CRICKET.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21242, 24 January 1931, Page 8

CRICKET.

PLUNKET SHIELD MATCHES. i ' CANTERBURY SCORES 228. DICKINSON’S FINE BOWLING. OTAGO STARTS DISASTROUSLY. The bowlers had the upper hand in the Plunket Shield match between Otago and Canterbury, which began at Cari* brook yesterday. Heavy rain during the week had softened the wicket, which played surprisingly well, but the weather was fine, though dull in the morning, bright sunshine improving the conditions in the afternoon. The toss again went against Otago, and Canterbury elected to bat on a wicket which differed considerably from those on which matches have been played in Christchurch recently. It was good bowling, however, rather than changed conditions .which' accounted for the dismissal of the visitors for a total of 228. Indeed, it is a very long time since Otago has presented a better all-round attack, and the batting* seldom was confident. The only period . when really aggressive play was seen was when Cromb provided some sensational hitting in an over from Moloney. whom he bit for two sixes and three fours—a total of 24. Though Kerr and Hamilton played unusually cautious cricket, they gave Canterbury a good start, and they had scored 78 when they were separated not long before lunch. Kerr, who has the reputation of being an aggressive batsman, would not take any risks, but he scored at more than double the rate of his partner, who played- only one scoring shot in the first half-hpur. Kerr was the first to go after scoring 44. With the exception of a tendency to lift the ball on occasions he played sound cricket, though not a great deal more than that could be said of his innings. He showed that he is capable of punishing loose stuff by hitting five fours. Hamilton went when only two runs had been added, with a total of 24 scored in 107 minutes. The dismissal of Roberts for 4 when only 83 had been scored brought about a decided change, and the outlook for Otago was much brighter when the luncheon adjournment was reached.

On the resumption the bowlers were still destructive, and Talbot, Page, and Jacobs went after short stays, six wickets being down for 100 runs. Then came a fighting partnership in which Cromb and Lester were associated. At the start the batting “was ultra-cautious, and maiden after maiden was sent down. Gradually the rate improved, but it was never fast, except when Cromb staged his sensational attack on Moloney. When Cromb finally went, however, he had a total of 59, which Included two sixes and eight fours. He had played a valuable knock, showing sound defence, and leaving no doubt about his hitting ability. Merritt was cheaply die missed, but then came another valuable partnership, at the start of which the batsmen were content merely to keep their wickets intact. It added a useful 34, Lester going with a score of 41, which had taken over two hours to compile. Read had a short stay, and the innings closed for 228, Doreen, the wicket-keeper, having played a useful knock for 18 not out. In spite of the slow batting the innings had seldom lacked ■ interest, for the performances of the bowlers and excellent fielding provided good cricket. The Otago trundlers were always on top, and the attack was well varied and accurate. Canterbury had had to fight for all their runs. Otago supporters had good cause to be delighted with the performance of Dickinson, who staged a complete return to form and secured the remarkably fine average of six for 45. He showed in the most convincing manner that the days of his effectiveness are not past, and his trundling was always accurate. He had a hard day's work, sending up 28 overs, no fewer than 11 of which were maidens. Badcock and Dunning were both accurate, the former bowling exceptionally well in the morning. Blunt, who took two for 63, was responsible for a useful performance, though he was not as dangerous as he was in the Auckland match. Goupland and Cameron were not used a great deal, though both justified their inclusion, the latter causing one of the surprises of the day by taking a wicket with his first ball in a Plunket Shield match. The fielding was always keen, and not a single chance was lost. The’ accuracy of the attack is shown by the fact that considerably more than a third of- the overs sent up were maidens.

When Otago’s first innings began with only an hour to play optimism was well justified, but by the time stumps were drawn Otago had met with disaster, and the outlook was completely changed. There were expectations of bright batting when Shepherd and Cherry opened Otago’s innings, but ■ only six runs had been scored when Cherry was dismissed by Talbot, who captured Shepherd’s wicket when only five had been added. Blunt was the next to_go, being smartly caught behind the wickets, and three wickets were down for 15. A partnership between Dunning and Moloney showed signs of improving the position, the captain attacking the bowling with courage, but at 35 he lost Moloney, Merritt having been brought on by this time. Dunning had scored 18 when Cromb beat him, and Merritt claimed both Cameron and Badcock in quick time. When stumps were drawn with the total at 48 for seven wickets Merritt had an average of three for six. The remaining Otago batsmen—Cavanagh, Dickinson, Coupland, and Hawkesworth—now have to face the difficult task of saving a follow on. There was a fair attendance, the gate takings being £45. CANTERBURY’S INNINGS.

Kerr and Hamilton were Canterbury's opening batsmen, the former facing Dickinson, who - bowled from the Workshops end. Kerr sent his second ball to the square-leg boundary, and the last came up high >and hit him on the shoulder. Badcock took the ball at the other end, Hamilton sending his second ball past third man for a couple, the only score off a good oyer. Kerr collected another couple off Dickinson, and added a single off the last ball. Hamilton was already patting the wicket down. A single to Kerr off Badcock brought 10 up. There was no score off Dickinson’s third over, in which a leg bye was added. Kerr collected a trio by lifting Badcock just behind square leg, and reached double figures. Dickinson’s bowling did not appear to have any special danger at this stage. Kerr lifted Badcock for another couple, but had difficulty with the rest of the over. Dickinson’s next over was a maiden. With the total at 19 Dunning replaced Dickinson, both he and Badcock sending up maidens. A leg bye brought 20 up after 29 minutes’ play. In Dunnings next over Kerr lifted him high , .direction of square leg. but the ball landed well out of the reach of ttm fieldsmen. Badcock then sent down his third successive maiden. The batsmen were not playing confidently, and Hamilton still had only a couple to his credit after over half an hour’s play. ■ Kerr gave Badcock another maiden, and Hamilton against failed to score off Dunning. Badcock had five successive maidens after his next over, and then Hamilton made his second scoring shot, driving Dunning for a single, after three-quarters of an hour’s play. The total at this stage was 22 Dunning had a strong leg field, but Kerr drove one which Badcock at

cover failed to hold, and the batsman Notched a single. He reached 20, and, broke Badcock’s long succession of maidens by driving him nicely to the off pickets. With the score at 27, after 56 minutes

play Blunt relieved Badcock, who bad sent up 11 overs for 12 runs. Blunt struck a length in his first over, and Hamilton again failed to score.. Dunning/ after his next over had sent up a total of eight for three runs. Kerr got wel) on to an off ball in Blunt’s ' next over', and sent it to the boundary, bringing SO up after an hour’s play. Hamilton, who had scored only three runs, broke his second bat in Dunning’s next over, which was another maiden. Kerr added another off Blunt, who sent up a “ wrong’un ”• to Hamilton, which just went over the balls Then Hamilton added a couple by sending Dunning to fine leg, and a similar shot off the next ball gave him three more, and brought 40 up. Both batsmen collected singles off Blunt, Hamilton reaching 10 with ah uppish shot to fine leg. He had been batting for 68 minutes. Then he pulled the last ball of Dunning’s

next over to the leg boundary, Kerr added another 4, o2 a full tosser from Blunt, reaching 30 and bringing 50 up in 71 minutes. The total was 54 when Coupland relieved Dunning, and a single to Kerr was the only score off hie first over. Three singles were scored off Blunt, and one was added off Coupland. Hamilton added another 4 to square leg off Coupland to reach 20. Then Kerr lifted one from Coupland to square leg, Dunning just failing to reach it. Eight had been scored off Coupland’e five overs when 70 was brought up, and then a couple to Kerr took him to 40 after 100 minutes’ batting. He then sent the slow bowler to the fence for 4. A change in the bowling was not unexpected, when Cameron replaced Blunt, and the very first ball that he sent down bowled Kerr, 77—1—44. Kerr had been batting for 93 minutes. Roberts partnered Hamilton and opened his account with a single off the third ball. Dickinson took the ball at the other end in Coupland’s stead. Roberts added a single, and the next ball took Hamilton’s off stump. 792 —24. He had been batting for 107 minutes. Talbot was the incomer, opening with a single off the first ball, and Roberts added a couple with an uppish shot to leg. Dickinson was now bowling better. Blunt took the last over before lunch, and Roberts returned him an easy catch off the fourth ball. 83—3—4. The adjournment was then taken. THE AFTERNOON PLAY.

Page partnered Talbot on the resumption. Blunt had two balls yet to bowl, and the new batsman square-cut the first for a couple Dickinson was given the ball at the Workshops’ end. Talbot geeting him away for a single. Talbot added another off Blunt, and then Dickinson sent one down on the leg. Talbot turned it round hard, and Moloney took a fine catch. 87—4—4, Dickinson had taken two for 13. Cromb joined Page and scored hie first run with an uppish shot in the direction of third man. Cromb survived a not very confident appeal for Ibw off the fast bowler, who was in good form. Page collected 3 with a nice drive off Blunt and reached double figures. Then be put his leg in front of the second ball of Dickinson’s next over. 97 —s—lo.5—10. Dickinson had taken three for 16. Jacobs partnered Cromb and the third ball he gob was a shooter, which sounded as if it hit the wicket. The batsman, however, had touched it, - and it went away for a couple. Cromb brought the 100 up in 141 minutes with a square cut for a single. There was another sensational development when Jacobs put his leg ib front of one from Blunt, the appeal being upheld. 100 —6—2. Lester was the incomer. The next ball that Cromb received just missed bat and wicket, but the next ball he sent short of cover to the pickets. Lester’s first run came from a square cut off Blunt, and Cromb added a couple. Lester gave Dickinson a maiden, the last ball being a shooter but well o'ff the wicket. A ball from Dickinson rose high off the edge of Cromb’s bat, but it was well clear of the field. The bowlers definitely had the upper hand, the batsmen being unusually cautious. With the total at 108 Badcock relieved Dickinson, the over being a maiden. Blunt sent up another scoreless over, and a couple through the slips to Cromb brought 110 up. Both bowlers sent up maidens. The monotony was at last broken when Lester drove Blunt hard to the leg boundary. The same batsman added a couple to fine leg off Badcock. Cromb got well on to another from Blunt and added 2. Then 'he pulled the slow bowler hard to the fence. With the total at 123 Moloney was tiven a trial in place of Blunt, who was ue for a rest. Lester added a single, and Cromb reached 20 by driving him to the, off pickets. Dunning relieved Badcock and sent down a maiden to Lester. Cromb brought 130 up by driving Moloney for 4, and then he lifted a full tosser over the fence for 6. The next ball he lifted just short of the fence, but_ the umpire signalled 6, afterwards altering his decision. The next he sent to the off fence, and then he lifted the ball for another 6. The last ball was not scored off, the crowd applauding the total of 24 off the over, during which 150 was brought up. Cromb had reached 40. There were cheers from a section of the crowd when Cameron was brought on in place of Moloney. Cromb played an uppish shot for a single, and Lester reached “ doubles ” with a single to fine leg. Lester, who had been batting .very tamely, pulled Cameron round to the fence. With the score at 162 Dickinson was given a trial in the captain’s stead. Moloney brilliantly fielding a hard glance by Cromb, who then drove the fast bowler for 2 to reach 50 in 74 minutes. He survived two successive appeals for Ibw, and then he added a 4 in Dickinson’s next over to bring 170 up. Lester then gave Cameron a maiden. Cromb drove Dickinson to the off for another 4, and then pulled one hard round to square leg, Shepherd holding the ball at the second attempt. 178—7 —59. The Eartnership had added 78, Cromb having een at the wickets for 85 minutes. Dickinson had taken four for 32.

Merritt partnered Lester, who got a single off Cameron. Merritt added another and then Lester lifted one high to the boundary, reaching 20. Dunning replaced Cameron. Dickinson secured bis fifth wicket when Merritt tried to pull a ball pitched on his off stump and was bowled. Dickinson had taken five for 34. 188—8—2. . • Doreen partnered Lester and survived the rest or the over. In the next over the new batsman leg glanced Dickinson for 4 to bring 190 up. The score was 192 at the adjournment (Lester 26, Doreen 4). Blunt took the ball at the pavilion end on the resumption. Lester cut his first for a single. Doreen added a couple and then 3 to fine leg. Dickinson retained the ball at the other end, Doreen giving him a maiden. Lester played one from Blunt just out of the reach of Moloney in the slips. Doreen brought 200 up in 348 minutes with a single off Blunt, and Lester added a couple, reaching 30. Dunning then replaced Blunt, 6 coming off the over, and Doreen reaching “ doubles.” The same batsman cut Dickinson between Cameron’s legs for a single. The scoring was very slow, the batsmen being content to keep the ball out of their wickets. Lester infused some brightness into the play by pulling Dunning beautifully to the leg fence, reaching 40. A long period of dull play came to an end when Lester returned one towards Dunning at the start of whose over the crowd had been calling for a change, Dickinson taking the catch. 222 9—41, Lester had been batting for 127 minutes. Read was the last man in, pulling Dunning round for a couple. Doreen drove Dickinson hard to the on, Shepherd saving a boundary. The next ball skittled Read, the innings closing for 228. OTAGO’S FIRST STRIKE. Cherry and Shepherd went to the wickets to open for Otago at three minutes to 5. Shepherd faced Read, who was bowling from the Workshops end, and opened with 'a single towards point off the third ball, the only score off the over. Talbot was given the ball at the other end. and his first ball went for two byes. Shepherd placed him to third man for a single, and Cherry opened his account with another in the sajpe direction. Cherry survived an appeal for Ibw in Read’s next over, which was a maiden. The first ball of Talbot’s next went for a leg bye, and the second saw Cherry well taken in the slips by Hamilton. 6 I—l. Blunt partnered Shepherd and sent the first ball he received to the fine-leg boundary. A single to Shepherd was the only score off Read’s next oyer. Facing Talbot, Shepherd put his leg in front of a straight ball, and was out. 11 —2 —3. Talbot had taken two for 6. Moloney was the incomer. Blunt square cut Read nicely for a couple, and Moloney sent Talbot nicely to the on for another brace. The position had scarcely improved when Blunt was caught behind the wickets by Doreen off Read. 15 —3 —6. Dunning went to the wickets, and collected a nice 4 to fine leg off Read. He drove the same bowler in his next over for a single to bring 20 up after half an hour’s play. Dunning then lifted one over Page’s head at mid-off for a single. The same batsman drove Read for a couple and cut him square for a single. With the total at 24 Merritt replaced Talbot, Dunning lifting his first ball short of mid-on and just managing to keep the next off his wickets. The next he pulled round to square leg for a single. He pulled Read round again to the fence in an uppish shot, and lifted him high to the on for another boundary, bringing 30 up. The innings continued disastrously, Moloney being bowled with the first ball he received from Merritt. 354 —2. The innings had been in progress for 43 minutes. Cameron joined Dunning and played out the rest of the over with difficulty. Cromb replaced Read and skittled Dunning with his second ball, 35—5—18. Cavanagh was the next batsman. Cameron gave Merritt another maiden, and Cavanagh cut Cromb through the slips for a single. Cameron added a couple to square lag and got one to the fence with a

nice, fine leg shot. Cavanagh then played one in the same direction for a well-run trio. Cameron’s stay was brought to an end when he was beaten by a ball from the slow bowler which came in from the off. 45—6—6. Merritt’s average was two for 4. Badcock joined Cavanagh, who got one away to leg for a single, adding another off Merritt, who then disposed of Badcock Ibw. 477—0, Merritt’s average was now three for 5. Dickinson filled the vacancy and drove the first ball he received for a single. Dickinson gave Cromb a maiden, - and stumps were drawn with the score at 48. Scores:— CANTERBURY. First Innings. J. L. Kerr, 421131211441141111111214, b Cameron 44 I. M. Hamilton, 2123114114121, b Dickinson 24 A. W. Roberts, 112, c and b Blunt .. 4 R. O. Talbot, 1111, c Moloney, b Dickinson 4 M. L. Page, 211123. Ibw, b Dickinson 10 I. B. Cromb, 11421224446446122144, c Shepherd, b Dickinson 59 J. Jacobs, 2, Ibw, b Blunt 2 S. G. Lester, 142111143141211232114, c Dickinson, b Dunning 41 W. E. Merritt, 11, b Dickinson .... 2 N. Doreen, 42313113, not out ...... 18 R. J. Read, 2, b Dickinson ~ .. .. 2 Byes II Leg byes •} No ball •• _2 Total 228 Fall of Wickets.—One for 77. two for 79, three for 83, four for 87, five for 97, six for 100, seven for 178, eight for 188, nine for 222, 10 for 228. Bowling Analysis.

OTAGO. First Innings. J. Shepherd. 111, Ibw. b Talbot .... 3 R. Cherry, 1, c Hamilton, b Talbot .. 1 R. C. Blunt, 42. c Doreen, b Read .. 6 D. A. R. Moloney, 2, b Merritt .... 2 J. Dunning 41121144, b Cromb .... 18 D. Cameron. 24, b Merritt 6 V. G. Cavanagh, 1311, not out .... 6 F. T. Badcock, Ibw. b Merritt .... 0 G. R. Dickinson, 1, not out 1 Byes 4 Leg-bye 1 Total for seven wickets .... 48 Fall of Wickets.—One for 6, two for 11, three for 15. four for 35, five for 35, six tot 45, seven for 47. Bowling Analysis.

0. M. R. w. G. R. Dickinson 28 11 45 6 F. T. Badcock .. .. 16 8 17 — J. Dunning 22 12 28 1 R. C. Blunt .... .. 26 5 63 2 R. W. Coupland 6 2 8 , D. Cameron 7 2 20 1 D. A. R. Moloney .. 2 — 29 —

0. M. R. W. R. Read .. 9 2 20 1 R. 0. Talbot .. .. .. 7 3 9 2 W. E. Merritt .. ,, 5 2 6 3 I. B. Oromb .. .. .. 4 2 8 1