WITH BAT AND BALL

Taranaki Daily News, 18 October 1934, Page 10

WITH BAT AND BALL

OPENING DAY SATURDAY

CURTAILMENT OF PLAYING TIME.

TEAMS MORE EVENLY MATCHED.

(By

“Cover Point.”)

Saturday, the opening day of North and South Taranaki cricket should herald in one of the brightest seasons of cricket in Taranaki. All clubs have been practising diligently and if early form is retained followers of cricket will find much of interest in the season’s displays. The early keenness is characteristic not only of the senior teams, but is also much in "evidence among the lower grades and this augurs well for the future of the game in the province.

Curtailment of Playing Time. The decision of the Northern Division of the Taranaki Cricket Association to curtail each day’s play by a quarter of an hour is somewhat difficult to account for. Advocates of shorter cricket playing time contend that most players wished play to finish earlier because of their interest in kindred summer sports and evening entertainments. But a 1.40 commencement would rectify the position without shortening the time. .it may be that a census of opinion of active cricketers would reveal a desire for an earlier finish, but it would also reveal a regret at the loss of playing time.

Evenly Matched Elevens. A review of the four teams to participate in the senior competition this season reveals alterations, but the general impression is that the teams will be far more evenly matched than previously. In the Western Park side, last years northern champion, not a great deal of alteration has taken place. Park s greatest and only loss was A. Biggar, the wicketkeeper, who ranked second in the North Taranaki batting averages. Of last year’s stalwarts there remain V. Parkinson, last year’s captain and successful Hawke Cup all-rounder, G. Ewart, J. Spedding, N. Wilson, G. Stapleton, H. Quickfall, G. laughton, E. Spedding and G. Duff. L. Larkin has not yet been able to put in an appearance at practices. Of the newcomers N. Grant, of last year’s High School senior eleven, should be assured of a place because of his consistently solid performances. J. Ford, Phillips, J. Carrol, of last seasons senior B team, and A. Ewart, of last year’s High School eleven, should be in the running for places. Ford shaped well as a wicketkeeper last season in one or two matches and is a reliable batsman, while Phillips has proved himself a consistent fast-scoring batsman.

Old Boys Strong Challengers. Old Boys, runner-up for the championship last year, again offer a strong chailenge for top honours. C. Lash, Hawke Cup player and captain of Old Boys for some seasons, will probably lead the side once more. E. Christensen, left-hand speed merchant, and F. J. Eggleton, medium-pace spin bowler, will the attack. R. Harris and J. Kirwin will lend able support. J. Birch, J. Medley, D. Papps, S. Fookes and C. Stevens are again available. It is understood that H. Brown will not be playing this season. A newcomer of some interest is G. Richardson, who three seasons ago was opening batsman for Stratford and represented that team in the provincial championship final against New Plymouth. Prominent senior B aspirants for promotion are N. Gilbert, C. Sorrenson, I. Wallace and Galbraith.

The School Eleven. i High School will, as usual, remain a dark horse until the competition opens. Of last year’s performers M. Donnelly, T. Larkin, N. Waters and J. Broughton form a formidable quartette upon which the School batting strength will be built. R. Urry, H. Whittington, H. Johns, J. Simpson, Mclntyre, members of last year’s senior team, are still attending the school. The defections are E. Matthews, N. Grant, E. Meredith and N. Bullot. Candidates for the vacancies may be T. Davis (bowler), F. Ulenberg (wicketkeeper), V. Carroll and G. C. Weston.

Improved Prospects. Two or three acquisitions and a number of' promising colts hold out bright prospects for the New Plymouth club s championship chances. The club was the holder of the 1933-34 wooden spoon, ft is certain that on the performances of some of last year’s senior team there Will be several fresh faces in the side which comprised O. Nasmith, H. Davison, W. Groombridge, D. Crapper, G. Clark, A. Clark, W. Wilson, R. Ninkie, J. Kinsella, W. Purcell, R. Gibbins, K. O’Donnell and P. Hawkins. R. Gibbins is in England and P. Hawkins is taking a season’s rest from the game. H. Wayne, formerly of Otago University and Thames eleven,C. Lowenthal, formerly of the Waverly (N.S.W.) Club, and K. Parkin, who has represented Country .in the Town v. Country series, must claim consideration, while colts of the calibre of Webber, Bowen, and Stewart would add to the batting strength. A glance at young bowlers available discloses that Avery, slow left-hander, Autridge, righthand medium and R. Alsop, left-hand spin bowler who played havoc with batsmen in a trial game a fortnight ago, are pressing closely for senior places. With bowling, batting and fielding departments strengthened, New Plymouth should regain much of last year’s lost prestige. Stratford’s Prospects.

There is every indication that cricket, which has become increasingly popular at Stratford in the past few seasons, will attract a large number of players from the town and the surrounding districts, while in addition four Eltham men have signified their willingness to play for the Stratford club teams. A few years ago the Stratford club could not field more than one senior team but this season the club should have no difficulty in maintaining a senior A and a senior B team in the Saturday competition and one team in the Thursday competition. In addition the Stratford High School will have an eleven in the Saturday senior B division. The loss. of three prominent players from the club since last season through their leaving the district was expected to weaken the Saturday teams to some extent, but the influx of new blood, judging by practice performances, will fully compensate the previous losses so the Saturday elevens and the Thursday team too, instead of being weaker than last year, seem likely to be stronger if anything. The case is the same with the school team. With ample material on which to draw, plus the experience gained last year, the school team should be able to give a good account of itself. It will certainly be no small factor and a competition with which teams composed of older players will have to reckon.