WITH BAT AND BALL

Taranaki Daily News, 1 December 1932, Page 11

WITH BAT AND BALL

TARANAKI CRICKET TEAM SIDE TO PLAY SOUTH AUCKLAND. STRENGTH LIES IN BATTING.

(By

“Umpire.”)

North and South Taranaki’s 1932. Graham Cup encounter has become an event of the past and opinions regarding the form shown are not very divergent What comment was possible was not controversial, and the only thing unsatisfactory about the conduct of the day was the weather. Batting the Strength.

From Saturday’s play it seems as if Taranaki’s cricketing strength lies chiefly in its batsmen. In the South Betts is a brilliant player, and his 57 was compiled at a time Vfhdn he was not fully recovered from a recent incapacitation. W. and H. Barker both have large scores to their credit, and although they did not ‘come off” against the North bowlers, one cannot stress too strongly that the best of batsmen fail at timew; and the Barkers’ failure need not be taken seriously. Those three formed the nucleus of South Taranaki’s team and their satellites were chiefly Hall and Dormer. That it was Wilson and Giblin and not Hall and Dormer who made the runs does not matter. Dormer failed to show the New Plymouth people how he could bat, but he has more of a bowler’s personality on the field than a batsman’s. Hall looked very confident but failed to exhibit the scoring ability he has. Nasmith’s Lieutenants.

Whereas South’s batting, apart from Betts and H. Barker, seemed a little insecure, the North team showed more enterprise than one thinks it would have been given credit for. Nasmith put himself out and Donnelly was the victim of a cricket accident. Lash many people had given up, but his TownCountry innings was but a pipe-opener for a strong and polished display against the South bowlers. Birch, whose error has been unreliability and an inclination to hit rashly, has gained judgment. Nohnan Giddy was the man who probably gave the selectors the most satisfaction. There was no beating about the bush with him when , a forceful stroke was indicated; he kept the ball on the ground very well and played cool, match-winning cricket. Bowlers of Class Rare.

Of the bowling the least said really the better. The bowling on both sides was unsatisfactory, although its weakness suffered in comparison with the batting strength. Groombridge and Christensen bore the brunt of the North attack and did well under the circumstances. Groombridge took a little while to get going and tired later. He did not seem as dangerous as Christensen, whose left-hand medium-paced deliveries suffered very little. Nasmith used himself as a change bowler and took two useful wickets thereby, but Stevens and Sarten seemed incapable of bowling really well for more than ’an over or two. N. Giddy impressed more, being very slowly scored from, and one wondered why Nasmith did not use him more. Donnelly was given little bowling, possibly with the object of keeping him fresh for the North innings. Dormer Best of South.

Dormer, the ex-Victoria College and Stratford left-hander now playing for Kaponga, was by far the most impressive South Taranaki bowler. Giblin and Wilson had rescued the side’s score by a timely last wicket stand, and it was a lot to expect of them to bowl well, especially with a slippery ball. Giblin tired, and although Wilson was better he did not seem to have the respect of the batsmen that Dormer did. Barker and Betts were innpcuous after the rain fell, but before that had merely emphasised the dearth of really accurate fast bowlers in the match. Fielding of High Standard. Whatever dissatisfaction watchers or supporters had with other departments of the game, there could have been nothing but praise for the fielding. Only about four mistakes were made all day, and the throwing in was deadly every time. The excellence of the fielding was the subject of much favourable comment.

The Representative Selection. The team to represent Taranaki against Waikato next week seems to be , a strong one. There were several members who selected themselves on their performances, Nasmith and Betts, being, of course, the leading two. H. and W. Barker are too good to be overlooked, the former adding bowling and the latter wicket-keeping to batting capabilities. Birch is another who is worth his place on his batting, and he. may, perhaps, be a better wicketkeeper than Barker, who has been known to bowk Lash had only to reach the form he did to be sure of his place. There will probably be queries raised regarding the selection of Spence Giddy. If passed over for the North-South match, why was he selected for the more important game? The number of players not available and the matter of a good reputation would seem to .justify the selection.

Visions of “Leather Hunting.” There will be few qualms regarding Taranaki’s batting. If the team are dismissed for a small total cricketers in this province will probably honour South Auckland as the better team and submit gracefully. With Taranaki’s bowling, however, one has visions of a lot of exercise for Taranaki’s fielders. Dormer and Christensen were sure of inclusion as being the best bowlers in Saturday’s match, and Kirwin, who was then unable to play, is worthy of a game. Nevertheless these three are all left-handers. Groombridge, the reserve bowler, has been treated perhaps a little too drastically for his lapse of form, and he would be very valuable as affording variety in the attack. Wilson and Nasmith provide the slow changes, but Wilson seems somewhat lucky to be in.

The selectors have said that there were several who would have been given consideration if they had been available. Mention of three of these will be sufficient. C. G. Clarke would be worth his weight in gold to the tour-

ing team and would add the brilliance that is at present lacking in the bowling. Donnelly, young as he is, has serious claims to inclusion, and N. Giddy, the selectors’ “dark horse” of Saturday, proved himself so well that had it not been for the ensilage season at Tarurutangi there would probably have been a place for him. “Catching” a Train. 1 It was very near the end of the cricket match and the substitute, who had fielded badly, came over to the captain just before six o’clock. “If you’ll excuse me,’ ’he said, “I’ll hop off now. I’ve got a train to catch.” “Right-o,” said the captain pleasantly, “better luck with the train.”