NOTES BY LONG SLIP.

Otago Witness, Issue 2849, 21 October 1908, Page 61

NOTES BY LONG SLIP.

Now that the cricket season of 1909 is about to commence, I would draw tho attention of cricketers and enthusiasts to i Iho necessity of keeping the game well before the public, and with that object in view this column will be thrown open for the publication of items of general interest of the king of summer games. To country cricketers and enthusiasts particularly I }xtend a hearty invitation to send along items concerning clubs' doings and news paragraphs of a personal nature. I will a>t all tim« be glad to chronicle any specially worthy performances, and to assist the game in every way possible. There are few cricket " stars" in tho local firmament at this writing, but tho opening of the cricket season may reveal some exceptional talent hitherto unheard of. Th;s is the reason of the year when one hears of the crack from foreign parts taking up his residence in our midst, and I had hoped to have been able to chronicle the arrival of se\eral new players, who would considerab'y strengthen locu' cricket. One, indeed, I have heard of, and this 's Hopkins who. comes with something of a reputation rroni Sydney. The new-comer has joined Carisbrook, ard has shown a+ practice that he is a capable, batsman and on© who will be in the first- flight of zut run-getters during «.he season. I have not ycf bad an opportunity of seeing the Sydneysider at the note, but on good authority I lean* ht will be a decide-J acquisition to the Carisbrook Club in particular, and to cricket in general in Dunedin. _. a*ho Rev. Blamires. who wielded a useful bat for Port Chalmers come reasons ago, has thrown in his cricket abilities with Carisbrook this season. A cricketer from Sydney, named Godfrey, with a reputation as a slow bowler, has joined Carisbrook and will probably find himself in or>a of the senior elevens before the- season i 6 far advanced. Now. if some one would unearth a good, fast bowior ! Indications noint (o the fact that the Feason of 1909 in Auckland will bo the most successful ever known. The 6cason opened in the northern city en Saturday last. The foregoing caije fcr the remark that vre in Dunedin arc generally a week or two behind the northern province in the opening of the season. All the associations in the principal centres have made a 6tart, and Oiago, which should make a move forward this year, is " lagging superfluous." Tho local season commences on Saturday next. There is evidently a cricket boom on in Wellington this season, as I learn that no fearer than Jiino teams will take part in the Senior Grade competitions; 17 in the Junior Grade; 12 in the Third, and eeven in the Fourth. — At a little country mat<.h in England other day, where the opposition was jtrovided by a much-anticipated' and greatly-dreaded team " feom London," the local umpire was a man of very peculiar views on the question of the lbw rule. The unfortunate bowler fcr the visitors had recived the verdict of "not out" for a succession of rather obvious infringements, but when at length the batsman, emboldened by success, stepped dead in front of tho sticks and stopped tho ball with his legs, only to be promptly gnc-n "newt out-,." he \entured to expostulate. Argument, howe\er, the local expert would have none of, and when the suffering bowler attempted to point out lo him the error of his ruling, he met with the- query: .Now, you com© from London don't you nnotcr?" "Yes." "Well, 'aye you shook ands with Lord 'Awkc?" "No. I can't say I have," was obs reply. "Well I ay« —Not out!" ' ' Messrs Charles J. Eady and K. E. Burn, the lasmanians, have announced their retirement from active cricket. R. J. A. Massie (son of H. H.) is 6ft, 4in vi height, and weighs 14st. ' At the Great I übho Schools A.A. meeting at *he Sydney Oricket Ground he was second to J. 0 Lamroek in the throwing the ball competition, tho winning throw being 105yd3 z2lt 2in. P. R. Johnson had only ei<»ht innings for Somerset, yet he scored 603 runs and averaged 75.37 without tho aid of a not our innings. George H. Hirst was once again tho great all-round player on the side of Yorkshire. Ho scored 1332 runs at an average of 40.36, and secured 156 wickets at 12.C4. W. R. Rhodes made 1412 runs at and secured 78 wickets at 16.60. In the oounitry matches S. Haigh took 71 wickets for Yorkshire, the average cost being 12.1 L J. T. Tyldesley heads the Lancashire batting with 1522 runs, at 43.48 per inning. L. O. S. Poidevin averaged 23.91, A. C\ MacLaren 25.16. and A. Kermode 8.66. W. Breadev topped the Lancashire bowlinjr with 148 wickets at 15.27, Dean taking 124 afc 18.66, Kerniode five at 43.40. P. F. Warner heads the Middlesex batting averages with 1298 runs at 54.08; B. J. Bosanquet next, with 661 runs at 50.G4: and F. A. Tarrant third, with 1206 runs at 48.24. Tarrant heads tho bowling with 93 wickets at 19.56. ENGLISH COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP 1908, WON BY YORKSHIRE.

Tho Surrey v. Lancashire, Kent v. Middlesex, and Warwickshire v. Leicestershire matches (July 16, etc.) were abandoned without a ball being bowled, and are not included in the above list. According to the rule laid down by the M.C-C. "One point shall bo reckoned for each -win ; one deducted for each loss ; unfinished games shall not be reckoned. The county which during the season, shall have in finished matches obtained the greatest proportionate number of points shall be reckoned champion county." T. Hayward headed the Surrey batting averages, with J. N. Crawford, second and

Alan Marshal third. Following are details of the leading figures in the Surrey batting and bowling: — • , _ BATTING. In. &.O. H.S. Runs. Avge. T. Hayward ..40 0 175 1874 46.85 J. N. Crawford 33 3 232 1212 40.40 A. Marshal 43 2 176 1635 40.36 J. B. Hobbs ..39 1 161 1507 39.65 BOWLING. O. M. R. W Avge. W. C. Smith .. 356 105 806 56 14.39 A. Marshal . 362 112 899 47 19.12 W Lees .. 741 230 1720 85 20.23 Hitch . . 353 56 1202 68 .20.72 J. N. Crawford 624 121 1824 88 10.72 For Kent, C. Blytho secured 167 wickets at an average cost of 16.48, A. Fielder's record bcinir 76 wickets at 19.81. The lefthander is relatively a far greater bowler on English than he is on Australian w.ckcts. And as this applies generally to left-handers, it is to be hoped that tho next Australian Eleven will include two bowlers of that type. There are 34 teams taking part mi the Canterbury Cricket Association's matches cverv Saturday, two teams more than la^o year, while every club has extra playors. Thus, Riccartcn has five teams and 19 reserve players, while West Cbrhtchurch and St. Albans have both fourth grade teams this year, aJid reserve players in addition. Exit J. Wheatfcy. After an hono-ura-ble career cf over 27 years in local cricket, says a Christchurch writer, J. Wheat ley has joined the retired list. In ihe seventies "Johnny" played for such clubs as the old Hagley Oakkof Club and Bakers Cricket Chib, and later for the cid Adding-ton Club (afterwards Sydenham and Addington). It was ate a member of the Midland Club that Wheatley came to the front, and a» 6uch represented his province for many years. Captain of the senior team for many years, Wheatley endcar<><i himself to his clubmates by his geniality and unfailing good temper, and he was in every ec-mse a real sportsman. - Originally a bowler, Wheatley developed batting abilities, which won him his place in Canterbury Elevens, and I am safe in saying that for play behind the I wicket — cutting amd leg pLay— Wheatley was the fines:; batsman, the province has seen. Shortly after the death of Mr Ollivier, Wheatley was elected Canterbury selector, a position he has held right up to the present time. Has teams have always given general satisfaction, chisfly for the reasctn that fielding was an indisponiaible necessity in them, while they wera ako well balanced. Year alter year ho has faithfully j attended his practices, and ho can with ! prido point to a successful career as selector and player. It 6eems very -unlikely that Dr Edward Mills Grace witll ever again take an active part in the gam© to which he has been so long devoted, and of which he has been so great an ornament (says an exchange). Tho old injury to his knee is again troubling him, and ho can only just manage to get about. His retirement marks the olceo of a>n interesting amd wonderful career. Born on November 28, 1841, he was tho first of the Graces .to make his mark in the great matches of the day. He must have possessed unusual aptitude for "the game when he ' was chosen to represent West Gloucestershire against tho All England Eleven. At the age of 20 he scored 118 against the bowling of Woofcton and Grundy for South Wales v. M.C.C. ' and Ground at Lord's, and the innings mad© such an impression en the authorities therethat he wa3 asked to take part in the Canterbury week. This he consented to do, and after scoring 0 and 50 in the first match, mads history in the second, in which the- M.C.C. had the Gentlemen of Kent as opponents. In the second innings of the visiting aide "E. I\l." carried his bat through a,n innings of 344 for 192, and he also tcok 10 wickets in the second innings "of Kent for 69 runs; tho match was 12 aeide, and Mr R. J. StreathficW was absent - in the County's second ina.'ngs. In the follow.ir.ig year he went to Australia as a member of George Parr's team, by which lime he had become the greatest run-getter in the world. In these days it was considered almost a sin for a batsman to deliberately pull a ball, but "E. M." characteristically did not care a fig for tho opinions of the purists. Many balls, which, according to custom, he ehculd have dropped down just in front of the bat, or have played gently back to the bowler, ho thumped vigorously to squire-leg. Ho quickly became a favourite of the public, for hia fielding was as attractive and as full of life as his hatting. It may, in fact, be said, without the slightest fear of contradiction, thai a mere brilliant point has never been seen. CHRISTCHUROH NOTES. (Feom Oub Own Correspondent.] October 19. Saturday was an 1 ideal day for cricket, and there were large crowds at the different grounds. The playing fields and wickets were excellent, but the batting generally was mot up to the mark. West Christchurch St. Alban?, and East Christchurch were the defeated senior teams, each being beaten on the first innings. Against Kydenham's 314 Wast Chn*tohurch took their store from one for 9 to ths comparatively poor total of 126. _ G. T. Wcston was top-scoier with a well-played, vigorous 61, made all round, but .several strokes were uppish, and luckily fcll^ clear of a very koen set of fieldsmen. Vcrnon soon banged up 31, and ,he good ecoro made by Sydenham ssomed to have taken the life" out of D. Reese, who was clean bowled at 24, which included some good strokes. Norman made 24 in rather poor stjle, and Road speedily put 22 together by hard smiting before boinsr caught in '•'the country." Bowling Lonours were entirely with H. M'Lelland, .vho got five for 91 in 25g overs, 3 maiden*. He eleanbo«l«d Lusk for 3, Norman, D. Reese-, Wceton, and Vcrnon — a remarkable afternoon's work. With a little over an hour to go tho Westerners followed on, and lost five wickets for 108, Reese 50 not out, Lusk 28 caught, Read 14 l.b.w. All new bowlers were tried 1 , and Hayes, the junior, who made 51, got four wickets for 44 runs, 1 maiden, in 12 overs. The other batsman wa^ run out.. Sydenham's fielding was really good all through. To the 152 made by East Christchurch Riccarton moved from tfiree for 81 to 260. Whitta made 65 in nice style, while Ellis played good all-round cricket for 43, before being caught by Boxshall. Fryer hit lustily, and soon made 35, while Williams made 28 and E. T. Harper 22. Gordon (Melbourne) got five for 88, and Addison four for 80, while the fielding was only

fair. The Easterners narrowly averted t three-point loss, as they bac 1 . nine wickeu down for' only •82 when time was called, the youthful Kinvig being the only double* figure scorer, with 29. Wall got five" ioi 28 in 15 overs, 4 maidens, and K. S. Williams three for 10 in 6 overs, 3 maidens. Linwood continued bartins at six fotf 363, but were all out at 386. R. Ridley carrying his bat for 146 — a good start in th« averages. St. Albans replied with a spirited 219, of which B. B. Weed (the captain) claimed 80, made in fine style, aaid including two 6's and eight 4*'s. Vincenfc made 36, Johnstone 26, T. Chambers 24» not out. Ford 17, Allard 11. and T. W., Reese 10. Linwood is weak in bowling, hence R. Ridley sot four foi 53. >P. Wilding three for 55, and S. Orchard three for 56. Going in tail first Limvocd had six; wickets down for 55 when time was called! (H.* O. Ridley 10).' Johnstons got" the excellent figures of /five for 25 in eight overs, two maidens. "Charlie" Boxshall. who, by fhe way. is a candidate for, parliamentary nonours ir» the East Christchurch seat, in the nolicense and Opposition interests, was in good form on Saturday behind tha "stumps," catching four Riecartonites and allowing only eight extras. One man was bowled, the rest all caught in Riccarton'i innings. Veteran cricketers in , Otago will learn with interest that a weakened team and! his interest in the -district scheme has induced F. Wilding ("Tho Old Gentleman") to turn put for Linwood, and take art active part in the battles of the sport. , It is several years since "pa" put hia flannels away after representing Canterbury in many historic; games, with her* opponents lip and down New Zealand, but 1 . that he has not "gone rusty" is proved by / his makine 50 before beinir etumped im his only innings so far, and taking three, wickets (Wood, Allard, and Johnstone), all cloan-bowled. with his "googleys" in St. Aibans' innings. 'May his eye be not; . dimmed nor his hand lose ifa, cunning" is tho wi<=h of hosts of friend. W. B. Fuller (Westv Chriftchurrh junior)' increased his scoro of 111 tc 133. Tracey, a Sydenham Third Grade lacT, was the only centnrv-tnakei on Saturday, setting 111 against West Chrtstohurch, bird bier double-figure scores were quite common. Riccarton A. playing Riccarton B (Thirdf Grade) wanted 195 runs to win in two hours, and mad ? 200 under an hour av.il three-quarters. Pretty' sultry-going for lads. THE DECADENCE OF CRICKET. CHRIS TCHURCH, October 13 i The de'eadence of crickat was pointedly referred to by Mr J. R. Evans at the Canterbury Rugby Union annual social gathering last night. The speaker said? that in 1874 he saw a Canterbury team? defeat an Australian eleven. They coukti not do it now. Yet 'in New Zealand! they had gained world-wide honours ir* other branches of athletics/ Cricket in£ New Zealand was years behind the times, and at was .all due to a lack of esprit de corps, and a want of application to tha splendid summer pastime. ' j ■ # ' MATCHES IN NORTHERN CENTRA . ; - ' AUCKLAND, October IS. The cricket season opened here yester* ' day in beautiful weather. In the First Grade matches, playing against Edem Coito City made 86 in, the first innings. The Eden Colts had five wickets down tor , 89 -runs when time was called. Parnell'sfirst innings against University realised. 86, University having ■ three wickets down for 130 (Wallace 37, Jncobscn not out 61)., Playing against Eden A, Ponsonby made 100 in the first inning's (Gavin 49), ajidl Eden A lost two wickets for 137 runs (Brook-Smith 32, Cummings 57. Elliotb not out 42). Grafton met North Shore, and in the first innings made 160 (Mason 59, E. Horspool 32), while North Short* lost six wickets for 83 (Hollingrake 42). . Greater interest is being taken here in cricket this sea-son than ever before in tho history of the game, and it is estimated l that fully 100 ft cricketers^ took *part in the> competition games under the control of tha various bodies yesterday. The Auckland! Cricket Association has an- increase of entries in all grades, the Auckland Association League has 24 teams under its control* and the Sunday Schools' Association 15. while the secondary and public echoola competitions nlso show increased entries. WELLINGTON, October 18. The cricket season was opened on Satur* day afternoon under the best conditions. Four senior matches were commenced on. the Basin Reserve. Against the Ga* Com- - pany Midland made 230 for seven wickets.- ' including 75 by Bruce. Newtown made* 154, to which Wellington responded witht 36 for , five wicketsl Playing againsti Petone Phoenix made 156. Petone losing two wickets for 51. V.M.C.A., who mada a. first appearance, comnikd 89 against 164 '"for five wickets by Old Roy. : \

M. Yorkshire .. ..28 Kent 25 Surrey .. .. 29 Middlesex .. .. 19 Sussex .. .. 23 Worcestershire .. 18 Lancashire .. 25 Kotts 20 Hampshire . 22 jloucestershire.. 24 Essex 22 Warwickshire .. 21 Leicestershire 21 Derbyshire . . 22 Northamptonshire 22 Somerset . 20 w. v. 1G 12 17 5 13 12 6 10 6 18 6 7 10 6 6 7 7 6 8 5 5 10 5 7 4 9 5 4 3 5 2 5 .L. II J .= . P.C. 0 16 100 00 3 14 70.00 4 9 52.94 3 3 33 33 4 C 20.00 5 1 9.09 9 1 5 26 7 —1 —7 69 9 —2 —12.50 11 —3 —15.78 7 —2 — 16.6G 9 —4 —28 57 8 —4 —33.33 13 —8 — 44.-U 14 —11 —6-1 70 13 —11 —73.33