Success Of Australian Spin Bowlers A Lesson Of Unofficial Test Match

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27346, 23 March 1950, Page 4

Success Of Australian Spin Bowlers A Lesson Of Unofficial Test Match

$ ports Commentary

By the Sports Editor

One of the many lessons learnt during the unofficial cricket test match between Australia and New Zealand was the absence from the New Zealand side of bowlers who could effectively spin the ball on a Carisbrook wicket.' Both spectators and cricketers have laboured under the impression for some years that the Carisbrook pitch was not receptive to spin bowling, but the Australian spinners, D. Ring and J. Iverson, have shown this to be a fallacy. Their success as slow bowlers has been due in part to the necessity to find ways of spinning the ball on the hard and fast Australian wickets. In contrast to New Zealand spin bowlers, who rely on either finger spin or wrist action, it was noticeable that both Australians combined the two attributes, and in consequence the amount of hostility they displayed was doubly apparent.

While there was plenty of drama and incident on the last day, all but the most cricket-minded lover of the game must have formed the impression that much of what was seen over the three days was, to say the least, dull and disappointing. New Zealand’s first innings total of 231 was a moderate one. and the only batsmen to show any degree of confidence were A. R. Mac Gibbon and the captain, W. A. Hadlee, although W. M. Wallace during his short stay displayed some enterprise. Brilliant as Sutcliffe is, lie showed all the signs of staleness, and it is little wonder, as he has . been playing cricket continuously ' for 18 months, and has done a splendid job during the past season as coach to the Otago Association. The earlier Australian batsmen fared even worse than their opponents, and had it not been for their competent wicket-keeper-batsman, D. Tallon, the visitors might well have been behind on the first innings. Why was New Zealand unable to hold the early advantage? Mainly because the side did not have another bowler capable of acting as an effective foil to G. F. Cresswell. The side’s field placing and fielding was first class, but it did not have the services of a competent spinner, and Australia began to score almost at will. J. R. Reid, not recognised as a stock bowler, performed creditably, and was able to get lift and some slight movement from a wicket which favoured the batsmen throughout the match. Yet one feels that had the tireless Otago bowler, G. W. Overton, had the opportunity he fully deserved, New Zealand might have had a lead on the first innings. • Tallon’s display for 116 was a mixture of excellent stroke making and shots that were more in keeping with Saturday afternoon cricket, but excellence was the predominating feature.

Fine Record Of Otago Rowing Coach J. Werges has been appointed coach and manager of the Otago eight-oared rowing crew to represent the province in the inter-provincial contest at Picton on Easter Saturday. Few men associated with the sport in Otago have so complete a knowledge of rowing and the ability to impart it as has Mr Werges. He has a record of fine performances behind him—a New Zealand championship on two occasions —that will command respect from all members of the present eight. Since retiring from active rowing, Mr Werges has taken a keen interest in the administrative and coaching side of the sport. He has been a member of the Otago Rowing Association for many years, representing the Oamaru Rowing Club. It was as a member of this club that he first became interested in the sport, subsequently moving to Dunedin and joining the Otago Rowing Club to row as No. 3 in the club’s champion four at the New Zealand championship regatta in 1925-26 and 1926-27.

Mr Werges has done a great deal to improve the standard of rowing on Otago Harbour by his efforts as a coach since the war, and an additional indication of his service to the sport is given by the fact that he is president of the Dunedin Regatta Club, a body of enthusiasts who promote the annual regatta at Waihola each season and so relieve the Otago Rowing Association of a big responsibility. The youthful Otago crew should respond to his coaching, and may be expected to give a good account of itself at Picton. Sports Meeting At Alexandra

His driving was delightful to watch, and his five 6’s at the expense of T. B. Burtt were the result of first-class footwork and timing. He hit seven 6’s and eight 4’s in all. With eight wickets for 100 runs off 48 3 overs, Cresswell was outstanding in the New Zealand attack, and his ability to swing the ball late to a packed leg field made him difficult to score from. On the final day he attacked the wickets consistently, and was even more dangerous when adopting this policy. Perhaps a reason for Australia s sorry display of batting on Saturday may have been the ofl-wicket bowling of the New Zealanders, but even then little merit can attach to a display which was not in line with what expects of one of the world’s strongest cricketing countries. The type of cricket adopted by the Australians on Saturday, together with New Zealand s second-innings debacle, is hardly likely to increase public interest in the game. New Zealand’s form in the second innings was too bad to be true, because on this occasion it was the fastmedium bowling of the left-handei, A. Davidson, which was responsible 101 the side’s downfall. At the same time. Iverson was an effective foil, just as he was in the first innings, when Ring was the chief destroying agent, in both innings Iverson repeatedly beat the best of the New Zealand ba.smen and, although he did not meet with outstanding success, his worth and ability are beyond doubt. Some surprise was caused by the alteration in the batting order in New Zealand’s second innings to the extent that Wallace and Hadlee batted Nos. 6 and 7 respectively. Reid did not reproduce his English form, but this hard-hitting batsman is not a logical No. 3. There were two wickets down for three when N. A. McMahon, another forcing batsman, came in, and as F. L. H. Mooney followed it may have been that New Zealand was a little over-confident of playing out time. New Club Formed

At a public meeting held last week it was decided to form a club to be known as the Dunedin Speedway Supporters’ Club. The chief purpose of the club is to be the organising ol dances and picnics at which supporters will be able to meet local and visiting riders. Supporters’ clubs flourish wherever speedway racing has been introduced, and in England it is common for the membership to reach several thousands. As many as three trainlcads of supporters sometimes accompany a team on its away matches. Training Course For Climbers

An advanced training group of the New Zealand Alpine Club (Otago Sectionl will visit the head of the Tasman Glacier, Mount Cook, at Easter to gain further climbing experience under four expert climbers. It is hoped that the chief guide at the Hermitage, Mr M. Bowie, will be in attendance at the school. The climbing base will be at Malte Brun Hut, and if conditions permit, some ascents of between 9000 and 10,000 ft will be made. It may be recalled that last season was one of the worst on record in the Alps, the weather being very unsettled and unfavourable for climbing, and an improvement will be looked for this year. St. Leonards Regatta

Rough weather forced the officials controlling the Burkes-St. Leonards regatta last Saturday to postpone the fixture, and it has now Deen decided tha* the rowing programme, consisting of nine races, will be neld on- Saturday morning, starting at 10.30. An effort was made last Saturday to get the sailing events off, out most of the boats which did attempt to brave the elements capsized before they had gone very far, and had to be rescued by the umpire’s launch. Two sailing races were started,, but one was called oft and only one competitor in the other, the X-class event, for 14-looters, managed to complete the course, which was shortened in order to allow the race to be finished. I'his regatta marks the close of the rowing season on the harbour.

The Alexandra Amateur Athletic Club will hold an ambitious sports meeting next Saturday in aid of funds for a new pavilion. In addition to about 30 local men and women competitors, the club is-fortunate in gaining the support of at least 20 of Otago’s best athletes. These include Yvette Williams, the winner of the Empire Games broad jump title and holder of three New Zealand championships; C. Simpson,.the Otago and New Zealand 880 yards champion; M. Richards, Otago and Southland pole vault champion, who will attempt the New Zealand record of 12ft 9in; and R. Foote, Otago junior high jump champion. G. Lawless, Otago Decathlon champion and third in the New Zealand championship; D. Milne, Otago junior high jump champion last year, who is capable of clearing 6ft; and S. R. Dawson, Otago and Southland record holder in 100 yards, 220 yards and broad jump, are among the others taking part in what should be an attractive gathering.