Sports Commentary

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26984, 20 January 1949, Page 8

Sports Commentary

——— By Tbe Sports Editor i n

“ GIANTKILLER ” IN SHIELD CRICKET During the past two seasons Otago has assumed something of the role of the “ giantkiller ” in the Plunket Shield cricket competition. It will not be gainsaid that the side in its recent sensational victory over Wellington was inconsistent and uneven in batting, and the failure of recognised batsmen to get going was very disappointing. Partially balancing this unsatisfactory feature, however, was the will-to-win spirit which has been a feature of Lankford Smith's captaincy. Teams with the strength on paper of Auckland and Canterbury might be expected to dominate the Plunket Shield competition, but such has not been the case, and Otago's performance in finishing equal on points with Canterbury was a good one, even though the province has lost the shield on averages. One of the main factors in Otago’s success has been its outcricket, and there is no disputing the fact that Otago is the best fielding side in the country. It was set a fine example by the captain, who also helped to raise the standard by arranging plenty of practice in this department. The Wellington match proved a thrilling climax to the series. When the dull and not so dull moments of this match have faded from the memory, there will still live the matchwinning stand of Noel McGregor and the Southlander, Guy Overton, for the last wicket, the feature not only of Otago's second innings, but of the match. When Overton arrived at the wicket, Otago still required 35 runs, and the Southland man played a solid innings, which gave McGregor the opportunity to display his undoubted batting ability. With the experience McGregor has gained in this year's Plunket

Shield series, he should develop into one of Otago’s outstanding players. By concentration and attention to detail. L. Watt is developing as one of Otago’s most consistent opening batsmen, and his excellent double in the Wellington match has proved beyond doubt that the faith reposed in him by the sole selector, Mr S. F. Duncan, has not been misplaced. Watt's value, too, is enhanced by his constructive work in the field. G. H. Mills played two excellent innings, and his 115 represented a performance which has placed him in the front rank of New Zealand batsmen. Mills heads Otago’s batting averages for the series, and his batting, combined with his excellent wicket - keeping, should make him No. 1 choice for the position behind the stumps. was no more disappointing player in the Wellington match than D. S. St. John. He compiled 53 against Canterbury, and played a solid fighting knock for 31 against Auckland, but failed to get going in the final St, John has the ability without any question, and at this stage of his development one might expect to see runs flowing freely from his bat. He has had one of those inexplicable lean patches which come to most cricketers at some time or another, and his many admirers will look to him to be well among the runs in the coming trial match. If anything could redeem his disappointing form with the bat, it was his brilliance in the field. In this department his work is a sheer delight to watch. Ivan Walsh was the “find” of the match. This 24 - year - old North-East Valley player is one of the most promising medium-paced bowlers Otago has had for some years. He attacks the wickets, and this, combined with his nip off the pitch and his late swing, makes him a bowler of exceptional promise at a time when New Zealand is short of men of this type. Walsh's performance in taking seven wickets for 110 runs in his first shield match was a notable one, and if he can reproduce this form in the South Island trial at Christchurch he will consolidate his claims for further consideration. He must not _ waste so many balls on the leg side as he did in the recent game, however, as this not only makes hard work for the wicket-keeper but gives added confidence to the batsmen. Overton bowled with his usual consistency and hostility and he will probably be given a final trial in the New Zealand v. The Rest game next week. He was not available for the South Island trial match as he is to be married on Saturday. He has taken 12 wickets in the present series and they have been those of players recognised as batsmen of class. With his three wickets for 67 in the Wellington game, L. J. Groves has earned a further trial, and because of the shortage of slow spin bowlers in New Zealand cricket, a successful

match in Christchurch would strengthen his claims. The Australian, R. H. Robinson, bowled remarkably well and deserved more success. He is a first-class slow bowler, and in this department would have been worthy of a further trial. His batting to date has been very disappointing and lack of concentration appears to be his weakness. This comment is applicable not only to Robinson. It has been a common experience in the last year or two to find Otago batsmen concentrating for an hour or so and then becoming overconfident to the extent that they relax and get themselves out. An analysis of the score book would show a considerable number of batsmen caught out owing mainly to lazy footwork. Smith handled his team remarkably well and it was noticeable in the Wellington match that his men 4 were so placed as to enable him to' have an attacking field, particularly in Wellington’s second innings. His slow left-arm bowling has earned him six wickets at a cost of 33 runs apiece There is a lack of this type of bowler at the present time, and he has earned further consideratibn. Smith has been a fairly consistent batsman and his partnerships with Watt in the Auckland match and Mills in the Wellington game were of great value to his side. R. T. Hunt did not have so good a match as he had against Canterbury, for instance, when he was Otago's star batsman, but it was pleasing to find the work of this keen and highly capable cricketer consistently good in the field. A smart return to G. H. Mills resulted in A. E. Cresswell being run out. The most encouraging feature of the Otago team’s showing in the recent series was the promise shown by the younger players. McGregor, Watt and Walsh should have many years of cricket ahead of them, and although L. A. Milnes is a seasoned player he is only 25, and still young enough to develop further as a batsman. The bowling was characterised not so much by its brilliance as by its pertinacity. The determination of the Otago attack was most marked, and was no small factor in the team’s success.