CRICKET.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19001, 25 October 1923, Page 4

CRICKET.

By Sup. The approach of the first matches of the season is being watched with interest. by satisfactory weather conditions, practio— are being held regularly, and the attendances at these generally are very encouraging. It seems that all that is required for a particularly successful opening day is fine weather. Grange had a fine muster at practice on Labour Day, and as piany as 40 Carisbrook members turned out. In the latter case, however, there was_ a noticeable absence of senior players. The enthusiasm with which Albion started the season is being sustained, and the Dunedin Club is beginning to show more promise. illustrated journals from Home show that cricket is now a popular game among girls. In some of the northern centres of New Zealand girls’ teams have been formed, and there is a probability of Dunedin girls taking an active interest in the game in the pear future. Mr J. H. M’Pbee has been requested by the George Street School girls to assist them in making a start, and he is arranging for them to play with light (material.

The following are the probable captains of this year’s senior elevens; Albion, J. S. Shepherd; Carisbrook, A. W. AIloo; Dunedin, R. C. Torrance; Grange, C. S. Chadwick. Through the Petone Oval having been seriously damaged in the process of topdressing, no senior cricket matches will be played there during the coming season. ♦Jiving to the top-dressing not having been screened properly, large pebbles have been scattered over the “big” wicket. There is a possibility that junior matches may be played on some of the other wickets, which are not so badly affected. Competition cricket matches were started in Invercargill on ’Wednesday of last week in fine though cold weather. This season has witnessed a return to the old concrete wickets on Queen’s Park and Biggav Street Reserve. Scoring was low, with one exception, Driscoll playing a fine innings of 126 at Biggar Street ground, where Marist compiled 222 against a pretty strong Appleby attack. Appleby made 42 for two wickets. Playing against Union, Invercargill made 101. to which Ukion replied with 125. The outfield at both grounds was not in good order. Dear “Slip,”—At the last meeting of the Otago Cricket Association a suggestion was put forward that a concrete wicket be laid down on the Oval to be _ used in practice by the Otago representative team. This, it was pointed out, would give members of the team the necessary fast-wicket practice taey would require to accustom themselves to the pace of the wickets which are likely to be encountered in the northern centres. As a cricketer who has been practising on matting-covered concrete wickets for a decade, I do not hesitate to condemn the idea. My reasons are: Balls bowled on concrete wickets do not retain the evenness of height after bouncing that those on turf do. They spring much higher and. in the case of balls pitched outside the off stump do not lend themselves naturally to the “cut” stroke, batsmen being unable to “get over” the ball. Admittedly, concrete wickets play true as far as a bull coming smoothly through is concerned (there being no “spots” such as are found in some turt wickets), but as far as pace is concerned, they are no faster than an ordinarily prepared turf wicket, while thoroughly-prepared turf wickets, dry and hard, are much ahead of the concrete. The latter is in use only where turf is not available. Ask any of the North-end cricketers which they prefer. They would plump for turf and they have been using concrete for years —simply, of course, because it is next to impossible for theni to get turf practice wickets. No, sir, I trust that the Otago team will practice on wiekets similar to those on which they will play during the nortliem tour. It is much easier, to sight a ball with a baokf round of green turf than to judge the ight of one that has a biscuit coloured haze behind it. Now, Slip, what do you think —1 am, etc., Consistent. 1 am inclined to agree with “Consistent.” There can be no doubt that the Otago team should practise on wickets similar to those on which it will play on the northern • tour. However, it would be advisable to have a concrete wicket available for use in the case of wet woatlier during practices. Dear “Slip,”—Would you kindly inform me who was awarded the Rodya I h Cup last eeason V —l am, etc.. Southerner. The trophy was won by R. C. Blunt, of Canterbury. Blunt has made a promising start this year by scoring 143 in the match between West Christchurch and Sydenham.

The Otago Boys’ Cricket League is seeking. still more entries in its competitions. Boys in teams wishing to enter in the A grade competition must be under 16 years of age on October 1, and those in teams ■wishing to eater in the B grade competition must be under 14 years of age on the game date.

The question whether football should be prohibited at the Basin Reserve was discussed by tho Management Committee of the Wellington Cricket Association at a recent meeting. In its report to the xVlanagement Committee, tho senior championship committee stated that the playing of football on the Basin Reserve was interfering with the. prospects of cricket there, as the preparation of the turf wickets ivcre always delayed beyond a reasonable starting. time for tho summer game. A more serious aspect was presented to the committee by Mr H. J. Buck - , a member of the subcommittee. “’Hie turf wickets at the Basin Reserve are not the same quality to-day as they were two years ago,” said Mr Buck. ‘*lo all appearances, all the line-outs during the football games have occurred on the Napier soil wicket, which has cost the Cricket Association so much, and from which we expected so much. The cricket authorities have spent large sums in experimenting with Napier soil for turf wickets. We have gone as far as Dunedin in our investigations. Now we have the mortification of seeing the work and the expense of years rendered ineffectual through a few games Of football. Although tho Basin Reserve is a common playground, the bulk of the revenue comes from cricket, and that game should get preferential treatment.” Mr Buck added that javelin-throwing and shotputting had also seriously damaged the wicket. Mr D. M’Kenzie said that, as far back as 1888 football was prohibited on the Basin Reserve, as it spoiled it for cricket; it was only in recent_ years that it was allowed back. The meeting deputed the senior championship committee and the chairman to interview the Reserves Committee of the Wellington City Council on the matter.

; PLUNKET SHIELD MATCHES. The proposal that at least one Phmkct Shield match will bo-pluyed ouch year at the home town of each of the, teams comparing will bo considered at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Crickci. Counoil to-morrow. Should this suggestion be a draw could bo to arranged that yaw year tare North Island team and ono Soutii Island team would have two matches at home and one away, and ono North Island team and one South Island team would have one match at home and two away. Supposing that this year Auckland and Canterbury each had two matches at home and one away, the next year Otago and Wellington would be put in that position. The year after that Auckland and Canterbury would each have two matches at home, and so on, forming a rule that in alternate years each province would have two matches in its own territory. To make this clearer I submit the following tables. Matches under Table A .'could he played every second year, starting from this year, and "those under Table B-could-he played every other year; Table A. Otago v. Canterbury, at Christchurch; v. Auckland, ax Auckland; v. Wellington, at Dunedin—one match at home. Canterbury v. Otago, at Christchurch; v. Wellington, at Christchurch ; v. Auckland at Auckland—two matches at home, Wellington v. Otago, at Dunedin; v. Canterbury, at Christchurch ; v. Auckland, at Wellington—one match at home. Auckland v. Wellington, at Wellington; v. Otago, at Auckland; v. Canterbury, at Auckland —two matches at home. Table B. Otago v. Auckland, at Dunedin: v. Canterbury, at Dunedin; v. Wellington, at Wellington —two matches at home. (Janterbubv v. Otago, at Dunedin; v. Wellington, at Wellington ; v. Auckland, at Christchurch—one match at home % Wellington v. Canterbury, at Wellington : v. Otago, at Wellington; v. Auckland, at Auckland—two matches at home. Auckland v. Wellington, at Auckland: v. Otago, at Dunedin; v. Canterbury, at Christchurch —one match at home. From the foregoing tables it will be seen that in every two years all of the four provinces will, at their home towns, play against each of the other three. Wellington would b« unfortunate in

again having to travel south this year. However, it would be difficult to avoid a situation such as this. But once the scheme were adopted, and a hard and fast rule were laid down, all possibility of future difficulties of this typo should be removed. The sooner this is done the better. CHRISTCHURCH MATCHES. As a result of the heavy rain during the week, the wickets were very dead though the weather was fine, for the continuation of the first round of grade matches at Christchurch on Saturday. At Lancaster Park, with a very mediocre performance against East Christchurch whose display was even worse-Linwood got into the lead for the championship with a. three-point win. Riccarjou just failed to dismiss St. Albans twice, and had to be content with a twopoint win. Sydenham’s jjjood total on the first day failed to secure them a win, for a very fine innings by Blunt enabled West Christchurch to play out the three hours’ play for the loss of only three wickets, and the match was drawn.

Linwood on the first day made 38 for five wickets in response to East’s 78. On Saturday they could only carry their total to 60. East's second innings was a veritable procession, and Linwood were left with 57 to get. They lost the first four wickets cheaply, but then a hard-hit 18 by Orchard enabled Boon and Russell to hit oft the required runs just in time. Scores; East Christchurch 78 and 38 (Bugg 17) j Linwood, 60 and 60 for live wickets (Orchard 18, Russell, not out, 14, extras 11). In East Christchurch's second innings Road took six wickets for eight runs, Russell three for 21, and Yates one for seven. Bugg. in Linwood’s first innings, took four wickets for five runs, and in the second one for threo. Ccnipland took five wickets for 29 runs in the first innings. Although Sydenham had scored 251 for the loss of only two wickets on the first day. they had been too slow in getting the runs, and they were not able to declare until nearly three o'clock on Saturday. West Christchurch easily played ant the three hours remaining. Blunt being at the wickets the whole time for a very nicelycompiled 143. Against howlers of the calibre of M’Beth and Cunningham and on a very heavy wicket, West’s performance of putting on 250 for the loss of only threo wickets was a fine one. Scores: Sydenham 300 for five wickets, innings! declared; West Christchurch 250 for three wiekets (Blunt 143, Talbot 37, Dr Foster,’ not out, 35). For West Christchurch Dr Foster took two wickets for 51 runs, and for Sydenham Gasson took two for 36.

Riccarton’s big total of 415 on the previous Saturday enabled them to declare with 415 for seven wickets. They got St. Albans out easily in the first innings, but just failed to get them our a second time, Sandman playing a dashing innings for 59. Scores;—Riecarton, 415 for seven wickets, innings closed; St. Albans, 94 (Woods 12, Sandman 14, Norrie 10, Hay 11, llickniott, not out, 13, Eadie 10) and 165 for nine wickets (Sandman 59, Thomas 27, Norrie 20, Brunton 21, extras 17). Bowling for Riecarton, Laugbein took five wiekets for 24, and Rix three for 27 in the first innings. In the second innings Rix took four for 62 and Bain two for 12.