CRICKET.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19817, 8 December 1919, Page 2

CRICKET.

DISTRICT COMPETITIONS. Explanations as to a particular trick of the wind or a nasty condition of the pitch are becoming a little too frequent to be accepted as an excuse lor consistently had batting. Certainly tho wickets at Hagley Park have ’shown signs of lack of thorough preparation 01 late, and the third wicket on Saturday must have been in a curious state Ui give Tate his average of seven wickets for 1) runs. Yet’tho batting nil round has been disappointing in recent matches, and does not inspire confidence in the Canterbury representarites, whoever they may he, who will play Wellington at Christmas. Last Saturday was the seventh day's play in district cricket, and it produced very in and out results. Sydenham, with their best hatting team, collapsed against the attack of not very formidable Riooarton bowlers. St* Albans ended up in an unfavourable position against Linwood, despite a first innings lead, while West Christchurch so failed with the bat a a to finish up in a risky position against East Christchurch. RICCARTON v. SYDENHAM. There was a great deal of interest displayed in the match between Sydenham and Riccarton, and a. goodly b«r of spectators wore provided 'with a, display which bristled" with incident. The game was full of ups and downs and each team caused its supporters many anxious moments at different stages. Sydenham batted first and made the comparatively small score of 121. For tins result the bowling of Evans was m great measure responsible. He was getting a fair amount of spin on. and, keeping a good length, ho varied his deliveries, at times sending down a straight fast one amongst bis slow breaks. Evans got the good average of seven wickets for 57. Nixon bowled almost throughout with Evans, but only took two wickets for 54. He, however, kept well on tho spot, and provided a good foil in style to bis clnbmaie. The, Riccarton fielding was fairly good. . • R* Patrick played a real sound innings for his 32, with one chance. The only other Sydenham men to reach double figures were M’Ewin and Bennett. Their partnership for tho ninth wicket was the most profitable ono of tno innings, jmd saved the situation for their team at a time when a “ rot ” Jiad set in. M’Ewin. who made 30, did so m nice style, getting away some onsp shots and showing good defence. Bennett, whose contribution was 25, hit hard from the outset. He made manv shots, but tho ball fell clear of the field. Bennett was given out Ibw when be was getting stronglv under way. the task before Riccarton, seeing the form they have been showing lately, did not soerti very formidable, and * their supporters were confident that they would comfortably reach the Sydenham score. But there waa a surprise quickly m store. O. E. Guinoy, who has returned te city cricket, was stumped first ball from -M’Ewin, and that voung hopeful of the club, C. W. Cox, who was next, after making one or two good shots, , was caught at point by Wray when he had only two singles to bis credit. Whitta. who has come to be regarded ns a consistent “sticker,” and one of the hardest men to " die nut, ’ caused further dismay, lie had not scored whenjio miscalculated one from M Ewin, and shifting his fr C t oyer the creijse gave Bellamy another chance to distinguish himself. Three wickets were now down for 10 runs, Luttrell. who was one of flip opefung pair, having done most of the scoring. The partnershin between Haines and Luttrell built no the score but very slowly. Still they managed hm - *s* "khfcfd flt n critical juncture. I his, however, was duo to the [ouionev shown by the field. Luttrell was dropped hy M’Ewin off his own bowling, and later gave a difficult chance behind the wickets. Haines snicked on unnish one through the slips, which caught the man at second slip napping. The Sydenham. captain now made his first change of bowling and Luttrell got m front to Matson with the score at 39. The outgoing batsman had imparted ii fair amount of vigour into his plav and drove very cleanly. Nixon was bowled by Matson without scoring, a.hd five Riccarton wickets wore down with the total unchanged. Caygill was next, ami tho Riccarton captain at once adopted a stolid dojonce, Haines doing most of the scoring. Runs, however, were for a time jew and far between, both players being content to heat down the* attack. At. 62 Haines played M’Ewin on and loft after a display of good cricket. Evans, who filled the vacancy, tackled the bowling at once and hit a. trio of fours. Oaygill, though, was still pursuing a course of dogged defensive batting. Ho had a let-off behind tho wickets when he had made a couple. The association of this pair gradually put . nuis and the century was readied. With this number passed Cavgill livened up and the Sydenham total oumo m sight with both batsmen going well. With the total at 133 Cavgill was caught. He had been in a fang time for his 2IJ runs, but his innings was of far greater value to his side LJ >an the number of runs lie scored would indicate. By the adoption of a patient policy he had stemmed the tide of disaster. /’■ 'i a 3 dor had only made a couple when M .Ewin got him Ibw. Fuller came in,_ and soon ran into double ligiues, v, ith shots to the leg boundary. Ho ml hard all round tho wicket, mid had rattled up 36 when stumps were drawn Evans, who remained not out with 61 on, received a hearty reception lor Ins valuable innings. As noted several catches were dropped, and the ground fielding of Sydenham, too, was also patchy. M’fcwin who secured four wickets, troubled most of the batsmen. His wrong ’uns on occasion beat both the batsman and the wicket-keeper. Bennett put in a solid afternoon’s work, and at first kept the Riccarton men verv quiet Ho seemed to tire, though, towards'tho iiiiin.il. u atson also bowled well. With two wickets in hand. Riccarton holds a useful lead, hut there should bo every possibility of a good finish. BAST CHRISTCHURCH v, WEST CRISTCHURCH. East Christchurch heat West Christr chu'xk m the toss, smd T. M.’Clellaml and M. Ditcldiold opened tho batting on a good wicket, in balmv .sunshine and with prospects favourable for a good total. 1 ho batting, .however with a few exceptions, was disappointing. The bright spot was Litchfield's innings. 'I lie youngster—he is no more being a lad of about seventeen - -displayed a keen eye for timing, and scored several sweet cut*; to the boundary, besides hitting well to the off ami on, and putting some halls nicely through the clips and .to leg. His 3L was quite an attractive innings, and he also knocked up 11 runs in the second innings before time closed the play for the day. Strange to say. the second highest score was made bv “ Mr Extras ”--21 : A. R. Blank* bit out as usual, and in successive hits scored 4464, but lost, his centre stump in trying to hit another boundary off Dr Foster. W. Howell also hit out and registered a single and four fours, but Zimmermann thifn got his Ticket with a. fast one that beat, him all the way. ti. Connell (14 not out) and G, Tate (11) b6th played nice cricket. Firank Wooda ha*, not yet struck, his old form, and in two turns s.t the wickets on Saturday he made only 18 runs. Chiefly owing to good' bowling by C. Zimmermann (five wickets for 20) and Dr Foster (four for 50), East were all disposed of for 141, and West looked to have “a good thing.” George Tate stood in the way, however, and captured seven wickets lor 10 runs a. remarkably line performance considering the cuJibr.i of several of the

batsmen, opposed to him. West were one man short, and finished up with rT e total of 117, towards which R. TT orker contributed 66 by bright, attractive cricket, and R. C. Blunt 29. Jho collapse was somewhat unexpected, as Worker and Blunt put on 71 for the first wicket, and the board showed ow l or J| nd three for 103. Into then became unplayable, and the remaining wickets dropped as folfor 103, five for 103. six tor 113, seven for 115, eight for 113 and nine, for 117. The full analysis of late s splendid bowling performance reads: 6.0 overs. 2 maidens, 10 runs. ’ tickets. ]{, j s worth noting that Dr foster was bowled with the tenth ball ot one of Gregory’s overs. The umpire explained afterwards that there were several appeals in the over and he evidently ifst count. Ditehficld distinguished himself in the field by making three catches and doing excellent ground J n their second turn at. the (rickets hast put. together 72 runs for two wickets when time was called. ST AI .BAN'S v. LINWOOD. S. Watson was the most careful batsman on iiio St Albans side, and evidence is accumulating that liis opening century was not, a, Hake. At, a lime when caution was needed he. batted most correctly, if not freely, and his thirty-nine was only three short v’Oi'don r top score, which was rattled up in quicker time. An early rot was slopped by Bmnton and TVntwn, and but for tbeir stand the St Albans score would have looked cheapAs it was, 182 was nothing to write homo about. Read was bowling wifi a bit bettor luck than usual, but bo "ere kept on rather long. Russell should got- more opportunity with the ball, as he keeps a good length, and uses his head. Hayes’s friends would also like to see him tried out. At one stage Linwood looked as if they might have to follow on. Grant opened yefry steadily as usual, but after making 28 was trapped by a ball from Sandman, which be mishit to point. There was a collapse until Smith came in, and after some hard hitting hy Orchard, who is a bit too eager to make the big hits, Harry laylor and Smith settled down to what waa supposed to be the last wicket. It was a, very exhilarating performance that they put up, and So runs were added, Smith, tho old Kaiapoi man, being very forceful, while Taylor s Winning between wicketa ■was very exciting and sporting. The performance of these two men put new life into the rest of the team, and when Taylor hit one back to Reese, Linwood were so near to the St Albans total (they only wanted sixteen), that ’1 hj run as looked round for a substitute to keep the wicket up for Smith. A. Cant stepped into the breach, and out the over, hut Smith was Immediately clean howled- The day’s batting gave Linwood an even chance, and they improved it by capturing three of the, best St Albans wickets for 11 runs, Sandman, Taylor and Brunton going very quickly. Of the St Albans howlers Wallis and Sandman were kept, on too long after Smith and Taylor became set. especially as the team had a very fair change in Stringer and Tikao. The fielding throughout the match waa good, Hayes getting back 1 0 old form. Young I)an Reese took, a brilliant catch on the boundary. NOTES ON THE PLAY. (By “ MID-OFF.”) At the end of the third round of the Canterbury Cricket, Association’s Peterson Shield competition the points were ns follows;—St Albans (four teams). 67 points; Sydenham (holders, five tea ins). 44 [points; Riocnrton (five teams), 40 points: Hast Christchurch (five teams). 39 points: West Christchurch (three teams). 24. pointso Linwood ((ire teams), 24 points. O. T. TVeston. who has been a wellknown figure in local cricket for many years past, originally as a, member of the old United Oluh, and latterly for West Christchurch, in which team lie kept wickets, has retired from the game,