. This is what took place at Karori last Saturday, and the Newtown captain was ill-advised to adopt this line of action on account of one of his truudlcrs being “no-balled" for deliberate “chucking." The umpire out of play can penalise the bowler if he changes ends, but this portion of the rule was.probably not taken into consideration when the degrading I spectacle took place, and I cannot compliment Robertson on his tactics. IV. E. Dasent was unable to bat for Karori during the first innings, but before stumps were drawn lie made the hit of the match, a line drive for five. It must be a number of years since a member of the Dasent family failed to defend Karori on the cricket field during an innings of the club. The result of tho Vivian-Midland A. heat was a shock to the third-class fraternity, The champion team was dismissed for a paltry score of 27, and Mills was the only player who' displayed any form against the excellent attack of Laws and Williamson. I do not desire to minimise the sterling performance of the bowling, and I can only account for the Midland debacle as illustrating the glorious uncertainty of the game. Waller Bock was absent, and I regret to learn that he has resigned the secretarial duties of the club. This should prove an excellent chance for Messrs C. Hickson or F. Stephenson to take up the office, as they would have a better chance of improving their acquaintance with the third-class members, who require their many wants to be attended to prior to “striking" out on behalf of the red and white combination on a Saturday afternoon. I frankly admit that I hare digressed from the third-class track, but I know that Mr J. H. Coster has more than ho can struggle with, and “I think it is my duty to say so." To return to last. season’s champions—Spence hit out for 25 in the second innings, and Luke maintained his position .for a modest dozen, and this pair redeemed their colleagues to a happier state of mind, as they are only 19 runs behind and an innings to go. Vivian knocked up 83, and of this total Pudney was responsible for 23. Warwick batted well* for 19, and Laws also assisted his team with 11. The bowling honours on the Midland side fall to Hill, Spence and Carthy. The result of the match will be awaited with considerable interest by third-class players this evening. Newtown is in a strong position at Karori, the suburban players only possessing a lead of seven runs, and six wickets in hand. Karori 'scored 71, Williams and Spiers being the only batsmen to reach double figures, and in the second attempt Hall’s was the only doub!e-bar r relied contribution, his score standing at 14, when he was unfortunately thrown out. Jack, of “no-ball" fame, headed the efforts of Hie Newtown team with a score of 21, closely followed by the veteran Chapman, who used the on-side to advantage. Machin (17) and Gambrill (10) also performed creditably during the afternoon. Hill (7 for 35) bowled well for Karori. and Machin (5 for 21) came out with the best average for Newtown. I am informed that E. 3. Vance, the popular member of the Phoenix club, is “resting" at present, and does not intend. to take an active part in the game this summer unless an emergency arises. Jack Pre-Smith “plugged" against the wind and Rovers last Saturday for the fair average of 6 for 54. Perry captured 2 for 16. out Drake was unable to find his length, to the dismay of his colleagues, and his average suffered in consequence. Hicks (38, not opt) played a capital innings, and Witherall, who piloted the Phoenix team for a portion of last season, showed a glimpso of his old form for 32. B. Waugh and Roberts also contributed fair scores, and I consider the recent outsiders will be in the running when the winning team is announced. Waugh and Newson, tho stock trundlers of the club, secured good averages, but the Old Bovs’ batting was not up to tho usual standard, and G. Bell’s promotion weathered the Old Boys’ bowling. Jameson (16, not out) did not take any liberties, but Perry gave a display of “sky rockets" which could be curtailed to advantage for his team. Martin (16 and Salmon (15) played well for their runs, but the remainder were recorded among the “also started" division. I would point out to the Rover club that it is advisable to have the members represented regularly at tho Association committee meetings. The Midland B.—Phoenix A. game will be closer than I first anticipated. The former club scored 139, the fast bowler, Thomas, out on top with a score of 45. Bruce, who take? part in the Public Schools competition, showed hir, mettle for 38, and I predict a successful cricketing career for this youth. Phoenix has lost 8 wickets for 110. Midlanc, as usual, was in the ran for a hard h’t 30 and the consistent McArdle also contributed 16. Ryan’s innings was a lively display, and Jones was unbeaten when stumps were drawn. Ryan surprised his friends by collaring G wickets for 40, but the “trick" bowler of the team is* Eli, who sends down a number of slow leg breaks. Thomas was the most successful bowler for Midland, and an interesting finish should he witnessed this afternoon. No less than five members of a third-

class team did not don tho regulation! costume last Saturday, but I hope »hia oversight will be remedied this afternoon. Tho Association places the question in iho hands of the captains, In't my experience has always been Liar, these gentlemen do not care to mention championship rule 12 on the ground mat their actum would be tantamount to “pciutr u»g." I am certain that if this wholesale disregard of the Association’s rule took place on tho Reserve, a voluble t rude would have to be listened to wjUi marked attention by the All third-class cricketers should not allow ibis question of “dress" to be discussed by the Association, and I hope new mat I have mentioned the matter the offending players will not err again in this direction. Midland, of the Phoenix A. team, was inclined to kick over the traces last Saturday owing to the Athletic Park netting interfering with his scoring, I would point out to this irate player that he is only one of many who are complaining ou this score, and a* the Association is absolutely powerless in the matter, the third-class cricketers (failing any united action on their part) muse await the pleasure of the Park authorities.

The Wellington team-made short wort of the College A. bowling, the town players scoring 193 for 5 wickets. Spencer worried the boys to a lively tune of Cl 5, and his runs wore obtained by excellent strokes all round the wicket. Hanify showed improved form for 29, and Pearce also took advantage of the bowling. 1 am more than pleased to learn of Male’s batting performance, and it his trundling has lost its sting, the boy's batting capabilities are being revealed at th© expense of the Wellingtons. His score of 51 was obtained without a chance. HanJly secured tho major portion of Hie wickets for Wellington, who have practised assiduously ot late, and they desire to win their cuampioiibhip engagements on this score. I hear that Atkinson, of the Midland A, team, is likely to annex Dr. Anson's trophy for the best fieldsman in tho Midland club of last season. All tho ballot papers have not been returned, but at the time of writing the third-class player has a strong lead from W. Quee. Jordan, of tho College B. eleven, put on 85 against Phoenix B. This player notched 109 in a championship match last season. Kenner, (15), Bee (14), and. Verrjr (14) were the other double-figuro contributors, and on the Phoenix side tho veteran Doslandes compiled 24, Smith 21, and the popular Ryan 12. Tho Phoenix trundlers consider that if a team is able to prevail on the College tutors to leave early,. no further serious opposition is to bo reckoned on. During the afternoon tho College scored 75, and their opponqts 70 for seven wickets. The members of tho Jolmsonville club held a successful practice at Johusouyille last Saturday. A team representing Messrs J. J. Curtis and Co. is anxious to meet the suburban jilayers this afternoon, but I think there will be a difficulty in providing a suitable wicket.