WELLINGTON CRICKET.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10924, 13 November 1913, Page 2

WELLINGTON CRICKET.

[Fbom Our Coeekbponpent.J November 7. "Without being desirous of stressing the point let me say once again that there is a much healthier tone in the playing of cricket in Wellington this season than there lias been for some years past. So far tho games have been played on three days, and the cricket has bec-n bright and interesting all the timo. Threo century stands for a wicket have been made, and two players have liolped themselves to a hundred runs apiece, while v several others have made tidy scores. Besides this, there is a decided inclination to get on with the games, instanced by the fact that in tho Victoria College—Old Boys' match last Saturday afternoon the players were ready to start at a quarter past two, something so unusual; judging by *>ur experience of the last few years, as to deserve a special reference. The feature of last Saturday's cricket in Wellington was a fine stand of 174 runs for the third wicket by F. A. Midlane and W. A. Baker, of the East A team. The latter had opened the innings, but the youngster could not get any of the earlier batsmen, to keep him company for long. With the fall of the third wicket, however, Midlane, the veteran East captain—veteran, in tho cricket sense, I mean, for it is fifteen years since first he played in a • Senior match—joined hands with Baker, and soon. the bowling was. mastered. The score wont up by leaps and bounds, Midlane especially displaying batting that occasionally was brilliant and at all times sound and effective. Baker was as busy as his captain, however, but he went along in patches. Now and again he would open out with a drive that was excellent, and his pull shots' were all effective, but occasionally ho lapsed into the very ordinary. But he wept on until he had put 135 runs > to his credit, the biggest score of his career eo far and his first' century in Senior cricket. This scoro of Baker's caused me to turn up my records, from which I found that K. H. Tucker holds the record fpr the, highest score, in championship matches, viz., 221*, which he made as a member of the- Midland team. Other good figures havo been obtained by F. Lash, 180: M. Naughton, 177; W. Quce, 174; A.. R. Holdship, 163; <T. J. Mahony, 15.8; E. M. Beechey, 158; C. A. Richardson, 151; A. B. Williams, 150: W. R. S. Hickson, 150; F. A. Midlane, 146: and M. J. Crombie, 143\ Others whose batting satisfied were T. M. Grace, who gave a masterly dis-

play 'of perfeot timing for a tally of, 65; K. H. Tucker, who surprised most people by putting 70* opposite his name for the Old Boys team, not because he was not capable, but simply because he was scoring so quietly that half the number stated was nearer the mark from the spectators' standpoint; Dan. Hay, who looked like reproducing some of his old-time College form' this 6&ason, judging by the way lie shaped last Saturday; Jack Rodgers, of the Hutt team, who _ has always claimed that he had sacrificed his batting in favour of his bowling of recent years; and Hiddlestone and Patrick, who found the bowling to their liking. When the history of Wellington , cricket comes to be- ■'written FrikT Midlane's name ' will loom large on its pages. In : the 1897-98 season, as a member of the old Phcenix Club, he-was promoted u» Senior status and soon 1 made a name for himself as a consistent and sound batsman, and general' regret was expressed when, early in 1902. he crossed tho Tasman Sea to Sydney. Mingled with the regrets were hopes that in tho large cricket sphere of New South Wales, Midlano, would still further develop his batting. But ho was a young man then, just on the threshold of his career—he is not by any. manner of means a veteran yet, by the way—and ho wisely decided not to allow his love for cricket to hamper him in his business life, therefore, he indulged in but little cricket in Sydney, .and after a stay there for some years he returned to Wellington, and in the 1808-09 season again figured in local cricket. Summarised, his performances in all matches up to the present axe as follows: No. of Times Highest Total Aver-

inga. not out. score, runs. age. Cup matches 111 14 156 3254 38.54 Rep. gains* 37 5 149 920 28.75 Ilis century stands were. as follow Second wicket: with K. H. Tucker (131), with Y. Waters (119) j third wicket: with J. J. Mahcny (162), with A. Clark (171), with J. P. Blacklock (140); fourth wicket: with W. A. Baker (174); seventh wicket: with V. Waters (142). In representative games.—Third wickeb: with K. H. Tucker (153), with A. Clark (119); fourth wicket: with 0. A. Richardson (207), witirß. H. Tucker (144). " When is Davo Collins going to play?" Thi3 is a question one often hears these days, and in view of tlio fact' he has been chosen in the New Zealand team to go to Australia it is a question that ought to be answered. Soma writers are making much of the fact .that, although Collins was not nominated by the "Vv ellington Cricket Association, he yet secured a place in the New Zealand team. X do not sea how be could have been nominated by Wellington, for the Bmrp>U re*#on ilus a® has not tolt-ysd haro fe? eoent St* Jgm b«causo ho had his d<yfcemiiistion to some of liia _ friends to follow rowing instead of cricket. For, ba it remembered, he gained, his "blue" At Cambridge in. both these branches of outdoor sport. But Wellington wants Davo Collins to play cricket, and the Old JJoys could do with his services, so I hope the next match will see him taking strike with his old College chums. This reminds mo that Dan Kay and Dave Collins hold the record for tho biggest stand for any wicket in any class of .Ticket in Wellington, they having made 288 together as members of the Wellington College team. It would bring jack pleasant memories to see this pair 3nce again batting together for their ride. The stand of 174 runs by W. A. Baker and F. A. Midlano for the : ourth wicket last Saturday is the highest stand in local cricket to dato. rhe following is the full list: — 174 —F. A. Midlano and "W. A. Baker, 135—A. !R. Holdship and W. C. T. Lavera, 131—A. It. Holdship and B. Iznid. 128— K. H. Tuokor and J, J. Msfcony. 123—C. P. Blacklock and If. H. Tucker. 12S—B. Blacklock and W. T. Wynyard. 1 122 W. Quoo and H. 0. Hickson. 191 —J. Hutchinga and H. C. Hickson. 120 —H. W. Mon-aghan and J. !P. Blackloolj. 11S—R. Blacklock and K. H. Tucket. 118— B. A. Weybourno and C. A. Richardson. 115—A. B. Williams and K. H. Tucker. 108 —G. W. Eenbow and H. Nsmghton. 105 —J. J. Mivhor.y and A. H. Gore. 103— H. C. Hickeon and P. Eobertson. 103— K. H. Tucker and J. Jon.cs. A sporting act. stands to the credit of 3ob Mason, the Old Boys bowlat-bats-nan. For som© reason or other some >f tho spectators gave Mason a good loaring when ho went in to take itrike, but he deserved all he applause when ho retired. Tucker md he wcro batting together, when lie former called Mason for a second •un that was an impossible ono. NotiCng i'lat ho had no chanc-e of reachm.c •ho other end, Mason tried to send flicker back, but when he found that ho latter was too far through Mason heerfully sacrificed his wicket. It i'_as bacl luck all right, but tho act lid not, iajy.ro his>\U«