CRICKET NOTES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26982, 18 January 1949, Page 3

CRICKET NOTES

High-scoring Matches

Some interesting cricket was seen at Waitaki on Saturday, when the two leading teams in the North Otago Cricket Association’s senior competition met for the first time this season. The wicket was all in favour of the batsmen, and although a cold southerly wind was blowing, runs came fast, and 326 were made during the afternoon. In the second match the scoring was even higher. 381 runs being made. Albion’s opening batsmen, W. Watson and Parker, obviously endeavoured to give their side a good start, and in this respect they succeeded. In an endeavour to keep their wickets intact they were satisfied to play safely with the result that their’ totals included a large number of singles. Off 46 scoring shots Watson lan 33 singles, while Parker ran 26 singles in his 36 scoring shots. A. Berry, first wicket down, was even more subdued than usual, scoring 10 singles in his first 10 scoring strokes and finishing up with 22 singles out of 27 scoring shots. McLaren was not so cautious and his 45 included eight boundaries. With four wickets down for 230 the tail-enders were content to score more freely and the team was dismissed for 309. W. Watson’s 70 was his highest total this season, while Parker’s 54 took his average for 11 innings to 32. Although McLaren’s 45 was also his highest score of the season, he has shown consistent form to secure an average of 26.37 in 11 innings. For Oamaru Alf Currie again bowled well, although he was unlucky in not taking more wickets. Currie is Oamaru’s most consistent bowler and this season has taken 24 wickets at an average of 14.04 runs. S. Dick has also proved to be one of Oamaru’s mainstays in .the bowling line, having taken 17 wickets at an average of 17.41 runs. Although Oamaru had 17 on the board for the loss of no wickets at stumps, it has a difficult task ahead to reach Albion's first innings • total of 309 and next Saturday the wicket may not favour the batsmen to the same extent as it did last Saturday. The second day’s play in this match will be closely watched by all interested in the sport, and it appears at the present time that an outright win for either team will not result, but that a first innings win will have to suffice. In the second match between Union and Oamaru B, Union compiled 265 runs and at stumps Oamaru was in a handy position with four wickets down for 116 runs. J. Kinder, who started the season well with a score of 72, was Union’s highest scorer, making 60 runs before being caught. The second highest scorer, W. Thomas, who made 47, batted for the first time this season. J. Milnes, who has been playing for Union junior grade, contributed a useful 31 not out. D. Hall maintained top place in Oamaru’s bowling figures to take four wickets for 42 runs, making his average for 15 wickets this season 21.06. Miller, who took two wickets for 81 runs, is next in line with an average of 23.3 runs for 15 wickets. The Waitaki player, I. H. Geddes, proved to be Oamaru’s most aggressive batsman, scoring 48 not but. In his previous nine innings Geddes has secured an average, of 43.42—the highest in North Otago cricket this season. Next Saturday these matches .will be concluded. , . , . . . The draw for the combined junior and third grade matches on Saturday is: — Union v. 2nd NZEF, King George’s Park: Railway v. Enfield, at Waitaki: Albion, a bve The points for the combined competition to date are:—2nd NZEF and Enfield 4 each, Albion and Union 3, Railway 2. These matches will be the last of the round.