NOTES AND COMMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12094, 23 March 1925, Page 9

NOTES AND COMMENTS

HEW ZEALAND IN THE FIELD EXPENSIVE CHANCES DROPPED. Dropped dhanoes were mainly responsible for the Victorians’ good lead on the first innings. The New Zealand fielding did not compare favourably with that of their opponents. The ground work was sluggish at times, and on several occasions runs were given away by the fieldsmen’s fumbling the ball or allowing it to pass “through” them. Dempster was the notable exception to this, however, and although he did not make many runs with the bat, be made up for his failure to some extent by helping materially by his fine work at cover-point. NEED FOR SAFE HANDS. When there is a fast bowler in the team the slips must be composed of men with safe pairs of hands. A fast bowler cannot be expected to keep up his express speed tor very long, and every advantage should be snapped up in the initial stages. Again, in McBeath New Zealand has a bowler who relies a great deal on the mistakes of the batsmen on the off side, and here a fieldsman must ha ready to take all and sundry. It was not to be on Saturday, however. Ellis was missed by Condliffe off Dickinson in the latter’s first over for the day, and' the same batsman waa missed by Dacre off Mcßeath. Worse still was Hiddleston’s failure to take a catch by Woodfull off Mcßeath when the century-maker was yet in single figures. This proved the most costly let-down in the game, and it was the turn of the tide as far as the visitors were concerned. Woodfull got set, and presented to the subsequent efforts. of the bowlers something akin to a brick wall. SUCCESSFUL DERUT. Too much credit cannot be given to Mcßeath and Dickinson. They howled splendidly throughout. This is Dickinson’s first Test match, and he easily justified his selection. Had he had a safe field to back him up his success might have been, even greater. He is the fastest man seen in New Zealand since the days of Upbam, and as he has youth, strength and stamina to aid him, he will yet achieve greater speed. Dickinson is also capable of making rune with the bat, and his keenness is also another factor. NEVER' BOWLED BETTER. Mcßeath has never bowled better. He. sent down 28 overs, including nine maidens, and after having chances missed off him took five wickets for 79 runs. He bowled very few loose balls, and had to be treated with respect right through the innings. Ransford was perhaps the batsman who took the most liberties with him, but a lefthanded batsman is generally at home to a left-handed bowler, as the break does not trouble him so much. McBeath’s fielding, however, has room for improvement. VISITORS’ BATTING. The Victorian batting for the most part was of the colid type,, sound and orthodox, although there were several I bright patches. Woodfull was a great lesson to youthful cricketers. He did |not soore very fast, but he played every shot with machine-like correctness His footwork was a treat to watch, and his strokes were well timed and very clean. His driving and his cutting could he taken for models. THE OLD SPARKLE. What a great reception Ransford received as he walked to the crease! The New Zealand public have not forgotten him, and he gave them a glimpse of his old form.. He played sparkling cricket for his 34, driving and hooking with rare precision. Millar was another aggressive batsman, and he, too, was warmly applauded. He displayed a fine variety of strokes, and was always on the attack. He gave the spectators a taste of real Australian batting. Willis was pleasing to watch while he lasted, -but Hartkopf never got into his stride. Liddicutt played aggressively, and the crowd were sorry to see him laid out by a fast one from Dickinson. It is generally believed that if the New Zealand batsmen refuse to oe tempted by the off theory to-day, and do not try to force the pace, they have yet a good chance of winning. They should remember that Victoria have fourth strike on the wicket. Mcßeath is particularly dangerous on a wicket that helps him at all, as Wellington batsmen "know. One will never forget his fine howling effort against .Welling--ton last season, in the fourth innings of the game, when he nearly won the match for his side. The game will be continued at noon to-day. TROPHIES OFFERED Mr A- Rose, of Christchurch, has offered a bat to any New Zealand player making a score of 75 in the present match, and he is also giving a trophy to the value of Is per run for all runs over 100 made by a member of the New Zealand team. Mr A. Paape. of Dunedin, has afiered a trophy valued at .£5 5s to any Otago batsman making a century in the match, and a trophy valued at £2 2s to any bowler taking five or more wickets. HOUSE MATCH SINGERS SEWING v. WILLERTON MOTOR. On Saturday, at Kelburn, a return fame was played between Singer Sewing lachine Company and the Willerton Motor Company. The previous game resulted in a win for Willerton, but Singers had their revenge on Saturday by winning by 17 runs. Scores Willerton 109 (Rusteaux 31, Blue 28, Gossy 17); Singers 126 (Bond 41, Lipscombe 20). Olloway, Wilson and Henderson were the best bowlers for the winners, and Tofts and Irwin for the losers. MERCANTILE LEAGUE STEWARTS CO. v. C.P.O. PASTIMES. Stewarts Co. v. C.P.O. Pastimes. — Stewart's batted first and were dismissed for 131 runs (F. Reid 43. Bradley 15. Watson 30, Clarke 11). Pastimes replied with 159 for the loss of five wickets (Paterson 30, Robinson 68 not out, lvnigge 16 not out, Brogan 18>. Bowling for Stewarts, Watson took three wickets for 52, A. Reid one for 29; and for Pastimes, Robinson three foi* 38, Parsloo two for 25, Helliwell three for 3-1. CABLE AND CO. v. NIVEN AND CO. Cable and Co., 226 (Sullivan 64, Ma- I honey 53, A. Cunninghame S<>, J. Cun- ; ninghame 26, Gornu.ll 12); bowling fori Cable and Co., Gornall, nine wickets for ; 28 runs. Niven and Co., 64 Cording 13, ‘ Buddeu 12. were the only ones to roach i double figures: bowling for Niven and ! (Jo., Evana, Budden ana Muir did best.