BIG INDIVIDUAL SCORES

Taranaki Daily News, 1 November 1935, Page 12

BIG INDIVIDUAL SCORES

NEW PLYMOUTH CRICKET THREE EARLY CENTURIES (By "Long On.") The first? day’s cricket of the competition matches at New Plymouth was notable for the high scoring of individual players-two centuries were made and three men reached the half century. , „ ■ Centuries are rare in New Plymouth cricket and fol* three to be recorded in the first series of matches augurs well for the batting strength of the clubs if these men can continue to show form. However, the teams generally did not make so good a start.. In Western Park’s total of 300 the previous Saturday the scores of two men and the extras accounted for 247 runs, leaving 57 to be divided among nine meh, and in New Plymouth’s innings last Saturday there was a surprising number of low scores considering that Davison and Nasmith broke the bowling strength to a great extent. Nasmith 43 and Davison 140 not out accounted for most of the total of 269 and had not Parkin and Davison added 69 in a merry last wicket stand the score would have been mediocre, despite a magnificent individual display by Davison. Davison has an unusual and awkward style that lacks nothing in effectiveness and. brings the runs at a fair pace. He is not afraid to hit the bait, hard but as he plays his shots very late he can quickly change to the defensive. Davison has been a consistent batsman for New Plymouth. Last season he had bad luck when he was run out against High School with his score at 98. On Saturday he made his first century in senior cricket and also hit his first six. During his innings Davison sent so many balls in the air to a gap behind point and made so few shots to some other points of the field that it was surprising Lash did not fill the gap, an action that would have blocked a favourite scoring stroke and probably caused the batsman's dismissal. Nasmith batted soundly but gave New Plymouth supporters anxious moments by playing many off shots with the •■in-

side edge of the bat. Christensen gave_ him a life when he misjudged a catch off his own bowling. As New Plymouth had only four of last year’s eleven included in the team interest centred in the performance. of the promoted players. N. Kinsella batted confidently until he was run out but the others, apart from Parkin, showed nervousness that affected their play. Bowen should remeniber to play himself in before attacking the bowling. On. Saturday he lashed at a ball well clear of the wicket and gave a catch * to point The bowling of the Old Boys’ team should have had no terrors for the batsmen. It showed decided signs of lack of practice. Alexander did sterling work and bowled well, varying his pace and using the wind to advantage. Kirwin was accurate fqr a fast bowler at the beginning of the season, and Stevens did good work. Christensen was hopelessly out of form, bowling neither fast nor steadily. He bowled 11 wides and most of his balls were execrably short. The Old Boys’ attack depended mainly on him last season; and; until he strikes form, it seems as if there will be plenty of fielding to do. In this respect, the team will have to improve on Saturday’s poor display. The fielding lapsed badly after the big stand between Nasmith and Davjson. In nearly running Davison out one one occasion Birch gave a glimpse of excellent wicket keeping. Gathering in th£ ball well clear of the wicket he threw himself within ■ reach 1 and had the bails off without loss of time. It was all done in the one mover ment which made it impressive. His old failing of being too eager to appeal lost him a catch behind the wickets.