CRICKET.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18459, 28 December 1929, Page 21

CRICKET.

M.C.C. v. SOUTH CANTERBURY. VISITORS SCORE 253 FOR NINE WICKETS. The Marylebone cricket team opened the fourth match of their New Zealand tour against South Canterbury yesterday afternoon. Winning the toss, the visitors elected to bat, and at stumps had lost nine wickets for 253 runs. Interest in the appearance of the Englishmen in Timaru was very marked, and all that was necessary to ensure a big gate was fine weather. Conditions of late have been so unsettled, however, that none could look forward with any degree of confidence to a fine day. A heavy shower late on Thursday night did not promise well, but fortunately yesterday dawned bright and clear. A change came over the scene about midday, however, and there was then every indication of a southerly squall setting in. Very little rain fell, and when the match commenced on Fraser Park a few minutes after 2 o’clock, conditions, although dull, were fine. As the afternoon wore on further changes came about, the wind swinging round to south-east, making conditions cold and unpleasant for the players. No rain fell, however, and full time was played. The absence of E. H. Bowley (Sussex), and the Captain, A. H. H. Gilligan (Sussex) from .the team caused a fair amount of disappointment among the spectators, but there was general regret when it became known that K. S. Duleepsinhji (Sussex), the popular Indian player, would not be making his appearanoe, he having gone to Mount Cook for a rest. However, the crowd had the pleasure of seeing F. E. Woolley, the Kent and Ali England left-hander in action, and whiits he did not remain at the wickets for a great length of time, he treated the crowd to some fine shots. The team fielded by the under the leadership of G. F. Earle (Somerset) was a strong one, however, and they occupied the wickets for the whole afternoon in compiling 253. Taken all round, the display of the visitors was not a brilliant one, although one or two of the players faced the bowling with confidence, and scored all round the wicket with nicely executed shots.

Full credit must be given to the local bowlers for their fine performance. J. Kane (Celtic) sent down 27 overs, five of which were maidens, and he took five wickets for 77 runs. Ho kept a splendid length throughout, and, aided by the wind, and to a less extent by the wicket, he had most of the batsmen on the qui vlve. D. J. Mcßeath (Timaru), while he secured one wicket only, at a cost of 78 runs, bowled exceptionally well, and was unlucky in not securing a much bette: average. He was swinging in dangerously from the off, and nipping oack from leg,, and on more than one occasion the ball beat the batsman and the wicket. A. Herdman (Zingari), while more expensive than the other two, bowled very well, the ball with which he dismissed Earle being a splendid one. Nichols, who contributed 75 to the visitors’ total, was In parts scratchy, although he played some nice shots through the slips. Legge gave a very sound display, and appeared well set when he was badly beaten by Kane. Barratt gave a lively display, the type of cricket which the crowd enjoyed. The . fielding of the local players was, with one or two exceptions, good. The crowd was estimated at about 1200, which must be considered excellent for the opening day. The umpires were Messrs C. Lawrence and P. E. Islip.

The Play. Hudson led the South Canterbury players on to the field at eight minutes past two, the local players being given an ovation. The visitors’ opening batsmen, E. W. Dawson and W. Cornford received a great reception as they went on to the oval. Mcßeath took up the attack from the northern end, Dawson getting a single off the first ball. Cornford also got the second ball away for a single, but the third, which swung in from the off, almost yorked Dawson. Kane went on at the southern end, but Cornford let the first delivery, which was fairly wide, go past. The over was a maiden. Dawson had a life off the first ball of McBeath’e second over, Hamilton dropping an easy catch in the slips. Mcßeath was swinging in dangerously and this, combined with a good length, kept Dawson on the defensive. Then came a sensation, Cornford just touching the first ball of Kane’s second over, Hamilton taking a catch almost on the ground. 2—l—l. F. E. Woolley (Kent) filled the gap, and he also was well received. He turned the first ball nicely to leg for a single. Dawson got Kane away through the slips for a single, Woolley also getting one to leg off the last ball of the over. Woolley then faced Mcßeath, whose fourth ball came back smartly from the off, Woolley just managing to block successfully. With both bowlers keeping a good length, the batsmen remained very quiet. There was a gasp from the crowd as Dawson stepped across his wicket to Kane, but no appeal was necessary. In the next over Woolley opened his shoulders to Mcßeath, lifting him clean over the fence Into Church Street. The score board showed fifteen after 20 minutes’ play. The next delivery Woolley got away for a single to mid-off, but Dawson played out the over. The fifth ball of Kane’s fourth oyer saw the dismissal of Dawson, Brown holding a catch behind the wickets. 17—2—2. Dawson was at the wickets for 26 minutes. The incoming batsman was M. J. Turnbull, of Cambridge University and Glamorgan. Woolley turned the fourth ball of Mcßeath's next over beautifully to square leg for a brace. He let the next go, but the last ball was smartly despatched to the on boundary, bringing the total to 23 for 30 minutes' play. Seven runs came off Kane’s next over, Turnbull turning the Celtic player deftly to leg for a brace, and then driving him hard to cover for a single. Woolley brought 30 up when he despatched Kane’s last ball to the onboundary. Kane had now sent down five overs for 13 runs and two wickets. The last ball of Kane’s sixth over was nicely placed through the slips by Turnbull. Mcßeath had Turnbull thinking hard right through the next over, the Timaru bowler varying his deliveries to such an extent that the Cambridge player was unable to notch even a 3ingle. Then came another J sensation. Woolley played the first two | balls of K’ane’s seventh over, and in I playing back to the third, the Kent captain returned an easy catch to the bowler. 32—3—23. Woolley, who had been at the wickets for 32 minutes, hit one six and two fours. M. S. Nichols (Essex) then came in, and he drove Kane past Eaton for a single. Then Turnbull got Kane away through the covers for a nice three, the shot being forcefully executed. A well-pitched ball on the leg was smartly despatched 1 by Nichols for two, but Mcßeath was still swinging in from the off, making the batsmen exercise caution. Nichols then played a maiden to Kane. At this stage Herdman relieved Mcßeath on the northern end. Mcßeath had sent down eight overs for 19 runs, without taking a wicket, Herdman was unlucky in not sending Turnbull back to the pavilion first ball, the batsman placing

I the leather just over Hudson’s head at mid-on. Herdman’s fourth ball completely beat Nichols, but the Essex player turned the next to leg nicely for a single. Hudson then brought Mcßeath on at the southern end. Hudson failed to cleanly stop an ondrive, but the batsman hesitated to make use of an easy run. The over was a maiden. Turnbull stood and looked at Herdman after he had sent

down his first delivery of his second over, the ball coming off the wicket like lightning to beat the batsman badly. It was a narrow shave. Two beautiful drives straight along the carpet for singles were the only runs which came off the over. The score board showed 43 for an hour’s play. Turnbull notched a single off Mcßeath’s next over, sending the last ball to cover, where Mason fielded smartly. Turnbull scored a brace' off successive balls from Herdman, the first to leg, and the second past third man. The next was a full toss, which Turnbull sent high to square leg where Gregory brought off a fine catch; 48—4—18. Turnbull, who hit one three and four two’s, was at the wickets for 36 minutes. G. B. Legge (Kent) was next batsman. Nichols played a maiden to Mcßeath, and then Legge faced Herdman. Getting the second ball away for a single, he Drought 50 up for 72 minutes’ play. At this period the sun made its appearance, brightening conditions consideraDly. Kane then relieved Herdman on the northern end. Herdman had sent down four overs tor ten runs, and had taken one wicket. E.ane immediately had Legge in difficulties, the second ball swinging just a fraction outside the leg pin. The next was short-pitched, and was sent to square leg fpr a brace. Herdman was then given a turn on the southern end, in place of Mcßeath. Nichols ;ut the third ball to Kane at third man, the latter fielding a fast travelling ball cleanly. Sixty appeared when the batsman ran a smart single. Scoring up to this stage had not been bright, the bowlers, assisted by the wind, causing all the batsmen to play accurate cricket. Herdman was beginning to lose his length, eight runs oming off his sixth over. Legge wrought 70 up with a nice drive through cover. He placed Kane in the iame spot in the succeeding over, and brought his total to 20 with a single

off the last ball of the over. Hind then relieved Herdman at the south end, Legge getting the first ball away to third man for a single. The fourtn ball Nichols drove hard to Herdman at deep mid-off, but the shot was worth a single only. A hard drive by Nichols off Kane to the off boundary saw 80 hoisted for 95 minutes’ play. Hind sent down a loose ball on the leg, which Nichols treated with the respect it deserved. Nine runs were scored off Hind in two overs. Mcßeath made his reappearance on the northern end, his previous twelve overs having cost 22 runs. A single to Legge to third man saw 90 posted. Hudson took Hind off the southern end, he being replaced by Kane. Nichols had now been at the wickets an hour for 26 runs. Some of his shots were badly timed. Legge got Kane away beautifully for four, the century coming up for 105 minutes’ play. The batsmen now had the strength of the bowling, and scored more freely than in the early stages. Nichols played an uppish shot to midoff, off Mcßeath, the ball travelling just over Hind’s head.

At the afternoon-tea adjournment, the visitors had 105 on for the loss of four wickets, Legge being 32 and Nichols 28.

On resuming, Nichols faced Kane, who opened from the south end. The first ball he played, but the second he glanced beautifully to fine leg for four. Legge got the full face of the bat into Mcßeath, and Mason, at cover, had no chance of stopping a boundary. There was a roar from the crowd as Nichols apparently returned a catch to Kane. The batsman walked away from the wicket, thinking the umpire had given a decision, but he was motioned back to his crease by Kane. A change of pace by Mcßeath in his next over did not catch the Kent captain napping, the delivery being beautifully placed to the off boundary. The second ball of Kane’s sixteenth over saw the dismissal of Legge, the off pin being knocked back. 122-5-43. Legge had batted 53 minutes, scoring five boundary shots. The partnership added 74 runs to the total. The incoming batsman was S. Worthington, of Derbyshire, who opened his account by driving Kane hara to the on for a single. Herdman was given another turn on the northern end, Worthington getting the first and third deliveries away to fine leg beautifully for four. After 130 minutes play, the score board showed 130 runs, an average of a run a minute. A moment later Worthington lost his wicket, being caught by Hamilton. The batsman attempted to turn a rising ball to leg, mis-hit, and the leather went high over the wicket-keeper’s head. 134-6-6.

G. P. Earle (Somerset), who captained the team, received an ovation on going to the wickets. The spectators were looking for some big hitting from Earle, and the first ball from Herdman he drove hard straight back past the bowler to the fence. The next skittled his sticks. 138-7-4. F. Barratt (Notts) then faced Herdman, the first delivery going for a legbye. A single to Nichols brought the visitors’ total to 140. Despite the fact that he had sent down 18 overs, Kane continued to keep an accurate length, Nichols taking no liberties whatever with him. Barratt faced Kane for the first time, scoring a single off the third ball. Barratt opened out to Herdman, pulling him from the off to leg for a brace. In attempting to change hia pace, Herdman sent down an easy fun toss, which Barratt pulled high to square leg, two runs only resulting. Barratt was evidently intent on going for a hit, opening out freely to three successive balls from Kane. Mcßeath was again brought on at the top end to relieve Herdman, who had sent down ten overs for 45 runs and twowickets. Off the third ball, Barratt bnrt a life, Brown failing to hold a difficult catch behind the wickets. The fourth ball the Notts man lifted clean over the square-leg boundary, a distance of about seventy yards. A brace to Barratt saw 170 hoisted for 160 minutes* play. The pleasant conditions which existed at the tea interval were now gone, and in place of the sunshine dull conditions, with a howling south-east wind in evidence, prevailed. Barratt’s shots appeared to be effortless, but the ball travelled at a terrific pace when once the batsman connected. With his total at 39, Barratt was clean bowied by Mcßeath. During his 26 minutes' stay at the wickets, he hit one six and five 4’s. , The partnership added 48 to the total.

E. T. Benson (Gloucestershire) filled the gap. Nichols brought his total to 51 by cutting Herdman through the slips for four, at the same time bringing the total to 190. Another single, and Benson faced Herdman, playing the last ball of the over. Twice Nichols got Mcßeath way for four, the first shot being a pretty ‘leg-glide. Four for a bye, saw the second century hoisted for 172 minutes’ play. Again Hudson changed the bowiing. Kane' using a new ball from the northern end. Benson, faced him cautiously, the over being a maiden. Nicholas drove Herdman right through Eaton’s hands at mid-off. and then Benson onened his account by square-cutting | Herdman for four. Gregory was now 1 given a turn in place of Herdman. j whose last four overs had cost 20 i runs. Benson let the first ball go, but I the second he pulled to the leg bound- | ary. The score board showed 220 for! 185 minutes’ play, the rate of scoring I having improved considerably as the game progressed. The wind did not j

lessen in intensity, making conditions unpleasant for the players. With the first ball of his third over, Gregory bowled Nichols, who pulled right across the ball. He had been at the wickets for 148 minutes, and hit nine 4’s. 232-9-75. M. J. C. Allom (Surrey) was the last man in, and opened his account by glancing Gregory nicely for a single, and Benson got the next delivery to leg for three. Allom played a maiden to Kane, and Benson failed to score off Gregory during his fifth over. Allom was playing Kane nicely to the off, one drive past cover for three being beautifully executed. With seven minutes to go, Mcßeath came on in place of Gregory at the southern end, but Allom played a maiden. One run only came off Kane’s twenty-seventh over, this being scored by Benson. The same player got; Mcßeath away to leg for four, bringing 250 up. Three more runs were scored off the last over, Allom and Benson still being unbeaten, the former having seven to his credit and the latter 26.

Following are the scores:— M.C.O. First Innings. E. W. Dawson, c Brown, b Kane 2 W. Cornford, c Hamilton, b Kane 1 F. E. Woolley, c and b Kane .. 23 M. J. Turnbull, c Gregory, b HerdM. S. Nichols, b Gregory .. 75 G. B. Legge, b Kane .. .. 43 S, Worthington, c Hamilton, b Kane 6 G. F. Earle, b Herdman .. .. 4 F. Barratt, b McBeath .. .. 39 M. J. C. Allom, not out .. 7 E. T. Benson, not out .. .. 26 Total for nine wickets 253 Fall of the wickets:—1 for 2; 2 for* 17: 3 for 32; 4 lor 48; 5 lor 122; 8 lor 134; 7 for 138; 8 for 186; 9 for 232 Bowling. O. M. R. w. J. Kane 27 5 77 5 A. B. Herdman ..14 0 70 2 G. E. Gregory .. 4 1 10 1 D. J. McBeath ..21 4 78 1 C. E. Hind .... 2 0 9 0