CRICKET.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 December 1924, Page 11

CRICKET.

NORTH TARANAKI GAMES. GOOD BATTING EFFORTS. OLD BOYS V. HIGH .SCHOOL. (By “Light Blue.”) Despite the southerly gale batsmen had rather a good time last Saturday, and some very creditable scores were made. Old Boys and New Plymouth are both in very strong positions, and threepoint wins should lie their lot. In the Old Boys v. High School match Old Boys, on winning the toss, took first strike, and Saxton and Bottrill gave the side a good start off. Lash failed, but Palmer, after a shaky start, batted magnificently and made 96 runs before Loveridge broke through his defence. Palmer was very strong on the off drive and the pull forward of square leg. When in the' forties he was badly miss-

ed by McLean. Had he shown a little more energy between the wickets Palmer must have considerably exceeded his century, and, furthermore, he would not have been responsible for the sacrificing of Papp's wicket. Pearson got his 50 runs in his usual finished style, and was out to a great catch on the boundary by Strombom. The tail failed to wag but "Mr. Extras” (22) was of considerable service.

School were without the services of Alexander, their captain, who has been unfortunate in again breaking his col-lar-bone. led the team, but it cannot be said that he was a brilliant success in the position. His handling of the bowlers left a lot to be desired, and there is no doubt that both he and McLean were bowled far too much. Loveridge; who got four wickets for fourteen runs, was taken off far too soon on hisfirst appearance at the crease, and should have been kept on, particularly as he was getting wickets. Crawford bowled very steadily, and got good figures. Mahraj, who bowled very trickily and successfully against Western Park the previous week, was not called upon. School did not exhibit their usual consistency in the field and several chances were missed.

School have a hard row to hoe to-day in tiheir endeavour to catch the 247 runs set by their opponents. 'Several of the school team will be making their last alppearance in championship matches today, and the good wishes o'f all cricketers will go with them when they le'ave for their homes next week.

NEW PLYMOUTH V. WESTERN PARK. Western Park are in a bad position in their game with New Plymouth, and have themselves to blame owing to their poor fielding. After the match a spectator said: “If Park are ever going to win a match they will have to provide the fieldsmen with skirts and dip their fingers in bird lime.’’ New Plymouth made 285 runs, thanks to the efforts of Shepherd (18), Kingston (70)', Cottier (57), Lash (45 not out), Clarke (20), and “Extras” (30). Kingston, after being missed by McDonald off his own bowling before reaching double figures, gave a delightful display, and his cutting strokes and hitting to leg were a veritable treat. Cottier gave the finest display that I have yet seen from this ex-School player. Most of his play was forward of the wickets, but occasionally he indulged in some good leg strokes. He was given the 'benefit of an appeal for stumping when in the twenties, but otherwise played a chanceless innings. Lash was missed early at cover point, but after a shaky start warmed to his work and was unbeaten after a creditable showing. Clarke started quietly, but opened out later, and was going well until tempted to have a “go’’ at McDonald, Quickfall at long on taking a good catch.

Houghton was the best of the Park bowlers, and could have been made more use of. He kept a splendid length, and batsmen could take no liberties. Edie got three wickets at reasonable cost, ibut Quiekfall was expensive. Bullard, Grayson and J. Wilson did good work in the field for Western Park.

Park made but 114 runs in reply. McDonald gave an exhilarating display in getting 4fi not out. His score included three sixers, and he was playing the bowling confidently when the last man was dismissed. Houghton (24) was shaping well when ’unfortunately run out. Grayson (12) and Fuller (19) both' got doubles. New Plymouth gave little a way in the field, ami M. D. Clarke and the Kinsella 'brothers got good figures with the ball. The wicket did not play too well, and bumped badly at the southern enJ. Grayson and Houghton both suffered painful knocks, which caused stoppages in the game. FORTHCOMING MATCHES. Congratulationfe to Lash on again being selected to represent North Taranaki in the Wellington Country team. Personally I would like to have seen Pearson given a chance, and I think qualificixions arc' better than either Colt? or Lash. However, youth must ! be encouraged, and the. inclusion of Lash may be of more benefit to local cricket. Lash’s, form this year Jias been yery in and out. Three “ducks” ahd a century ;dpee not' spelll consisteiicy. At the time of writing the prospects of a representative matqh at Christmas or New Year' are not very bright, bi.it it is more than probable that Auckland will be here with a strong team on January 9 and 10.

'Tq -morrow will see the start of the Test match in Sydney, and it shpuld prove a great giime. The Australian team announced last week-end is undoubtedly a great batting combination, but I am rather dubious' as toi the bowling. Should Gregory’ and Mailey fail to come off, it will be left to Kellaway to bear the brunt of the attack. Tate will be the backbone o*f the English attack, which, according to Australian reports, is not very impressive. With two great batting teams in opposition the scorers will doubtless be kept very e bTO?- • $ p in w v j&ith to Australia to deliver the goodsu

LEFT-HANDED BATSMEN. “Not Out” in the Referee has the fo% Ibwing to say about Mflie recent M.CXX ruling:—What is an extraordinary ruling -by - the M.C.C. is cabled from London. Tile message says that “the Yorkshire Criclfiet Council has received a ruL ing from the M.C.C. in relation to % case in which a left-hand batsman, in playing an off ball, turned his bat round and hit as a right-hander. The M.C.C., upheld the umpire, who gave the batsman out for obstruction’ and unfair play.” Where the “obstruction and unfaif play” came in is the puzzle. If a batsman does this he takes a risk of mak> ing a false stroke and of losing lns wicket. We have seen batsmen in this country—right-handers —turn and hit the ball left-handed. I believe that W< L. Murdoch once did it to the Victorian slow leg-break bowled, W. H. Cooper, and I remember seeing George lUlyett doing it in the eighties at the Sydney Cricket Ground. There may be circuDX* stances connected with the case sub* mitted to the M.C.C. which the cabled message has not made explicit, and before criticising the decision seriously it' is as well to await news by jnail from London.

If we are to accept as sound the latest dictum of the M.C.C. committee, it will be most difficult to discriminate between what is fair and unfair play in cricket. If a bowler delivers every ball of an over six inches outside the leg stump, with a very powerful on-side field, why should not a batsman, if he field, why should not a batsman who is ambidextrous be allowed, if he can, to hit the ball with the left hand to the other side of the wicket? He takes the risk of making a mistake, which he i> forced to do by the tactics th# bowler. _ *