A CRICKETER’S BET.

Otago Witness, Issue 3775, 20 July 1926, Page 35

A CRICKETER’S BET.

CIGARS AND PORT. A WIN FOR CHAPMAN (Fbom Oott Own CqbbkbPondent.) LONDON, June 2. A. P. F. Chapman’s score of 159 for Kent against Hampshire revealed a bet between the cricketer and Mr G. L. Makeson, formerly a director of Makeson’s Brewery, Hyth, where Chapman now holds a post. He wagered Chapman two bottles of port against each 50 he would score, with an additional bet of 50 cigars that be would not reach 100. Chapman wired Mr Makeson: “Six Cockbum 1896. Fifty large Coronas.—Percy.’’ Referring to Chapman’s play in the match South of England against, the Australians, at Bristol, Mr M. A. Noble (the former Australian captain) describes some of his drives as like the shot from a gun. Hendren, it is remarked, batted solidly and well, though slowly, against boiling which, while not dangerous was maintained at a good length. Daring his long partnership with Chapman the bowlers and fieldsmen stuck to their task manfully. Their efforts were duly rewarded, for Chapman and Hendren woulu have scored far more heavily if the off-side fieldsmen had not show n such persistent keenness. It was always difficult to pierce the cordon. Collins placed his fic'u well, but sometimes the fieldsmen slipped, which proved that their boots were not suitably spiked. This should be remedied witnout delay. Perhaps Chapman’s finest shot was to square logoff Ryder. The ball waa just short of good length lie faced it and jolted it to the boundary with lightning speed. Some of hia drives were like the shot from a gun. Hendren playea the proper game for his side with Chapman getting the runs. Chapman practically threw away his innings at a critical period of the game. If he and Hendren bad batted an hour after tea the attack wou d have probably tired, making it easy for late: batsmen. Neither Chapman nor Hendren ever mastered the bowling, which waa always oi good length. Macartney gave most trouble, and he used most judgment Another Australian player—Mr C. E. Ke'lew»y, makes reference in an article to Chapman, in connection with the same match. Thus: “When Chapman came in I noticed that he had Joet much of the superfluous weight he carried at the match between M.C.C. and the Australians at Lords. Undecided running between the wickets might easily have ended the innings of either of the batsmen, but neither Richardson noi Collins could pick up tue ball. A hard offdrive brought four to Chapman off Mailey, but Andrews was now fielding brilliantly, and picked up many drives that seemed certain boundary strokes. Chapman was getting plenty of weignt behind his strokes. The fielding had now improved, and the stopping waa surer and the picking up cleaner. A tingle to Hendren brought 10U runs on the board after 150 minutes' play. Chapman obtained 10 off an over from Richardson, one hit being a six to long-on. Hendren waa approaching the half-century, and Chapman> had little of the bowling. When he did have a strike he square cut a ball from Ryder very hard for four. A well-run single gave Hendren his 50 after just 150 minutes’ batting. Collins was a very weak fieldsman on the drive, there beinj* an easy run every time the ball waa hit in his direction. Chapman’s 50 went up wlien he had been at the wickets for 80 minutes. He then hit out. and obtained two fours and a six off one over from Mailey. With his score at 89, however, he was caught in the slips by Gregory off Richardson, after

being at the wickets for 110 minutes. This innings should make Chapmaki a certainty for the first test. “The different methods of English and Australian batsmen must have been noticed by onlookers. Early in the day, when the batting was slow, it was dull to watch. Chapman, of up the game, hut tho other batsmen too often allowed the ball to hit the bat. The Australians weie more interesting to watch, as they hit the ball even when playing safely, and weie always looking for runs. The runnirg between wickets has not been good, and will need to be improved in the test games. *