SPORTS OF ALL KINDS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19968, 9 December 1926, Page 4

SPORTS OF ALL KINDS.

CRICKET. Bv Slip. FIXTURES. December 25.—Otago v. North Otago, at Oamaru. December 25, 27, and 23. Otago v. Wellington, at 'Wellington. January 1, 5 ami 4. —Otago v. Auckland, at Dunedin. SATURDAY’S .MATCHES. Cricketers must have got a welcome surprise on Saturday in finding tho conditions so favourable for the matches. Right up till I'ridav morning the weather was very unsettled, reminuing one more of winter than summer. Even on Saturday morning the prospects were not bright, but as tho day advanced the weather unproved, and by the afternoon it was very pleasant. Fortunately a strong wind prevailed on Friday, and this had tho effect ot drying the wickets to such an extent that they wero in a much beter conuttinn than might reasonably have been expected. The weather remained fine just long enough to enable the games to be finished, and rain set in about five or J.O minutes after stumps were drawn, contmu ing for some hours. Carisbrook were too good for Grange, and secured a two-point win by a considerable margin. iho former declared their first innings closed with 241 runs for nine wickets alter Grange, had been disposed of for the small aggregate of 83, towards which M'Mulhm and Galland had contributed 23 each, these two being the only bat:-nion to reach double figures. Tho Hrivrgo wickets fell with the scores as follows;—Ono lor 17, two for 42, three for 46, four for 46, live for 55, six lor 66, seven for 63, eight fur 75, nine for 88. Iho team was net at full strength, Brown being absent. At, the conclusion of the first day’s play Carisbrook had put on 114 runs for tho 10. of five wickets. Nearly all tho runs -.very made by two players, Blunt having 75 to his credit and still being unbeaten, while Austin had knocked up 52 in attractive stylo before he was run out. On Saturday Blunt again batted well, and Carried his score to IC2 before ho was dismissed by a line catch by Galland off the latter's own bowling. Gourley and Green, the last pair of batsmen for CansbrooK, made a particularly good stand. When Green joined Gourley the score stooq at 178, and it was taken to 241, when tho innings was declared closctd without a separation having boon effected. Both players shaped confidently, and scored fairly rapidly, neither looking like being beaten by the howling. Green's score ot 30 included a nice hit for six at Randell’s expense, while Gourley's total of 38 was made up chielly by six fours and lour twos. The wickets fell as follows; —One for nine, two for nine, three for 25, four for 27, five for 107, six for 153, seven for 15S. eight for 172, nine for 173. Carishrook’d innings was declared closed about -1.15 p.ni. There was then.a chance of securing a three-point win, but some of those -on the ground were of the opinion that the captain would have been justified in declaring a little earlier. Grange opcne/l their second innings at 4.32. Gonradi made a useful contribution of 32 runs before ho was bowled by Blunt, and Al'Alullan had knocked tip 17 when one from Dickinson beat him. AVhcn five wickets wore clown for 91 runs it appeared quite probable that Grange would again bo disposed of for a very moderate score, but Alloo altered the outlook, and when -.riandcll and ho became associated Uaris“irook's chances of scoring three points ■ won vanished. Alloo gave one of the best displays of batting he has given for a long time, and the bowling appeared to present no difficulties to him. He rattled up 79 in good style, and might easily have reached a century if the game had been continued. His score included two sixes and .11 fours. Randoll’s score ■of 17 included two boundaries. This player kept his wicket up for some time when a stand was of great value to his . side, and assisted Alloo to carry tho score from 91 to 172. The wickets fell a i follows:—One for 28, two for 49, three for 84, four for 84, live for 91, six for 172. Alloo was very sucossful with the ball in the early stages of Carisbrook’s innings. Out of 45" balls he secured four wickets for 11 runs, and one over was a maiden. By the end of the innings he had sent down 27 overs, five of which were maidens, but had not increased the number of wickets to his credit. Blunt’s bowling performance in Grange’s first ininngs was a splendid one. Out of 15 overs four were maidens, and his four wickets were secured at a cost of only £9 runs. He got his first wicket in his third over, when only five runs had been scored off him, and his second and third with the first and seventh halls respectively in his sixth over, when 15 runs were debited against him. His fourth wicket was taken in his eighth over, at which time 22 runs had been made off him. The largest number of runs made off one of his overs was seven. Blunt started off welt again on Saturday. His opening over was a maiden, and he secured his first wicket with the sixth ball of his third over, when onlyfour runs had been made off him. Tho last ball of his fifth over, when 17 runs were debited against him, produced another wicket for the cx-Uiiristchuich player. His sixth over was a maiden, but after that his bowling proved expensive, and lie finished up with an average of only two wickets for 76 runs. Flis seventh over produced 10 runs, his tenth 11, his twelfth 13, and his thi.i.eonth 11. Alloo was tcsponsible for two powerlul hits on Saturday. He got well under two successive deliveries from Blunt, and on each occasion sent the ball clean over the fence and tip against the side of the grand stand in tine style, each stroke producing six rims. , In the match against Grange, Douglas (Carisbrook). who.shaped in a very promising manner last season, again showed that he, is a bowler who can put up good performances. In Grange’s first, innings he sent down only four balls, and secured a wicket, without a run being scored off him. On Saturday he bowled 62 balls, and finished up with the best average on his side-two wickets for .31 runs. Seventeen runs were scored off him before he get . bis fbvt wicket and 14 more were debited against him before he clean-bowled anclell with the Inst hall of the niaten. 'J ho principal feature of the match b.c----t-veen Albion and Dunedin was the dismissal of the latter for such a small score as 55 runs in the first innings. On the first day's play Albion made the reasonably good score of 183 find when stumps wero drawn Dunedin had two wickets down for 15 On Saturday Dunedin made a poor si-uid a gainst tho'bowling of Shepherd and IFarnires. and only two batsmen (Strang and M ‘Gregor) reached double figures, while no fewer than five failed to score at all (Vk-k'ct cnthuMHsfs must have boon disappointed to see a team disposed of so easily The wicket was quite good, and tho collapse can only be attributed to the uncertainties of the game. Shepherd and Blinders, who bowled unchanged throughout tho innings, were in good form, and both finished up with splendid averages, the former taking five wiekefs for 22 runs and the latter four for 27. Both howlers kept well on the wicket, arid maintained a good length. . ~ . r , Strap” 1 . who made lo m Dunedin s fust innings, ° hatted steadily. M’Gregor also mndo°a very useful stand, remaining at the wickets while several of his companions were sent back to tho pavilion, and carry ing his bat for 12. Torrance was dismissed by the first hall he received, being eaindit bv Vorrath off Blamires. After Graham had made n single, he was hrd ]i n iit.lv caught by Duncan off Blamires. Tin, fieldsman, who was at cover point fell full h-ngHt on the. ground in making the catch and got the ball when it was only a (ow inches in tho air Dunedin made a much better showing in their second innings, knocking up 193 runs (nr six wickets before time was called. M'Gregor and Cherry were the opening h-iismen, and both plaved very steadily " The former compiled 60 runs in good style and Cherry contributed a useful 18. Earlv in the innings it became apparent I that'Dur.odin wore playing for safety, with the object of preventing Albion from secnr ing a three-point win. Out of 12 overs sent down by Blamires, seven were maidens, and only 18 runs were scored off this bowler. M’Gregor, who gave the best display for Dunedin in their second innings, was eventually trapped by Blair, who was howling on the leg theory. The batsman, who was uncomfortable when facing the slow deliveries sent down by Blamires, was missed three times. Two of the chances were Quito easy.

Kenny, who made 24 runs in Dunedin’s second innings, shaped well, and showed some of his old time form. By the time Kenny and Strang were disposed of tho opportunity of Albion securing a three-point, win had practically vanished, and tho nature of the play showed a. marked change. When Anderson and Torrance wero at the wickets sonic force' ful hitting was witnessed. Anderson hit four fours, and was then caught on the boundary off another powerful stroke. Torrance. v. ho- wa> unbeaten at the end of the day, hit one six and two fours, playing a very fine and flee innings. Cavanagh, who knocked up 27, batted very nicely until ho put his leg in trout of one from Shepherd. Dr Reid, who secured two wickets fui 25 runs, was tho most successful of six howlers tried by Albion in Dunedin's second innings. NOTES. Jack Rvder, of Victoria, has announced that he will retire from big cricket. Judge Moule, of Victoria, is a cricket enthusiast, and attends a match of some description every week-end during tho summer. Ho was a valued member ot Murdoch’s 18S0 (cam. Last week G. J. F. Mahoney was entertained bv tbe members of tho Hawera Cricket Club prior to his leaving the town on transfer to the Dunedin branch of the Rank of Australasia. Sincere regret was expressed by the members at, tho departure of (heir guest, and very complementary references were made to his valuable assistance to the game in South Taranaki, a presentation symbolic of sport being made to him. Mahoney finished up his last play ing Saturday with an average of six wickets for seven runs. If he lots loose that destructive kind of bowling in Dunedin some of the local batsmen arc going to have unpleasant attacks upon their aver ages. There are 10 senior A teams in Wellington, eight in Auckland, eight in Christchurch. and only four in Dunedin. Ren-haw. who plays for North Shore B (Auckland) gave a vigorous hatting display against University on Saturday week. He knocked up 23 runs, and his score included two sixes, a four, and a two, all made in one over. Two excellent performances wore recorded in the second grade match between Dunedin C and Carisbrook at Carisbrook on Saturday. Wyehorlev (Dunedin) knocked up 15 runs and took five wickets for eight, while O'Shea compiled 20 runs for Carisbrook, and captured six wickets at a cost of 25 runs. The following points have been awarded for the best Melding in senior matches this season. —Albion (3) v. Carisbrook (3). Dunedin (5) v. Grange (5), Carisbrook (6) v. (franco (5), and Dunedin (7) v. Albion (5). Totals: Dunedin, 12; Grange, 10; Carisbrook, 9: Albion, 8. Hollings. the University batsman, has been the most prolific scorer in Wellington cricket. Ho scored 270 runs for four innings, and with a “not out” to help uim. has an average of 67 per innings. The accident which resulted in Galland spraining his ankle on Saturday was most unfortunate, not only for the Grange player, but al-o for his club and the province. Galland is very hopeful that,he will bo able to play against Wellington. Horspool showed ho has still a good deal of his old form left, on Saturday week (says the New Zealand Herald) when ho scored 37 in forceful style. His characteristic leg shot was displayed with tho same aggtessiveness, and ho was just getting his eye in when Buckley dismissed him with a' beautiful ball which seemed to swing from the off before breaking into tho w : <kat. The opinion has been hold in some quar ters that tho Albion senior team would require to put up substantial scores in’ their matches this season in order to compensate for the weakness of their howling/ The team’s experience so far does not bear out this idea. In the opening match three of the Carisbrook batsmen were dismissed for 78 runs, and in the second. match Albion got Dunedin out in tho first innings for an exceptionally small score, both Shepherd and Blamires securing excellent averages. Badcock is gathering in wickets at the rate of over eight per match; in fact, ho has taken more in throe matches this season than he did in all club matches last season (says the Wellington Post). Ills performance is particularly good, his “bag" being 26 wickets at a, cost of 10.80 runs per wicket. . . . Queensland's admission into Sheffield Shield cricket has aroused enthusiasm in that Stale. It has a. fine backbone for its team with men such as Leo O'Connor, Cecil Thompson, Ron Oxcnham, A. D. Mayes, and Percy Hornibrook. Unfortunately, for business reasons, Hornibrook is not likely to play much this season. Tho Umpires’ Association is about to H«*. the services of a valuable member through tho departure of Mr Rowley, who came hero from Sydney last September and who leaving on his return to the Tscw South Wales capital on the 23rd inst. During his short stay hero 31 r Rowley has proved himself to bo an enthusiastic supporter of the game and a .most efficient umpire* and the association can ill afford to lose such a useful member. It is a pity that more retired players do not join up with the association and render service as umpires. There is plenty of scope for the utilisation of their services, and" if they come forward the association will be enabled to increase its activities for tho benefit of the came. ■ , , , ~ I p till November 27. Price headed the bat ting averages in Wellington with mi average of 93 runs. Mason was second wuth 87 liollings third with 67.50. James fourth with 57, Airov fifth with 52, Badcock sixth with. 46 40, and Hiddleston seventh with 46 25 Main headed the howling averages with four wickets for 21 runs, and Al'Girr was second with 10 wickets for 55. Dood nerforniaiwtes wero also put up by luckor (oin-ht. for 45), Smvrk (five for 30), Beard (10 for’6l), Aldorsley" (eight for 52), Finlay, : on (’•3 (or 315). ami Price (11 for 101). * It is to bo regretted that not only some of tho smallest hoys at tho secondary schools, l ut also those from the primary schools, arc allowed to use bats much too large for them, when really ghod bats of a suitable size can he pro-mred m the city (savs a writer in the Auckland Star). This is regarded bv the coach as a very great hindrance to the development of the boys batting. , . , ~ Garrard (Auckland) is bowling very well this season (says the New Zealand Herald). Ho has no off-break to speak of, but hi a deceptive leg-break is varied with the ball lhat comes straight through. When he strikes a length ho is always dangerous A good slow bowler, who is also a good all-rounder, will bo needed fn the New Zealand team to tour England, and Garrard may easily catch the selectors' eye. According to the New Zealand limes report some promising colts were seen in action in a match between Wellington and ManawaVu last week. Manawatu evidently possesses a ‘’smashing” batsman, named Gallichan.. After this player had compiled 50 runs he broke Iris bat in straight-driving a ball from Hiddleston, and in the following over he broke another one in putting a delivery from Tripe across the wicket. Gallichan put. on 76 runs, and shared with Hiddleston the honour of top-scorer in the match. Ma n awatu’.s Melding was very smart, Gallichan giving some very snappy rot urns to the wicket, and with speedy running saving more than one boundary. Statements made by members of the Australian cricket team who have just returned from England indicate .that we arc not likely to hear of. Jack Gregory m big cricket again. According to them, Gregory is most emphatic in his declarations that mwill not play again, and even went so far as to offer his boots anti other cricketing offer! s to one’member of the team. Gregory remained in America when the other members of the team returned, hut is expected hack In Sydney within file next week or two. P. R Ramsden, who made 24, the highest; score for West Christchurch, at. the time on Saturday week, is a son of J. Ramsden, the old Otago player bays me Christchurch sun). Ramsden is a nervous batsman, and it was pleasing to see him make a score, which would have been a hotter one hut For a magnificent catch by R. Norrie. Norrie, fielding at extra-cover, saw the ball coming high and fast, and bent down to epithet' force for a, spring He sprang into the air, and took a onehanded ca7ch in the story-book style. In a cricket season that is packed with important features from a player’s point, of view the weather has so far proved most unkind (says the New Zealand Herald). Tn view of the selection of the team for England, batsmen need to be . at the top of their form for tho forthcoming Plunket Shield games, but playing on slow, wot wickets is not rondneive to the best form being shown. Tho wither on Saturday week was ideal for football, but as cricket weather it was atrocious. Good batting was out of the question on tricky wickets and howlers frequently performed feats that wero entirely unexpected. One of the features of the English tour that impressed tho Australians was tho wonderful hospitality that was extended to

them everywhere (says the Melbourne Sporting Globe). It was, indeed, overwhelming in its extent and its cordiality, and, as one of tho men said, went far to make tip for the unpleasant weather. This hospitality was extended not, only to the team as a -.whole, but. to individuals also. For instance, when Ponstord rejoined the team after his illness ho was ordered by Mr Smith, tho manager, to go away to Blackpool, where a gentleman whom Ponsford had never met or seen had .undo arrangements for him to spend a few days while recuperating. Perhaps the five outstanding features of the cricket season of 1926 (says an English writer) arc; —(1) The batting cf Hobbs in Test matches and bis 316 not out v Middlesex at Lord's. (2) The all-round work of Rhodes. (3) W. G. Quaife's 10CO runs and 80 wickets. (4) Parker's bowling—2oo wickets for the fourth time in his career. (5) The hatting ot W. Pardsley and C. G. Macartney for the Australians. As all these cricketers are over 40 years of age —Quaifo is 55—1926 may bo termed a veterans’ year. On tho other hand, it inignt. he pointed out that, neither Sutcliffe nor Wood full could be reasonably left out of a review of outstanding cricketers of 19-6, and neither of them is in the veteran stage. Then, again, might he mentioned I arwood. tho first really effective fast bowler England has had for some years past. ANDREWS'S FIELDING PRAISED. The groat fielding of T. J. E. -Andrews was referred to by Air Sydney Smith, jun., who managed the tour of the Australian cricket team, when speaking at a reception in Sydney. , “Andrews stood at silly point, match after match,” said Air Smith, and I often saw .his hands so swollen that he was unable to holds his knife and fork properly at the dinner table. The catch which got rid of Hendren at J-ccds was tho most wonderful ever seen. ’ WOAfAN AS CRICKET SCORER. The debut of a woman scorer at a cricket match at the Auckland Domain provided another instance of the active interest in sport now shown _by members of the fair sex (says the New Zealand Herald). . , ... , In recording with neatly pencilled figures the fate of the batsmen, the fair scorer also evinced a lively interest in the game. She was liberal in her criticism, but even more generous with her sympathy for tl e player whose failure made it necessary for her to register a “duck.' Her powers of addition were strong, as was proved when her fellow-scorer s total did not agree with her own. “Add .it up again, ami you will find I am right, was the advice he received. She was right. And wherrthc rain came the woman scorer did not scamper for shelter. A DECISION QUESTIONED. A correspondent has sent the following letter from Roxburgh:—“l would like very much your opinion on the following decision ‘given in a cricket match at Roxburgh. In the first place I am a lefthanded batsman. Tho howler is ngnthanded, and decides to bowl round the wicket. He bowls exceptionally wide out on account of tho slippery state of the ground dose in to the wicket. The umpire gives me centre from outside the wickets, and then resumes his normal position directly behind. The first ball delivered strikes mo on the pads, the bowler appeals, and I am given out.._ Should I, in your opinion, be given out? In other woids. Was tho umpire in a position to give an Ibw decision?” The umpire did the right thing in taking tip his position directly behind the wickets. The Opinion of competent and experienced umpires is that the decision in the case referred to above was the correct one. but in order to make an absolutely definite statement it would he neeessarv to know exactly how far up the wicket the ball was pitched. It would need to be almost a full-pitcher. HOBBS AND MACARTNEY. Dear “Slip,”—Your comparison of Hobbs and Alacartncy in last week’s notes has not been gone into fully. As to who is tlio best batsman, you forget. to state, that Hobbs made his century in the last test on a wicket and Macartney was a failure. On the top of this. Collins remarked that it was the best inning's lie ever saw a man, play, and again Hobbs s average for the season will more than bear comparison with Macartney’s. Seeing the Australians played each county twice, Hobbs and Macartney had equal opportunities. I would like you to remark about this next week and publish the averages of tlie two men for the \eai. What about the attitude of the Aussies in indulging only in practices against counties and taking no risk to protect their averages?—! am. etc., Oamaru. It was stated in last week’s notes that the assertion that Alacartncy was still the greatest batsman in the world, had met with considerable adverse criticism and that it was doubtful if at any time Alacartncy could claim to have been the greatest batsman in the world, when he liad ns a contemporary the inimitable J. B. Hobbs. It was also stated that the feat of Hobbs in scoring the greatest number of centuries in first-class cricket put him in a class by himself, especially when it was considered that he lost fuo years of cricket owing to the war and to tin operation for ajijteudicitls. Hobbs has been acclaimed as the master batsman and as-a hatting- artist. Ilohbs headed I ho Fbvdish batting averages last season with 3924 runs and an average of 70.32. 1 cannot state at present what Alacartncys figures were. YOUTHFUL BATSAIAN. “BEST SINCE MACARTNEY.” “The greatest youngster New South Wales has had in 20 years—the greatest since Alacartncy first came to light,’.was tho flattering comment of a prominent cricketer as he watched A. Jackson, aged 17, batting at the Sydney Cricket Ground in a trial match, which resulted m’his selection as a member of the team which played Queensland. Keen judges are looking to Jackson to do Well in big cricket this season, and are eager to compare his performances with those of Alexander. South Australia’s new hatting star. Jackson hits a wonderful temperament, and bats like a veteran. He first astonished the cricket world with a brilliant innings of 129 against St. George last season, when he headed tho Balmain nggro"ates with 680 runs and tho averages with 39.41. He gained selection in the New South Wales second eleven against Victoria’s seconds and did well. this summer he has scored three centuries in grade cricket —111, 143. and 158. “FIGHT FOR THE ASHES.” No visit to England by an Australian eleven lias excited greater interest than that of this year. In Australia itself rather extravagant hopes were entertained concerning the result of the tour hopes based partly upon the inability of the last English’ team that visited the Commonwealth to win any of the test matches and partly, no doubt, upon tho -bchet. which was not justified by events, that. Gregory’s bowling would prove as destructive 0 as it had been in the past. While there was in England some disposition to regard the Australians as a combination of super-cricketers, it was fully recognised that English cricket had improved very considerably since the last, series of test matches, and it was in a spirit of hopetuiness that the issue of the tour was awaited. That the tour from the Australians’ point .of view was disappointing is everywhere acknowledged. Tho visiting team was unfortunate, in the respect mat. its members suffered to an unusual extent from sickness and in the respect that too often the conditions tinder which the matches wero played were unfavourable to them. But, as a team, they were not strong enough for the powerful teams which the Alother Country pitted against them, and their discomfiture in the test matches would probably have keen more severe if the time limit had not been relaxed on the occasion only of the final encounter. However that may ho, a most complete and judicially critical account of their whole tour has been provided .in an exceedingly well-produced book, “The Fight for the Ashe* in 1926” (London : G. G. II a trap and Co.. 15s). by P. F. Warner, chairman of the English Selection Committee. volume of equal merit was issued in England concerning any of the previous visits of Australian teams to the Home Country. THE NEW ZEALAND TEAM. All parochialism aside, the attitude of members of tho Wellington Cricket Association, in practically pointing a pistol at the New Zealand Council over tho question of the management of the team to visit England, will not appeal to most sportsmen (says the Christchurch. Sun). Wellington opinion favours the

appointment of C. G. Wilson as manager of the team, and at least one prominent member of the Wellington Association has taken up the stand that he will not subscribe a penny towards the company being formed to meet the expenses of the tour until lie knows who will be the manager. The Wellington Association wants the appointment to be made straight away. Other districts are going ahead with the collection of the money, although it seems clear that the biggest share of the burden is going to bo borne by Canterbury. In the meantime, several Wellington critics are busily engaged in picking the team, one of them, who takes up an extreme view ou the question of the manager, having named a side which is mostly a Wellington oiic. I Apparently Wellington is: quite content to provide the team while other districts find the money. A POPULAR CAPTAIN*. It was annomneed early in the season by W. R, Patrick that he intended to retire from representative cricket, but the opinion is developing among players and the public (says the Christchurch Sun) that such a decision is premature, and that hit: services would still bo of great value to the. province. When Dan Reese laid aside the mantle of captaincy of the Canterbury team it was taken u;p by Patrick, who has built up a splendid record of astute leadership. The manner in which he has developed young material, the gift he has of spotting the weaknesses of opposing batsmen, and the confidence he inspires in his players, are qualities recognised throughout the Dominion, and it was an honour well earned when he was entrusted, last year, with the captaincy of the New Zealand team which toured Australia. That happy team placed New Zealand batting on a new plane in Australia. Patrick's batting powers arc little affected by the years. In the season b<>fore he went to Australia be beaded the Phmket Shield averages in Canterbury, and he is halting this season in masterly fashion. Tie takes less risks with his hook shot than formerly, and his off shots are powder-laden. Moreover, Tic is still alert in the held. It is no secret that Patrick announced | his retirement, not because of any waning j enthusiasm, or from a feeling that his ) powers as a cricketer are deteriorating, but from a feeling of diffidence arising from the fact that he had fathered the Canterbury team so long. There is no young player in Canterbury who is likely to be Entrusted with the leadership if Patrick stands out, so that his object in retiring would not be realised bis season. In all the circumstances, it would ne popular, and would increase confidence in the performances of the Canterbury team, if he reconsidered his decision.