CRICKET

Otago Witness, Issue 3757, 16 March 1926, Page 55

CRICKET

By

Slip

STANDARD OF LOCAL CRICKET. The standard of First Grade cricket locally has deteriorated lately. Probably the weather has played a large part in reducing the efficiency of batsmen. The scoring has been lamentably poor. While in the north rood scoring has been the rule, in Dunedin the runs have been coming slowly, and the scores have been small. The ball has triumphed over the bat. The standard of bowling has improved little, if at all, and one wonders why so many batsmen have failed. There is no doubt that frequent postponements and uncomfortable playing conditions have caused the enthusiasm to wane. Then, of course, there are several young players in First Grade this season, and their failure —they have failed in most cases —is, 1 think, due to lack of conudcnce and—a factor which is even more manifest —lack of coaching. Dunedin badly needs the services of a capable coach, and while so many colts are allowed to blunder on and are left to their own devices the standard of cricket locally is not going to improve. The older senior players cannot be expected to fill this great want. Their own practice takes up most of their spare time. It is all very well to pat a junior on the back after he has made a good score and say “Well done,” but the cricket loving public has a duty to perforin, and must not let him stand stationary as far as his ability is concerned. More should be done, not by playing cricketers, but by the general public, to help the juniors along and to see that they receive training that will fit them for their places as the senior players of the future. One must admit that there are difficulties in the way, but if the game were given the support it deserved most of the boulders in the path could be removed and cricket in Dunedin would go ahead by leaps and bounds. RECORD PARTNERSHIPS. . Record partnerships in Plunket Shield matches are as follow: First Wicket.—2ol, by E. Horspool and A. Anthony, for Auckland against Wellington, 1924-25. Second Wicket.—227, by W. A. Baker and B. J. Kortlang, for Wellington against Otago, 1923-24. Third Wicket.—222, by S. G. Smith and N. C. Snedden, for Auckland against Hawke’s Bay, 1920-21. Fourth Wicket. —180, by N. C. Snedden and C. C. Dacre, for Auckland against Wellington, 1922-2.3. Fifth Wicket.—l6o, by R. C. Blunt and W. R. Patrick, for Canterbury against Wellington, 1922-23. Sixth Wicket—lß4, by D. C. Collins and H. M. M‘Girr, for Wellington against Otago, 1923-24. Seventh Wicket.—l 74, by C. A. Snedden and A. Anthony, for Auckland against Canterbury. 1920-21. Eighth Wicket.—l3o, by W. BrookSmith and G. Cummings, for Auckland against Canterbury, 1914-15. Ninth Wicket.—lls, by E. n. L. Bernau and K. C. James, for Wellington against Canterbury. 1923-24. Tenth Wicket.—los, by R. Cherry and R. O. Torrance, for Otago against Canterbury, 1925-26. NOTES. The ringing of a bell to announce the conclusion of an over in representative matches does not seem to te popular in Wellington, and it has been suggested that it is an infringement of rule 13. The plan 'vaa given a trial in the Wellington-Auck-laml game, but was quickly rejected. That its trial was not lengthy :s not surprising, for instead of the sharp and not unpleasant note given by the striking of a bolt against an iron cog-wheel which one hears at Carisbrook, the spectators at the Welling-ton-Auckland match heard the undignified clanging of a cow-bell. The idea originated in Dunedin and found favour with visiting Australian cricketers. It cannot bv any stretch of the imagination be described as an infringement of Rule 13. which reads as follows: —“The ball shall be bowled in overs of eight balls from each wicket alternately. When eight balls have been bowled, and the ball is finally settled in the bowler's or wicket-keeper's hands the umpire shall call ‘Over’!” The ringing of the gong is merely a guide to the umpire, who must call “over.” If he thinks that onlv seven balls have been bowled the eighth is bowled in spite of the sounding of rhe gong. Bowling in Plunket .Shield matches this season F. T. Badcock (Wellington has twice accomplished the feat of securing 10 wickets in a. match. Against Canterbury be took 10 for 60, and against Auckland 10 for 101. G. Dickinson (Otago) was the onlv other bowler in this season’s shield series to distinguish himself in a similar manner. He took 11 wickets for 145 runs against Wellington. Although much can be said, and much has been said, on the subject of the selection of 16 cricketers to represent Australia in a tour through England, little criticism can be levelled at the choice of the team’s scorer. The man to fill this of ten-onerous position is William Ferguson, who has been scorer for all touring Australian cricket teams since 1905, and has now been appointed scorer and baggage man for the 1926 team. Not only has Ferguson scored for Australia, but •when the South Africans toured Australia in 1910-11 he was South Africa’s scorer, and he also acted as scorer and baggage man for the English teams which visited Australia in 1920-21 and 1924-25. He is an artist, and his score books are works of art.

Although he was considered lucky to obtain n place in the Australian team to tour England, there is no doubt as to Hendry’s excellence as a batsman. In a recent club innings bo compiled 157 in 177 minutes, this being his fifth successive century in Victorian pennant cricket. He has had a remarkably successful season in club cricket, his scores being 21, 60, 135, 125, 147, 109 not out, and 157, making a total of 752, with an averago of 125.4. It is to be hoped that he can reproduce some of this form in England. If so, he will prove a pleasant surprise to many Australiair critics. T _

THE AUSTRALIAN TEAM. MELBOURNE, March 9.

At a luncheon to the touring Australian cricketers, Collins, referring to Fender’s remarks on the unsportsmanlike tactics, said that ever since he had been playing cricket there had never been an incident that could be construed as unsportsmanlike. As a selector he could say that great care had been taken in selecting the team from that point of view, and every player was a thorough sportsman..

TWO CENTURIES AT PERTH. PERTH, March 14.

Playing against the Australian XI, Western Australia in its first innings made 282 (Freemantle 87, Evans 33, Harrolcl 21 not out). Bowling, Richardson took six for 71, Grimmett three for 88, and Andrews one for 35. Australia in its first innings has lost seven wickets for 337 (Ryder 37, Taylor 102, Ponsford 149). The chief feature of Western Australia’s innings was Freemantte’s powerful aud effective defence and Richardson’s success with the ball. Taylor and Ponsford treated the spectators to a splendid display. After starting carefully, they played with the greatest freedom, racing for tjic century. They banged the ball to the fence among the spectators. The partnership lasted 146 minutes, and added i 34 runs. FENDER S STATEMENTS MISCONSTRUED. LONDON, March 9. The evening newspapers publish Australian comments on P. G. Fender’s remarks regretting that a controversy has arisen on the eve of the team’s departure. The Evening Standard publishes an interview with Fender, in which he points out that his remarks were misconstrued in Australia. After a speech he anwswered questions for two hours. Apparently these were pieced together and conveyed the impression that it was a continuous speech. It was not possible to suggest anything such as that referred to. He dealt with uiusportsmanship, and referred to tactics and strategy employed by the Australians which Englishmen seldom used. He instanced Armstrong’s leg theory in the fourth test match of 1921. He particularly emphasised that the Australians did not play a dirty game, as credited to them, but that they studied the game more than the Englishmen did, and also put into practice the results of that study. “When these are adopted and the spectators do not agree with them,” said Fender, “they are apt to think the Australians are not playing the game. I have repeatedly said that the charge was untrue. No one has a greater respect for the Australians and greater admiration for their powers. I admire their tactics, and have tried to copy some of their methods. The Australians vrtll surprise me if they do not produce some new methods on this tour.” THE COMING TESTS. LONDON, March 10. Tlie test selectors met in London, all being present except Rhodes who is in Egypt, and resolved to wait till the beginning of the season before appointing a captain. has been cabled to Rhodes who replied agreeing. WANGANUI v. POVERTY BAY. WANGANUI, March 12. In the Ilawke Cup match against Poverty Bay Wanganui require 93 runs to win. Poverty Bay, in their first innings, made 127 (G. J. Robertson 25). Bernau took six wickets for 46, Madwell three for 26, and Hutchison one for 2*2. In their second venture Poverty Bay compiled 165 : J. Scholium 55, Ellis 25). Treadwell took five for 44, Bernau throe for 45, and Hutchison one tor 13. Wanganui’s first innings yielded 193 \Orr 49, Wood G 7, Bernau 31). Lockett secured two wickets for 48 runs, Elba six tor 57, and Robertson two for 31. In the second innirgs Wanganui have scored 10 without the loss of a wicket. - M AN AW AT U COMPETITION. PALMERSTON N.. March 14. By securing a four-point victory over High School on Saturday, Old Boys are assured of the Manawatu senior cricket championship. Although the third round is incomplete, the points to date are ns follows: Did Boys 22, Railway 184. High School 13L R.S.A. 0. In view of the proximity of outside fixtures the com petition will now probably be declared closed. FIRST SHADE MATCHES. Fine weather favoured the cricket mulches on Saturday, and th e scores showed an improvement. Dunedin and Grange secured two-point wins, enabling the former team to maintain its lead of one point for die shield. Good scores were made t.V Alloo (96 not out) and Cherry (68). Torrarce (Dunedin) bowling against Albion, secured the fine average of two wickets for three runs off 72 balls There was some good scoring in junior games. In the Second Grade A. A. Holden made 102 not out for Carisbrook against Albion. H. E. Harrawav in the Second Grade B match between High School Old Bovs No. 1 and Carisbrook D made 97 not out for the former The veteran G. G. Austin, playing in the same grade for Carisbrook C against High School Old Bovs No. 2 made 81. GRANGE v CARISBROOK. Grange secured a two-point win bv defeating Carisbrook by the narrow margin of eight runs on the first innings. GRANGE. First Innings 145 Second Innings. Knight, o and b Bardsloy ... w, 41 M'Mullan, b Dickinson . 12 Golland. o Green, b Dickinson ... 46 Alloo. not out m m. 96 Rush, b Dickinson ... 0 M'Gregor, o Allan, b Dickinson 0 Chadwick, b Dickinson 9 Hunan, c Proctor, b Douglas ... 1 Paul, st Green, b Douglas , M ... 0 Grant, b Douglas w ... ... 4 Henderson, b Douglas ... 8 Extras ... M ... 14 Total im n. n. h m t*. 231

Bowling Analysis.—Dickinson, 128 balls, 4 maidens, 80 runs, 5 wickets; Douglas, 102 balls, 1 maiden, 59 runs, 4 wickets; Bardsley, 48 balls. 33 runs, 1 wicket; Proctor, 32 balls, 20 run 9; Cameron, 24 balls, 8 runs; Cantrell, 16 balls. 17 runs. CARISBROOK.—First Innings. Worker, c M'Gregor, b Galland ... 19 Cantrell, c Hanan, b Galland w ... 13 Dickinson, run out ... 1 Douglas, b Galland 10 Gourley, c and b M'Gregor ... 25 Bardsley, b Alloo ... ... ... 0 Allan, b Alloo 0 Cameron, o Henderson, b M'Gregor ... 30 Proctor, c Galland, b M'Gregor ... 2 Faulks, c Henderson, b M'Gregor ... 39 Green, not out 1 Extras ... _ 6 Total 137 Bowling Analysis.—Galland, 176 balls, 12 maidens, 45 rune, 3 wickets; Alloo, 192 balls. 7 maidens, 52 runs, 2 wickets; M'Gregor, 58 balls, 34 runs, 4 wickets. ALBION v. DUNEDIN. The match between Albion and Dunedin was resumed on the Oval, Dunedin following on with its first innings. Scores: — DUNEDIN.—First Innings. Kenny, c Duncan, b M'lvor 2 Cherry, c Barron, b Blamires 68 Grigg, b Blair 19 M'Cardell, run out 4 Casev, run out 37 Hi"gins, b Blair 0 Anderson, b Duncan 42 Torrance, b Blamires 0 Symonds, e and b Blair ... ... ... 22 Graham, c M'lvor. b Blair 21 Sinclair, not out 2 Extras 28

Total 245 Bowling Analysis.—Blamires, 120 balls. 3 maidens, 34 runs, 2 wickete; M'lvor, 160 balls. 2 maidens, 56 runs, 1 wicket; Blair, 108 balls. 3 maidens, 50 runs. 4 wickets; Duncan, 56 balls. 45 runs, 1 wicket. ALBION. First Innings 96 Second Innings. Binnie, c and b Torrance .. ... . • 7 Allen', not out 34 Barron, b Torrance .. .. 0 Vorrath, run out 15 Reid, not out 7 Extras 9 Total for three wickets .... 72 Bowling Analysis.—Casey, 48 balls, 1 maiden, 14 runs; Torrance, 72 balls, 7 maidens, 3 runs, 2 wickets; Cherry, 24 balls, 16 runs;' M'Cardell, 56 balls, 2 maidens, 13 runs: Sinclair, 24 balls, 6 runs; Anderson, 32 balls, 1 maiden, 11 runs. AUCKLAND GAMES. AUCKLAND, March 14. The final matches for the Auckland senior cricket championship were played in fine weather. North Shore succeeded in gaining a twop< int win over Eden, thus maintaining an unbeaten record for the season and winning the championship. North Shore in their first innings had made 314, and Eden tried to play out time in an effort to secure a draw. However, the last wicket fell at 229 with five minutes to go, leaving North Shore winners by 85 runs. Weir made 49 for Eden and Mills 45. University secured a two-point win over Grafton, and Ponsonby a three-point win over Parnell. A WELLINGTON MATCH. WELLINGTON, March 14. A match began on Saturday between representatives of the leading championship teams and others. The leaders scored 213 (Hiddleston 65, Baker 51). Brice took five wickets for 77 runs. CHRISTCHURCH MATCHES. CHRISTCHURCH, March 14. The ninth and final round of the grade matches for the season commenced on Saturday in beautiful weather. St. Albans had already won the championship, having come through the season to this stage unbeaten. Lkiwood batted first in the match with St. Albans, and scored 196 by very uneven cricket. They had 140 on for two wickets. Kennedy’s score of 116 was the highest individual score in grade cricket this season. Read’s score was 40. St. Albans started badly, and had lost six wickets for 103 when stumps were drawn. Riccarton, playing Sydenham, ran up 70 runs for the first wicket, but the remaining batsmen failed miserably, and the side was all out for 157. Cunningham put up the great bowling performance of taking 9 wickets for 70 runs. Sydenham lost six wickets for 89. The best scores for Riccarton were made by Cox (26) and Gorrie (49), and for Sydenham by Oliver (29). West Christchurch batted first in the match with East Christchurch, and ran up 69 before losing the first wicket, and the fair total of 217 was reached. The best scores were made by Blunt (33), Hayes (65), and Norman (33). M‘Ewin took 3 wickets for 81 and Weston 3 for 24. Gregory and Brosnan, opening for East Christchurch, were still unbeaten wlien stumps were drawn. The score then was 53.