NOTES BY LONG SLIP.

Otago Witness, Issue 2857, 16 December 1908, Page 60

NOTES BY LONG SLIP.

The Otago representative team in ques^. of the Plunket Shield leave direct for Auckland on Wednesday, December 23. Travelling via tho Main Trunk, the team will arrive in Auckland on Friday eveninpr, Saturday will be devoted to 'practice, and the match for the shield commenced on Monday and continued on Tuesday and Wednesday. On Thursday the team will leave for Wanganui, wlierc a two days' match will be- commenced on Friday, January 1. On Monday, January 4, the player? will take train for Napier, the match against Hawke's Bay being played on January 5 and 6, the team returning home on January 8. Several cricketers not of the eleven arc accompanying tourists. Tho suggestion rhat the Otago Umpires' Association be a<sked to send one of its representatives with the Otago team on tour has much to commend it. The question of finance, of course, has to be considered, but I trust this will pot stand in tho way of the member of the O.U.A. accompanying the team. Congratulations to Geo. Wyeherley on his appointment to the managership of the Otago junior representative team to meet, tl^e Canterbury Juniors in Christchurch on January 1 and' 2. The team i could not bo in better or more capable i hands. Ronnie Fisher, the ex-Carisbrookian, and brother of Arthur Fisher, who has been absent from Dunedin for several seasons, during which tim& he has played in Christchurch, in Wellington, and in London, has returned to this city for a term. In a ' chat the other day Fisher informed mo that ho never enjoyed anything better than the cricket he had in England, "which, on account of its thoroughly sporting character, was delightful to participate in. I have commented on this phase of English sport before, but the ex-Carisbrook player's experience only confirms what I have previously stated— that there is not enough of the truly sporting game introduced into , local cricket. There is too much of tho desire to win at any cost introduced, and this applies not only to cricket, but to foot- : ball and the majority qi our games. We i want more of the spirit of the game and ' less of its keen competition. i By the way, Ronnie Fisher purposes set- < ting up in business in Timarij on his own 1 account shortly, so that he will be lost* to i us. He does not, however, intend to play 1 cricket, buj will probably take up tennis. •

Tiraaru enthusiasts may, however, induce him to "send down a few" before the season is out. Syd Callaway, the ex-New South Wales „ cricketer and old-time Canterbury representative, was in tawn on Saturday and Sunday of last week, having motored through from Christchurch. Callaway, who is looking well, has given up the game, and now views it from the bank. In a brief chat with the old-timer Callawa* referred to the coach question, and said that Humphries would prove very useful in Christchurch. The English professional had up to the present not let himself go, an<d was evidently hoUing- something in reserve. Concerning the playing of coaches in PJunket Shield matches, Callaway waa of opinion that it was a great mistake, and - speaking as an old coach thought that a residential qualification should he introduced. Tom Adams, the Oariabrook player and century maker of a coup]© of Saturdays ago, was laid low with a chill after last week's game, and has been confined to bis room since. It is to be hoped that he will have recovered sufficiently to take part in Saturday's match. Dr Howden. Cariehrook and Otago representative, who has but recently returned from England, demonstrated on Saturday that he has not lost form with the bat. I look to Howden to be one of the most con- « sistent run-getters on*the Otago team's northern tour. Fifteen runs in an hour cannot by any stretch of imagination be called "spectacular," yet this is the time Eckhold used up to put on his first 15 on Saturday last. EckhoW might have taken more risk without sacrificing his cricket or his wicket. White I admire a defensive batsman, I admire more an aggressive one. If players would remember that th© bafc is for the purpose of hitting the ball, and not the bail for hitting the bat, I verily believe our cricket would improve, arid the public roll up m reasonable numbers to see ifc The Wanganui Cricket Association" has accepted Friday. January 1, and Saturday, January 2, a» the dates for tih© interprovmcial match Otago v. Wangmiui The Otago Eleven can be assured, of a roveX time in the river town, where the people are notoriously hospitable. A- trip up the famous Wangairui River is certain to be in the AJbion. v. Grange match, but I fear me the Grange is jjkely to be counted out at the end of the play on Saturday pex* rhe Grange batsmen made such a wietcW showing m the first innings against thS combined attack of Albion that they Wfc hemselves saddled with a b* nLdiSp on the second atnke. Bowlers deariv mere in fv«nt through the Grange sid-e for a miser-

able totaiiof 37/ Six out of the eleven batsmen made blobs, the remaining batsmen accounting for the runs. Chadwick and Downes were the only players to stand up to, the ixHwling, and are hereby commended toe their efforts. W. Eeal has the dissatisfaction of writing two "o's" ogainst- his name, which is most mortifying to a trier like Beal. His brother Carl, who •went for nil the first strike, made some amends by getting 14 in tho ,second before Corbett broke through his defence. Charlie Chadwick's is the most consistent performance so far he having compiled 13 in the first ihningß and 27 in the second. Chadwick is still undefeated, and may go near making a century — who knows? Among bowling performances of the seaeon must go down to history Corbett's six for which is an average any bowler has a rioht to feel proud of. The professional Wordsworth took three for 18. Albion did nothing to boast of in their finst strike against Grange, the eleven batting somewhat inconsistently for 91. Only three batsmen — Macfarlane, Cummings, and Corbett — got into' doubles, which is not flattering to the remaind>ei\ The majority found Downes "unplayable," and the veteran swept through the side like a keen north wind, laying low eight ■wickets at a cost of 31 runs — a performance which is even better than it appears on the surface. The moral effect of a player of the type of Downes on his side is elevating, but demoralising to the enemy. There were no fewer than 18 "extras" in the Albion innings, showing that there was something radically wrong with the "keeping" of the Grange. Dunedin's 220 for eight wickets is a respectable score, but not altogether beyond the powers of the Carisbrook B team, which is a. pretty solid batting combination. Eckhold, who has not had the best of luck this season, struck form on Saturday, and hatted lm. Kia usual stolid style for 96 not out. His partnership with Maciersy yielded 112 runs, and though the scoring was at times painfully slow, the stand completely altered the complexion of things. It was unfortunate that Eokhold should strike form just a few days too late to be included in the Otago team for Auckland. A sticker like the Duoedin player ie a most useful man whan wickets are falling ; and the team as at present constituted does not include a batsn-i-an of that stamp. The Carisbrook captain resorted to "grubbers" in a vain attempt to break through Kckhold'a defence, but the. yoiwiig Dunedin batsman remained exasperating!}- ccol, stopping them or sweeping them for 2's and 3's according to whether they were on or off the w : cket. "Beating" and brow-beating the- umpire ■may be considered by porno plajeis to bo exceedingly smart, but from the point of view of a truo cricketer it is neither manly nor sportsmanlike. The performance of ono of our leading players in this direction on Saturday is to be regretted, tho more so becauso it "is not by any means the first timo he has rhown this tendency to pettiness and bluff. Umpires who are giving their iime to assist the game in this city can scarcely be blamed if they decline to officiate any longer after an experience or two with the class of player mentioned. Graham's breezy 26 was a relief after Miacloersy'e plodding innings. The tall fellow never wastes much time, and on Saturday he wasted even less th^n usual. Hobbe, Dtmedin's new man, has played most of his cricket in the Old Country. Ho did not remain leng at the wickete on Saturday, but while there showed an inclination for lively batting, and wae caught near the boundary off a big hit. "Jerry" Austin bowled 31 overs — a fair afternoon's work, — and had 58 runs knocked off him for three wicket*. Godfrey, in his efforts to trap the batsmen on tho leg side, bowied five wides. Charlie Kyre went right through the Drancdin's innings for 26 in the Second Grade match Duned-m v. C&nsbrook D. M'Neill also carried hi« bat through for Sta>r v. Grange. Both these batsmen are of the careful type, useful for their sides, but a heart-break to the bowler. Tho Second Grade team that is to do battle for Otago against Canterbury at ChrKtchurch during the New Year holidays m e»riM£G sot the beet tbftt could be piok^d

from our junior players, but it is the best available under existing conditions, and j may be relied upon to put up a good fight. ' Shelton, Brineley, Duthie, Aspinall, Columb. and Grigg aTe all sound bate, while in Davidson, Black, Wills, and Columb there is a good variety of bowling talent. The team leaves Dumedin on the Thursday, and } plays an Friday and Saturday, the Ist and 2nd of January. Opoho made a poor first-innings showing against Carisbrook A on Saturday, whose trundlers rocked the hill team out for 65, of which Turnbull and M'Gavin alone contributed anything 1 useful. It was a , wretchedly poor exhibition of batting, despite the fact that the bowling of Fisher was much above the average. Fisher's performance of seven for 31 ranks high, ! and illustrates in th«i best possible manner , the trouble he created amongst the Opoho bats. Rutherford, too, did fairly well, eecurmg 'threa wickets for 30. Carisbrook, with a lead of 87, look easy wLnmors over Opoho, and unless something unforeseen happens supporters may "write their own tickets." Howden batted in something like his old form on Saturday, and has justified his place in th© Otago representaj tive team ; likewise Hopkins, who put together 45 in a tradesmanlike manner. Stan Foster, who is one of the most promising of young bats, showed good form for his score. Tha Opoho bowling honours were not divided, Casey having tine- lead with eight wickets for 40 — a good performance. To Otago cricketers it may be interesting to read the averages of the 14 Auckland players who have been selected to practice in view of the match against Otago :

I By tho la-t mail there cani? to hand from Fomo responsible pcreon a copj of the Tasmanian Cricket As-ociation'h report of the season of 1907-08. Belated though it is, the little brochure is welcome. A team of English amateur cricketer;* will shortly make a .'•hort tour in Kr\])L under the auspices of the M.C.C. It i-> said that Lord Hawke will act as captain. and that Viscount Brackloy. He^keth Prichard, Captain E. G. W\ riyard, and others will be of the party. j Victor Trumper's first big inning? for Paddington was played the other day, when he made 128, and the .side 399 against Burwood. Trumper scored 128 out of 229, hitting nineteen 4's and two 6"s, and showing excellent form. 1 It is persistently rumoured in Wellington that there is every po^sibilitv of a visit j being paid to the Dominion by the team I of Australian cricketers who intend going Ito Great Britain. It is considered certain that if the Australians go Horne — about which it is alleged there is at present some doubt — they will play matches in the various centres of the Dominion about ■February. The Patearoa. Club began its list of matches this season with a game against ( Naseby B. Neither side was fully repre- ' seuted, and the scoring wa6 small. After ' a keen game Patearoa won by 12 runs. 1 The winners scored 49 (Wilson 12) and 79 ' (Wilson 27, Greer 11 not out), and Naseby B 37 and 79 (Hilton 33, R. Paisley 16). The most successful bowler was W. Chirnside (Patearoa), with 11 wickets for 32 runs. [The next g«o*e> w*s against RaafurJy, and

that club, which has amongst other new players a first-rate bat in Sayers, won by 24 runs from a weak Patearoa team. The scores were : Ranfurly 101 (Sayers 31, Cooper 18, R. Reid 13, T. Forrester 13 not out) and 46 (Savers 11): Patearoa, 39 (W. "Chirnside 9) and 74- (Cambridge 22, H. Pearcc 20). The next match was with Naseby A, and was worn by Patearoa by eight wickets, the winners being represented by a full team. Scores: Patearoa 48 (W. Chirnside 25, Cambridge 9) and 49 for two wickets (Wilson 35 not out) ; Naseby A. 56 (Clapcort 28, Paisley 13, Mitchell 9) and 39 (Delaney 13). The fielding of Patearoa jn this match was first rate, 12 men being caught out, and very few runs being given away by loose ground fielding. There is .no doubt whatever that the match was won by the fieldsmen, as many another has been.

George Hirst, as a result of his doings during the past season, stands credited with the largest number of runs ever scored for Yorkshire by one man. His aggregate is 21,798, and Denton's, which is the second .highest, 20,740. Tunuicliffe, who comes third in the list, has made 20.230.

The Plunket Shield team for Auckland is composed of veterans (writes my Christchurch correspondent 1 , with tha exception of Wood, and he, too, has represented Canterbury, and with credit. The 12 to be sent after the much-prized trophy will iber as follows: — A. Aoithony (8..), J. H. Bennett (S.), C. Boxshall "(E.C), H. B. Lusk (W.C.), E. Humphreys (L.), T. Malona (W.C.), S. A. Orchard (L.), K. M. Ollivier (West Coast), W. Patrick (S.), D. Reese (W.C.), A. Sims (E.C., but he has not yet played for the club), and B. B. "Wood (St. A.). It is a really good side on paper, but the selector (D. Rees&) has looked more kindly on Patrick's performances this season than most of the critics. Lusk's chances were not rosy, but his dashing 71 on a difficult wicket on Saturday put him in the running. If Malone gets a suitable wicket he will be a most valuable member of the team, but if ha doesn't . Ollivier's present prowess is an unknown quantity, but at any time "K." is as good as two good fieldsmen. With two exceptions, the fielding ought to be brilliant, and in batting it is a formidable array. Bowling is represented by medium-fast left and right-handers and slow break bowlers, left and right-handed. Anyhow, it is a team that should give a good account of itself, and perhaps lift the Shield — that is. providing the trophy has not left for a new resting-place before our willow-wielders' arrival.

Lusk, Sims, and Ollivier are not available for the Wellington match, and the team to play in the Windy City on Christmas Day is: — A. Anthony (R.), J. H. Benpiett (S.j, C. Boxshall (E.G.), E. Humphrsys (L.). T. Malone (W.C.), S. A. Orchard (L.), A. Norman (R.), W. Patrick (S.), D. Reese (W.C.), A. E. Ridley (L.), and B. B. Wood (St. A.). Every man of this team also has represented Canterbury at least once. Archie Ridley and Norman are. the two players left out of the Auckland game, with a third, who will be dropped at the last moment. Wellington would appear to have a pretty tough proposition before them. Anthony Wilding, of world-wid« tennis ■fame, wifl be back in his home in Christchurch shortly, and will no doubt b? found alongside his "Pa" in the Linwood team before the season closes. Wilfling, jun., is a vigorous, dashing batsman, whose love of cricket is second only to that of tennis. His tennis training stands him in good stead at the batting crease.

The English professional now has charge of the Canterbury' reps., and he will put them through their facings nightly at Hagley Park.

Lusk's wame appeared in an evening paper on Saturday as "Luck 71." -"H. 8." ha= many times previously been called '"Luck," but so far this season it should have been "Bad Luck"' — with both bat and ball.

Tho cricketers' floral fete at Lancaster Park on Wednesday promises to be a big success — if our usual weather conditions prevail. The . Dan Leno cricket matches (tip-and-run, fancy dress) have received ■entries from all the di-trict clubs and some outside teams, and will be commenced in the morning. The various teams will turn out as Dutchmen, jockeys, Chinamen, hardups, midnightcrs, and k> on. Altogether a really good programme has been provided* and the enthusiasm of scores of lady supporters should materially assist in augmenting the funds of the Cricket Association.

Twenty-two years ago "The Demon," F. R. Spofforth, was interviewed in England on the subject of, teaching the young idea how to bowl. He was asked thw question : "Supposing you wished to train a boy to beoomo a bowler, what would you advise?"' And his reply stan<te good to -day : "Bowl with brains. Brains, I assure you, enter more largely into sport than is g-eneratlly imagined. But. tc return to your question, I can only tell you my own experience. I may say that I learned to bowl as one learns to read. In the days of mv tuition I was a great eopyisr. I was alwajs changing from one stylo to another. I saw a particular kind of delivery or a variety of pitch in another be wler. I watched him carefully, and then I did my best to imitate him. £o it was with pace. In the early days of Au-=-ualian cricket, and before the visits of Kajf'.i-h criektiteK, no bowler had di*coiered how to break a ball. This was an art I found out for my=elf. Then if •« as only by dint of constant perseverance tha,t I o\erc.ime prejudice. Th a critus and the pres-t used to run me down. They likened ins to a bull running at a gato. But I didn't care a jot. I weighed the criticisms in my mind, and wont on. trying thi^. that, and the other. Somehow I generally got wicket^, and that satisfied me. If I came off that \\a« enough I knew I couldn't be far out. The\ said I threw, and they were right. I did throw once, but when I found that out, after the difference .had been explained to me (of course, that is a lone: time ago), I went to work and corrected it. Ah ! it is not ea^y to make a name. I tried again and again for years. If I bowled well they <a.d it was luck; if I took wickets it was lucky! My break was luck again, or the wicket." ".A. great bowler i=f born an<l net made. eh. Mr Spofforth? Great bowling is a. heaven-born gift." "Xot a bit of It," replied the demon, smiling. "As I have said, you must \i*e ictir brains, if you have got any. No; I should say a. bowler is made — ho must be born, you know. You ask for my own experience. In my youthful days I had cricketing aspirations, and cricket in the 1 colonies w«e *t « low ebb. In those days

when I was very keen and very ambitious I thought I should like to become a bowler, and 1 really studied it as a problem. I u^ed to think for myself how such and such a pitch or such and such a speed vould affect a batsman. I used to propound mentally the most difficult combinations to overcome a batsman. Having thought of a certain style, as a billiard player might of a particular stroke, I went down to the ground to give it practical effect. An English professional player who wa3 engaged by us. and who was in those somewhat remote- days by far the best bowler in Australia, used to /go to ihe wickets, and I used to try my new idea. Ho would then criticise. And thus I was constantly trying, first as a mental problem, then as a practical result. - By this means I used to gauge myself for years."

- Grange. First Innings Brydon, b Corbatt 7 Paterson. b Corbett 0 C. Beal, b Corbett O Ogg. b Wordsworth 0 C. Chadwick, run out 13 Henderson, b Wordsworth .. .. 0 Downes. b Corbett ]ft L. Chadwick. b Wordsworth .. .. 1 Ferguson, Jbw, b Corbatt .. .. 3 W. Be»l, b Corbett » Davis, not out 0 Extras 3 Total ........ :n Bowling Analysis — Wordsworth. 46 balls, 9 maidens. 18 run 3, 3 wick-pts. 1 no-ball : Corrbett, 42 balls, 4 maidens, 16 runs, 6 wicko* Second Innings. W. Beal, b Wordsworth 0 , Brydon, c Williams, b Wordsworth 11 C. Beal, b Corbett 14 Og ? . b Corbett 7 Chadwick, not out 27 Pater?on. not out 2 Extras 9 Total for four wickets .. 70 Albiox. — First In. i ings Williams, b Downcs .. .. 4 Brinsley, b Downes 1 M'Farlane, c L Chadwick, b Davis 1L And-erson. b Dc.wnos 1 Strang. h Downes 9 Shelton, lbw. b Downe« 3 Cumminge. b Dcwnes 12 Wordsworth, b Ferguson .. .. 8 Corbett. not out 16 Cramond. b Downe3 ' 9 Voreth. c Davi3, b Downes .. f> Extras .. ]8 Toial 91

Name Relf .. .. Jones Hemus Francis Cumnnngs Hadden Sale .. .. Mason Jacobsen MacCormick Stemson .. Howden . . B. Smith Robinson BATTIiXG. Inn. N.O. Score. Atr. ..2 1 112 112 0 ..4 2 111 55.5 ..6 2 217 54.2 ..6 1 250 50.0 ..5 1 187 46.7 .'. 5 1 182 45.5 ..7 1 259 33.1 ..4 1 123 41.0 ..5 0 172 34 4 ..6 2 103 25.7 ..6 0 105 17.5 ..4 0 61 ' 15.2 ..5 0 -70 14.0 ..5 0 28 3.6 N*me. Howden .. Stemson .. Cummings Hadden Mason .. Jacobsen Relf B. Smith BOWLING. Wickets. Runs. Averages. .. 16 170 10.6 .. 19 219 11.5 ..20 261 13.0 .. 11 153 13.9 .. 23 348 15.1 .. 13 247 19.0 ..7 141 20.1 9 195 216