NOTES BY LONG SLIP

Otago Witness, Issue 2645, 23 November 1904, Page 56

NOTES BY LONG SLIP-

Owing to the execrable weather on Saturday, winch quite spoilt what would otherwise have been a very pleasant afternoon, the (Jansbrook C.C. has decided to hold another of their popular Ladies' Days next Saturday, when tis hoped that old Boreas and Jupiter Pluvius and all that lot will be in better humour than they wei-e last week.

Celebrating his golden wedding on Sunday next is an old-time cricketer in the person of Air George West, father of the present umpire, J. vVest. To the present generation, Mr West, as a cricketer, is probably unknown, but in the early sixties, when the Citizens Club and the old Dunedin Club knocked the balls about on the Oval, his was a name to conjure with. With the late "Bill" Hendley, Air West was selected to practice with a view to playing against the fiist English team which visited the colonies. Seems as if that was more than a week ago.

At a meeting of the Otago Cricket Association on Friday evening a telegram was received from the Auckland Cricket Association asking for a match with Otago at Christmas, or early in January. It was decided to inform the Auckland Association that the present engagements with Southlaud, Wellington, and Canterbury precluded Otago from meeting Auckland on the dates suggested, but the local association would consider a proposal for a- later date. Seems as if they all wanted to tour this year ; even Wellington, which takes some shifting off its own little backyard, threatens to pay its long-promised visit to these parts. A letter has been received by the local association from the South Canterbury C. A. asking for a match against" Otago this season ; but owing to the number of engagements already booked, Otago has -her hands full, and cannot at present entertain tho proposal. Next year the project may be considered.

It has been decided that the Australian team visiting Xew Zealand en route to England will play two matches against New Zealand, one in Christohureh and the other in Wellington, and there will also be matches against Auckland, Wellington, Canterbury, and Otago. Information has been received to the effect that the A\istralian team will reach Auckland on February 6, 1905, and will leave the colony on March 20.

Apropos of the foregoing, it is not generally known that Otago was offered one' of the New Zealand matches against the Australians, but the local association declined the offer, fearing thai the "Test" match would interfere with the financial prospects of the provincial game against the Australians, for which the sum of £250 has been guaranteed. Taking an outside view of the subject, it .seems as if the local association has erred in thus refusing the offer made by the New Zealand Council. Supposing the Otago match against the Australians be played in the first week in March (of which there is every probability), matters might be arranged to have the weekly halfholiday on the Friday, the first day of the match, Saturday follows — another good day — and the game woidd conclude on the Monday. Unsettled as our weather is before the New Year, it is generally t<y b& relied upon in February and March. Did not the match with Lord Hawke's team return a satisfactory profit over and above the guarantee? Of course il may be argued that the public would not patronise the provincial game if they had a chance of seeing the Australians against New Zealand. But with this view I do not altogether agree, preferring to believe that the public would be present at both games in sufficiently large numbers as to warrant the Otago Association undertaking the responeibiity. On learning that in th-e event of a loss over the New Zealand match the New Zealand Council stands in, I feel more than ever that the local association has made a mistake in not accepting the council's offer. The looal association is at present in a state of some agitation as to whether it should pay the two professionals, Messrs Graham and Shaeklock, for their services in representative cricket, and how much. I understand the professionals are asking £5 each for a three-days' match. The subject is one to be viewed from purely a commercial standpoint : these two players are earning their living by playing cricket, and their services are at the pleasure of the association at a price. It is only light that it should be so, and reasonable to suppose that as their livelihood depends on playing cricket, the same as mine depends on writing cricket and other notes, they should be Xsaid. The point now at issue Is how nuich? They are both first-clasg players — one as a bowler and the other as a batsman. Three days' cricket at £5 represents an outlay of £1 12s 4d per day per man. It also represents 32 adults at a shilling, and a small boy at 6d. Still, on the commercial basis, will the presence of Shaddock and Graham playing for Otago attract each day for three days 32 adults and a small boy apiece? Seems to me as if they would, and in that belief I think they would earn their moiiej 7 . But, apart from all this, there is another reason why the professionals should be pair], and that is, because of their cricket abilities for Otago. Have we so many good men that Aye can afford to leave either or both of them out against Canterbury, Wellington, or the Australians? If we have, let the association drop them and save their money; but if they are worth playing, being professionals, they are worth paying. T. Adams, of Carisbrook A, the son of an old-time cricketer, who promised last season to develop into something above the ordinary as a batsman, has up to the present shewn nothing like decent form. The reason of this is probably want of practice, occasioned by studying closely for examination?. Now that the exams- arc over Adams will be able to get some muohneeded practice, when 'tis hoped he will develop the promise made early in his cricket career. A lusty youth, keen on the game, he. should make a batsman of the dashing type.

After seeing Fisher again batting on Saturday I have increased my faith in the golf club as a worthy successor to tho cricket bat, and the golf same as a means of keeping the eye in. Beyond a streaky stroke in the slips, where ho was badly

missed, Fi->her gave a splendid exhibition of batting : his square and back-cutting were well-nigh perfect. This batsman lays on the wood io some purpose, believing, and rightly too, that the cricket ball was made to hit.

Opoho made a poor stand against Albion on Saturday, the batting of the hill team being very poor. Only four men reached double figuic*. Johnstone, a young player who, I believe, played for Albion, showed good form for his runs. He is the makings of quite a decent batsman. His hitting on Saturday was very clean, and all his strokes were well timed. Campbell, a. recant acquisition to the hill team, batted \ery freely, and \\a-> shaping well when he was taken at mid off.

The fielding of Opoho was deplorable, the mantle of Dxuiedin having fallen on the hill team. Players like M'Gavin and Kilgour, usually reliable, failed to catch even fairy easy ones. The microbe has evidently bitten very deeply. Cummings and Dyson had the field fairly demoralised. These two batsmen treated all bowlers alike. While batting well, they gave several chances which were not accepted. The score put up by Dyson and Cummings (93) is said to be a record for first wicket in the Albion Club.

Dy c on. who hails from Lancashire, is a batsman of the- type badly wanted here. The newcomer will prove an acquisition to the Albion Club. I had intended using the stock word "decided," but will wait further cricket developments. At present out of form, Dyson will, with practice, make matters interesting to spectators. His score of 56 on Saturday included ten 3's and five 4's.

The wholesale condemnation of the Opoho's fielding on Saturday is not respectful to Kenny, who, fielding at point, brought off two smart catches, dismissing Albion's first aggressive pair of batsmen. Pleased to notice an improvement in Albion's fielding over previous tvretched exhibitions in this important department. A one-armed boy named Cowen, playing for Opoho against the Scar on Saturday, ran up 33 (not out). This boy, batting with his left arm, is something of a wonder, in that he can square cut like a tradesman. He has already several good scores to his credit this season, which include four notout innings.

Owing to rain two short adjournments were made at Opoho. It is worthy of note that on going out again each time the bowlers had the best of matters, Corbetfc securing a wicket after the first adjournment, and Spence bagging two th& second. There is no cricket moral hereabouts.

There was only one- special feature about the match betwen Dunedin and Grange at the Caledonian Ground, and that was Alex. Downos's splendid innings of 91. Downes adapted his play to circumstances, giving one of his best exhibitions. The Grange man's hitting all round the wicket was clean and crisp, the ball coming off the bat with, a loud "ack !" indicating clearly that there was plenty of power behind the strokes. Downes only gave one chance, and that a difficult one to Ackroyd in the long field. It was an innings deserving of a century. Tt is pleasing to see some of the young bowlers coming to the fore this season, particularly Torrance, of Dunedin, whose five for 44 with a, greasy ball is a praiseworthy performance. Otago is badly in need of young trundlers to come along. Downes and Fish&r, who have borne the heat and burden of the day for many years past, cannot last for ever.

The Dunedin Olub surely has a monopoly of left-hand trundlcrs — Torrance andi Wilkie in the First Eleven and Given and Courtis in the Second. Coach Shackloek shoxild be able to do something with these players.

J. Wilkie is again playing for Dunedin, but does not show the form of a season or two ago. He appears to be shaping well at the nets. I expect to see him return to form any of these wet days. CBem. Hill considers skating a splendid exercise for keeping in form for cricket, and states that he has been at it all the winter. How the benefit is derived the Australian champion does not say; possibly getting up speed to chase and prevent boundary hits. Visions of a 13-year-old youth in knickerbockers passed before my mind last week when noting the Third Grade century maker. The vision was rudely shattered on Saturday when I saw, keeping wickets for Anderson's Bay against Carisbrook, the centurion aforesaid, and recognised J. Beck, an old-time cricketer, footballer, and oarsman. There was more tea than cricket at Carisbrook on Saturday, and more rain than, anything else. The preponderance of feea dij not annoy me in the slightest. On the contrary, I rather liked it, more especially when it was presided over by some of Dunedin's fairest; but the loss of criokefc troubled me muchly, and the passing and repassing showers rufflled me beyond belief. The weather was certainly tantalising, for no sooner had cricket fairly started than a cloud burst, and down came the rain. Players raced for shelter, and said things en route; tried cricket again, and said more things — mainly uncomplimentary. A casual cricketer suggested a concert in. the pavilion, and was about to rush off and borrow the nearest piano when he waa called back by the umpires. Another cloud had burst.

There were few cricket incidents, and those that were were mostly draggled. Bowlero and fielders had a deplorable time. The former were handicapped with a greasy ball, which no amount of sawdust could cope with, besides which they had to be wary when taking their run to the crea&e. The field suffered in much the same wretched manner, having in addition to slop balls which came at them like bullets. On a wet and cold afternoon the cricket ball is nob the light and feathery thing it appeal's when the sun is in the meridian. Then i* assumes the dimensions of a 401b shell, and strikes one with the power thereof. Small wonder, perhaps, that under such circumstances the Car i«b rook B fielding was generally loose, and brilliant only in spots. Dr "Williams picked up cleanly, and threw in smartly and accurately ; likewise George Mills did some clover things in the catching line worthy of a special paragraph. Pear less, whom the writer has been watching all "the season with no unfriendly ej'e, batted very solidly for his runs, playing good cricket during his tenancy of the batting; crease. The student cricketer should play his way into the Otago representative team this season, for, in addition to his form with the bat, Pearless is a brilliant field in any position. Re George Milk's catches. They were sensational in their execution. The first one was off a rising ball from Austin, which Lyttleton played through the slips. Th« ball was making terrifio pace through the atmosphere when Mills shot out a lone arffiu

•t the end of which was a. sure hand. Ball and hand met with a sound like unto that which a cow makes when it pulls a hoof out of a bog, and a brilliant catch was effected. Later the ex-Aucklander again distinguished himself by running in and dosing on a fast-dropping ball almost at his feet. For these bright incidents in a game otherwise dull the Carisbrook- man is profusely thanked. Three times out lbw this season is the record of Howden, which should show the Carisbrook A captain that, he cannot trespass with his legs with impunity. Better for him to be bowled or caught than his cricket life made a burden to aim by th© Texed lb.w.

Nesbitt, the young Queensland batsman, ■who promised to be of great assistance to the Dunedin Club this season, has received an appointment at Catlins River, whither he has gone to teach the" young idea how to shoot and, I hope, play cricket. New .Zealander Fred Midlane, though known 'to be in Sydney, has not been noticed playing prominently in Sydney cricket. The explanation is that Midlane, who resides in the Redfern district, has not yet quite qualified to play for Redfern in competition cricket. The ex-New Zealander, however, turned out for his district against New England in "country week" in Sydney, but only succeeded in getting 2 before he was caught out. Our old friend Bob Wilkie, playing for Sydney agafnst Western District, scored 28 before being- caught. Chronicled last - week that a Sydney schoolboy named Dean 1 had put' up an Australian fiohools record by oompiling 412. Following Saturday the youthful crack batsman demonstrated that his first effort was no fluke by hitting up 126. Dean is at present being "discovered." A peculiar incident occurred in a match in Sydney the x other day. A ball struck a swallow, which was knocked against the batsman and killed. Some * scores in South Australian cricket last week:' Magarey 53, Reedman 37 not out, Moffat 35, Travers 34, Ellis 38, Mayne 40, S. Hill 33, Jones 36, Jennings 66, Claxton 66. -

Prominent Melbourne scores of last week : leaver 155, Baker 103, M 'Michael 60, Ainslie 66, Ransford 62, M'Leod 56, Mailer 49, iWarne not out 68. —

In the v inter-State match played between "Victoria and South Australia at Adelaide last week Trumble was unable to play for the former, Osborne taking his place. Some Auckland performances at late&t date : Hemus 94-, Hay not out 29, Smith 57, Lusk 46, N N. B. Lusk 39, Philson 32. Bowling honours: Clayton, four wickets for 39; Barr-Brown, five for 48 ; Olliff, six for 24. All cricketers will hear "with regret, says an Auckland scribe, that, acting under medioa advice, W. Mills, the Eden slow bowler and ofttimes Auckland rep., has decided not to play any more this season. Mills's retirement' causes a vacancy that cannot easily be filled up, for, apart from his play, he was extremely popular among his team. Let us hope- that ere another season rolls round, his well-known figure will again be seen upon the cricket field.

The Wellington Umpires' Association,^ at a recent meeting, issued an instruction to its -members which might . with advantage be adopted by the local association. It was to the effect that -if a batsman takes longer than two minutes from the time his predecessor was dismissed to take his place at the wickets His right to bat shall be forfeited.

Although.* just on 63 years of age, E. M. Grace 7 "still plays cricket a good deal. For Tbomb'ury Club, during the recent English season, he played in 40 innings ; his _ batting averag©_ was only 12 runs per innings, but at bowling he captured no fewer than 277 wickets at a cost of only 9.71 runs per wicket.

C. B. Fry recently wrote an interesting article upon slow grounds and their effect upon cricket. " A slow ground is dead against all strokes which are made b&hind the wicket, except swinging leg hits. Cutting, for instance, is -at a discount. The power of a cut comes chiefly from the pace of the ball from the pitch, which the batsman, so to speak, re-directs rather .than adds to by his stroke. But on a slow wicket the ball comes slow from the pitch, and therefore contains littl© pace to be redirected. Then the ball winch would travel to' the boundary on a fast wicket barely reaches third man on a slow one. Much, the same applies to glides and. glances, and all similar strokes on thei leg side — very fruitful on fast wickets, they are nearly useless w.hen the ground is dead. Then, again, on slow wickets, the graceful forward stroke' which is usually called "the off-drive, but is really a. well-timed push rather than a_ drive, is at a discount; it scarcely sends the 'ball past extra-cover at the expenditure of the same amount of power which on -a fast wicket would have scored an easy boundary. It is a- great «rror to 'assume! that, in^general, bowling is more difficult to play on wet wickets or that the bowler is "coming into his own again." directly the rain falls. By bare results it looks as if this were the case. But often enough bowlers have really done no better and batsmen no worse when the innings' total is 150 than when it is 300. Often the difference represents nothing more than the difference between the rate at which th« ball travels over damn turfg and dry — a difference which is clearfy quite independent of the relation between batting and bowling."

A Ohristchuroh telegram states that the ■weather was perfect for Saturday's cricket. Midland A k&pt Sydenham in the field all th© afternoon, scoring 255 for four wickets (Lawrence 102, Strange 77, White 35 not out). United, playing Lancaster. Park A, scored 100 (Weston 25). Callaway took eight wiekefis for 31 runs. Lanoaster Park fiave losb six wickets for 118 (C. Ridley 30, Orchard 24-, CaHaway 19). Lancaster Park 25 met Midland B, "scoring 159 (Atkinson 65 not*"©ut, Norfcji 32, Toomer 25). Midland lost four wickets for 101 (Prebble 47 not out, Wilson 31). In the Second Grade T. D. Herman made 120, not out. A Wellington telegram states that in Saturday's senior cricket matches the Old Boys, playing against Newtown, in their first innings made 197 (Bladklock 47, Staples 34). Newtown in their first innings scored 95 (Alpe 19, Spraggon 16). In the Wellington v Phoenix match Phoenix in their .first innings made 76 (M'Lennan 19, Hick&y 28). A meeting of the Waikouaiti and Waihenio Counties' Cricket Association, was held in the Athenseum on Wednesday, 16th, inst., and was attended by the following delegates:— Messrs D W Mallocb, P. E. Wilson (Waikouaiti), A ; Barnes C H. Westfield (Shag Point), Bailey, Kelson' (Goodwood), Beck, Johansen (PalmerstonTßanibery (Seacliff), and R. T Dreaver (hon. secretary). Mr.^™™ I *} to M * e ihair. Messrs J. Allen, MI.R., T. Mackenzie, M.H.B-, A. S. OxbelU & fofffflaM,

and Dr Hislop wrote thanking the association for placing them on the list of honorary officers. The Seacliff and Macraes Clubs wrote re joining the association. It was decided to play the first counties' match at Waikouaiti on Tuesday, December 27. The followii.* fixtures for the first half of the season weiv arranged : — November 19 — Shag Point v. Goody cod,' at Goodwood , November 26 — Waikouaiti v. Goodwood, at Goodwood; Palmerston v. Seacliff, s»t Seacliff; December 3 — "Waikouaiti v. Shag Point, at Waikouaiti; Palmerston v. Goodwood, at Palmerston ; December 14 — Palmerston v. Waikouaiti, at Palmerston ; December 17— Shag Point v. Seacliff, at Seacliff. It was decided that catering for the visiting teams be mutually arranged between the teams, and also that no intoxicating liquors should be supplied while a match is in progress.