CRICKET.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 December 1923, Page 12

CRICKET.

NEW SOUTH WALES TEAM. MATCH AT NEW PLYMOUTH. (By “L.8.W.”) Negotiations are now in progress for a visit of the New South Wales team to Taranaki early in the new year. The team leaves Sydney on February' 2nd, and if the necessary guarantee of £125 w forthcoming the game will probably take place in New Plymouth early in March. If the team is to visit these parts it is now a matter for local enthusiasts to get busy and find the guarantors. As the guarantee required is fairly heavy it should be stipulated! by the association that week-end dates will be necessary in order to make the match a financial success. If a Saturday is not available, I am inclined, to agree with the views expressed by a prominent cricket official that it would doubtless be a better alternative to get, say, two or the larger New Zealand associations to visit New Plymouth at probably the same cost. The games would be more even, and although a little of the glamour may be missing, the cricket would probably be more beneficial. Is it intended to play the full strength of Taranaki or will the match be solely against North Taranaki representatives? If South Taranaki players are to take part, it will be only right that the southern association should shoulder part of the costs. I trust that cricketers will not think I am against the visit, and wish to throw a wet blanket over the proposed match. I am as keen as any enthusiast in wanting to see the visitors play, but apart from enthusiasm there are* facts to consider, and now is the time to go fully into the matter. HIGH SCHOOL V. NEW PLYMOUTH. Hard dry wickets and a hot sun greeted cricketers last Saturday, and although the bowlers had the assistance of a strong coast wind batsmen had the advantage on the day. Commencing their second innings, School, who were 44 runs behind, started very feebly, and it.appeared when six wickets were down for 30 runs that they would finish very early. However, the New Plymouth captain played sporting cricket, and gave his change bowlers a turn at the crease. The students showed their appreciation by carrying the total to 150 runs before the innings closed. Mahraj, in making 80 not out, gave a fine display. Although at times he appeared to play the “rock” his innings was very attractive and stylish, •straight driving and late cutting being the strong features. Just after passing the halfcentury Akers rattled the off stump, but the bail did not fall.

Clarke bowled in great style for New Plymouth, and took five wickets for eight run* after having had 14 runs knocked off hi* first two overs. New Plymouth required 107 runs to win and had a narrow escape. Baker was absent through injuries and the last man was at the wickets when Clarke secured the winning hit. Nasmith (37) made his runs in hi* usual solid style, but his batting was not impressive. Clarke (27 not out) rose to the occasion when matters were looking serious, and proved the saviour of his side. After the game was won he opened up in forceful style and ran his score to 50 not out, included in which were two fine sixes. Lambert, who made 23, did not show hi* best form, and survived a very confident appeal for I.b.w. first ball. As Mason had to leave early Lambert agreed to Mackay taking his place on the field, and the fast bowler secured the best average with the ball. The School fielding as usual wae very keen. OLD BOYS V. WESTERN PARK. Although the result of thia match was a foregone conclusion, with Old Boys leading by 168 runs on the first innings, there was some very interesting batting shown by Western Park in their second innings, which reached 185 runs. Hart (43), Baker (41), Bullard (34) and Grayson (<2O) all batted in very forceful style, and run* were made at a fast rate. Mr. “Extras” (26) was well up in the score. Old Boys secured the 18 runs required without the lo*s of a wicket, and thus won by ten wickets. There was some good scoring done in the junior matches, and Newell (69), B. Lash (50) and McConnell (48) made creditable scores. With the ball Marett. Harris, Loveridge and Bullet secured good average*. Harbour Works lead at the end of the first round of the junior championship, and although well clear of the other teams they have experienced some hard matches and have won by narrow margins on several occasions. PLAY IN OTHER CENTRES. Principal scores in other centres last Saturday were:— Auckland.—Gillespie 86, Mills 79, Wheelen 63, Wilson 57. Wellington.—Hutching* 117 not out, Hiddleston 84, Watson 77, H. Murphy 63, Cox 62 not out, Phillips 55. Brice took seven wickets for 74 runs, Judd six wickets for 37 runs. Christchurch.—Blunt 92, F. Woods 99, Crawford 75, Talbot 60, Godfrey 68, Mortlock 44 not out, Jones 44 not out. Cunningham took five wickets for 12 runs, Mcßeth five wickets for 40 runs, and Dix six for 55 runs. Dunedin—Chadwick 105, McMullan 80, Shepherd 55, Cherry '54, Galland 53, Duncan 42, Blamires 46 not out. Dickinson took five wickets for 39 runs. Wanganui.—Owing to the school vacation only one senior match was played. Hussey made 61, Orr 39, Darby 31, Young 24. Hylton took six wickets for 32 runs and Hussey (five wicekts for 47 runs. GENERAL NOTES. South Auckland, who play Wanganui for the Hawke Cup on December 26, 27 and 28, are arriving two days before the match in order to get good practice on Cook’s Gardens. At Christmas time Otago meet Canterbury at Christchurch, and Auckland play Wellington at Wellington in the Plunket Shield match. The Canterbury Cricket Association has decided that every married man in the representative team, whilst on tour, shall be paid 10s per day for every working day lost. Playing for Hamilton, in the Newcastle district, on December 2, a player naawd Mwilees took eight wicket* for

no runs. He bowled six overs, and the total score of the side was 9 runs.

In Queensland when a man get* a place in the interstate eleven he receives a maroon blazer. 'When Percy Hornibrook won his place a few seasons ago he received one; but since he reached 21 years he has grown at a great rate, and at a recent meeting of the Q.C.A. it was pointed out that he 'was now too big for the original blazer. The man who brought this fact to the notice of the meeting thought Hornibrook should be provided with another. The official in charge of proceedings, however, was not to be bustled. “How do we know he will be in the team against New South Wales?” he asked. “Hadn’t we better wait until next week? If he is picked the matter can be mentioned again.” The first player picked was Hornibrook. The next day a new blazer was picked for him.

Good old democratic England! Sport the Leveller, etc., etc.! The English Board of Cricket Control has decided that for the test matches next season, professionals, beside* an allowance for each match of £27, 'will be paid the equivalent of third-class railway fares to and from their home*. Amateur’* expenses are not to exceed £l2 daily, plus first-class fare. We wonder what would happen if a professional travelled firstclass (paying the difference in the fares) and were discovered in the act!