THE CRICKET CRITIC

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 511, 14 November 1928, Page 11

THE CRICKET CRITIC

Xt was reported that there was a shortage of £IOO in the coach fund. A canvass is to be made for subscriptions to make up this shortage. Northcote will be greatly appreciated by the local team. Reporting to the Borough Council, the borough overseer stated that the top-dressing and preparation of the Municipal Recreation Reserve for the cricket season is well in hand and will be completed at an early date. A colfix pitch will be put down as soon as weather conditions are suitable. * * * Rain Steps In It was unfortunate, and sadly unavoidable, that rain stepped in on Saturday and prevented the second seriesof matches being brought to a conclusion in the A.C.A.’s senior competition. Particularly keen lights were expected to eventuate, and so patrons will have to wait till Saturday week now to see the close finishes. * * * Parnell Goes Down One The end of the second matches, and the few points the victors happened to gather on the first day, sees Varsity still at the top of the ladder, followed by Ponsonby, two clear points away. Eden is third, one point behind Ponsonby. Y.M.C.A. t>y virtue of a threepointer over Parnell, has changed places with the red caps, who are now iA last place. * * * Horspool's Bowling Ernie Horspool, the New Zealand representative of a few years back, is famed these days as a batsman rather than a bowler. But when he does get wickets, he gets them with a vengeance, as in the last match, when he bagged live for 49 for Grafton against Varsity. Batting Averages With four aSturdays (more or less) of play, most batsmen have had at least two efforts at the crease, while some have had as many as four and others as lew as one. The following are the positions of the first ten of the batting averages:

Three Queer Happenings X. W. Cooper, the Eden batsman who shone in tne representative matches last season, had two "ducks” to his credit in two efforts at the batting crease this season. It is early yet, however, and Cooper can be depended upon to get into his stride shortly. Alf Pottles in the first innings of each of the two matches played has scored 33. If it had been 13 it would have been less remarkable. C. Guiney (Ponsonby) is getting a reputation something akin to that of Woodful 1. Tl© can’t be got out. In his three innings so far he has scored 15, 6 and 6, all not outs. Bowling Averages The following are the first ten on the bowling averages for the two matches played this season:

How Soon they Forget When Jardine. partnering: Sutcliffe, opened his cricket career in Australia with a brilliant 140 on Friday, tho critics sung his praises by saying he was a far more attractive opening batsman than Hobbs. Every dog has his day, />f course, but this same J. B. Hobbs, before ho sailed for Australia, was hailed as still the greatest batsman in England, if not in the world. Hobbs has ever been a man for the big occasion, and now with advancing years, he must reserve himself even more. It is unlikely that Jardine will supplant him as Sutcliffe s partner in the tests. Besides Jardipe will, it appears, be worth a place lower down on the list. One thing is certain. however, and that is, that if Jack Hobbs never played in another test, he would go down in history with the greatest test match batting record the game has known. England's Great Opening The tour of the English cricketers in Australia has so far been an asupicious one, and if the match against New South Wales is any guide, it *eems to indicate another rise in the tide of England's cricket greatness. When “Plum” Warner savs the team is the greatest batting side ever sent to the land of the Cornstalks, he does net do so rashly. Warner in his day waa one of the greatest test captains England has known. However, the true test will begin when the first test commences at the end of this month at Brisbane. It is the general expectation, however, that if England s bowing- can stand up to the great batting of Woodfull, Poßofox d, Kippax and the odds are on her to retain the ashes. Keii«way Again Two men brought themselves within reach of test status during the New *cuth Wales mat-ii, Bradman by his brilliant 87, an i Kell-way by his I‘gged l ‘gged uphill 93 nor. out The latter yjso secured two wickets for 140 in England's first inoug?* of 7X4, when [•"til Gregory and Nioholls failed at bowling crease. Personal prejudice kept Kelleway out of the last team for England, but it looks as though sheer ability alone will him a place in at least one of this ,ieaKor »’s all Australia sides. Management Affairs At the meeting of the Management Committee of the Auckland Cricket Association last evening it was decided to send a letter of condolence ® the widow and family of the l_ate r ;** r . F. J. Peake, secretary of the New Cricket Council. Reference made to the popularity enjoyed Butcher’s Striped Aprons, 7 s 6<I — B **t Marshall, Symonds Street.

b> the late secretary, and the energetic manner in which he carried out his duties. THIS WEEK’S SERIES FIXTURES FOR SATURDAY Following are the A.C.A. cricket fixtures for next Saturday:— First Grade.—Y.M.C.A. v. North Shore, North Shore; University v. Parnell, Eden Park No. 3: Eden v. United Suburbs, Eden Park No. 2; Ponsonby v. Grafton, Eden Park No. 1. Senior Grade B.—Y.M.C.A. v. Papat.oetoe, Papatoetoe; Po*sonby v. University, King’s College; Windmill v. Eden. Victoria Park; Shore Colts v. North Shore, North Shore; Balmoral v. Parnell, Victoria Park. Second Grade A. —North Shore v. Balmoral, North Shore; Grafton v. Windmill, Victoria Park; Northcote v. All Saints’, Northcote; Western United v. Parnell A, Victoria Park. Second Grade B.—City v. Takapuna, Takapuna; United Suburbs v. Parnell B, Victoria Park; Western Springs v. Mount Albert, Eden Park; University v. Tamaki, St. Heliers; Epsom United v. Ponsonbv, Eden Park. Third Grade A.—King’s College v. University, King’s College; Papatoetoe v. Eden, Papatoetoe; All Saints’ v. Grafton, Domain No. 4; Y.M.C.A., a bye; North Shore v. Balmoral, Point Chevalier Third Grade B.—Telegraph v. Power Board Domain No. 12; Point Chevalier v. W.Y.M.1., Domain No. 8; Windmill v. Technical Old Boys, Domain No. 9; Birkdale v. Glebe, Domain No. 10. £ rade c - —Remuera v. Epsom r>omain . No. 13; Comrades v. C.C.C.C., Domain No. 14; Aotearoa v. western Springs, Domain No. 16; Swanson v. Henderson, Henderson; Victoria v Avondale Depot, Domain No. 5 Fourth Grade A.—Roskill Wesley v Swanson, Swanson; Telegraph v. Cambria, Puhinui; King’s College v. St George’s, King’s College; Victoria v. Papatoetoe, Outer Domain No. 1; Parnell a bye; Y.M.C.A. v. All Saints’ A, Grey Eynn Park; Mount Albert A v. C.C.C C Mount Albert. Fourth Grade B.—Point Chevalier v. North Shore North Shore; Tamaki v. lonsonby, Outer Domain No. 2; KingsJf*P d Jubilee v. All Saints’ B, Point Chevalier; King’s College B v. W.Y.M I King’s College; Mount Albert B v. St Stephen’s, postponed; Northcote v. Western Springs, Grey Lynn Park, r- is drawn to match. Western united v. Parnell A, in the second grade A. section. This match is only a tentaarrangement, pending Western united s regrading to second grade. If Western United is not regraded it will play Y.M.C.A. in the third grade A sec-

In. X.O. Avr. 148 Gillespie (Eden) .. . z u .VLc.Leod (Ponsonby) Bush (Varsity) .. . 2 L 69 Dunning; (Varsity) 3 1 60.5 Sale (Grafton) 2 1 AUcott (Grafton) . . . 2 o 48 Von Rotter (Parnell; - 3 1 43.5 Gee (Varsity) 2 . 0 41 Anthony (Parnell) 2 0 40.5

Name Wkts. Runs Ayr. Leikis (Suburbs) 32 3.5 Duning - (Varsity) *• 12 75 0.2 Lyon (Y.M.C.A.) 11 .0.5 Garrard (Varsity) 8 7S 9.7 Webb (Shore) 8 7 8 9.7 Goodsir (Parnell) 0 90 10 Horspool (Grafton) 6 Cl 10.1 Smeeton (Varsity) 4 43 10.7 Macallan (Parnell) 4 4 4 11 Coates (Shore) 80 11.4 * * *