NOTES BY LONG SLIP.

Otago Witness, Issue 2642, 2 November 1904, Page 60

NOTES BY LONG SLIP.

The outfield at Carisbrook on Saturday was much faster than that on the previous week, but it still required hard hitting to notch boundaries. Sincere congratulations to A. H. Fisher on winning tho amateur golf championship of New Zealand. I anticipate after the strain of golf is over, and with honours full upon him, Fisher will take to cricket with gr-eaier zest than ever. Wanted, baskets or handy "hold-alls" for First Grade members of Dunedin Cricket Club. The lofty fielding of the eleven against Albion on Saturday was deplorable, and suggests the foregoing a? a remedy tor future use. In order to give Christchurch cricketers of all grades an opportunity to worship the horse, the committee of the Canterbury Cricket Council has decided to postpone all matches during Carnival Week. Both Wellington and Christchurch were under the weather on Saturday last, and in consequence all grade matches were postponed. Dunedin has been particularly well favoured so far this season with "cricket weather." More than weather, however, is wanted to improve the game at this end. One of the most promising bats in Carisbrook is young Fenwick, a youthful son of an ex-Carisbiook player, who, in his day and generation, was a power in the cricket field. Fenwick, jun., is one of Graham's coits. He has come on well since last season, but while showing good defence he is rather cramped in his style. | Grange were without the bowling services of Alex. Downes in their match against Carisbrook B on Saturday. The wicket would probably have suited the Grange trundlcr, who was unable to assist his side owing to pressure of work, which kept him engaged all the afternoon. The Grange Second had a meritorious win over the Port team on Saturday, rather a good performance for a team that did not consider itself good enough for Second Grade, but whom the Association Committee promoted to that grade. The Dunedin No. ] Second Grade team beat Albion rather easily by an innings and 101 runs. Dunedin's bowling proved too good for the Albion batsmen. W. Mason, of the Dunedin No. 2 Second Grade- team, put up a good performance on Saturday. Going in tenth, he scored 65 (not out), and secured five wickets for 3 runs. J. Faulks, of the same team, batted in- fine atyle for 70. The Colts' match is .to take place on November 9. It is probable that Graham and Shacklock will assist tho Colts. Kenny played a patient innings of 35 (not out) on Saturday for Opoho against Carisbrook A, playing right through the innings. The old Stager A. M'Lean kept his end up s.t a critical &lago. T. Downes and J. Roberts batted patiently for the Grange on Saturday, and saved their sids a point. The light was very bad towards the finish. One good thing the Umpires' Association is doing — that is, making teams stare sharp to time ; a much-needed improvement. B. Cramond batted nicely for 23 against Albion on Saturday. I expect this player to make some good scores this ppason. Runs cam© very fieely while he and Shacklock were associated, but after their depar- ■ ttire Dunedin's batting was feeble. j Old Tom Emmett's words, used in a , match in which ho wa-> playing, applied to [ the Dunedin senior team on Saturday : — ', 'There's an epidemic set in in this team, j but, clang me, it ain't catchin' !" i Dear Longslip, — With yoia* permission, I | would like to point otit some of the faults ', of the new system of scoring by points for ! the Shield matches. One naturally asks, ! Why this change from the method of scor- j ing which has been in vogu© for so many j .years? We are told that by scoring by points the play on tho second day will be more interesting for the spectators. It is i perhaps rather early to deny this, btit take i the match Opoho y. Carisbrcok A as- an | example. The Carisbrook batsmen in the | seoc-nd innings were playing free, attractive j cricket, but this had to be out short, as, in i order to gain two points, the Carisbrook captain had to close the innings, so as to try and s?-et the Opoho out again before 1 ) 6 o'clock. The result was. and quite natur- » ally, an exhibition of stonewalling on the j part of the batsmen, and bowlers bowling i anything from a long hop to a full-tos« in order to make them hit. Is this the kind of cricket that will attract players and spectators to the game? But, what is more important, I hold that the new method is unfair, and not calculated to place the strongest eleven at the top of the list. The chief reason of this is that all matches are not played on the samei class of wicket. It is far more likely that a match will be played to a finish on a matting wicket than on a grass one, and thus those elevens playing more matches on matting will have an unfair advantage over clubs owning grass wickets. Unless the cricket played is of a very inferior chai*acter, it is almost im- \ possible to finish a match in two afternoons. Again, suppose an eleven possesses two or three batsmen who may make, say, 200 runs for the first wicket, as happened in one eleven last year, ifc will be necessary to close the innings after, say, one or two wickets have fallen, in order to gain this extra point. Will this kind of thing make the game poptxlar with the players, who are thus deprived of their batting? I certainly cannot see where the advantages of point-scoring come in, and if, as I affirm, it is unfair and calculated 4o make the game be played in a spirit that was never in- ! tended that cricket sho'iild be played in, the ' sooner we revert to the old method of playing matches for a win — whether on the first innings or not— the better for the players and cricket generally.— l am, etc., C. E. i HOWDES-C " ' -~-' O>~-»m--* v,} -*S%~. ■ I

The match Invcrcargill C.C. v. Union Club, played en the former's ground on Saturday, was won by Invercargill CC. by 116 runs. Tho:c who contributed most to the winner?' total of 201 were Twernlow 102, Tapley 50, Fraser 18. Burke 13. Of the 85 compiled by the Union Purdue made 31, Mackay 17, Cameron 12. Raynor, M'Grath. M'Lauchlac, and Burke were the successful bowlers for I. C.C-., and M'Chesney and Purdue for the others. At one stage of the game (7 — 0—19)0 — 19) between Carisbrook B and Grange it appeared as if the former team was going to win by an innings, but Roberts and T. Downes got together and held up their wickets until time. Maitland and Austin bowled splendidly, the former securing five wickets for 21, and the latter three for 16. The failing light may, and probably did, havo an unnerving effect on the Grange batting. The light became so bad towards 6 o'clock that I expected the umpires to declare- the game closed. Siedeberg and Sparrow batted well for their runs on Saturday. The former was watching every ball carefully and taking no risk*, being set on notching a century. Truth to tell, the way Siedeberg was batting he certainly looked like getting the three figures ; but Fate was against him, and the Carisbrook captain got out in that most exasperating way — Ibw. Siedeberg was rather astonished when given out, for he was confident that he had played the ball. 'Baker tried his arm at bowling on Saturday, and succeeded in bagging a wicket, but the big Grange man now requires longer spell? than* usual between extra efforts. He can still run his 22 yards fiom wicket to wicket m good time, although in the second innings he did not get- many opportunities of showing his speed in this direction, for in attempting to swipe a ball from Jerry Austin over the edge of the universe or thereabouts Baker was clean bowled. By his fine score of 80 not out on Saturday, against Dunedin. George Cummings showed a welcome return to form, and his effort is the more creditable seeing that the outfield was heavy and full value was not obtained for all the strokes. Certainly the Albion batsman had some lives, but his form at ihe w'okets was, for the most part, superior to anything he has hitherto treated us to. Some of his runs were the result -f very pretty strokes, and admiration was freely cxpiesscd by the spectatois at the display. Mr J. Hope has, I understand, joined the recently-formed Umpires' Association. He should prove a valuable acquisition to that worthy body. Hope (no pun intended) to see ethers following the example of the old Otago representative. The ex-Carisbrook player Hussey, playing for North Shore (Auckland) against City the othei- day, was the disturbing element in the lalter's innings. He secured three wickets at a cost of 36 runs. Robertson, the old-time Southland and Canterbury representative bowler, who has been in Auckland for some years, is in Dun•editi on a holiday visit. He is looking well, but states that he hasn't played a game of cricket for a couple of seasons. In his day Robertson was a most successful bowler. _ At the recent meeting of the New Zealand Cricket Council, Mr Ridley gave notice of his intention to move at the next meeting of the council that, in view of the large number of fixtures arranged for the season, there should be no North v. South Island match. Messrs D. H. Thomson, A. Sims, F. C. Raphael, and G. de Tries have been appointed a committee to carry on all business arrangements in* connection with the New Zealand tour of the Australian cricketers. The committee appointed to deal with the proposal for -the visit of the Australian team during- the season reported at the meeting of the- New Zealand Cricket Council that the associations affiliated had been asked to offer guarantees for matches with the team. The Aueklajid, Wellington, Otago. and Canterbury Associations had guaranteed £250 each for a match, the three former on condition that one of the match days should be a Saturday. Southland had offered £150, and the West Coast £100 for a match, but no other associations had offered guarantee^. Tho committee proposed, therefore, that two New Zealand matches should be played, and there should be four other matches — one each against Auckland, Wellington, Canterbury, and Otago. Information liad been received to i tho effect that the Australian, team would reach Auckland on February 6. 1905, and j would leave the colony on March 20. A meeting convened for the purpose of forming an Umpires' Association in Christchurch was responded to by four enthusiasts, one of whom was oiu - old friend D. H. Thomson. The question of the payment of umpires was discussed. It was pointed out that it might bo desirable to pay some reloining fee to umpires, but for the present nothing could bo deckled owing- to the lack cf funds. Tbe association was formed, or rather reconstituted from one which existed last year, and Mr H. Hardy, on the motion of the chairman, seconded by Mr H. D. Thomson, was appointed secretary to the association. It was decided to defer the framing of rules until a future meeting, when the rules of similar associations in Dunedin and Wellington had been received. Stoiiewaller Adams, late of Albion Club, the same gentleman who held his wicket I up against Bosanquet and Co. for nearly three hours for six runs, and J. O'Shea, of Grange, are members of Wellington Club this season. Former is said to have shown fair form with bat and ball in a recent practice. O'Shea is credited) with bowling ! a medium-paced ball, which he can break either way. The following office-bearers were elected at the last meeting of the New Zealand Cricket Council : — Presiden-t, Mr W. C. Buchanan, M.H.R. (Wairarapa) ; vice-presi-dente, the presidents of the affiliated associations—Messrs F. Earl (Auckland), A. E. G. Rhodes (Canterbury), E. H. Williams (Hawke's Bay), A. C. Hanlon (Otago), H. D. Bell (Wellington), W. L. Clifford (Marlborough), W. Empson (Wanganui), F. E. Watson (Mariawatu), H. Baigent (Nelson), W. H. Perkins (Westland), W. J. Lindsay (South Canterbury), and W. G. White (Taranaki), and Dr Fitzgerald (South Otago) ; honorary treasurer, Mr T. D. Harman j honorary secretary, Mr F» C. Raphael* The death is announced, after a lingering illness extending over six years, of "Bob" M'Phereon, the old Auckland representative cricketer. Deceased toured the colony with the Auckland team in 1890. Some Auckland scores of last week: L. B. Hemus 69, E. Renwiok 48, R. Neill 43, E. MacCormick 38, E. V. Sale 62, A. E. Clark g^JW. B. Smifch jJO^Jßowdeii 27. Stem-

son tcolc fom- wickets for 42, and Kallender thrpo for ]0. The annual report presented at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Cricket Council on Thmsday stated that members w&re to he congratulated on the position of the i council, and upon the general advancement of cricket throughout the colony. The visit of Lord Hawke's team to New' Zealand during the previous season did much to arouse enthusiasm nnd increase the interest taken in cricket, and that increased interest was fully maintained during ihe past season. The most important cricket fixture of the season was the inter-islancl.iratoh. which -nss played at Wellington, ami rpsulted in a victory "for ihe South Inland by two wickets. From a financial point of view the inter-island 1 match was not a success owing to the meagre attendance of tho public, and it resulted in a deficit of £87 3s 9d. It was a matter for regret that the match i\as not more liberally supported by the public, in view of the fact that the bringing of players from all parts of the colony to one centre entailed a heavy expenditure upon the funds of tho council. The financial position of the council is sound, the credit balance be hi" £227 15s 9d, of which amount £200 has been placed on fU-ed deiDOsit The council commencpd ihe reason with a c-i-edit balance of £505 18s lid, representing the profits on the matches with Lord Hawke's team, but as come of thp associations taking parfc in those matches suffered losses, the committee decided to recoup losses to the extent of 50 per cent, of the deficiency in each case. The sum of £259 18? lid was expended in that manner, thus substantially reducing the balance lying- to the credit of the council. The receipts for the yea 1 " amounted to £643 3s 2d. which included £450 fixed deposit placed to current account. The expenditure totalled £415 7* sd, leaving a balance of £227 15s 9d. The assets amounted to £236 3s 9d, while the liabilities were nil.

This New South Wales Cricket Association has adopted Iho recommendation of the Executive Committee, tbat the Victorian and South Australian Associations should be asked to join in advancing the -preliminary expenses to thp next Australian Eleven, estimated to be £1500.

Mr J. C. Williamson has offered a trophy to be awarded the bowler who carries off the honours in all inter-State matches this season.

The New South Wales Association has decided not to revert to the old system of allowing 5s per afternoon to umpires for club cricket ; the eliding scale of allowance) in existence will be continued.

A' worthy son of a worthy f f.ther, W. Bannerman, a son of the old internat : onal cricketer, Chas. Bannerman, now in Christchurch coaching Christ's College, captured six wickets for 41 rims in a Third Grade match in, Sydney the other day. Apropos of the remarks last week re matches starting on time all association on the Australian side has adopted a rule making a club liable to a fine of 10s if ita team is not prepared to take the field at th& time set down for commencing play. An enthusiast gives away the secret how to preserve cricket balls: "Leather balls, before being used, should be varnished and allowed to dry. After each match wash the ball, coat it with common red mk, and varnhh again. I have done this for the. past four years. For instance, this season the club to which I belong played 16 matches, using only two balls, one having been used in 13 matches and the other in. three. Both are now in perfect order. Some Melbourne scores of last we&fc _: M'Petrie 71, Russ 45. Warue 69 Ross 27, Fenton (not out) 24. Carlton 47, Carroll 39, Noonan (not out) 30, Vaughan 51. Aimstron- (not out) 42, Horan 85, Giller 87, Scott' 101, Bath 37, Russell (not out) 49 Leach 50. Fry's six wickets for 43 best bowlins! performance. G S P Jones, of South Australia, la a century-getter this season. Playing for Port Adelaide against West Torrens, Jonea hit up 104, and was, when the mail leit, not out. He went in first wicket down, and o-ave a chaneeless display. " In the Second Eleven match on Saturday (says "Felix" in the Australasian), Jiasfc v St Kilda, J. Godby was batting for the Ea=t T Horan howled, the ball struck Godby on the thigh, went over his head, and falling on the bails, dislodged them. "Hard luck," said J. Thompson; I never saw such a thing happen before. Y efc th© very next man— Horsburgh— was struck byone of Koran's deliveries on the thigh, the ball went over Borsburgh's head, fell on the bails, and dislodged them. "Extraordinary!" was all that the players could South Australian P. Leak accomplished a remarkable performance in electorate cricket the other day by securing four wickets with successive balls. Clem Hill and Joe Darling were evidently in a run-making vein at Adelaide last week. Hill hit up 105 and Darling 83. H. J. Hill, a brother of the redoubtable, has 71 on (not out). Tasmania is angry, and justly so. She declines to play any other team than the First Eleven of Victoria.

"Trumper, 0." So the score-sheet read in the first innings of Paddington against Balmain the other day. Hundreds of anticipating spectators, who rolled up to see Australia's cricket idol repeat his previous week's performance, were disgusted. Trumper does not frequently disappoint the* crowd.

The memory of the late Arthur Shrewsbury is to be perpetuated by the erection of an imposing monument over his gray© in the little churchyard of Gedling, near Nottingham. The monument, which has not yet been erected, is of polished granite, and bears the following inscription: — • To the Memory of ARTHUR SHREWSBURY, for 20 Years a Member of the Notts Coxur^ Cricket Eleven, and a renowned cricketer. This monument was. erected to perpetuate tha esteem and regard of his relatives and friends. Born April 11, 1856; died May 19, 1903. "Our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is none abiding." Respectable bowling performances ia Sydney First Grade cricket last week: — March, three for 18; Bowden, five for 70; O'Connor, six for 45; Howell, four for 19 ;' Bull, two for 7; Barnes, two for 5; Hopkins, eight for 45; Allen, four for 39; Oarty, five for 27 ; Whitting, four for 21. Some Sydney scores last week: O. Gregory 58, A. J. Weston 40, W. Richardson 86, A. Chapman 42, E. Rubb 31, A. Buckle (not out) 53, E. Rinaldi 42, W. P. Howell 33, R. H. Duff 66, R. Harfcigan 43, N. Y. Deane 34, B. W. Farqubar 28, M. A. Noble 66, E. G. Noble 36, J. J. Kelly 39. A Oln-istchureh telegram states that all cricket matches were postponed on Satur*

day. the grounds being very wet after the recent heavy rains.

An Auckland telegram states that the first matches' in the Association championships were concluded on Saturday. Grafton beat Eden by upwards of 100 runs in the first innings, getting 263 (for eight wickets) against 125. Ponsonby beat Parnell, scoring 163 (for eight wickets) against 139 in the first innings. City beat North Shore, closing the innings for 240 (for nine wictets), the Shore scoring £6.

A Wellington telegram states that the cpening of Cup cricket on Saturday was postponed,, the ground>bcing soft.