CRICKET CHATTER

Otago Witness, Issue 3006, 25 October 1911, Page 60

CRICKET CHATTER

Foster regards Field as the best fast bowler ir. Eingkmd. W. R. Rhodes made 128 and 115 for Yorkshire against the M.C.C. at' Scarborough early last month. . -

The Melbourne C.C. last season had 5440 members on the.roll, the receipts from this source being £10,106 ss. J. J±. Board is coming from England in the lonic to fulfil his ■ engagement with the Hiawke'a Bay Association. For Middlesex this year F. A. Tarrant scored 2030 runs ait an average of 46.13, and secured 111 wickets- at 19.2 a. The veteran G. H. Hirst in three and ahalf hours cracked up 218 for Yorkshire against Sussex ait the end of August. In the Minor Counties Championship final S. F. Barnes- secured four for 32 and six for 43 for Staffordshire'against Surrey 11. G-. A. Faulkner, playing in Dublin-for the Phoenix Club against Germantown, a United States touring team, notched 28—20 and captured seven wickets. "*

With the M.C.C. team in 1911, F. A. Tarrant scored 305 runs at 43.57, and secured 17 wickets .at 20.41. A. E. Trott took 12 wicket 3 at 14.58. and l averaged 6.33 for three innings. The Tasmanian Association has declined the invitation from the New Zealand Cricket Council for a visit from a Tasmanian team to the Dominion during February and March. C. G. Macartney, bowling right through the Bur wood innings, got six wickets for* 65 in 22 overs. His length was precise, and he made the mo3t of a little help from the pitch.

The marriage of Sir Abe Bailey and the Hon. Manry W f esten.ra, only daughter of Lord and Lady Rossniore, of Rasramcre, County Monaghan, Ireland, took place in London on September 5 '^•—- Wbem Hirst scored 218 for Yorkshire against Sussex early last month, he played his forty-sixth th?ee-figure innings for his county and his fiftieth in first-class cricket. It was also his fourth of over 200. Two notable literary cricketers ware J. M Barrie, the creator of "Peter Pan," and 3. R. Crockett, the author of so many stirring Scottish stories. The latter,' however, lias gone in lately for golf and mountaineering. Prank Foster, one of the English team on the way to Australia, has two brothers who show promise. One is a promising wicket-keeper while he has a brother of 11 or so who, for hi 3 years, shows really wonderful form.

In the match which settled the county premiership in the hands of Warwickshire the young champion, P. R. Foster, caught a blob, but his five wickets for 18 and six for 63 contributed materiallv to the innings victory over Northamptonshire. G. H. Hirst has made 50 centuries in firstclaiss cricket, at least one against every firstclass county save his own, Yorkshire. He has made four each against Surrey, Sussex, Gloucestershire, Scmorset, And Worcestershire, but has.not yet made one against Australian bowling. S. H. Emery ha.s already taken 13 wickets for Rcdfern. the cost being 158 runs. He-has Australian E'*tou possibilities, and. must be among the new men who2e qualifications will require to be ca.rcifully considered bsfore the combination to visit England is completed early next year.—" Not Out." C. B. Fry, vritmg about Australian conditions states that the duration of the games put 3 a premium on soundness and steadiness. "There can be no iloubt," he adds, "that the batsman who does not take risks, and who does not get himself out, Urti*t bo the backb me of the aide."

Strudwick, the Surrey wicketkeeper, is a lively pocket cricketer. He jumps out of his ground frequently when there is no danger, and stretches out bat and arm for the crease when a run has been made as safe as the proverbial church, and the ball is a furlong away from the wicket. He pretends that lie ta.k"'3 risks which nobody else oan see. The season in England has been marked by a revival both in quality of play a.nd in pub'ic interest. Yorkshire's net gates- rea-l-'sed £1269 83 3d more than those 1 of 1910, the gross attendances being 145,443. and' the amount taken £4950. Of this, £2135 was taken at Sheffield for five matches. Three matches at Leeds produced only £530, and three at Bradford £905. J. H. Board, while playing for Gloucestershire v." Worcestershire at Dudley on August 29, " having run a single, went out to pat the turf while the ball was still in the fielder's hands. It was returned, and Bale put the wicket down, and the umpire had no alternative but to give Board out." - It recalls the incident of S. P. Jones and " W. G." in 1882, in the great test match at Kennington Oval. G. A.. Faulkner and P. B. Lie Couteur played for the Gentlemen v the Players at Scarborough. C. P. Mead made 223 and. 11 for the Players, and Faulkner 7 and 84 not out, B. J. T. Bosanquet 103 and 4,, P. F.

Warner 11 and 55 not out, M. Falcon 7o and 1, -and P. R. Le Couteur 17 for the Gentlemem. Le Couteur secured three for 77 and none for 28, and' Faulkner on© for 78 and two for 49. The match was drawn. That Tom HJayward retains his form with the bat, though over 40 years old, is shown by his heading the Surrey averages for tJie year, with 1963 rune at 60.33 per innings. Major H. iSI Bush fe next with 703 runs at 4L35; Hayes, third, 1597 at 37.13; and J. B. Hobbs, fourth, 1618 at 35.17. H. Strudwick scored 534 runs at 22.25 per innings and 1 is apparently a much better batsman than he was on his first visit to Aus- " Now commences the anmual exodus of prominent professional cricketers," says London Sportsman- "We know that Hirst and Hai<*h are to visit India this close season; G. 5. Thompson, of Nbrthants, leaves in ft week or two for Auckland; "Jack" Board also takes his departure for Howke's Bay; and Alfred again leaves on the 16th inst. for Johannesburg. H. S. Harrison, of Surrey, has left for the Cape, I b"i*ive, in order to fulfil a coaching engagement." There is a story told of a first grade crickster who had recently become engaged, and whose future bride followed him about from ground to ground each Saturday. At one match the cricketer, who may bs named Jack, because that isn't his name, made ai mighty slog at a googlie ball, missed' it, and retired 1 for nought. " Oh, Jack's got a duck, hasn't he?" asked the young lady sitting beside his affianced. " Yes, indeed," replied the other, as she blushed becomingly, " I'm it." £ydfiey prodioes so many batting colts •that unless a young player is snceessrul in first-class cricket he has to stand down aad give someone else a chance. There are more than half a dozen young players who We just outside of the New South Wales Eleven who would certainly find a place in the representative eleven of any other State. Thi3 is not -'in unusual state of affairs, and players have in the past left Sydney, where they were taught their cricket, for other States, which have given them the opportunity of disclosing form which got them into the Australian Eleven. The Indian cricketers brought their English tour to a close on August 27. ■ As they only won two of their first-class matches, the programme nirranged whs too ambitious. In all. they took part in 23 matches, of which they won six, lost 15, and drew two. Unfortunately for them, Major K. M. Mistri—their ablest batsman—could only play three times. His batting average was 31.33. P. Shivram came out virtually at the head of the, batting averages with 28.68, H T>. Kanga being isecond with 28.04. and 1 ' R. P. Meherhomji third with 24.42. P. Bain came out with a long way the best bowling figures, taking 75 wickets at an average oi 20.12. J. S. Warden took 44 wickets with an average of 25.50. • '

Recognising the necessity, of proyiding further aoooramodia-tio'ii for the comfort and convenience of the public, the committee of the Melbourne C.C. has accepted a contract for the erection of ainpther, stand on the outer ground, a/t an estimated cost of £SOOO. " In the' &a,m to visit England I hope to eee (writes " Not Out") 15 players, and two of these fast bowlers. With, that idea. in front of one. the form of all three fast bowlers—A. Cotter, J. Scott, and J. W, M'Laren—is erf the highest importance. 1 believe thai M'Laren, the Queenslander, will be found to be a very fine bowler in England; and von know he is a first-class field and quite a dependable batsman for a man who is so good a bowler. Either of the Minnetts—l/. A. or R. B.—would also, I believe, be a fine bowler in England. Further discussion of the fast bowlera may be deferred for the present. The batting averages of the English Eleven last season were:—C, P.. Mead (Hampshire), 54.51; S. P. Kinneir (Warwickshire), 49.36; P. F. Warner (Middlesex), captain, 46.15;. J. W. Hearne (Middlesex), 42.81; F. R. Foster 47; J. B; Hobbs (Surrey). 41.68; G. Gunn (Notts), 38.46; W. R. Bhodes (Yorkshire), 38.32; F. E. Woollev (Kent). 37.77; J. Vine (Sussex). 84.86; J. W. H. T. Douglas (Essex), 29.72; J. Iremonger (Notts), 28.50; E. J. Smith (WarwickshixeC 24.32; H. Strudwick (Surrey) 21,68; J. W. Hitch (Surrey), 15.58 Their bowling averages were:—B. j. Smith (Warwickshire), 13 wickets,' average 14.92; J.'B. Hobbs (Surrey), 28, 18.67; F. R. Foster (Warwickshire), 141, 20.31; F. E. Woolley (Kent). 85, 21.34; J. W. Hearne (Middlesex), 102, 22.00; J. W. Hitch (Surrey), 151, 23.02; W. R. Rhodes (Yorkshire), 127. 24.07; J. Vine (Sussex). 64, 24.84; J. W. H. T. Douglas (Essex). 82,. 24.98; S. F. Barnes (Staffordshire), 14, 25.00; J. Iremonger (Notts), 101, 26.10; C. P. Mead (Hampshire), 21, 33.95. The following paragraph from Cricket will interest . many Australians who recollect Fielder's most excellent last wicket stand in the test match at Melbourne four yeairg ago:—"At Leyton on September 4 Fielder, the last man in, by keeping up his wicket, enabled James Seymour to establish a record for. Kent cricket in the shape of an inning® of 218 xiiott out. He himself scored 61. and caused the last wicket to put on 102. It is % coincidence that in the game with Worcestershire at Maidstone seven years ago Fielder, - by scoring 37, enabled Seymour to obtain his second hundred in the match. o r .i that occasion the tenth partnership realised 103.'' . The Melbourne CO., annual report makes the following reference to Major ■ Wardill: " It is with regret w© record the retirement of Major B. J. Wardill from the secretairyshtp of the club owing to ill-health, and, havirug regard: to his long and faithful eervioe. extending over 31 years, the committee decided to grant him, six months' leave of absence on full pay, with a pension of'£4oo per annum at the expiry of that period."

LEVY ON WELLINGTON PLAYERS. WELLINGTON,. October 17. » In order to raise funds to clear off liabilities, the Cricket Association has decided to make a levy of Is on senior, and! 6d on junior players for every playing Saturday this season. Third olaes players are exempted. The resolution passed gives power to make the levy whenever funds are needed. It is expected that £l5O will bo raised this summer, and that no further call will be needed.

MATCHES IN OTHER CENTRES. AUCKLAND, October 22. The Auckland cricket season opened yesterday in fine but cold weather, a. strong southerly wind blowing. Light shower© of rain fell in the morning, and as a result of the rain during the week the wickets were 6-low. North Shore, playing against Eden, made 237 for. four wickets in the first innings. Sale (84, not out), A. M. Howden (48, not out), L. Prime (41), and Bush (39) were the highest scorers. Grafton mad© 117 against Parnell (Mason 40, Willie 39, not out). Kerr took four wickets for 38 runs. Parnell made 118 for three wickets (Ellis 46, not out). University, in their first innings against Ponsoniby, made 182 (Wallace 70). Woods took four wickets for 31 runs. Ponsonby made 2 for one •niokat. WELLINGTON October 22. The crioket season opened on Saturday

in favourable -weather, though a cold wind blew. The principal match was between Central and East B, which resulted in a win for the former by 180 runs to 39. Blamires (40) and Wilkinson scored best for the victors, and Bowles (24) for" l ® losers.. Analysis of the bowling: -Nash three for 43, Hutchins three for 41, M'Cardie three for 35. East A made: 223 for seven wickets against South, who nave not yet had their innings. The principal scorers were: Gibbs (63), Hiokey (27), and Tucker (25). In bowling Fenton (five for 84) was the 'best. Victoria College put up 148 in their innings against 47 for JNortn for three wickets. For Victoria College the best scorers were Berendsen (34), balmond (not out, 29), and Fanning (22), and for North Crombie (27, net out), was conspicuous in the bowling. Fmlayson tofive wickets for 39 runs, and Luckie four CHRISTCHURCH, October 21. The first round of grade matches was concluded to-day in beautiful weather and on good wickets. West Christchurch gained a sensational win against Sydenham by 12 runs, whilst St. Albans easily vanquished East Christchurch, and Riccarton accounted for Linwood by a margin of 40 runs. On the first day St. Albans had scored 44 with a loss. The score of 184 was set them by East Christchurch to-day. Nearlv all the batsmen made useful scores, and the Eastern total was passed with only six wickets down. Two more wickets then fell at once, but Sandman and Brunton getting together, a big stand was made, Sandman putting on runs at a great rate. The innings eventually closed for 260. East Christchurch, in their second innings did not shape too well, and at the call of time had lost five wickets for 69. The Sydenham v. West Christchurch game was left in a very even and interesting state, on the first day West Christchurch having totalled 243, Sydenham responding with 58 for four wickets. On resuming to-day Hayes (with 39, not out) and Bruges (3) resumed batting'. Hayes batted very solidly, but he lost three partners without an addition to the score. However, on Bennett going in the Sydenham 'outlook improved considerably, and with 126 up, with three wickets still to fall, the game looked a good thing for Sydenham, but Hayes was then splendidly taken at extra slip, and the last two wjekets fell with a very elmall addition. West Christchurch in their second innings, put up a good score of 216 for seven wickets,H. B. Lusk getting a century by a fine display of batting. Linwood, who lost two wickets for 35, resumed battin<r with Russell. and -Pei-rin, R. Ridley, who was hot put. with 22 on the first day, being absent. The two bats? men named made a short stand;, and Thomas added a useful 15. Orchard then made a good effort for his side, and, playing a very vigorous innings,' helped himself to 61; but the tail giving him no assistance, the venture closed for 159. Riccarton gave a sorry display in their second innings, Williams being the only one to offer any opposition to the bowling, which was distinct!-" good.

CAPTAIN OF AUSTRALIAN TEAM. . MELBOURNE, October 14. Clem Hill, of South Australia, has been re-elected to captain Australia in the test matches against England. ENGLISH TEAM~v. CEYLON. COLOMBO, October 21. Marylebone made. 213 and Colombo 59. Barnes took four wickets for 30, Foster three for seven, and Woolley two for nine. October 22. For the Marylebone team which defeated Ceylon Hobbs made 45, Foster 36, and Gunn and Mead 24 each.