CRICKET.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19351, 11 December 1924, Page 4

CRICKET.

By Slip.

A3though Otago had an easy win against Southland the form of the local star batsmen was disappointing to say the least, considering the class of bowling opposed to them and the easy batsmen’s wicket. Unless there is a marked improvement in the form of some of the batsmen by the time the first Plunket Shield fixture takes place one cannot fool very optimistic about Otago’s chances against the northern provinces, especially when the local men meet a first-class bowler such as Badcock. of Wellington. The Otago opening pair. Worker and Shepherd, who batted so brilliantly last season, are not displaying their best form. Shepherd’s batting in particular showing a decided falling off. Neither of these players is making his strokes with the same procisjon and crispness as last season, and the Albion man is showing a tendency to play back too much, thus making defensive shots at balls he would score off when in top form. In last iveek’s game, four Otago players (Knight, M'Mullan, Douglas, and Worker) scored 256 runs, and the other seven could only compile 33. Knight himself made more than half the total of 302 runs. The outstanding feature of the match, in fact the only feature, was the magnificent •last wicket stand put up by Knight and Douglas, these two players adding i4B runs $o the score in 93 minutes. Up to the S leginning of this partnership the Southanders bad every reason to feel pleased with their efforts as they had dismissed nine of the Otago batsmen for 154 runs —13 behind the southerners total—but Knight rind Douglas altered the state of the game, and when the former player was eventually dismissed the local team had a lead of 135 rubs on the first innings. Knight’s 156 was . a magnificent innings, afid during his 147 minutes at the crease tie gave only one possible chance. This was at 88, when he sent a high one back within reach of the bowler, but it was a very difficult catch. The Grange man played his natural forcing game, but was never reckless, He picked out the loose ones, and with powerful shots despatched them to the boundary, driving, cutting, and leg hitting with equal freedom. While the other bats- ' men were scratching for runs Knight played the bowling with the utmost confidence. His big score include! 21 fours. Douglas, who scored 35, not out, of the 148, runs put on for the last wicket, again proved himself a good batsman at the finish, playing a somewhat similar innings to the one he played against Albion in the first match of the season when he helped Dickinson to pull the game out of the fire for Carisbrook. Douglas presented a broad bat to the Southland bowling, and was content to stop them wane Knight piled up the runs, although occasionally the young left-hander would have a go, and sent the bail flying boundary words. Of the other batsmen M’Mullan shaped best, scoring a nicely compiled 37 before he was given out Ibw to Doig. The Grange left-hander hit seven fours, five successive scoring shots being boundaries. Worker batted quietly for 28 runs, taking .63 minutes to make them. He made some good cover strokes, but his placing was faulty, the ball usually going straight to a ■fieldsman, only two shots during his innings reaching the boundary. Shepherd again disappointed his admirers. Ho started off with two beautiful crisp shots to the fence, but almost immediately afterwards lost his wicket in playing back to a ball from Doig pitched on the off stump. The Albion crack was bowled the previous Saturday against Grange in (making a similar stroke at a ball from • Galland, _ J. Doig, the veteran Southland bowler, , who is over the 50- year mark, kept most of the batsmen quiet, sending down 25 i; overs for 75 runs and five wickets. He - bowled a good length, but there was ■ nothing particularly difficult in his bowlk fing, and the same remark applied to Poole, Sk who took five for 102 runs off 16 overs. jF Like Otago, Southland apparently has no 1 new bowling talent coming on, as these two players have represented their province •i for many years and are still the leading •^bowlers. Kavanagh’s slows proved very expensive, (4 i 79 runs coming from 80 balls, f*. The Southland batting was tame and uninteresting, but, nevertheless, several of (SB* 1 their batsmen made quite as good a show- * ing as most of the Otago men. , The footwork of the Southlanders was very faulty, the majority of them seeming to have no idea of using their feet to get out and attack the slow bowling. This was particularly noticeable in their treat- , ment of Douglas’s bowling. The Carisbrook left-hander sent down many over-tossed balls, which should have been driven to the boundary, but most of the Southland men preferred to stay in their crease, and were content to stop them. The running of the Southerners between the wickets was also callable of much improvement. In Southland’s first innings Poole gave by far the most attractive display, and -was the only batsman to jump out and attack the bowling in real aggressive style. Ho was batting splendidly when he foolishly ran himself out. J. Lynch was the pick of the other batsmen. In the first innings he was batting nicely when ho was run out, and in the second knock he played a good solid innings for 28 runs. ‘ Hamilton showed fair form in making 26 runs in the first innings, and S. Lynch made 26 by colourless batting, taking 70 minutes to compile his runs. Shirreffs, who carried his bat in each Ini nings for 22 and 20 respectively, is apparently a one-stroko batsman, as nlmost every scoring shot was a pull to : leg. Kavanagh and Driscoll have been scoring plenty of run* in Invercargill cricket this season, and both were regarded as possible Plunket Shield representatives, but neither of them lived up to his reputation, and on the form displayed in this game they are not likely to gain Otago representative honours. Driscoll scored 23 in the first innings, but his manner of making them vat not impressive. He was very uncertain at the start, and was inclined to edge the ball into tlio slips. He made some nice leg shot® and also one or two good cover drives, but jie does not appear to have a great variety of strokes. In the second innings DriScoll failed to score, being bowled by Alloo in trying to turn a ball to leg. In both innings Kavanagh fell to the bowling of Arthur Alloo. In the first strike, after making three, he was beaten by a change in pace, and in the second innings he went forward to a ball which completely beat him and took the wickets. The: % Southland man wa® not at home to Dickinson’s fast off balls, and he muue several dangerous “feelers” at them. Mtuch interest centred in the appearance of Blundell, the Waitaki High bchool boy, at the bowling crease for Otago. This youth, who is only 18, and is of line physique, bowls a medium-pace good-length ball which swings a trifle, and occasionally he : sends down a fast one. There are Eoasibilities in his bowling, but at present e is scarcely up to Plunket Shield standard. He bowled 20 overs for 48 runs and two wickets in Southland’s first innings, but in the second innings ho sent down only three overs, from which nine runs ■were scored. It is perhaps hardly fair, however, to judge the Waitaki boy’s bowling on his form in this match, as it was staffed that ho wa® suffering from a strained back, which prevented him putting his usual>. vim into his work. Alloo bowled splendidly in Southland’s second innings, securing four for 29 off 14 overs. Ho varied his pace judiciously and kept the batsmen quiet. Douglas, the Carisbrook left-hander, put up two good performances, capturing five for 62 m the first inning® and three for 20 m the second. He sent up many overtossed balls, however, which were treated with too much respect by the batsman. In Southland $ second strike Dickinson sent down some good ball® and bowled with better direction than usual. Ho dismissed Hamilton and Walsh with “beauties,” just taking the bails in each instance. Blamires, who has a better bowling average in club cricket than any of the other bowlers, sent down only one over f£snn£ the match, two run® coming from Centuries have been fairly prolific in junior cricket this season, and on Saturday three more were scored. Playing for Carisbrook against Grange i n the Third Grade, Dunne made Ho not out, and for Technical College against High School in the Boys' Association Ritchie scored 105 not otit and Smith 102, the side declaring their inning* closed for 221 run® for one v wicket. Other good scores were t — B Section. Second Grade —Holden (High School) 69[ Cockerill (Dunedin) 65. Biackledge (Dunedin) 62, Raynor (Carisbrook) 59, Ewing (Albion) 65 not out. Third Grade —Rutherford (Carisbrook) 60, Cusack (Christian Brothers) 56. Fourth Grade—Riley (High School) Pqgt’ Am^nUea/rrWiaak

(Christian Brothers) 65, Parsons (Christian Brothers) 63, Walker (Grange) 54, O’Driscoll (High School) 52.

Bowling in the Boys’ Association competition for Albion, Sinclair took 14 wickets for 16 runs, and for Technical College Ritchie took 12 wickets for 29 runs.

Canterbury players are being prepared for the Plunket Shield matches, the following 25 having been selected by Mr W. Patrick to attend special practicesW. K. Patrick. C. Oliver, J. M’Evvin, E. Gaeson. D. M'Beath, W. Cunningham (Sydenham), R. C. Blunt, W. Hayes, Dr F. Ward (West Christchurch), L. R. Bninton, F. Woods, D. Sandman, O. G. Crawford (St. Albans), C. E. Gainey. A. Cox, F. Powell, J. Powell (Riccarton), G. Russell, R. Read, R. 0. Talbot, M. Boon (Linwood), E. Brosnahan, G. R. Gregory (East Christchurch), M. L. Page (Malvern), D. Nixon (North Canterbury).

Since donning flannels in Wellington six weeks ago, Captain Badcock, the English conch, has secured 27 wickets for 163 runs, which works out at the most flattering average of 5.03 runs per wicket (says a northern writer). Surely no stronger _ commentary on the weakness of local batting could bo passed than this striking record. It; must not bo inferred that we are attempting to detract in any way from Badcock’s ability as a bowler. As we have said before, he is a really high-class trundler, with fine command over length, and a bowler who gets his wickets by using his brains in cleverly varying pace, flight, and spin. Ho is just the tonjc local batsmen needed to strengthen their defensive powers, and the majority of them up to the present have been unable to pass the searching examination. Fine bowler though he undoubtedly is, Badcock should not have caused the consternation he has done amongst senior batsmen. It remained for a veteran in O. G. Wfison to show local batsmen how the Englishman s deliveries should be dealt with. Going in first on Saturday in Wellington’s second innings, the veteran carried Ids bat right through the innings, and' had 82 opposite his name when the last wicket fell with the total at 180. Wilson watched the flight of the ball carefully, and when Badcock overtossed one the slightest the batsman used his feet to get out for the drive. It was a valuable object-lesson in resolute batting, and the battle of wits between a- brainy bowler and a courageous and resourceful batsman was very interesting to_ wtcb A Wellington critic writes as follows about Condliffe, the ex-Otago wicket-keeperJ. W. Condliffe, the Y.M.C.A. captain, rose to the occasion in great style against Pctone in the match which ended m victory for the Rod Triangle at the Basin Reserve. With only 77 runs on for the loss of nine wickets, m reply to Petone’s opening set of 149 it looked as if Y.M.C.A. were out of the hunt. It is simply wonderful what fighting spirit can sometimes accomplish. Condliffe had b.-tn fighting with his back to the wall all tbrougn the innings on the opening day, and scored 38 out ot the 77 which was put on by the side. With Henderson, the last man to help him, the Y.M.C.A skipper went out on Saturday with determination bristling from every hair on his head. Brice and Finlayaon were just as determined that that last wicket should bo tumbled over, but so ably did Condliffe and Henderson bat that Y.M.C.A. hofios commenced to rise that the runs might bo obtained. Not only were they obtained, but Y.M.C.A. had 11 runs to spare when at last the Y.M.C.A. captain’s great fighting effort was terminated by his being caught by Pointon off Finlayaon. The pair had put on 92 for the last wicket, a great feat at any time, but doubly meritorious when the runs had to be made against two such bowlers as. Brice and Finlayson. Condliffe’s contribution was 78, and when it is stated that Henderson’s 23 not out was the next highest score on the side, the value of the innings can be estimated. It was one of the best displays of dogged fighting against heavy odds seen on the Basin Reserve for many a long day. Finlayson bowled exceptionally well for Potone in this innings, taking six wickets for 58 runs.

Prior to the N.S.W.-England match the Referee writer stated: “The one question your cricket enthusiast asks just now is, ‘Who will be in the first test team to meet England?’ The wintry conditions everywhere, the moist wickets, and the slowness of some of the batsmen to reveal their form have perplexed enthusiasts who amuse themselves by jotting down on paper the eleven they swear is better than any the official selectors, Clem Hill, H. L. Collins, and E. E. Bean, will get together. When the New Smith Wales match of the English team will have been pretty well determined, wo ought to know more definitely what is the form of not only several of the star Australians, but of the Englishmen. If the Australian selectors are faced with a problem in differentiating between a few of the men with excellent credentials, the English captain is similarly faced. It is no light task for a man new to Australian conditions, and having had so few chances of becoming familiar with typical conditions for test match -is since reaching Australia, to determine on the eleven from such an army as seventeen.

“It is true ihat A. E. R. Gilligan has shrewd and experienced advisers to consult in J. W. H. T. Dougins, J. B. Hobbs, H. Sfrudwick, and others who have been here before, and know exactly what is required for success on our billiard-table wickets, and in the hot weather usually experienced in first-class cricket here- However, one is beginning to feel that we are to have a rainy summer, and that will suit the Englishmen. It may not_ hurt the Australians very materially, provided the selectors do not lose sight of the possibilities when getting together their elevens, if tho weather at the time is really uncertain. The Australian attack for wickets affected by rain might need to be altered from that deemed good enough for true wickets. The selection of the England Eleven strikes me as being quite as interesting ns that to represent this country, for the first test, at least. The Englishmen will play two matches in Queensland before they come into holts with Australia, and we may expect to see the Australian players given several days’ practice in Sydney prior to the match.” The smalt urn which contains the tradition “ashes” of English cricket is in the possession of Lord Dnrnley The urn was presented to tho English team bv Australian ladies in 1882, when England won the rubber of three matches after being defeated in the first match. The following inscription is on the urn : When Ivo goes back with the urn, the urn. Studrls, Kteel, Read, and Tyl’cote return, return; The Welkin will ring loud, The greet crowd wilt feel proud.

Peeing Barlow and Bates with tho urn, the urti; And the rest coming home with tho. urn. The remaining fixtures for tho English team’s tour are as follow:

December 0. —v. Toowoomba, at Too woomba.

December ’ 13.—r. Combined Junior® of Australia, at Sydney. December 19.—v. Australia (first tesf), at Sydney. December 26.—v. Southern Districts, at Al'bury. January I.—v. Australia (second teat), at Melbourne. January 7.—v. Bendigo, at Bendigo. January 10. —v. Ballarat, at Ballarat. January 16. —v. Australia (third test), at Adelaide. January 23.—v. Geelong, at Geelong. January 27.—v. Tasmania, at Launceston. January 30. —v. Tasmania, ot Hobart. February 6.~v. Victoria, at Melbourne. February 13.—v. Australia (fourth test), at Melbourne. February 20.—v. New South Wales, at Sydney. February 27.—v. Australia (fifth test), at Sydney. March 6.—v. Northern Districts, at W’est Mattlafid. March 13.—v- South Australia, at Adelaide. *

It was the biggest innings Bardsley has ever played on the Sydney ground against English bowling, likewise the best (says the Sydney Referee, referring to Bardsloy'a score of 160 for New South Wales). Sixteen years ago, on his first appearance against English bawling, he scored 108, a very fine innings, but tills was superior all round. It wa® without blemish, and, in point of form, it may be questioned if the lefthander has ever surpassed it. In its forcefulness on the off-side, from the cut to the cover drive, Bardsley took us back to his best form of the pre-war days, while his forcing to the on-side, and glancing, -were equal to anything he has ever shown. It wa® a great innings, and the greater because he never seemed perturbed in any way by Tate, who gave so much trouble to the right-handers.

Tate was far the best bowler in New South Wales’s first innings, and his seven for 74 does not flatter him (says a Sydney writer). Ho is fast medium through the air and fast off the pitch, mixes them well, swings either way, and does a bit after pitching. An 'uncommon typo of bowler, ho ha® a great physique and action, and is in the class of S. F. Barnes—that is, one of tho best seen from England in tho lost 25 years. The thick, heavy atmosphere may have been of special usjlshiacQ to for hg> swung tho ball

back to the right-handers from the off very abruptly at the finish, and if he can do that with a well-used ball on a bright, tight-aired day on a fast wicket, he is going to play a big part in the tests, fortunately for England, he is a hardy man, who revels in his work, has the stamina so necessary in a tost match bo'V/er, ai 'd is always in a smiling mood, while preserving a rare degree of keenness.

Ihe burly young man from Lancashire. Richard Tyldeslcy, who trundles slows of the leg-break variety sandwiched in with one that goes straight through without turning, impressed everyone on Monday at the Sydney Cricket Ground by the accuracy and excellence of his bowling (states an Australian paper). He had all the batsmen on the defence. Possibly if some of the more venturesome had been able to jump in and have a go at him now and then, they might have put him off his length. But as the game went he pegged away at a tantalising length, and seemed to enjoy every moment of the work. Last season, in England, Tyldeslcy secured 184 wicket® at an average of 13.98, his performance being practically equal to that of M. W. Tate, (ho young man who made his name good in Sydney by his first innings bowling against Now' South Wales. We rarely see a bowler who turns them from the log side trundling with such persistent accuracy as Tyldeslcy has shown in Sydney. If he be able to turn the ball when the real gloss is on the fast wickets, he ought to make a success of the tour, though slow bowlers, as a rule, are costly on Australian wickets. A • WONDERFUL CATCH. Jack Gregory’s slip-fielding caught the crowd’s admiration on Saturday (says the Sydney Referee). He is the ‘ finest slipfielder we have seen in about 30 years, and we doubt if another quite so good was ever seen on the field in Sydney. He is a rare asset on a side for slip work alone. But on Monday a catch comparable with any that he secured, possibly more difficult than any he caught, was that taken at mid-off by A. E. R. Gilligan with the left hand when he sent back to the pavilion J. M. Gregory himself. The English captain had to move across toward the bowler and then dive with the loft hand full stretched. He got the ball in his fingers and held it before he fell with outstretched hands to the turf. The crowd instantly cheered the fieldsman. And the batsman, who was the victim, turned and clapped his admiration of the extraordinary effort. Wo were told that Gilligan was a brilliant mid-off, and this catch remind® us that his work is not confined to picking them up as they flash over the turf from the bat and returning them to the ’keeper. If he makes more of that brand of catch Australians will not begrudge him the success, for it is the sort of cricket we delight to see when star teams are facing one another. WICKET-KEEPING TIPS. Budding wicket-keepers often ask how to avoid injury to the hands in pursuance of their craft. The best value on this point was given by a famous English wicket-keeper recently. That gentleman advised the use of indiarubber tips inside the gloves, with a special tip, armour-plated, so to apeak, for the thumb. After 15 years of amateur wicket-keeping to amateur bowling, he says that .he 1 never had a joint dislocated, as the result of taking that precaution. If the hand bruises, it is generally at the root ef the middle finger. For this injury a piece of ordinary indiarubber, such as is used for drawing, split down the middle, is recommended. Of course, the tips are a little uncomfortable at first, but a little practice soon obviates this. To save the shins football pads under the tiouser® have been recommended by exports, while to save the tender part of the knee a wad of padding stitched inside the ordinary pads gives real protection.