NOTES BY LONG SLIP.

Otago Witness, Issue 2805, 18 December 1907, Page 60

NOTES BY LONG SLIP.

All First Grade matches have been declared "off" from December 21 to January 4 inclusive, during the absence of the Otago representative team on ite northern tour. Senior matches will be resumed on Saturday, January 11 A boys' cricket team which plays on a portion of the Asylum Ground has drawn up the following rules: — (1) No swearing; (2) no fighting; (3) no throwing the bat down when put out; (4) leg before the wicket is counted out; (5) no cheering. "No throwing the bat down when put out " is good. Congratulations to Mr C. G. Wilson on his appointment as manager of the Otago representative team on its approaching northern tour. Mr Wilson should make an ideal manager. Cricketers and enthusiasts will regret to learn that the veteran Baker had to undergo ap operation to his injured leg the other day with a view to extracting the poison. He is confined to his room, and is making as much progress as can be expected' under the circumstances. A prominent member of the Otago team for the northern tour is not looking forward with any degree of pleasure to the sea trip between Lyttelton and Wellington and | New Plymouth and Onehunga, and was ' heard the other evening making anxious inquiries as to the best remedy for seasickness. The Otago representative team leaves Dunedin for Christchurch by the second express on Saturday next. The team will be absent 18 dayß, and will return to Dunedin about January 8. Mr Walter Walker, who has been appointed honorary scorer to the Otago team, is a well-known enthusiast, who purposes accompanying the team on its northern i tour. It has been given out that several players and enthusiats purpose accompanying the Otago team on its northern tour starting this week. Should it so happen that the team be short-handed on the tour, there will be willing substitutes to fill any vacancies that may occur. I think it was in Auckland on the Otago team*6 tour some years ago that the team was so shorthanded that an outsider had to be picked up on the ground; or was it &n ex-Otago enthusiast who was accompanying the team on holiday bent? , The Canterbury Junior representative team to meet an Otago Junior team will arrive in Danedin on Tuesday next, and will be quartered at the Provincial Hotel during their stay in this city. The match commences on Christmas Day, and will be continued on Boxing Day. Owing probably to the fact that Auckland will be overcrowded during New Year week, it has been found impossible to secure hotel accommodation in the northern city for ihe Otago representative team. Arrangements have, however, been made for the team's accommodation at Glenalvon, Auckland. From, what I have heard of this place from an Otago cricketer who has stayed there, the Otago team will be particularly comfortable. Who is to get him? Barron, the Midi lfljid and Wellington representative

cricketer, has received advice of his transfer to the Customs staff in Dtuiedin. Albion gave Carisbrook B a. thorough trouncing on the North Ground on Saturday, and secured a three-pointa victory. The game was interesting throughout, and the spectators were created to better cricket than usual. To Cramond and Corbett, the not-outa of the previous Saturday, the Albion principally owe their substantial victory over the B. When these two batsmen became associated Albion were over 100 runs to rearward. The first day saw 40 of these scored off, but few of the spectators reokoned that the balance would be mado on the second' day before a separation took place. Yet this was *o. A substantial lead in the ftrst innings was obtained before Cramond succumbed to a beautifully-taken catch by George Thomson. It is doubtful if Gramond ever played a better innings. He took no chances tilt after his side had practically won, and some of his strokes were a treat to watch. The bowling never seemed to trouble him. Towards the last ho oertainly became a little reckless, and had one or two lives. Williams once actually hit his wicket, but the bail refused to shift. Corbett also played sound cricket, and showed that in a tight corner he is not co apt to lose fcje head as some people imagine. He did 1 not score so fast as his partner, but any loose stuff which came along his way was dealt with in no uncertain manner; while he simply contented himself with playing any risky ones. This waa the game, -and the one which helped in a Tery material way to make a threepoint victory for the Albion. After Cramondi and Corbett had pretty well exhausted the bowling talent of the B'a, which, by the way, is none too strong or varied, Williams and Dry came and ran up respectable scores. Williams played one of hie best innings, and reminded one of his younger days, when he could and did hit. On Saturday he hit a ball to such purpose that it soared over the fence for 6, and then entered a bootmaker's shop in the unorthodox manner of making- a hole in the window. If this batsman on tour will only give* the northerners the same taste of his- hitting qualities as he did the North Enders on Saturday, then he will not be the least interesting player in the representative team for the spectators to watch. Dry, who was playing substitute for Baker, also rattled up a score, and made some bifr hits. He had the misfortune to lose four or five rune in one hit which' he made down past the gate opnosite Ihe church. The boundaries made stipulated that anything past this gate had to bo run out; but evidently the batsmen did nob know this, and took it for a, boundary hit, with the result that they stopped running. When the umpire was appealed to he had no option but to decide that, - according 1 to the boundaries given, it was not a boundary, but must be run out. The batsman only got credited with one run for his big hit. The moral of it aH is that every player, as well as the captains and umpires, should make themselves acquainted with the boundaries, and then suoh mistakes would not occur. Some of the spectators also might with advantage find out the reason of the umpire's decision before hastily expressing erroneous opinions on the matter. After the Albion's innings dosed with a lead of 117, the Carisbrook tried a second hand, and managed to knook up 129 with two men short. Of this number Austin contributed 61 and Sparrutv 28. The" former made ilia rune by playing true cricket. Some of his strokes were Tery sweet, but he appears to have a habit of sometimes getting his legs where his bat ought to be. On Saturday he successfully survived afc least two appeals for this, and no doubt the umpire's decisions irore right, as he is in the very best position to judge; but it is not advisable to run any risks, and none of us wish to ccc such a sound batsman as "Jerry" dismissed by what is aft all times a very unsatisfactory method — lbw. Therefore, for the Babe pf Otto's score-sheet, perhaps he will take "the hint, and while on tour keep hie legs back a bit. Snarrow's runs were mostly made by hard hitting, and he did lay on the wood, .Sparrow is a good man for the spectator who wishes to see the »uns knocked up in a hurry. Independent of these two, the only man who {rot into double figures van Usaher, which left the unlucky 13 to be compiled by six men. Mr P. R. May, out here with the M.C.C. team, has written, and Messrs Eyre . and Spottiswoode will shortly publish, an account of the M.C.C. tour through New Zealand. It is hoped to have the book on sale by Christmas. All doubts are now set at rest concerning the personnel of the Otago team which is to set out on its tour of the north on Saturday next in quest of cricket fame and glory, and incidentally the Pluaiet Shield. The fortunate players selected to make the tour we now making preparations for the trip and looking forward to a good time. Witfe one exception the team is «s representative as could bo selected from the players available, and is a goodly, side strong in batting, clever in the field 1 , but cave for Fisher and Downes, deplorably weak in attack. It is at the bowling crease the weakness of Otago will be shown up. Taking the team as it stands Carisbrook 16 represented by five players, Dunedin six, Albion two, Grange one, and Opoho one. There is * solid representation of old stagers in the team, and there should be few examples of "stage fright," ■JPlayers like Fisher, Austin, Dowxtes, Siedeberg, Williams, and Wilson have been through the ordeal of big cricket msnj times and should be quite at home in the matches against Canterbury, Wellington, and Auckland. There is a danger of the younger and lees experienced players being unnerved by the occasion , but with judgment in the sending in of the men to bat the team can be " steadied " right down to the last wicket. Taking the players individually, Fisher is bowlipy in quite his best form, and is also batting well. " Jerry " Austin seldom does himself justice in big cricket, but if the popular Carifibrook man is favoured with any luck should make runs, as he is in his best form.. In the field Austin is as clean and clever as of yore. I regret sincerely that he is unable to go further north with the team than Wellington. There can be no doubt about Siedeberg' s form with the bat. One h» only to remember his 104 of the best compiled a couple of weeks ago against good bowling. Siedeberg may, however, be a trifle off in the field, for he has not yet recovered hie old vigour. All in, Siedeberg is the star of the batting line* and, should make rune on the tour.. Vet*

«ran Jim Baker has dropped out — this owing to havirfg contracted a poisoned knee. Many will regret this, the writer included, for if the veteran is not " lightning" in the field he can still make runs with the bat. The dropping out of Baker is compensated for by the inclusion of Ogg, the Grange player, whose abilities, I am pleased to see, the sole selector has recognised. Ogg is an aggressive batsman, a good field, and a useful change bowler. He ie well worth his place in the team. Frank Williams is the wicket-keeper — none better in tbe province to-day, — and he may | be to hold up his end, if not witti the bat, at least with the gloves. Yet do not overlook the Albion "keeper's" ability to make runs. He has made them against Canterbury before to-day. What of the sole seleetorhimself ? His form is an unknown quantity this season, but with practice he wiU justify his inclusion. Then there is the moral effect of his presence in the team. Does not that count for something? Any way, there it is. Torrance 'goes- in as a bowler, and though eomewhat disappointing as a trundler on his promise •of two yeare ago, is still worthy of inclusion in the team. I should like to see the young Dunedin bowler come out with good figures on the tour. His club-mate, Mackersy,- has been batting consistently and is in splendid form with the ball. Eckhold is in good form with the bat, and is still a clever field. Melvin is the weak^spot in the team, and his inclusion, which comes as a surprise to the majority of cricketers, is something in the J nature of an experiment. Now that he is in -we all hope to see him do well on the trip, and it may be that against Auckland, if Fisher and Downes do not accompany the team thus far, he may come out with good figures. Tom Adams, of Cariebrook, is batting solidly and in his usual careful style, and may be expected to maintain these qualifications against tne enemy. Adams is a leg break bowler and a good field. His namesake, of AlbionAlan Adams, to wit— has been batting consistently well this ieason, as figures will show, and on form justifies his inclusion. Adams i 6, moreover, a good field, and may be expected to bring off more than one sensational catcii in the long field if giyen an opportunity. I am pleased to see Watson, of Carisbrook, in the team, and believe he will justify the opinion of tbe selector. Watson is every inch a batsman, with a fine variety of strokes, but he is notoriously unlucky. However, all this may change up north, and Watson may be given a. chance to show his true form with the bat. Watson is a good field and a fair change bowler. The last man to be dealt 'with is Eckhoff, of Opoho, who is a useful change bowler and a trier all the time. Eckhoff ie aa keen in the field as h«j is at the bowling creese, and would field all his own balls if necessary. Altogether the team which has been selected is a good one, aiid it will take with it the best wishes fox its -success on its northern tour. Cariebrook Ground will be the venue for the match between the Canterbury junior team and a junior team representing Otago, to be played, on the 25th and. 26th The North Otago ..Cricket Association has found it impossible to raise a team to_vmt Dunedin between Christmas and Now Year, and the match has been abandoned for the present. It is to be hoped a team wiU-visit-Dunedin later- .on in the season. Dunedin secured an easy victory over Opoho on Saturday, defeating the hill team byT an innings and 3& runs. The Dunedin captain wisely "declared" with seven wickets down for tbe substantial score of 235, compiled mainly by De la Mere (32), Eckhold f26), Cramond (82>, aud Bannerman (60). rt When play ceased last Saturday Opoho were all out for 138 and Dunedin had lost four wickets for 139, B. Cramond (39) and Bannerman (10) being the not outs. The game was resumed in perfect.weather and on a good wicket. Cramond ana Bannernan made a splendid partnership, 194 being sent up on the telegraph before a separation was effected. " Cramond, of whom I had a good word to say last week, was the first to go. The tall Dunedin man carried his 6core from 39 to 82 before Eckhoff found a crack in his defence. It was an innings full of good things, and was delightful to watch, and this despite the fact that it was not altogether chanceless. Cramond made his runs by fine strokes all round the wicket. His hitting was hard and 1 clean, and all his strokes were executed with rare- power and finish. If Cramond had the opportunity of getting more practice he would make one of the finest bats vre have in Dtinedin. As it is we have to take the batsman as Ji« •■ an d thank him for a fine innings. *- Bannerman, who is a lusty hitter, and <when »in form good to look- upon, 'carried his 10 of the previous Saturday to 60, and was then unconquered when tliev innings was "declared." Bannerman mixed his attack and 'defence with excellent judgment, and chose the right balls to bit. Bannerman is a batsman of possibilities. The remaining Dunedin batsmen did not trouble the bowlers to any rungetting extent, Graham being 6ent pavilionwards without scoring and Courtis compiling 11, when he too was dismissed. Mackersy had not scored when -he " declared " with a ■view to a three-point victory. Several bowlers were tried by the Opoho captain to bring about the downfall of the Dunedin, but Eokhoff, who has won his way into the rep. team, was the best of the trundlers, and came out with six for 87. Eckhoff kept a good length aud varied his pace. The hill team was up against a proposition when the advance pair took the crease for the second strike. Disaster happened early and often, arid there was destruction in the Opoho camp. It was an uninterestr ing procession from pavilion to battine creaee and back again. It was mostly back again. The afternopn saw Opoho all out for 61 and Dunedin acclaimed three-point victors. Kenny, the stonewaller, did not' stonewall to touch rimgetting purpose, yet with Kilgbur be had the honour of being second highest scorer on his side, which is not companaantary, to the other batsmen. Jas. who made a good stand in vie ftret Linings, Eaccombed early, and dU j*ot get going, being clean bowled by Mackersy, who also accounted for his brother John, likewise Turnbull, Kilgour, Webb, Hay<|en, and M'Lean. >lt was a dreary procession, and few of the batsmen shaped like staying ■long at the crease and making runs. Eokhoff, who compiled- 19, the highest indivulu&l scorer, • bore hi 3 honours unblushingj*/ -He is not as graceful as Trumper pr jßanAitsinbji, but for enthusiasm he nay

T even surpass these famous batsmen. Well, ' it 16 all over, and Dunedin are the victors by a good three points. The bowling of Dunedin wae left mainly to Mackersy, who trundled consistently well, and came out with the excellent figures of seven for 31, and finished the match with 14 for 59— -truly a fine performance. Melvin, who is much discussed in connection with the Otago team's nor- ] them tour, secured one for 20. There was a thrilling finish in the con- : elusion of the match Carisbrook' A v. Grange on Saturday, and the few spectators (only a handful) had the unique experience of being strangely excited at the finish. The wicket rolled out greatly in favour of the bowlers, but the outfield was fairly i fast. The A batted well at an important ' stage of the game, but Grange made a great attempt to secure a victory in the second strike. Last week I stated that with his chances • Rutherford might go on and compile a . ' century. The Carisbrook player did not get the coveted/ figures, but batted attractively for 42 before being smartly stumped by W. Bead. The batsman cut with rare finish and put plenty of power behind his drives. All his strokes were well executed and nifily timed. Altogether it was a good innings, and-, in this appreciation I am not', unmindful of the "lives" he gave early in his batting career. It is worthy -of mention that two players who tied for the duxship of the Boys' High ' School some year or two ago, Foster and Rutherford, to wit — practically won the ■ match for Carisbrook A on Saturday last. i This appreciation to learning and sport. I Foster played carefully but perhaps not over confidently. The batsman treated the ■ bowling with the greatest possible rever- ' enoe, particularly Downes, who was getting .' a lot of work on on a wicket which suited ' him. Foster brought about his own dismissa? by patting one softly back to the •, Grange bowler. J It was a brief cricket existence for Har- ' raway who, after making a good hit to leg, ; ( was caught by Beal, off Downes. The out- ; going batsman was not altogether happy ! to the bowling. j The ground fielding of Grange in the . I first innings of Carisbrook was perfect. The picking up and the throwing in were excellent. Henderson ''in particular did good i work in this important department. On ! present form Grange is quite the bestfieldj ing side in Dunedin. The lofty fielding j 1 was not so good, three comparatively easy > ! catches being dropped. j On Grange going in for the second strike ! it was remarkable with what celerity the | "batsmen got out to the crease. In some the players were not content ■with walking but ,some even indulged in a hot. All this is very commendable, and I would like to ccc such energy and activity displayed in every match. But whj did Grange not adopt such tactics in the* first innings? The same issue was at , stake. ' } I Apropos of the foregoing, it would be * i better for the game generally if the ingoing I *nd ' outgoing batsmen passed each other , midway to the wickets. That hoary be- [ lief that a man must "wait until the dis- , mksed, batsman reaches tbe shelter of the pavilion is exploded. . J To resume our cricket: W. Beal was ! early dismissed, the fatal 0 standing | against his name aftej: b9ing bowled by ; Fisher. ' t • Roberts is not a stylist as a cricketer, but he is a solid batsman, and in compiling 25 on Saturday showed sound defence before being clean* bowled by a> ball which kept • I low. The evil of the dropped catch was well exemplified in the case of Alex. Downes, who after being missed at 4 showed his , gratitude by hitting up 61 before being . sent back to the p&yiiion. The Grange « man batted' in his well known style, hitting i hard and often. And what matter if the ball : did go up dangerously near the field; the j men out in the country were in a generous f mood. Downea scored at a. great rate and every stroke was of' interest to the spec- j tators. He. was at the crease something f under the hour for his runs. The ground fielding of Carisbrook A was only passable, but the catching was again deplorable, no less than foqr comparatively j easy chances being dropped ; aleo several I lofty ones which the field misjudged. | Seems to -me that the team want to be I taken out and given a straightout course of lofty fielding without trimmings. Watson was again the victim of that unsatisfactory decision — lbw. He was batting carefully, taking no liberties with the i bowling when he was" given out "leg be1 fore." Where there is any doubt, and there ■ was «ome considerable doubt in Watson's ' case, the batsman should get the benefit. j Tom Adams played sound defensive j cricket, timing every ball and playing it carefully and well. Adams is a solid rather than a brilliant Batsman. He is developing his off strokes, and keeps the ball nicely along the -turf. - Fisher played carefully and well for his runs before being stumped by Beal off Ogg, . while S. Foster shared a similar fate to his brother— <> and b Downes. Rutherford again showed good form for 19, playing the bowling with every confidence, but taking no undue liberties. Time was called with four wickets for 85, Carisbrook winning on ihe first innings by 4 runs. There were several good performances in junior cricket on Saturday, notably tjpong 60, O. Beeby 40, Gollar 52, Fenwick 80, Clark 55 (not out), Galland 46, M'Hutcheon 77, Fraser 41, Worrall 37, Daniels 52, Thomson 45, and Baskerville 38 (not out). In bowling performances worthy of mention are C. Beeby (of Roslyn), two for 3 against Grange, and Spong, two for 11 ; ' M'Glashan, five for 24 for Albion against Dunedin N"o. 2. For Dunedin No. 1 against Opoho J. Wilkie (six for 36) bowled well. Aitchison (eight for 10) for star against Dunedin was an exceptionally good bowling performance ; while .two for 9 by Ahlfeld in the same match is also worthy of notice. Smith, of Carisbrook, bagged three Port wickets for nil. Apropos of bowling, a special note must be given to H. Weir, of Grange, who in the Third Grade match Grange y. Star did the " hat trick " and secured nine for '"What is cricket? What is it? Wo thought we kneif once. We hare <?h»n^-ed { our minds. There was a time when \ve » were bewitched by a- pretty back cut by Sydney Gregory or Harry Graham; a tinje if when Massie would thrill us with, a spanking drive } when Iredale, Knight of the Rueful Countenance, would charm us with his olever hits to the on side ; when ' Trumper dazzled us, and Noble, standing .for the stern determination of our race,. 1 defied ihe English lightning. Gone, all '

gone, like the days ' when our hearts were young and gay.' . . Cricket? .What is cricket? . . . Bring out the croquet set. We will play; fiercely and valiantly. Australians must, have excitement. Croquet — croquet j& the game for sunny New South Wales.'-' — An Australian comment on the N.S.W. -English match. Though Mr J. Darling, on behalf of the Board of Control, and the English captain arranged for the appointment of umpires in the "test matches by a certain method, this is not to be carried out. The board has decided that the umpires are to be appointed in the manner laid down by the M.C.C. for matches in England. Accordingly the representative of the English team — Major Trevor or Mr A. O. Jones — will pick out two names from four to be placed^ in the hat. It is desirable that exactly the same procedure shall take place in both, countries regarding the appointment of umpires. A derelict aeccsted" me in Cathedral Square on Saturday morning (writes " Wallaby") and said, " Give me a match." He then asked, "Who's. this Gunn what made over a century in the first innings of the Englishmen?" The same querjr was made by several enthusiasts after the' cabled results were given to the inhabitants .of these islands. George Gunn, of Notts' County, is not what might be termed an " official " member of the team. He is % eon, or brother,, or something of the famous Gunn, of Gunn -and Shrewsbury fame X who viaited Australia in the days when many of the present -grown-ups wore kmckexbodkers. The name? of Gunn is synonymous with all that is capable, steadfast, and sure in the world of cribketV The Gunn under notice is stated tb be touring A,ustrajia at present in the interest of his health, and incidentally as, correspondent for certain English newspapers. So far as his connection with the team is concerned the information s£.ys "be will be available if required." And as Captain A. O. Jones's tour is temporarily stopped through illness, it seems a good thing for the Englishmen that G. Gunn is " available when required." To be available and make 119 out of ft total of 273 is a rather good performance for a casual sort, of handy-man who was evidently waiting behind the door ready to come on and " do hk turn " — if required. OTAGO SECOND GRADE REPRESENTATIVE TEAM. The following is a critique of the indir vidual players of the Otago junior representative team to meet Canterbury at Carisbrook on Wednesday, December 25, and Thursday, December 26: — Wilkinson H. (Roslyn).— Wicket-keeper; a- splendid man behind the sticks, very quick at stumping, and good at taking ball from the field. A batsman of the aggressive type, and if allowed to remain at the wickets very quickly makes runs. Anderson A. F. (Roslyn)"— A good, sound batsman, hits hard,' and a consistent rungetter. A very useful bowler, and 1 good field M'Farlane H. (Mornington).— A really good steady bowler/ who bowls a finelength, and mixfes them well. Is seen to most advantage on the matting. Fair bat- and good field. .Jenkins (Opoho).— A left-hand batsman; scores/quickly, and shows goodL, defence ; good change bowler and field. Vorreth H. (Albion).— A good leg-break bowler, and bats very well at times. Good field. Strang W. (Albion).— One of the soundest bats in the team, has plenty of patience, and takes a lot of shifting when once he gets his eye in. Flays well on both sides of the wicket. Duthie (Albion). — A promising young batsman, who combines good defence with forceful cricket. Bowk a good leg-break, and is a fine field. Weir T. (Grange). — A stylish young batsman of the steady type, with plenty of patience ; good field. Fenwick C. (Carisbrook). — A batsman with plenty of runs in him, and a very consistent run-getter. Good bowler, and splendid slip. / Wilson E. S. (Dunedin).— Has put up consistently good bowLing performance? for his team. A particularly smart field, but unreliable with the bat. Patterson (Gransre).— Plays a good, straight bat, and his off strokes are very effective. A fairly good field, and moderate change bowler.