CRICKET.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7021, 8 January 1910, Page 12

CRICKET.

NOTES AND COMMENTS. [Bv " Leg-Beeak."] The sixth round of the local senior championship matches will he resumed to-day after an interval of a couple of weeks in consequence of the holidays and representative matches. For some reason the Petone ground is not being utilised for this round, and three matches will therefore have to be played at the Basin •Reserve. This is by no means satisfactory—as it has the effect of unduly interfering with the teams which are unfortunate enough to have to try their strength on the No. 3 wicket. Unless there is strong justification for it the crowding of three senior games on to> the Basin should be obviated, if possible, ■ The games which will be commenced may bo worth watching—and they may not. Probably it will bo the latter.- The attraction on the No. 1 wicket at .the Basin will be the East A and B teams. As there is Such a difference in the respective strengths of the two elevens the former should have an easy victory, Wellington North and Victoria College try conclusions on the No. 2, ■while Petone and Central will be pitted against each other on the third wicket. ; The Hutt ground will be utilised by tho local and South teams. The Wellington representatives atoned for their inglorious defeat at the hands of Auckland bv inflicting an equally inglorious defeat upon Canterbury, just rafter the latter had oome from the South with the ecalp of Otago hanging at their belt. Truly, cricket is a -wonderful game. For the student of "form" the results so frequently shatter the preconceived idea of the fitness of things that it is a wonder any person is left with temerity enough to make cricket forecasts. Still man is courageous, and never more so than when he flies in the face of tho history of the past and confidently asserts that such a team is imaneasurahly superior to another. He is nearly always more often wrong than right. Such was the case in respect to Wellington's chance against the Southerners. Few imagined they would win; those who did couldn't tell you why.

Now they -have won, however, lot all credit be accorded to them. The result of tho contest will at least show that Wellington has as much claim toi consideration for a match against the visiting Australian team g| Canterbury—more so, in fact, even if the Wellington association is not disposed to fall in with the suggested scheme of pooling receipts. It is against human nature to do so after the association's previous experience, and no one ■will blame it if it sticks to its guns and ’refuses to be frightened by a threat that it will be deprived of a match. Christchurch, as a headquarters for Dominion control of sports bodies, seems to be unfortunate, fudged bv the recent hapenings in • cricket and athletic circles. Much more promises to be heard (concerning tho action of the Cricket ■ Council over the .visit of tho Australians. To revert to the game. There can be ; no gainsaying that the adverse condi- ! tions on the opening day played a large N part in tho decision of the match. Nei- ’ ther team shaped well at the wickets on Saturday. But Wellington were lucky in being ablo to conclude their innings on Monday on a dry and easy wicket. Had it not been for this it is quite cer- ■ tain tho side would not have established a 48-run lead on the first innings. What surprised most people with any knowledge of the game was the mediocrity of the visitors' second batting ven- ' ture. There was no excuse for' it, no - mitigating circumstances so far as The wicket or surrounding conditions wore concerned. The fact of the matter was that the Canterbury men struck in Hickey and Upham two men who were bonding in the very t best of form ana a field which was keen, alert, and made the most of every opportunity which pre- ' sented itself. But for the stand made by W. Carlton and Boxshall there would ! have been practically no necessity for 1 the home team to have gone to the wic-. 1 kete. The visitors In each of their innings . were individually such a short time at ; tho wickets that it was next to impos- ; siblo to judge their respective batting • merits. W. Carlton, who mode the score of the match, is not a particularly im- ‘ pressivo batsman, judged on his second , innings. There was nothing aggressive about him. His forte seemed to be his . ability to select which ball should be treated in the manner its - merit d£i served. He took no risks. Boxshall was as aggravatingly "funny" , with the bat as he was behind the

stumps. There he removed the bails as often as he could, on many occasions without the elighest necessity for bo doing, while, when batting, he hopped in and out of the crease like a marionette in futile attempts to make the bowler or fieldsmen ,do things which no persop. with his complement of brain. power would have done. _ Once or twice his antics nearly cost him his wicket 1 owing to the smartness of Roberts with backhand throws. Had Boxshall been sent back to the pavilion in • this . way he would not have received much sympathy. Patrick succumbed in the second minings to a trap laid for him by Bhokey. "This is the man you , want to get na of," remarked some person in the vicinity of the press stand. Next ball Hickey sent up a full ,tosser —a hard ball to accurately play—and it was swept right into J. P. Blacklock's hands at equar© leg. The fieldsman did not have to move an inch, D. Reese, when things were going badly. evidently went to the wickets with a determination to Ymake or break, He ran into double figures in no, tipie. thanks to the assistance of a couple of fourers, and looked as if ho were fig* uratively going to knock the cover off the hall, when he was unexpectedly howled by Upham in trying to play a delivery from him. , Of Eomo good catches undoubtedly the best of the anatch was that with which Upham, off his own bowling, disposed of Kayos. It beemed an impossibility that the bowler would get to it, hut he threw himself at full length, stretched out his hands and just interoepibed the leather in its fall to mother rtrrth. The effort deserved the applause with which it was greeted, . Canterbury's form was .too bad to be true. . Brobably they will present themselves in a different. light altogether at Auckland in the Shield match, which con xncmcod there yesterday. To justify their trip north they will have to. Three at least of the five now mem iu tho Wellington tt*am, as compared with that which met Auckland, justified their inclusion. These were C. Hickey, Midlano, .and Roberts. Patrick was not eo fortunate, : being the only one of the side to make o "blob," while Tucker was not responsible for a heavy contribution, in either of his two innings, Hickey bowled splendidly on the opening day, his fielding was undoubtedly ■ ) '

the best on the ground, while ho followed > this up on Monday with 9 not out, and captured throe wickets. Prior to the team going north Hickey hud good figures in the bowling department, but he was not deemed worthy of a place. The selectors’ error on that occasion was demonstrated fay his form against Canterbury. To Roberts—who must be one of the youngest representatives Wellington has had for some time, being well under twenty year® of age—is undoubtedly due a lurga share of the credit for the success achieved. True, ho made several mistakes behind tho wickets, but these wore counterbalanced by his splendid firsr innings for 31, when runs were wanted. Ho batted confidently, like a veteran, and his dehut in representative cricket was most encouraging. His success is another argument why the selectors should give the. rising players a chance. Hawthorne's 18, coming at a time when they were badly needed, justified his inclusion. It was somewhat lucky for Midlane that he was given an opportunity to distinguish himself through Burton being unable to play. In both his innings he demonstrated that he is rapidly recovering the form 'he possessed prior to- going to Australia, and which war a missinv f ’at-ire last year. Ho showed a row variety of strokes, and was not content to let the hall hit the hat. Ho hit the ball—and to good’effect. The crlv six of the match was credited to him., For a man of'his size, experience, and strength, C, Hickson plUys a gam© more to be expected of-a man who found his hat too heavy for him or who had jus r risen from a sick bed. . Hickson can drive with any local batsman; in fact, that ia his pet stroke, but, ns for- doing anything else—he can’t. Once on a time—and not so very long Ugo— Hickson could lay the wood on to some tune. It’s a pity he cannot revert to his former, game, as it seems such «. ■waste of good material to see him pottering about and poking at balls which should be sent merrily rolling over the green sward.- Still, it must be admitted that when he gets set he h*-is to he "dug out," and he is a most valuable man to his side on that account. _ Wellington representatives may possibly pay a visit to Hawke’s Bay shortly, In .ft conversation I had recently With P. Ashcroft, who captained the team from tho Bay when here last year, he informed me that they would ■ be -able to put a very strong -eleven in the flejd this' season—one which, on its own ground,' would take a power of beat ing. In Board, the professional ooach, they had an excellent man, while mUny of the other players were showing form better than for years past. If this be so Wellington will need to send their best eleven north, as they have had Eec?ea&°GroSd! C&U ° D fte cALI®!? 4 supporter of Wellington nbridnt 1006I 006 - ? 0t bell ? ve in Professionals contests. He wined this week ha follow® to Mr B mayAZ Ml&'fcrXlatfo^ Sa-tS** without* proTEAMS FOE TO-DAY. Central against Petone, on Basin BeBeocliey Birch, Bruce, Hickson, m3™' lit"Srwante dera, Mitehel], Paterson, Hames, Wilson. Wighton, .Stevenson. The teams kave by the 1.10 p.m. train. torL ?U fv3i n N ?t v Seni ° rs against VicX? R ' e -—Upkarn, Blackloofc, FinHickson Richardson, Phillips, Waters, Sheridan, Charlesl worth and 1 Organ. ' TTnft J w?i a against Hutt, at Hutit. Watson, Galloway, Eamlip rf Clinkard, Schlnadt, Hannay, William! B^hop HUnhlledoa ’ itcLe »-y. Caldow, Wellington North, Third grade, tSmV? B*' 8 *' Athletic Park.— T!nri'fi? S ° n r> ® 1 dda5 ■ ,Neale, Ca/rmichaol, Bardsley. Owens, Woodhead, Comrie Pledger, Proud, and Ryan.