CRICKET

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22710, 24 October 1935, Page 4

CRICKET

By Slip.

THE NEW LBW RULE It was without warning tliat cricketers have received the- news that the new lbw rule ia to operate this season in representative engagements. The request of the New Zealand Cricket Council that it should he brought into use in all First Grade club matches is also likely to be met by the associations, for, if they failed to agree, their players would be at a serious disadvantage when they gained their first experience of it in a more serious type of cricket. The fact that the M.C.C. by cablegram requested the adoption of the rule for all matches in which its touring team will take part is of particular interest, for it may be regarded, as a sign that the chief controlling body of the game has found that the innovation operates to the ?;ood of cricket. It was adopted in Engand on the understanding that it would be on trial for a season, and county captains were asked to report upon its Tesults. Had the rule proved unsatisfactory it is hardly likely that the cablegram would have been sent. The introduction of the rule in New Zealand can scarcely be regarded as necessary, but it may prove of value in shortening the games. The M.C.C. team's principal matches will all be of three days' duration, and Plunket Shield fixtures this season may be limited to a similar period. In these circumstances any development which will be likely to lead to a decisive result in a short time will be welcomed. Competent umpires should find no difficulty in applying the new rule. The important point to remember is that the batsman ia not necessarily out if struck by any off-break ball that would have hit the wicket. The requirement of the old law that the part of the batsman which is struck must be in a line between wicket and wicket before an appeal can be given in the bowler's favour still holds good In short, the batsman is only out if the part of him that is struck is directly in front of the wickets. In these circumstances it is clear that the application of the rule is not as wide as might at first have been supposed, and umpires will be wary in giving their decisions. ELMES'S RECORD A correspondent, who believes that Elmes should find a place in the New Zealand team this season, writes asking for his representative record during the past three seasons. It is as follows: —

Playing for the South. Island against th« North Island last season, Elmes scored seven in his only innings, and hie bowling analyses -were none for 27 and two for 56. SENIOR PERFORMANCES Interest in the senior matches on Saturday centred in the results rather than in individual performances, few of which were outstanding. The outcome of each of the four games was watched with especia l interest. While Albion and the Colts staged exciting finishes to secure eight-point wins, University beat Grange by the narrow margin of six rune, and Old Boys kept suspense at a high pitch while they successfully battled to make a draw of their game with Carisbrook. For the Colts' victory over Dunedin the credit was almost due to Payne. His performance in taking seven for 12 on the first day placed his side in a very strong position, but its value had been reduced very substantially when the Colts, still requiring over 70 runs, had lost five for 30 in their second innings. Payne then proved his ability _as an all-rounder by knocking up a sparkling 66, and the result was that the Colts won by a four-wicket margin. Following a long succession of defeats at the hands of Carisbrook, Old Boys managed on Saturday to break even with their most dangerous rival. Had the time available i>v play not been reduced by a late start this result would probably not have been achieved. The conditions, in fact, were all in Old Boys' favour, for the wicket gave the Carisbrook bowlers no assistance, and the ball at the end of the day was almost spongy. Nevertheless Old Boys are entitled to credit for their determination, even if their display was wearisome.

„, A fact which clearly emerged from the game is that Carisbrook. is at a disadvantage because of the lack of variety in its bowling. A. Kerr, Dunning, M'l)ougall, and M'Kay are all bowlers of the same type. A good spin bowler, who can vary hw flight, is what is required >.o make this team's attack more eifective. Grange's bowling strength has diminished this season through the absence from the side of Cliettleburgh and Ledgerwood and the inability of Galland to bowl at the present time, but it was in batting that the side failed against University. Four 01 the batsmen were uaable to score, and only Elmes showed impressive form. Albion's win was gained by the type of cricket which gives the spice to the game. With 40 minutes to make 80 runs the side scored 89 in 35 minutes. Shepherd and Martin, who launched a hurricane attack on the Kaikorai bowling, put success within easy reach during tteir association, the latter being undefeated with 30 'after making 61 on the first day. Leader played a stubborn innings for his CO against Carisbrook, and M'Knight showed a welcome return to form with 49 not out. Uttley's 47 was equally welcome as an assurance that he is still to be among the foremost batsmen, and Henderson, one of the hardest-hitting batsmen in the competition, Rained 50 by impressive play. The first match has indicated that the bowlers who were most successful last season are still those who are to be relied upon. FIELDING POINTS The following fielding points were awarded for the matches which concluded on Saturday:—Colts 3, Dunedin 3; Carisbrook 5, Old Boys o; Albion 4, Kaikorai 4; Grange 7, University 7. MILLER'S PERFORMANCE H. K. Miller, who was one of Albion's opening batsmen last season, scored 148 for Midland against Hutt in the Wellington competition on Saturday. The Hutt captain put Midland in on an easy wicket, and Miller, who opened with the Wellington representative, W. Dustin, broke the. back of the bowling that was described as "never dangerous," and paved the way for his t«aia to oQmpil* the £op»

midable total of 352. He readied the century in !?1 minutes, his second 50 occupying only 14 minutes. He played some uppish shots just before reaching the century and was lucky not to be run out at OS. TEAM FOR FIJI • The New Zealand Cricket Council has approved of the proposal of E. C. Beale, of Auckland, to take a cricket team to Fiji this summer. It is proposed that the team should land at Suva on December 13. It will probably consist of 12 players and a manager. Approval has been given on condition that the team is known as E. C. Beale's team, that its matches are not described as test matches or New Zealand v. Fiji fixtures, and that the personnel of the team is approved by the council. The understanding is that no first-class player wanted for Plunket Shield matches or matches with the Marylebone Cricket Club's team shall be included in the team. Fijian sides are said to be equal in standard to good First Grade club teams in New Zealand. A team from Fiji toured New Zealand in 1894-95, playing Auckland, Taranaki, Hawke*s Bay, Wellington, Nelson, Canterbury. Otago, and Southland. A team from New Zealand visited Fiji in 1923-24.

BATTING. 1932-33 1033-34 1934-35 In. N.O. H.S. ..3 — 38 ..4 1 92* ..5 — 94 •Not but. BOWLING. Runs. 77 141 178 Ay. 23.66 47.00 35.60 1932-38 1933-34 1934-35 Euns. 77 122 148 Wkts. 2 6 8 Av. 38.50 20.33 18.50