CRICKET.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10301, 4 November 1911, Page 5

CRICKET.

GENERAL. The Competitions Committee of the Cricket Association is to'be commended for its watchfulness over the residential qualification of the players. Every player should know which club he is qualified to play for, and it is for players and officials to inform the Association of the change of residence from, one district to another of any player. The gentlemen who give so much of tlieu- time and ability to the arrangement of the sport and amusement of the great body of cricketers ought not to be put to the trouble and unpleasantness of making such inquiries as they have had to make on several occasions in the past in order to keep the residential qualification operative. The least they ought to expect is the loyal assistance ot every player and the office-bearers of the clubs in carrying out their trying duties. I am given to understand that some doubt really existed about T. Carlton's qualification to play for Rio-carton, ami I am sorry the committee of the Riccarton Club, which I am informed was consulted by Carlton over tho matter, did not see fit to refer the matter to the Association's committee before the competitions started, instead of taking tho risk of playing Carlton. Any attempt to play any man who is not ■qualified by residence is a direct attack upon district cricket.

I am not informed if any penalty has been inflicted upon the Riccarton Club, but the Association would certainly be justified under the circumstances in cancelling tho Riccarton-Limvood match. As it is, T. Carlton narrowly escaped being put out of cricket lor the remainder of the season. The committer) decided that he cannot play for Riccarton ; he has played one match for them this season, and under the rules a player cannot play for two clubs in one season. Tho committee has suspended this rule in Carlton's case so far a.s it is concerned, but I am of opinion thai'it is open to any club to object to Carlton playing against it, and tinder the rules a protest must be upheld, as neither the Competitions Committee nor any other committee has tha pmvet to titer tho rules. Howover, I do not. anticipate that any club will take up that position, and L am only pointing out the risk to those people who are careless over their residential qualifications. The sub-committee appointed to consider the re-arrangement of tho district boundaries is hard at Avork on the matter. It is making a thorough investigation, and expects to be able to report to the next meeting of the (ieneral Committee.

I notice that the Cricket Council had the matter of sending a team to Australia under consideration at its last meeting. It is to be commended for taking this matter in hand, and communications are being made with the Australian authorities as to terms, dates, etc. T understand the financial aspect of the ca.se presents no grave difficulties, one gentleman pledging his word to obtain guarantees to the extent of £l5O in twenty-four hours in Christ - church if necessary. Could not a match or two be played by the team, say in Wellington and Auckland, prior to leaving the dominion, either against a local team or the next beet New Zealand team. These matches would, probably provide a profit of about £2OO. It Is to be hoped that arrangements will bo made for more cricket to be played on this trip than on the trip made in 1899. Tasmania might be cut out, as their matches would not make a " gate," whereas if two matches were played each week while in Australia, the'expenses would be no heavier but the takings would be considerably increased, if New Zealand gets in early for datos, it is quite on the cards that the tour would be financially successful, and the benefit to cricket would be great, but to get the greatest benefit from the venture, the decision to make tho trip should be announced as quickly as possib'.o. Then woidd commence a striving to qualify for the travelling team that would improve our cricket out of all knowledge. Major WardiJl, who for so many years was secretary of the Melbourne Cricket Club has been granted a pension of £'4oo a year by the club. In a match recentlv played in Melbourne the Carlton Club made -1-1 runs all out against Collingwood, who, in their turn, were dismissed for 38 runs. T. Warne, who was here with the last Australian team, got seven wickets for 23 runs.

At a meeting of the- Competitions Committee of the Canterbury Cricket Association held gii October 25, it was decided to postpone all competition matches, with the exception of the Fourth Grade matches, on Cup Day, November 4. It was decided to strictly enforce the rule referring to the time of starting matches, and that all practice should cease on the grounds when the hell rang. It was resolved to inform all clubs that it was the intention of tho committee to strictly enforce the residential clause of the district rules. The Bermuda cricket team, which toured America recently played a match against All Philadelphia on July 14 and 10, in which some remarkable play occurred. The " American Cricketer " states that All Philadelphia required only 1()6 runs to win when they commenced their second innings, and as thrs wicket was in excellent condition an easy victory appeared certain, especial Iv when live wickets were down for 14.0—0r 27 lo win. At the total named Anderson was lvowlod by G. Conyers. Then the sensations began. Valentine, tho next batsman, took his place at the wicket. _ His slay was of the briefest description, as Conyers Itowled him first •hull. H-, 3, Harjistl mlksrl m,. tooi

guard, and was cm light ami bowled first ball. Conyors had performed the bat trick, and bad entirely altered tin: aspect of the game, hut Tew wove prepared for what followed. Pearco took the bull by the liorn.-j and hit at everything, and as long as Graham stayed in Philadelphia's chances oi : a victory were still good. Graham, however, had never been comfortable with the bowling of Conyors, and, with the total at 159 and his own score at 13, he was bowled neck and crop by the young Bormuduin. "With two men to bat seven runs were still required. Jack Dornan walked out to the wicket, and a -whispered conversation took plnco between the batsmen. Whatever advice Harry Pearce gave was evidently wrong, because Dornan got bang in front of a straight one- and was out Ibw. More whispered conversation when Hill Fellows reached the. wicket, and, as he took ffiiard the excitement whs intense. Bill took guard very carefully, but the guess must have again gone wrong, as Conyors whipped in a very fast good length hall and bang went the middle peg. When it wa.s realised that Conyen; had twice performed the hat trick in successive overs ho w:i-s accorded a great ovation from the spectators and nlayers alike. His fellow-players carried him in triumph to the dressing-room, and the cheering continued for a considerable time. His was a wonderful piece of bowling. Hi* first three wickets cost him (:7 rune- and. although lie had bowled throughout the innings, his last six were obtained at a cost of onlv 2 runs. None of the batsmen were really comfortable with him at any time, and his perfect length and awkward break from the leg were most puzzling It was a. wonderful performance, and one that is not likely to be duplicated for many a long clay, and it is certain that he will never forget the demonstration he was accorded at the finish. JUNIOR NOTES. Linwood had first strike against Riccarton A. and after three wickets bad fallen for'2l Price and M'Mahon added a few before the former was bowled by Watts for 23. Russell joined M'Mahon, and the pair commenced to pile on the runs at a great pace. Boundaries were frequent, and it was only when Taylor went on himself and bowled M'Mahon that a separation was effected. The retiring batsman had contributed 74 very vigorously, including twelve fours a.nd two sixes. He is a recent arrival from Wellington, and, being an unknown quantity, was played in a third grade team in the iirst round. He gave a good display there, and, going up to second grade, he has rapidly justified his promotion. The next two wickets added little to the score, but Pegg (13) assisted Russell to put on 30 lor the ninth wicket, and the, innings_ closed for 196. Russell's quota ivns 54, and he batted very solidly, albeit dealing very severely with anything ice, particularly on the leg side. . last three scoring strokes were aixe., J:i t- off one over from Jones, but in attempting to deal similarly with Taylor he gave a chance which wa.s eagerly accepted. Taylor, who might have gone on earlier, took live wickets tor 20, Holmes two for 31, Timnis one for 24, Watts one for 31 and. Jones one for 73.

On going in to bat, Riccarton found Just unplayable, and, batting a man short, they could only total 32, none of the team reaching double figures. Varying his length and pace, and turning in nicely from leg. Just secured the astonishing analysis of 12 overs, 10 maidens, 7 runs, 8 wickets, the ninth man being run out. Riccarton .IS met East Christchurch at Hagley Park, and, occupying the wickets nearly the whole afternoon, ran up the respectable total of 204. Luttrell led the way with 68, and he scored freely all round the wicket, his favourite off drive being much in evidence. Ballantyne contributed a breezy 31, and Sinclair, going in late, ran up 25. Caygill, who was showing great improvement: towards the end of last season, failed to get going in the first match, but he made 22 very nicely on Saturday. Playing with a straight bat, he is a difficult man to' dislodge, and bids fair to emulate his brother's prowess as an opening batsman. Francis (17) and Miller (12) also reached double figures. Hntchin, whose oft break was suited by the wicket, took six wickets for 54, and Haughey, tried when the stocit bowlers failed, accounted for four for 43. The. Eastern fielding was an improvement on that shown last week. In the few minutes left for play East lost Champness's wickot for 4 runs.

On the College ground the Collegians gave St Albans an afternoon's leatherhunting, and afc the call of time had scored 237 ior eight wickets. Richards and Macfarlane opened, and playing very cautiously had 39 runs jui the board before Winter bowled the College captain lor 23. Loudon was the incomer, and he immediately became busy, and as Macfarlane livened up the tens went up rapidly. Just before the 100 whs reached Macfarlane- hit Watson into the long field and Nome took a good catch. In making his 30 he showed himself particularly sound on the leg side. Loudon was caught at extra cover soon after, and the rate of scoring slackened perceptibly. Loudon's 61 were made in his usual vigorous fashion and his driving was clean and welltimed. He hit two sixes. MeredithKayo ran Thomas out very badly and then called Pinohney for an impossible run immediately he arrived. The newcomer was given out, but as the wicketkeeper, failing to take the ball, had knocked the bails off with his hands, the batsman was called back. He showed his gratitude by making 41 before being caught at the. wicket, and he made some good off drives and leg hits. T\aye was in a long time for his 25 and was feeling very uncertain afc anything outside the off stump. This weakness brought about bis downfall, and he finally succumbed to a catch in the slips. Howden made 17., including a six, and Good 14. Hopkins was not out with 14. The St Albans ground fielding was good, but the catching very .much at fault. Macfarlane- was missed twice by the wicket-keeper before- he had scored, and four other chances which were missed made the total larger than it should have been. Moor took three wickets, Watson two and Winter and Roid one each. The wickets at Sydenham were very soft, and scoring, especially in the early part of the afternoon, very slow. After nearly three hours' batting West Christchurch, who wore without Forstor and Beeehey, put together 138 against Sydenham A. Piercy was top scorer with 39 not out, and he batted very patiently for his runs. Jenkins had 25 to his credit when he was run cut, and Denniston (17) and Gibson (10) reached double figures. At the end Watson, who was promoted to fill one of the vacancies, made 13 and helped Piercy to add 31 for the last wicket. Nicholson took four wickets for 40, Skelton and .lames 'two each and Hutchings one. James and O'Malley opened for Sydenham, hut tlio former left with the score at 5. Hobbs assisted O'Malley to take the score to 'lO. when the latter was bowled by Hood for 15. The third wicket added only a few. and then Hutchings and Hobbs made a stand which yielded 38. Hutchings, after making 10, was bowled by Weston, and Hobbs followed soon, alter. Ho had scored 49 by good cricket, and this with his scores in the last match prove him to be batting better this year than for some seasons past. Another wicket fell cheaply, and at the call of time six wickets were down for 105. With 34 runs to £ab and four wickets in hand, Sydenham's chances look good. Hickinott continues in run-getting vein, uhk'h is fortunate for his team, for apart from his 5K> the School score against Sydenham R would have been very meagre. He gave a ehancc bohind the. wickets at 40 and later putone \ip dangerously, but otherwise- his innings was without blemish. On the soft wicket, which helped Hudson and Gray considerably, he gave a, hue forcing display, Otley (13) being the only other batsman to make any stand. Gray took five for 2!-) and Hudson four for 33, Ayling capturing the other

la my and Hudson scored rapidly on the improving wicket, and 58' runs were up before Guiney bowled Bellamy for 27. Hudson was run out nine runs later, and time was called with the Sydenham score at 67 for two wickets, which leaves the game in an interesting state. Don Eraser, alter a year in suburban cricket, has joined Sydenham, and is playing in the B team. On paper this looks a very much stronger side than the A team, and results so far go to support this view. The latest recruit to East Christchurch is Blank. With plenty of cricket in him this player has so many sporting irons in the fire that the support ho gave to his district club was only halfhearted, hut if he takes the game seriously he should make a lot of runs for tho Easterners.