CRICKET

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17159, 1 October 1923, Page 2

CRICKET

t —— I | THE GAME AND THE PLAYERS. |

THE COMING SEASON. NOTES ON SENIOR TEAMS. The competitions under the auspices of the Canterbury Cricket Association are to start on October 13. Most of the clubs will open the season next Saturday but last Saturday a number of players took the opportunity to get iu net practice, a good muster of Linwood an-d Hast C hristchurch member 3 being present at Lancaster Park, where practice Mas conducted on the side grounds. The Oval is not yet in a fit state for cricket, as it was badly cut up on the occasion of the Merivale v. Otago Varsity match on. September 10, and ft looks aft if a fair amount of preparation will be necessarv to get it into good order by opening day. - The grounds at Hagley Park are not yet ready and i* will probably be Wednesday before players will be able to practice there. LINWOOD SENIOR TEAM. Linwood. who won the senior competition last season, expect to be able to again put a strong team into the field. 1 hat they are keen to win again is shown by the large number of senior-players-of the club who turned out to practice oil Saturday. All of last year’s players arc available, but it is not certain that all will get a ' pace this year, as there are some other good players available. For instance, W. B. Howell, the well-known bowler, has left East- Christchurch and joined Linwood. \ Then two ot" last years juniors, C. King and R. Spaan, are, according to an official of the club, to be given a try out, as seniors this season. The trouble that the Linwood selectors are faced with is to decide which of'Tast year’s seniors should bo dropped. However, it is a goqd thing for a team to have keen rivalry for places, for the players are then likely to practice more assiduously. F. Smith, who was captain of the team last season, will be playing again. Smith lives in the country and in order to play for Linwood he lia s to come 1 in a distance of twenty miles. At the end

Nixou bowled well, -taking tea- wickete at a cost of 98 mils. However, Ricearton have a good steady bowler in Rix. Last season he took forty-four wickets at a cost of 606 runs, an average of 13.77. C. E. Evans did not apiveav to be able to strike form as a bowler last season. He took thirteen wickets only and they cost him 4.4-2 runs, an average of 34.. Bain bowled fairly well, his record being 256 runs. 19 wickets, average 15.CW5. Kiccarton will be without- the services of F. Powell, a young player who showed considerable promise with both bat and ball last season. Powell is at present residing in the country. BAST CHRISTCHURCH. East Christchurch, who gained i 1 ' “wooden spoon” last season, expect, to be able to put a better team into the field this season. There are several promising young players in the club who will probably be given a try out as seniors, and it- is reported that they have a young_j>!ayer who showed considerable ability as a wicket-keeper last season. H. T. Stringer has left St Albans and is now a member of the East Christchurch Club. Stringer is a promising young bowler and he should greatly assist East in this department of the game. G. R. Gregory will be playing again. Last year he was the best and most consistent bat East had. He finished up with an average of 37.8. the fitch best in the senior competition. A FEW HINTS. Here are a few hints for cricketers by I>. L. A. Jephson, ex-captain of the Surrey eleven : ' If you are a batsman remember that, the straight bat may secure salvation : the cross bat invariably presages disaster. If you are lucky enough to hit the ball to cover or in front of the wicket never sav “Come on” and then shout “No.” You will probably run out a better man than yourself. When you call run ! Tf it, is a hard wicket you can risk that showy and popular stroke, the forward one (though no an ever saw Ranji play forward, he hit the* ball or played hack"), but remember when ia doubt play back !

To ploy forward is to play blind—to play back is to use that amount of eve sight that Heaven has seen fit to bless you with. And when you hit —hit with all you’ve got. If you ore a bowler always bowl within yourself. Never bowl too fast and never howl too slow. Watch what you are bowline at. and don’t mistake the brick-wall ot an Arthur Shrewsbury for the kicking horse of a Gilbert Jessop. Tf you are a field, remember that the wicket-keeper is equipped with pad* and gloves: a genuine Aunt Sally. Throw at him like Hades. Don’t fotget that the bowler is unarmed - treat him gently. Bowlers are like Birds of few and far between. Tf you are a c*pt..in r«mc-aiW other people have corns, don’t trend or them unnecessarily, use the emollient of tact : by so doing from your batsmen, your bowlers, and your fieldsmen you will get their very best; that's what you arc there for ! A NOTED BOWLER. There is a burst of spontaneous handciapping when it is seen that Wilfred Rhodes is going to take off his sweater, writes “Uoogly” in the “ Daily Mail.” For Rhodes is among the classic cricketers, and to watch him bowl —whether you favour the whit-e rose ot Yorkshire or lend your partisanship to their particular opponents of the momerit—is decidedly an event. Compactly made, his face burnt brick-red through a life spent in open air and sunshine, and as placid over his cricket as over his bowls, he has a natural style of bowling that charms because it is so smooth and restful. If they play cricket in the Elysian fields, Rhodes should always lie sure of his place in one of the elevens. Starting on his heels, he comes at little more than walking pace up to the wicket with a few of the easiest strides you would see in a day’s march. It is a

of last season Smith thought aboyt giving up playing for Linwood but he liar, been persuaded to turn out again for them. Smith proved a very useful man last season. He is one of those cool, steady type of batsmen who can go in when things are running badly for their side and make runs. Smith’s batting averago in the senior competition last season was 30.4. He made one century. G. W. Russell will be playing again. Last season Russell was one of the best all round players in the.team. His batting average was 2<5.9 and he took thirty-five wickets at a cost of 572 runs, an average of 16.3 R. Read will also be available. As a bowler he was very valuable last, season, his bowling average being 13.3 (fifty-eight wickets for 776 runs). Linwood hove several promising young players to draw upon, and it certainly looks as if they will prove a strong combination. riccarton senior team. Eight men who played for Riccarton last season are practically certain to be playing again this season, and they should form a good nucleus for the team. They are J. L. Powell, C. E. Guinev, rt. F. J. Powell, C. E. Evans, H. B. AVliitta. C T. Rix. K R. Cavgill, and Iv. B. Bain A. G. Fuller, who kept wickets for Riccarton last year, hau expiessed a desire to retire to make room for a younger player. However, it is not certain whether Riccarton will be able to find a suitable substitute. It is reported that T. Milliken has joined Riccarton. When he was at High School Milliken showed considerable ability as a-wicket-keeper, and 119 may keep wickets for Riccarton if Fuller does not play. Milliken was also a von- fair bat when he was at High School. On last season’s form amongst the most promising juniors that Riccarton have are "VV. T. Langbein as a bowler and .3. Butler as a bat. Butler came from Australia towards the end of last season. He played only four innings for Riccarton juniors and his averago was 37. Riccarton should liavefa fairly strong batting - c ide this season. C. E. Guinev headed the Riccarton batting averago last season. Owing to an injury Guinev was not able to take part in all the matches. He played in nine innings and his average was 33.75. Guinev came sixth in the senior competition batting averages. E. R. Oaygill, with an average- of 33.14 was second in the Riccarton batting averttges and seventh in the senior competition averages. Other good batting averages by Riccarton players were H. B. Wliitta 26.57. K. B. Bain 23.50. and R. F. J. Powell 23.40. It will thus be seen that Riccarton should prove a fairly strong butting side this season.

“run” that is not really a “run”; and everything eh>e about his action is equally simple, equally untiring. With a- quarter of a century’s firstclass experience behind it. his left arm comes over like a well-oiled piston rod Finger-spun, the ball is lligbted rather high, and, apparently quit/e innocently, ft seems to have an inviting “ Here-I-Gome-hit-me-for six ” look about it. But Rhodes, unlike the conjurors/ has deception up his sleeve; and the general idea of that deception is that the batsman shall be given every facility to get himself out. The young batsman, adept enough though he be, but who wac not born when Rhodes began to play county cricket, gets in front of his wicket—a way most young ba'smen have nowadays -and tries to pus.i the simple-look-ing ball past short-leg for one. But the young batsman does not know hia Rhodes; the simplo-looking ball somehow spins off the edge of his bai towards point. It they were at the nets practising, Rhodes, who knows sufficient about batting to have gone in first in a good many test matches, would go up to the pic and quietly explain the best method of dealing with a ball that gathers pace when it pitches and comes sharply from the leg. But this being a serious mairih. he has no alternative

D. Nixon, who played towards the end of last season for Riccarton, will probably not be available this season. Iu the few matches in which he played

but. to go on with his over and let

♦he voung batsman do the best he can for himself. Jt does not prore to be a Terr good hest. This deep-chinned. imperturbable Yorkahireman is a master of length and although he appears to be Iml* more than toss the ball up. it ia full of craftily concealed guile. Year after year he takes his 100 odd wickets, and year alter year he spill continue to do so if a cricketer is as old at he locks—and as young as he Selds 1

NOTES. R. de R Worker, the ex-Canterburv and ex-Wert Christchurch plater, who ‘1 "./t resid,n e > n Dunedin, ha, been elected a member of the executive of the Otago Cricket Association. Action is being taken in Dunedin to orm a Boys' Cricket League on the lines of the one in Christchurch. i meeting of those interested in the for rnat.cn of such a league is to this week. Referring to this matter tbe Dunedin “Star” savs:—“lt has heen apparent during recent years that many young cricketers of fine promise are lost to the game on leaving school on account of the lack of a steppinckrt"” b * twccn scho ° l club < riu-

An appeal for an increase to the ranks of umpires for the cominc crick©* season was made at the annul] meet" mg of the Wellington Umpires’ Aasociatiou on Wednesday last. The re. portvof the secretary (Mr W. R. Hoot])’ showed that the association had 38 active members, of whom 30 to 32 were available matches. More were need- • !“ *? r< * er t^,at younger plavers might have the benefit of official umpires for their matches. Christchurch also eouid do with more umpires. Th© report presented at the annual meeting of th© Canterbury Umpires’ Association a few weeks ago stated that the membership of the association was twenty five, and this number included, scorers.

•Speaking at the annual meeting or the Auckland Cricket Association, th© president (Mr F. Earl. K.C.) said that last season was noteworthy, owing to th© visit of th© M.C.C. team. The standard of Auckland cricket was not low as the defeats and the scores suggested, Auckland being beaten to the super-excellence of the M.C.C ’j bowling. Auckland cricketers were not to be desponded by defeats. The southern tour had not heen a great success, from a playing point of view, but th© team was not disgraced. The prospects this year of Auckland avenging the defeats by Canterbury. Wellington and Otago in the Plunket Shield contests were bright. Mr Earl said they must- serious!v consider the matter of a coach. During th© visit- of vhe M.C.C. team the name of Tyldesley was suggested as a ccach. A proposal from an English player of high repute had been received, and negotiations would be opened up. Th© probabilities were that the association would engage his ser vices next year. He was a professional player of very high repute, and. no doubt, would do a lot of good for thu game in Auckland. The following extract from the annual report of the Timaru Old Boy* Cricket Club contains seasonable advice for all cricketers:—‘ The committee wish to stress upon all the necessitv for practice. In practice lies th© possibility ot a successful season. Individual practice is necessary, but where possible team practice should be carried out. AYe trust that all member-? will realise this season wliat practic * can do for them, and we look forward to big musters at the nets.” It is reported that Sydenham are likely to prove a formidable combina - tion this year. Practically all last year’s players are available, while ,« left hand bowler from the West Coabt has joined up with the club. W. Cunningham, who has beer over on th© Coast for some time, has returned to Christ church.

They certainly do not spar© the acid, effects iu Australia when they start to criticise. Mr J. Darling, M.L.C.. a former Australian eleven captain, to! i a meeting at Hobart exactly what ho thought of the protection of wickets in Australia, which prevents the Austra lians from having experience of bad wickets. He pointed out that this practice would result in a team going to Eu&iand. striking a wet season, and being well beateu through having no practice on wet wickets. “It is an everlasting disgrace for the authorities to cover the wickets in the interests of gate-money rather tfian the best in terest« of the sport,” he said.

The decision of the committee of the Canterbury Cricket Association that, competition matches should be played on New Zealand Cup Day (November 3> is not regarded favourably by man/ cricketers. As a rule, in the past competition matches have not been piaye i on New Zealand Cup Day r and thoe© cricketers who like to go to a race meeting occasionally have appreciated the opportunity of getting out to see the Cup run. If the competition matche* are played on November 3. many of the teams are likely to take the field short-handed, thus creating an unsatisfactory state of affairs. At its annual meeting last week the Ric carton Club decided to protect against this decision of the committee andothe.protests are likely to be forthcoming The committee would bo well advise : to reconsider their decision.

A trophv has beeu donated to the Linwood Club bv Mr Bate« in memory of his son. the late W. A. Bates, who was a junior plaver of the club. A bat for competition amongst, players lies been donated to th© club by Mr H. G. Hutcheson. It has not yet been decided how these- trophies shall be a! lotted. .