CRICKET NOTES.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXXIV, Issue 5, 29 October 1924, Page 3

CRICKET NOTES.

(By "Umpire.")

Tlio Cricket Season in Stratford opened on Saturday, when the Stilatlford X[ ,'playedi ETitham,, { afi Eltham,' and the second eleven played the Stratford Technical High School on the hitter's ground. The senior game at Eltham was an interesting one, and resulted in a .draw. When closing time (G p.m.) came it found Young and Miitssey, the last two batsmen holding the fort, with still ten runs to get in order to win. From the wan they were shaping it seemed probable that they would pull the match off. Despite the earliness of the season and lack of practice which is generally associated with the first match,, some good form was shown. Eltham's team has much improved, and as the season advances that eleven should prove a' formidable combination.

Stratford will require plenty of practice in order to make them proficient. Percy, Claridgja, Reid and Nicbol shaped well, and with the necessary' practice, should be good for some high scores.

The Stratford innings was interfered with by the rain showers, and a few adjournments were made. The first few wicket© fell for comparatively few runs, and the state of the wicket had the batsmen guessing as to the rise of the ball. The complexion of the game was altered by the partnership between Fume and Cole, who accounted for 06, the former making 2.5 and the latter 31, and the result was that the defence of the remaining batsmen was) stronger. The bowling of Cole Co for 26) and Young (3 for 11) proved that these two were well up to their old form, but Syme (1 for 34) and Percy (0 for 29) will require .more practice to get a better length. The Eltliam bowling was shared by Priest (3 for 18), Little (2 for 8), Phillpots (2 for 25), Donnelly (2 for 14), and Hemingway (0 for 11). The highest display of batting for Eltham was given by Little and Phillpots. The latter. by the way, is ,a good all-round athlete, who has not only represented Eltham in senior football but was also a member of -the last hockev team which visited Australia. Between, them, these two players made 71. The rest of the team made 31-.

At present the weakness of most of the Stratford batsmen is defence, and what most of them must learn is to keep the wicket up; «nd that the runs wil] take care of themselves. To attain this essential,, regular practice is absolutely, necessary, and perhaps it would be a helpful means of defence if a batsman were to put a coin. oh. his wicket as an. inducement to him to keep i.t np. Improvement could tako place in the fielding also. Fieldsmen must learn to pitch up the ball and return it smartly to the wicket keeper, on the full if possible. This is advisable on most Taranaki grounds on account of the rough nature of the outfield. The Hawera ground, where the sward is a. credit to tlie controlling authorities and to the groundsman, is a bright exception, the secret of which, ag.the .regular, rolling and cutting it receives. Especially was this «o in, its.early stages. The. South Taranaki . season was opened at Hawera. on Saturday, but the weather was not at all good. Excelsior had an easy win. from Midland; and indications go to show that the former will be a hard team to beat.

'hie Northern Taranaki season opened also, and although no rain fell at New Plymouth the day was not altogether satisfactory, and about 5 p.m. the light became very bad.

At the annual meeting of the NewZealand Cricket Council which was held in Christohurch on Friday, the President (Mr Heatheote Williams) sa"d he did not car© to differ with the management committee, but he bad never favoured a West Indian visit. He thought that visits between Australia and New Zealand should be developed, and suggested that the Management Committee negotiate for a visit from an Australian teajfn this year. A motion was moved in"accordance with the suggestion and wa..s carried. It was also stated that every member of the Management Committee was in agreement with the motion, but they intended to send, a team to Australia next year, and hoped to be in a financial position to do so. It was decided that every effort be made to send a team to Australia next year, and an added recommendation was that the team should consist principally of colts. Ah usual, Wellington has been re-in forced by several good cricketers from other parts, the most noteworthy being Badcock (Surrey). Sharpe (Dorset and- Middlesex)., and Butler (Melbourne 0.C.). Tlie Empire City is holding the Plunket Shield, and the contests this year give promise of plenty of excitement before the custody of the Shield is finally settled for the season.

In tli© discussion which arose regarding the tour to Australia by a New Zealand team in 1925 (states an Exchange), one of tlie speakers said that lie did not wish to sep. a tour .put off an v longer, as it would deprive certain players, who had borne the burden For some time, of their chance of a pood trip. This style of reasoning nr'gbt sound very uioja land' igraJudmotheHy, hut it |fs not much, good for the game. Tours such a« the one proposed should l>e educational, and to send players away who are just at the end of their careers is to spoil any good effects anticipated.