CRICKET

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16941, 16 January 1923, Page 2

CRICKET

(By “

"COVER POINT”)

CITY AND SUBURBAN NOTES.

Fine -weather and good , wickets favoured the resumption ot matches on Saturday last wiien the nfch round was cununenced. Generally sijeuking the hatting ju the senior grade wvas veiy J?ouv ana lacked enterprise. Aiost of me batsmen appeared to be content with keeping their mickets up and niany gcod scoring balls were allowed to go hy. J here were one or two exceptions, however, and Bush’s effort for Upper B. n against \\ oolston was one or the finest exhibitions ol lorcelul batting ever witnessed on the Woolston Domain. «J. Worial and P. Peacock opened what promises to be a valuable partnership in the same match, and the 'pair have already registered-* S 4 runs since becoming associated. Only one century was put up on Saturday, that of L. Spier an the third grade, and his 111’ not out was a line effort for a lad. WOOLSTON v. UPPER RICCARTON Lppor Kicarton commenced their return match against \> oolston at W oolston and, winning the toss, opened with A. Mackie, the ex-Paparua piayer, and S. Buch. The partnership was broken early, Avhen Mackie tipped one into Pennell s hands. The next three wickets produced a score and four were down' for 22. \\ ith the exception of Bush, none ot the Riccarton batsmen appeared to be able to adapt themselves to the matting wicket, and only Holmes (13) and Dibden (11) suceeded in reaching double figures. Bush, however, batted brilliantly and punished everything off the wicket and many of his runs came from a neat- off-drive strike. When the innings closed for 131 he was unbeaten for 88. including sixteen fours. J. Worrall and W. Crossen bore the brunt of the bowing, the former taking five wickets for 60 rtins and Crossen three for 37. W oolston made a poor start in their first innings and had four wickets down for 53. Then Worrall was Joined by Peacock and a valuable partnership was set up which carried the total to 136, when play ceased for the day. Peacock scored rapidlv and his total of 44 included one six and six fours, while Worrall has 31 to his credit including six lours. GREENS v. ST ALBANS. St Albans had first use of a fast wicket at Sydenham Park but. with the exception of C. Dobbs and E. Colville, the batting was miserably weak and not up to junior standard. Dobbs and C. Shaw opened, but the latter was soon disposed of and L. Watson got his leg in front without scoring and two were down for 14. At this figure Dobbs was joined by Colville and 53 were on when the latter was caught off Rob-

The Game and the Players

ertson after a livelv innings for 32, in* eluding one six. six fours and two singles. None of the other batsmen troubled the bowlers and. with 97 on, the ninth and last wicket fell with Dobbs not out for 34. The innings lasted an hour and a.half. The wickets were fairly evenly distributed over the four bowlers tried. Jones securing the best average with three for 20. Green’s faired little better than their opponents in the matter of runs although their innings was brighter and the 108 were scored in less than an hour and not a single maiden otfecr was registered. Air “ Extras ” was top scorer with 22 to his credit. It looks as if St Albans could do with a new wicket keeper, for in a former match in which they were beaten by ono run. there were no less than 29 byc-s and five leg byes out of a total of 253. Woods was top scorer getting a score before he was caught behind the wickets. Langford began merrily and put 17 to his name before lie was caught by Dobbs off Purdom. A. French, a promoted junior was the only other double scorer with 13. Each of the four bowlers captured two wickets. Colville having 16 runs knocked off him and Dobbs 20. St Albans made a better start ; n their second venture and when stump were drawn had 67 on for the loss *if three wioket6. G. Shaw gave a lively though lucky display and hit up 32. including six fours. With a margin of only eleven runs on the first innings next Saturday A game should be interesting. JOTTINGS. The Auckland Suburban Cricket Association has invited a local eleven to Auckland to play a match at Easter. The letter stated that the northern body was holding a cricket week during which matches were to be played between the country associations affiliated to the Auckland Suburban Association. An effort is being made to establish interprovincial suburban cricket fixtures between the four centres. No doubt the scheme won 11 give a great impetus to the game among secondary association players, and there is a probability that a team will be sent from the local suburban association. Another Easter fixture that is still i i the air is the proposed visit of a West/ Coast team. At Christmas time a scratch eleven of Christchurch players visited the Coast and received sucli a hearty welcome that a. return visit is sure to come about. In presenting a report upon the visit Air W. Cowliu stated that cricket on the Coast is going ahead fast and has greatly improved during the past two seasons. Tha main difficulty is suitable wickets and most of the clubs are laying down concrete or clay wickets with matting covering. Aiost of -the outfields however are very rough and driving is out (.£ the question.