INCONSISTENCY REVEALED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27570, 12 December 1950, Page 4

INCONSISTENCY REVEALED

Sports Commentary

Standard Of Representative Cricket

By the Sports Editor

Otago defeated Southland by nine wickets in the representative cricket match last week, and although there were several individual performances of merit, the standard of batting and bowling was not so consistent as one would expect on the eve of the Plunket Shield series. The wicket, however, was in favour of the batsmen, and although occasionally a loose surface enabled the ball to kick a littla and was favourable to a certain extent to the spin bowlers, the faster attack at all times had to work hard for any success it achieved.

Miss D. Parker (left), holder of the New Zealand women’s record for the 100 Yards, and Miss Majorie Jackson (Australia), holder of the world’s record for the same distance, photographed on Saturday afternoon at the Basin Reserve, Wellington, before the start of the 100 Yards Invitation Women’s Handicap. Miss Jackson, who won the event, broke her owr. world’s record of 10.7 sec by one-tenth of a second, but as she had the assistance of a gale-force wind, recognition of the performance will not be sought.

In their first innings the Southland batsmen did not show the confidence or concentration so necessary in this type of cricket, but they had am excuse, coming from the slower wickets at Invercargill to the harder pitch at the University Oval. Because of this, Otago was able to set an attacking field for the whole of the first innings, and E. A. Watson and F. W. Stanley, the fast-medium bowlers, were never freely scored from. Stanley bowled v with some hostility, and although somewhat slight for a fast bowler, works up considerable pace and moves the new ball effectively. Watson, who will no doubt open the Otago attack with G. W. F. Overton, was inclined to send down a few loose balls, but generally speaking he bowled better on the first day than on the second. Even on a pitch giving a fast bowler little assistance, Watson managed to get some lift, and his inswinger was a ball which had most of the Southland batsmen watching him carefully. On the second day, however, Watson’s opening overs were far from impressive. He was bowling far too short although he also sent down a few full tosses. He settled down, however, and from that stage onwards looked more like a shield bowler. Otago did not shape much more impressively than Southland, considering the greater experience of its players. The home side, however, lost its star batsman, B. Sutcliffe, very early when he was well bowled by Guy Overton for 8. In the second innings the champion left-hander scored 7 when he was caught at "silly” mid-on off the same bowler, and while even the best batsmen must fail sometimes, it may be that he lacked the concentration almost invariably associated with his batting in club and representative cricket. L. A. Watt showed stubborn defence and ' although his scoring rate was slow, he is unqestionably an ideal partner for Sutcliffe to open Otago’s innings. Watt’s ability between the wickets is worth a lot to his side. Of the remaining batsmen, L. D. Smith, the Otago captain, who has been a very consistent rungetter this season, played a forceful knock for 40, and he and S. N. McGregor were in a good stand for the sixth wicket. Smith employed a well-timad square cut and showed facility in the execution of his leg strokes. McGregor batted well for 29, but this young player should now be in the position to score, more consistently than he has been doing. McGregor has most of the strokes and is a batsman of class who is expected to do well in the coming shield series. D. S. St. John was dismissed in the first innings because of poor footwork against the slow left-hander, F. Fraser, but in the second innings reproduced glimpses of the form which made him one of Otago’s most promising players two years ago. St. John will need to show greater concentration in the shield

games if he is to retain his place in the side. G. H. Mills and A. M; Moir showed the value of good footwork, and Moir probably hit the ball harder than any other batsman in the team. He has the temperament for big cricket, but his bowling was a little disappointing in this game. He appeared to be bowling a little slower than usual, and in the process suffered in length. Moir, however, should be one of the main members of the Otago attack in the shield games with his ability to bowl more like the Australian spinners who display greater pace through the air and quicker spin than most of the New Zealand slower-paced bowlers. . Apart from his batting, Mills showed that his keeping is of the high standard one usually associates with him. There is a minimum of fuss about his work and he has an excellent understanding with the bowlers which adds to his effectiveness. D. J. Blakely collected a useful double with scores of 28 and 40 not out, and this probably influenced the selectors when choosing the Otago team. Blakely is a solid batsman with the ability to hit the loose balls and the necessary concentration to remain at the wicket. Southland’s batting in the second innings was much more impressive than it had been on the first day, and J. A. Gill and A. Gilbertson must have brought themselves into line for consideration for the Otago. Plunket Shield team. Gill, a left-hander of the aggressive type, showed little respect for the Otago bowling, even after suffering a knee injury earlier in the game. He has a good eye for an opening in the field and is not afraid to execute shots such as the hook and a lofted drive past mid-on which gained him many runs. Perhaps the most impressive of the Southland batsmen was the right-hander, A. Gilbertson. His cover and on-driving were effortless, and although passed over for the first two shield games he may receive consideration before the series is completed. Overton was responsible for the dismissal of Sutcliffe in both innings and this must have given him confidence for the big games ahead. Overton appeared to be bowling slightly faster than last year and mixed nis inswinger and outswinger judiciously. On a wicket giving him some help, Overton will no doubt be the spearhead of the Otago attack once more. The left-arm slow bowlers, Fraser (Southland) and Smith (Otago), both bowled well. Fraser flighted the ball Cleverly, and in the first innings had most of the batsmen on the defensive. He was pitching on the leg stump and moved the ball across appreciably. Smith appeared to show more concentration in the second innings and spun the ball, both with his leg-break and his off-break with judgment.