NOTES BY LONG SLIP.

Otago Witness, Issue 2812, 5 February 1908, Page 60

NOTES BY LONG SLIP.

The Dunedin Amateur Athletic Club has approached the Otago Cricket Association I with a view to getting all cTade matches set down for February 15 postponed on that date -to permit of cricketers and cricket enthusiasts witnessing what is certain to be one of the, finest amateur athletic meetings ever held in Otago. Special interest is attached to this particular amai teur gathering in that it is virtually a ! championship meeting, -at which the lead- ! ing lights of the .New Zealand athletic ) world who have bad the honour thrust j upon them of representing the Dominion at the Australasian championship meeting at Hobart will compete. In addition a test race over half a mile is to be decided between those two' champions? Hector- JBurk and young TrembaQi (of Gore). This event is exciting keen interest, and together with | the fact of the New Zealand champions ! competing 1 , should ensure a record gate. Many cricketers I know are anxious to i witness this meeting,' and the local association, .never slow to? recognise a kindred sport, will probably show its appreciation in the, manner desired by postponing ill j grade matches set down for Saturday, I February 15.

Alex. Roberts, the Carisbrook player, who has been unable to take part in the Senior Cup matches of late, will be available on Saturday next, and will "Tiak© his place' in the B team against the enemy whoever they may be. Roberts should strengthen the attack of the B's.

The Dunedin batsman Eckhold was absent from his team's engagement against Carisbrook B on Saturday, and thereat there was some comment. Eckhold, it appears, had taken leave to attend -a picnic. Owing to business engagement, Johnny Drumm will probably be' unavailable for Carisbrook B in that team's fixture for the 1 next two Saturdays. Mr F. C. Raphael, honorary secretary of the New Zealand Cricket Council, telegraphed to Mr 'A. E. Relf^ the Sussex professional engaged by the Eden District Club, Auckland, for his opinion as to whether the new M.C.C. rule would prevent any English county player from playing for New Zealand or the provinces. Mr Relf replied:' "For New Zealand yes, provinces no, according to wording of cable." Carisbrook B were probably quite content • to secure a win on the first innings Against Dunedin, and instead of having * go for the three-point win, which was certainly within the B's jrasp, settled' down for a second strike. I would much have preferred the B's to have had a_ try for Ohe-three-point, and I certainly think it would have been- more in keeping with the conditions of the two-days* match had they done so. After dismissing Dunedin for 55the- second strike of the B'-s merely -resolved itself into a practice match." The idea of amending the rules, to permit of a _ threepoint win was with the object of brightening up a game which certainly in Dunedin is in sad need of a thrill being imparted to it. ' y One cannot expect tie general public to attend local cricket if a team, instead of "going for the gloves," prefers to spend a pleasant afternoon practice against foreign bowling. The match proper requires little comment. Dunedin took up the crease with the idea of surpassing) if •possible the B's first innings' total of 256. Hope and good batting did much for the first two wickets, but thereafter there was a rout, Jerry Austin and F. Campbell going through the whole side, which really meant eight batsmen, as two were absent, for 55 runs. Bannerman — he of the illustrious name as befits hitn, compiled more than half the Dunedin total, and in his score of 29 showed several good strokes. Delamere was the only other batsman to get into double ! figures, the remainder' falling like autumn leaves— only more so. , Austin bowled particularly well, securing six wickets for 25 — a splendid average. "Jerry" was ably supported by" "F. CanlpbelL who claimed two fox 20. . Then followed the" ' "practice" match of ■ th« B against Dunedin bowling. To such purpose did the B'« bat that at the call of time, they bad lost six wickets for 188' runs. The majority of the players showed good fopn with the bat, but it was_ left to George Thompson to put up the best' performance. The exhibition given by this player was good to .look upon, and was full of merit.

The ex-Chrietehurch player, O. West, who is mainly a defensive player, scoped 47 not out by waiting for them to, oome along. The annual match between Southland and Otago for the cricket supremacy between the provinces will probably be decided at Oarisbrook on February 19 (Dunedin Cup Day).

. Cricketers and enthusiasts will be pleased to Jeaxn tb*t Jim Baker, the Otago representative cricketer, is progressing favourably after the , operation, .necessitated by hiis having contracted a poisoned knee. The veteran, I regret to- record, will not play again tbls year. We all hope, however, that he will 'be in good form for next season's engagement. Richard Torrance, the. Dunedin and Otago representative bowler, has received the appointment to a Government billet at Oamaru, ami may foe lost to local cricket for some time. Some- remark* in this column, a week or two ago bare drown forth the following significant comment from. Wellington: — "The fact tfael members of the Otogo team expressed -their disapproval of several of the 'leg-before' deoisions in the matches on the recent northern tour has caused no little *nnwenwnt to people who were brouffbt in contact with the southernem in Wellmgton. TJbe less our- Otago friends have to say on this subject the better it will be for themselves. The writer could cay • lot regarding the very questionable fait© of two of their players in disputing and criticising the .decision* of. the umpires." x Fox his all-round excellence in the Can-terbury-Wellington match Dan Reese, of Christohuroh, has been Awarded Dr

Thacker's medal for the moat meritorious performance.

Canterbury is bent on securing the services of a cricket coach, and apropos of this a. sub-committee has been appointed to suggest names of professionals of whom on& i» to be selected* and to be approached through Lord Hawke.

Speaking the other day to a keen enthusiast on fcbe king of games, I was^jjoing over some old-time cricket gossip when tha. name of Frank Shacklock came up, and the whereabouts of the old-time Nottinghamshire professional was anxiously inquired for. Strangely enough a dey or two ago I received a letter .from the old Ota<ro coach, furnishing some particulars of his career since he left us. Otago cricketers and enthusiasts will regret to learn that the Notts professional had to undergo an operation in Wanganui some time ago, but will rejoice that the operation was successful, and that the old pro. has quite recovered md, to use - his own words, is ''bowlin? as well as aver." Frank Shacklcck did well at Wangamui, where he was coach to the Wanganui College, and would" have been there yet had the .college been in funds. (It's always the same old story with cricket in Maoriland — lack of funds.) .Shacklock is at present on a big station— "Ngau'rukehu," near Maheroa, North where he has teen for the past, '12 _ months. He informs me that he is* going Home again in aJbout a month's time to a good engagement ait the Grammar School, .Solehall, ndar ■ Birmingham. So our old coaoh is going back where he ,can get some cricket, afihough where he ia at present he is not far away from the musio of the cricket field. Frank Shacklock wishes to. be remembered to old cricket * friends in Dunedin, a-nd in this connection mentions that he read something in tfreso 'columns some time ago concerning young Maefarlane, of Albion, "whom, tie hopeap i& turning out well. The old Notts 'professional trusts "that all the boys will not forget that a good length and variation of pace is the secret of bowling." He has not forgotten- old times in I)unedin, for he aefcß to be rememibered to Ernie Wilson, W. Skikch, whom he has evidently not run acr<iS3 yet in the North Tsland ; W. MLean, the "two Jacks" (no doubt referring to J. Melville and J. Nicholson) ; R. Torrance, and J. Graham. The old Otago coaoh asks after another, whom everyone will know, who is not iow with us. Tn this connection he mentions that -* the absent one could have a fine billet with plenty of cricket. Continuing, Frank Shaddock wishes to be specially remern•beared to the Albion boyß, and retentions in particular Frank Williams and Jim Baker. He has profoably not heard fiat veteran Jim has been laid aside with a <poisoned leg, and has given up the game. A. Fisher, " Jerry V -Austin, tnd Siedeberg also come in for a kindly wish of remembrance from the ex-Notts professional, and as the names come oaek to him: Johnny Drumm, Geo. MSGavin, W. Webb, W. Kilgour, and B. Eckhoff. Everyone, lam sure,, will be pleased to have this word from" the ejt-Otago coach. Roger Hartigan, the newest Australian cricket star, takes his honours with becoming modesty. A lithe, muscular, blueeyed young man, with supple wrists, a stout , nerve, a qi»ick-thinkiog brain, and the bump of o&utionr fairly developed, he has all the adjuncts which go to make a topnotoh batsman. He should quite nil poor R.eg.' Duffs plate in the Australian Eleven." Hartigan ..gives all the praise to Clem Hill for restraining him against chasing the off-theory. The Yorkshire County Club has decided that of £1915 13s 2d realised from Denton's benefit. £1400 be invested "on the beneficiary's behalf, and to hand him a cheque for the remainder. In response to the circular fr^m the M.C.C., the committee agreed to support the suggested visit of the Australians in 1909, and also io support the test matches, the arrangements te. be the same as on the last visit in 1905.

Lord H&wke has completed his twentyfifth year of, captaincy of Yorkshire, and the members of the olub have decided to make him ». presentation in recognition of his long- and valued servicee. For a man to play in first-class cricket for 25 years is rather an uncommon performance, but to captain one team for a quarter of a century must be nearly a record. Lord Harris and a number of influential cricketers have writen co the Yorkshire executive, signifying their intention, if allowed, to aubsorib© towards a presentation memorial. ■Every member of the English 'team save K. L. Hutehings, W. 'R. Rhodes, and C. * Bly the has been out- lbw at least once. E. L. Fane has been, thrice and W. R. Rhodes twice run 'out. " / In the three test matches the Australians ha,ve been dismissed in the following ways : 25 caught, 24- bowled, four' run out, and five lbw. England's batsmen have been outed thus: 26 caught, 25 bowled, four run out, and four lbw. llie alleged dearth; of rising talent in Australia, impressed by Australian Selection Committees on the British public, has been imaginary and misleadrnjr (says "Not Out" in Sydney Referee). The Maokays and Diamonds and Waddye and Johnsons ajid O'Connors of Sidney ; the Maynes and Jennings and DoUmgs of Adelaide; the Ransfords of Melbourne, had proved it on. the field before 1907-8. Cricketers not wedded, as it were, to any coterie, know thoroughly well that besides R. Hartagan, O. G. Macartney, J. A. O'Connor, and "V. Ransford, there axe many players possess- . ing- a similar quality of skill who have never y«t "been elevated to the arena of the Internationals. Australian cricket has its weak spots, but one of these is not an inability to produce- the youth of cricketing talent. He is here in numbers. What we need is a selecting triumvirate to pick. *rim out from the crowd. At the conclusion of the third test match at Adelaide a large number as« sembled in the members' reserve. Mr T. R. Bright said the public wished to recccrnise the noble effort made by Hill and Hartigan for Australia in- cricket. No- one anticipated that any two Australians would have performed such & heroic tjuik, *nd> those two had done something never be- • fore accomplished in first-cbue cricket in. making 243 for the eighth wicket. South Australia- and Queensland were proud ■oi their - representativeß. — (Cheers.^ All the men on the side had done their best, but the sportsmen at Adelaide wished to' rfhow by their contributions their special appreciation of Hill and Hartie*n, in order that' those two pUyere should hare a' memento to h*nd down to posterity in remembrance of *O auspicious occasion. Be had had no trouble in (petting- die money. One man wanted to five, him £6, which Us sefaseA When Mr Hill knew of the movement h» asked tha-t something should be given t«

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Mrs Hill, and Mrs Hill* said the souvenir j should be for the baby. — (Cheers.) Mr Bright handed to the South Australian a handsome chain and pendant in the form of a bird studded with pearl's. To R. Hartigan he gave a gold chain and pendant. The inscription, with the necessary changes, was: — "Presented to Roger Hartigan for world's record, 243, with Clem Hill for eighth wicket, third test match, Australia v. England, Adelaide, January, 1908." The total amount subscribed was over £24. The old-time hitter, J. J. Lyons, on the Ha.rtigen.-HiH partnership, in an interview published in, the Register: — "It was a magnificent performance," said the cricket smitex. "It stands right out in the annals of'tie-'game. I give all credit to Hill and Hantdgan. My fancy goes out to the newcomer. He has proved himself class right from the jump. The essence 1 of the whole thing- is that he* had to fight in the first innings, and filled the bill then. Then he comes along in the second innings, and finds that Australia's chance has drifted still further away. He fights again like a good one. He timed the ball beautifully, and made the cover-hit very judiciously for a young player. He drove superbly, and altogether I thought he was right up to ' date. What strokes be has not thoroughly acquired yet he's" got the brains to cultivate. I never saw a young cricketer " grasp the situation so well. He has the touch of a batsman. There is a remarkable similarity 'between Hartigan's style and that of Frank Iredale. I put him right m r in ihe same class as Iredale at his , bestl" "Arid what about Hill?"— " Well, Clem's a master, and I like to encourage young players. That's a point ypu cricket writers have to cultivate. Keep your^ balance of judgment on a game, but don't be hard on a newoomer's-^fa-ults. Many a likely batsman has been disheartened and ruined,- from .a cricket point of view,- by caustic and prematrire criticism. Yes, Clem was more alive on his feet and playing his true game more to-day than I had seen him for a -long time. That is, after he had conquered his indisposition. But Clem "has been through it all before. As I say, he i 6 a master, and this other fellow hab* to prove himself." ( J