CRICKET

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16906, 4 December 1922, Page 2

CRICKET

The Game and the Players

A RECOVERY BY WEST. LINWCOD FIGHTING HARD. When, play stopped on Saturday evening the fourth round of senior games \ was in a very interesting position. On j present prospects, the keenest fight ; is going to be between Linwood an 1 j St Albans, but the other matches are i also very open. j WEST CHRISTCHURCH v. RICCARTON. West started off with one for 65 Then they collapsed to the extent of seven for 110', but a serviceable stand saw them back in the pavilion with 210 to their credit. It was a game with many quick changes. Though the bowlers were at a disadvantage at the beginning, Bluntand Worker played cautiously through six or seven overs. Blunt was the first to become aggressive and be reached 41 after a. bright display, hav ing given a chance at one. His late cuts were as artistic as one could wish for. Sim, who got to 30, bad h •' life ” when lie was two, so dropped chances proved expensive to Riccarton. HAYES BATS WELL. Worker’s 25 was not an outstanding exhibition. He left alone a lot of stuff that should have been hit, and several good length balls beat him badly. The event of the innings was 62 by Hayes. He was at the wickets one hour 37 minutes and never gave a chance, batting at. the very top of his form and going for all the bowlers with confidence. Maclaren helpe i him to lift West out of the soup by knocking up 27 rather vigorously. Maclaren has a promising style. Worker left at 65. Blunt at 67. Macfarlane at 95. Foster at 98* Sim ab 103, Gambles at 109. Hudson at 110 Maclaren at 174, Charles at 179 ami Hamilton at 210.

THIRTEEN BOWLING CHANGES. The Riccarton bowlers were changed thirteen times and Bain proved the most destructive. He clean bowled one man, had three caught off his bowling and one given out leg before, all at a. cost of 17 runs. A lot of the stuff he sent down kept very low. The wicket was ‘‘dead” at the beginning, but it improved later. So far Riccarton have lost- three wickets for 27, compiled in fifty minutes. It looks as if they will have their bocks against the wall next Sal; urday. Oaygill only made nine am Bain two. J. Powell and R. Rowell are still at the crease. Hayes bowled to some purpose. Ho has sent down eight overs, six of them maidens, and captured two wickets for four runs. Once be was no-balled. Thirteen runs have been hit off Blunt, and nine off Foster. LINWOOD v. ST ALBANS. Linwood, who have proved themselves one of the strongest teams in the competition this season, made a l oof showing in their first innings against Sr Albans, being dismissed for 0.". St Albans did not do much, better for when stamps were drawn they had lost nine wickets fo- a score of 95. With Sandman and Hickmott still in, St Albans want three to pass Linwood’s first innings total. Therefore everything is in favour of them being the first team to defend Linwood this

SLOW SCORING. Linwood were without the services of one of then best players, Perrin. They started their innings fairly well, but the rate of scoring was slow, only 24 being made for forty minutes’ play. Baker, the first man to go. was at the wickets twenty-four minutes for five runs, whilst A. Tones, the second man out, took thirty minutes to make six. ABSENCE OF BOUNDARY SHOTS. An idea of bow slow the rate of scoring was can be gained from the fact that the first fifty did not include one boundary shot. The first two boundaries were made by N. Jones, who scored them in succession off Stringer. Jones was top scorer. piece of stumping by Brunton was the cause of his dismissal. PLAYED TOO STEADILY. The next best score was compiled by Armitage who made 26 before he was bowled by Stringer. Armitage played steadily, in fact too steadily, for he took seventy-two minutes to make his runs. He was not aggressive enough, and so lost chances of scoring off loose balls. However, lie made runs, if slowly, and he did not give any c hances. UNLUCKY THIRTEEN. The only other batsmen who reached double figures were Condliffe (13) and Russell (12). As a. batsman Condliffe has been very disappointing and this is the* first time he has reached double figures in competition games this season. Then he crashed at the unlucky thiiteen. Russell semed to be set for a fair score when Sandman scattered hi : stumps with a good one. LINWOOD COLLAPSE. Linwood wont to pieces at the end, tlio last four wickets falling without any addition to the score. The seventh wicket fell at 97 and the total was the same when the tenth fell. Sandman took the last two wickets in succession . THE BOWLING HONOURS. Sandman and Thomas, who were both bowling well, divided the honours. ! In 12.2 overs Hie former took five wickj ets for 36 runs. Thomas bowled 16 ; overs, four of which were maidens and ; took four wickets at the cost of 29 ! runs. Sandman and Thomas therefore i finished up with practically the same { average, seven, and a fraction. The j other wicket was captured by Stringer who took it at a cost of 22 runs. Of | his seven overs two were maidens. BRUNTON IN FORM. Brunton was in good form behind the wickets and, during the innings, he stumped two men and caught one. There were only four extras On the whole the fielding of St Albans was. clean and keen. Not many runs were given awajr.

BRUNTON’S BATTING. Sfc Albans started their innings badly, the first wicket (Woods’s) falling f at four. Then Brunton and Martin 5 became associated and they carried the ]. score to 52 before the former was ( bowled by Read. The bulk of the i scoring was done by Brunton who hit j out very freely. He certainly played • some uppish strokes, but managed to . place the ball in a safe position. Brunton has been batting well this season and this, combined with his wicket • , keeping, should assure him a place in j the Canterbury reps. After the dis- j missal of Brunton things went disas- j trously for .St Allans and the wickets j fieff rapidly, the only approach to a stand being when Burns and Reese carried the score from five to 62 to six for 79. The latter played fairly well for a total of 17. CHANCES MISSED. With eight wickets down for 85 it looked as if St Albans might not pass I. in wood’s first innings total. Stringer went in at the fall of the eighth wicket and before he had scored he gave an easy chance which A. Jones missed. Just after Stringer would have been run out if Boon, the wicket keeper, had not failed to gather in the ball. Considering the position of the game these lost chances were expensive to Linwood for the score stood at 95 before a t,: wrong ’un ” from Y T aies sent Stringer back to the pavilion. Hickmott was the last man in and he and Sandman played out- time without any addition to the score. , *** j SYDENHAM v. EAST CHRIST- ( CHURCH. Playing on a soft wicket at Sffden- \ ham Park, Sydenham made 94 in their j first innings, and the Easterners uotoii- j od 34. Only three of the Sydenham batsmen managed to get into doubles — Watts 29. Oliver 25 not out and Skelton 16. Oliver gave the best batting display of the side. He went for the bowling, and when loose stuff came along hit it to the boundary. He did not give a chance. Watt went in when things looked bad, the board showing for four 26. His strokes were clean and crisp, and it- was a tricky ball from Howell which beat him. His best stroke was a powerful long drive. Skelton batted well for his runs and was l.b.v. to Howell. M’Ewin was caught off Coupland, the first ball of the day. and W. Patrick fell to Howell’s first ball. The bowlers were on the spot and Howell trundled well for bis six wickets for 45. Coupland was very hard to play, and his average worked out three for 35. Bugg secured one wicket for 8. East were teeliug very delighted at the small score made by their opponents, and reckoned on a sure lead, bur Cunningham skittled the wickets in great style. Gregory was the only batsman to stand up to the bowling, got ting 19—more than half the total—in quick time by forceful bitting. He was unlucky in being given out i.b.w. to M’Ewin. Four wickets were diwu for 30, five for 33, and the next four wick ets added one run. Bowling honours were easily with Cunningham, who howled with a big off break, completely beating the batsmen. His average was 7 overs. £ maidens. 15 runs, 5 wickets, and M’Ewin’s 7 overs, 1 maiden, 18 runs, 3 wickets. Sydenham took a new lease of life in their second innings, Patrick 37 and M’Ewin 23 being unbeaten when stumps were drawn. Patrick was very aggressive and pulled the straight balls to leg boundary in great style, his score ; showing six fours. M’Ewin played care- ; fully for his runs.

MACLAREN’S TEAM V. VICTORIA. The following ore a few extract;? from ‘EJ.W.’s” review of the match in the “ Australasian ” : They are a youthful and athleticlooking band on the whole, and keen enthusiasts every one. Chapman, the batsman, and Maclean, the wicketkeeper, are exceptionally tall, while Calthorpe. Wilkinson, Hartley and Ashton are a-so possessors of height and reach. As a set-off the two professionals—Freeman and Tyldesley—are very small, the first-named, it is stated, the smallest cricketer in England. Park looked fairly tall beside him. Others of small stature are Titchmarsh and Wilson. They are bound to be a popular combination wherever they go, as under the leader ship of MacLaren they will “ play the game on every occasion. There are others whom I have not seen in action—a pleasure deferred—but even it the team be not. so strong in batsmen as one could wish, their dash in the field and hatting methods generally command the sympathies and warm the hearts of the onlookers. Their presence amongst us is a welcome break on the ordinary routine, and for that reason alone the thanks of the cricket community are due to our old friend. Archie MacLaren. Wilkinson, who is one of the best bats in England’s army, was not altogether at ease for quite a while. He was feeling his way and scoring slowly ; but when he mastered the pace of the wicket he shaped like a batsman, the best part of his display being his placing and the accuracy of his body strokes, though he scored all round. There is no doubt about his being a batsman. Against West and South Australia Chapman had batted so soundly and brilliantly that his fame preceded him. and he was warmlv greeted as his tall, boyish frame strode to the wickets. He was at home after the start, and made 73. the highest Score of the innings, like a seasoned batsman. He was fine driving and cutting power, and scored all round with freedom and effect. Everybody was anxious t;> see him- make his hundred, but, jumping out to one of Hartkopf’s enticing slows he got terribly tangled up. and was easily stumped. There were but few boundaries in his compilation, yen bis evident desire to make runs, his many strokes and fine free, breezy style stamps him as a batsman i*'ho i > hound to make his mark. It may he that we will see him in the next AllEngland team. His scoring so far has been remarkably consistent Against Western Australia he made 7.5 and 58, against South Austdalia 32 and 53, and 73 in his first essay against Victoria-—a nice average of 58. Titchmarsh, a sound, solid, little batsman, has many strokes, can pull and cut, and takes some getting out. The feature of the day. however, was Chapman’s fielding. In all his

actions he was delightful to -watch. In the covering ground, stopping, and returning he was simply splendid. Like all real fieldsmen, ho loved to he out. on the grass and chasing the ball, and trusting that every deliver’would be hit in his direction. In that he possessed the expert's confidence. and with abundant life in every movement, he soon became a public favourite, and was heartily cheered. Cklthorpe was the bowler on the day, though Brand is deserving of honourable mention. Calthorpe, tall and slight and lithe, was .full of life. He kept an excellent length, with a slight off bias. In Gibson and Calthorpe the team possesses two good medumpaced bowlers, and if only Freeman and j Tyldesley could turn the ball the side ■ i would be well equipped in attack The I two slow bowlers know the value of : | length, but batsmen can fearlessly go j out and drive them. “ My word. ’ i said one of the team to me," “ J wish ; we had a bowler that could turn the j ball like Hortkopf.” In conversation j with Mr Swan, the manager, he said j he would like the public to recognise the fact that, the team was chosen purely for New Zealand. The Australian matches are to help to pav the piper and give the team much practice . Hartkopf’s batting and bowling bad a remarkable influnoe on the match. W ith the bat be made 100 runs for one dismissal, an average that would pleasmost men. and with the ball he took thirteen wickets for 328 runs—a wonderfully fine double. His performance is the more remarkable inasmuch as he has not been at his top in either branch in club matches to date. Like Harry Trott before him. he likes a. fast pitch upon which to operate, the wickets in the pennant games so far being on the slow side. There was a fine attendance, which must have been gratifying, indeed, to the visitors. The suhrdistrict clubs, as • well as many of the juniors, declared • a day off in honour of the Englishmen. ! and their sporting action increased the | attendance. There were 14.0C0 pre ; sent, £660 being taken at the gates ■ | The visitors are being financed by the I New Zealand Cricket Council, and the j money ma.de in the Australian games • goes to that body. Evcrv match so far has been a financial success, which ■ is most encouraging. If there is ! loss on the tour the Dominion must [ make it good ; but, if the trip shows a * profit the M.C.C. will not participate ; in it, ! JUNIOR NOTES. 1 GOOD INDIVIDUAL SCORING. - - j (By “ UMPIRE.”) RESULTS AT A GLANCE. Section A. 3 St Albans A 147 v. Linwood 175 for l 6. Sydenham 81 and 59 for 1 v. Riccar- ; i3i--1 West 271 t. St Albans C 78. £ Section B. i Sumner 3S v. College 260 for 9. Riccart-ou J3O v. St Albans 129 for - 4. i West 125 v. East 125 for 6. , B.H.S. 383 for 8 v. Sydenham. r On Saturday the weather did not 1( ok at all inviting for cricket, but as the day went by the wickets improved i did the standard of play. J Sydenham A failed badly with the bat in their first innings against Rici. carton A but before 6.30 the southern 7 suburbs had greatly improved their position and now have a sporting n chance of winning the game. There d was a. great display of hitting in the is match between St Albans A and Lins’ wood and on the next, wicket Phil o Dwyer hit up 128 in his best style, e Dwyer should be useful in juniors. Christ’s College are having a runaway victory against Sumner. Boys’ High School may yet pass the 400 runs scored by Linwood against East in the last round. They have 383 for S wickets, including a fine century by Mortlock. West have a mortgage on their game against St Albans 0. the scores pointing towards West securing a ■i three-point victory.

BOWLING HONOURS. Langbein (Rico. A), 8 for 40. Weston (East B), 7 for 41. Gordon (Syd. A). 5 for 37. I'. Thompson (St Alb. B), 5 for 40. Donaldson (St Alb. O), 5 for 64. A. T. Donnelly (West A), 4 for 26. Technical College Old Boys are unlucky. They hare drawn a bye and will most likely only have one day's play before the Christmas holidays. There are quite a number of exsenior cricketers assisting the juniors this season. The latest addition is Phil Dwyer, who is playing for West A A feature of the junior cricket was the fine score of 164 made by George Mortlock for B.H.S. against Sydenham B. Mortlock opened his shoulders and hit sixers! Quite an unusual tiling for him, but it is very pleasing because he is one of our most promising colts. Langbein is a good bowler. On Saturday, playing for Riccarton A against Sydenham .V, he took eight wickets for 40 runs. This is no flash in the pan as he lias been consistent from the beginning, having taken twenty wickets to date. “ Steve '’ Barret must be congratulated on his 62 runs. Although he had a number of “ lives ” lie enjoyed himself while at the wickets. and was quite happy afterwards in showing Lord Jellicoe some of our smart juniors. AN IMPORTANT GAME. Sydenham A, the cup-holders went to the wickets first against Riccarton and fared badly. The wicket was not at easy and the ball “hung” a good deal Marshall, who went in rear the tail put on 18 runs, and he Moore (17) and Hobbs (12> were alone able to piny Langbein. Riccarton made a good start and had 74 on for three wickets when a collapse set in, Robertson (25>, Luttrell and Killick going before the score was increased. The innings closed for 131. Haines did a lot better than usual with 19. Robertson’s innings showed promise. Gurnsey scored 20 in his usual style. Gordon (o for 38) was the destructive agent for Sydenham and if the wicket is dry on Saturday ‘ £ Hughie ” M’Olelland will be the dangerous man i i Riccarton’s second innings.

Sydenham, with 1 for 59 in their ©eoond innings have made a good recw* iTj and will give Riccarton all the fight they -want. Moore has 27 un* be aten.

MORTLOCK'S CENTURY. Boys’ High School spent the afternoon at the batting crease against Jimmy Gray’s colts, who had a weak team—C. Oliver playing for the seniors. Mortlock led the way with a fine century—l 64. This score was compiled in agressive fashion, three sixes being included in the total and twentyseven fours. Cromb came to light with another good innings of SO, and is in excellent form with bat and ball. Carleton 55 and Burrows 40 also punished the bowling. V. Oliver, who was tried late in the innings, secured fihe best bowling average—3 wicket. 4 for 15 runs in 7 overs. 1 maiden—a good performance for a boy of 15.

PAGE SAVES COLLAPSE. L- D. Page, who made his second appearance this season, saved Vest B from making a very poor showing. His fifty, made in attractive and brisk style, was the only figure of any note in the total of 125. Vest-on. who sent down 20 overs, was responsible for Vest’s poor showing, securing 7 wicket i for 64. Harry bowled 16 overs, including 8 maidens, 6 on end, but secured only 2 wickets. East reached their opponents’ total for 6 wickets. Weston, the opening batsman, contributing 55. Harry had a merry life hitting 6 fours in succession .

RUNS THAT WERE WANTED. Hay was responsible for over half the total made bv Riccarton B against S f Albans B. This ex-School player batted soundly and attractively for his <SB, bis off drives having plenty of power and being well-placed. Thompson secured 5 for 49 and Smith, who came on late, gained the best average with 4 for 20. When stumps were drawn St Albans with 4 wickets down were one shoro of their opponents’ total, Smith 29, Thompson 8. being the not out men. Vorrick is showing very consistent for n and is right on his game, his 42 on Saturday being another good effort. North was batting well when he stepped in front of one from Collie and was l.b.w. for 26. J. S. BARRETT AGGRESSIVE The chief feature of the Limvood-S: Albans A fixture was the aggressive innings of genial “ Steve *’ Barrett, who compiled 62 runs in very short time. His score was made up of two sixes, eight fours. 4 twos and ten singles. Despite this lusty battin ; the St Albans innings was a failure, reaching onlv 147. C. L. King 3 for 29 and M. Penc'ollv 2 for 25 bowled steadily for Lin wood, who commenced badly, four wickets falling for 49. C. L. Kin.;; and C- S. Orchard became associates in a profitable partnership, adding 70 runs in half an hour. Both battel wbll. King in particular executing some fine ground shots. Linwood have 175 on for 6 wickets and are in a good position.

HEAVY SCORING. Vest A. have put on 271 against % total of 78 by St Albans C and everything points to an easy innings win. A feature of the game was Phil Dwyer s 128. which was noticeable, for beautifully placed shots all round the wicket. He hit 20 boundaries and one six. Maxwell is improving and his 66 was an excellent contribution. After *v first-wicket partnership of 167 the remaining batsmen tailed off ana Haynes, Donnelly and Merriu just got over double figures. Donaldson bowled very consistently for St Albans, taking 5 wickets for €4. Donaldson was also top scores, being responsible for 38 of the 78 runs scored. He is more than useful, bub without Allard this team is decidedly weak.

BATTING HONOURS. G. MortJock (School) . . 164 F. Dwyer (West A) . 128 R. O. Talbot (College 100 I Cromb (School) . * . 80 D Hay (Rice. B.) . 68 I). Maxwell (West A) . 6G J. S. Barrett (St Albans A) . 62 — Weston (East B) . . 55 R Oarleton (School) . . . 55 L. D. Page (West 13) . „ . 50