CANTERBURY NEEDS BOWLERS WITH STING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18887, 11 October 1929, Page 4

CANTERBURY NEEDS BOWLERS WITH STING.

Batsmen Of Promise Abound, And Grade Competitions Should Be Very Lively.

OLD BOYS AGAIN LOOK A STRONG SIDE, BUT UPSETS ARE SURE TO HAPPEN.

'V\7' rrH ' 1116 opening to-morrow of grade matches in the ▼ » Canterbury Cricket Association’s competition, supporters of cricket are beginning to wonder how the game will get on in Canterbury this season, how the province will fare in its interprovincial fixtures, and how the local competition will result. One thing is certain. There are heaps of promising cricketers in Canterbury, and many whose capabilities have been proved. There is the nucleus of a good representative team, and only the progress of the season will show just how good the real eleven will be

Last season showed that Canterbury wants good bowlers. The batsmen invariably did their bit, but the other provinces made some terrific scores against Canterbury, and the result was that Canterbury had two draws and one loss in matches played. This year, to improve performance, the Canterbury team must include bowlers with more variety and more sting. For a long time the brunt of the work has been done by Riinningham ( Read, and a few others, and it is a fact that the batsmen of the other provinces seem to have them “set.” Merritt can be looked to for some excellent work, but it must be remembered that a slow bowler of his stamp is rather a change bowler than a bowler who is to be put on for over after over. That happened on occasions last year, and the result was that the opposing batsmen were able to study his deliveries for over after over, and as a result, his chances of taking a lot of wickets dwindled. Task of Selector. The selector this year will have to be very thorough in looking over the younger bowlers in the club competitions, and seeing that those who show promise get their chance. There are many young players whose performances last year show that they are capable of developing to representative standard.

As far as batting is concerned, the Canterbury side have good prospects. The only serious loss is that of Jacobs, whose transfer to Dunedin lobs Canterbury of one of the most promising batsmen who have been here for a long time. Jacobs has already been two years in the representative team, and has some excellent scores to his credit, and his style of play and youth .leave no doubt that he will be heard a lot of in in future. Satsmen of Promise.

Of the other young batsmen, Hamilton. Merritt, Harris, Roberts, Lester, Allen, Powell; and Alexander are some of those whose nannies come immediately to the fore, . Of those, Hamilton, and Merritt have already got so far as gaining their New Zealand caps. Hamilton is a batsman with all the temperament necessary, a sound knowledge of the game, and some excellent strokes. He has made scores on many occasions for the province, and should be well in front of those who score for the province this year. Added to. that he is an excellent fieldsman. Merritt first came into the limelight as a “googly” bow ier, but since his debut he has shown that he is a batsman of more than ordinary promise, and has made big scores against all comers, as well as being a consistent performer in club cricket. Powell played in the representative team last year without any great success, but it has been the contention of many followers of the game that if Powell were to steady down his inclination to go for a hit, he would be one of the best batsmen in Canterbury He has a free and powerful style and a great eye. Allen is a young plaver who only came over to the Cricket Association last year. He played for Riccarton, and made some fine scores in a manner that stamped him as one of the coming batsmen. This year, provided he makes the improvement

that can reasonably be expected, Allen should find his way into the represe ;- tative team. He is a useful wicketkeeper as well. Harris, the Old Boys’ colt, is one of the most attractive batsmen in the province, and he is another who should get close to the reps, this season. Lester, who has not been very successful so far, is another batsman duo for a good season. Alexander, of West Christchurch, made good sco-es last year.

In fact, there is a wealth of young batting talent in Canterbury, and there is a certain amount of experience with which to leaven what will undoubtedly be a young team. Gregory is still a force to be reckoned with, and M. L. Page is an all-rounder and a captain of merit. If only some bowlers can be discovered and developed, the Canter bury side should be one that will do credit to themselves and the province.

Old Boys a Strong Side. Of the grade competitions, little can be said except that they will be close and interesting. Old Boys will be first pick by most, as they will undoubtedly have a very strong side. Old B«.vs have a team full of men who are capable of making spores, and the side have a variety of attack which is a very great asset. Merritt, on his own. is a terror to club batsmen, and he was largely responsible for Old Boys’ win last season. West Christchurch were the runners-up last year, and i r . is certain that they will be strong again this year. Riccarton have a good team also. The other clubs all showed last year that they have plenty of young talent coming on, and just what that promise realises will be interesting to follow. Old Collegians showed at the end of the season that they are capable of winning matches. There will probably be more upsets than usual in the grade games this year.

A SOLILOQUY BY ARTHUR MAILEY.

In the Sydney “Sttn” of October 2, Arthur Mailey writes amusingly on the subject of Australian cricket prospects : —: Another big cricket season ahead of us. Amateur selectors

already picking the next Australian XI., Ryder, Ponsford, Woodfull, Oldfield,, Kippax, Jackson, Bradman and Grimmett considered to be certainties. You can never tell, though “Kippy” was considered a

certainty last time the team was being chosen for England, yet he missed the bus! That was certainly a bad break on the part of the selectors. Everybody wants to see Charlie Macartney in the team for England—that is, everybody but the English bowlers, probably, especially Macaulay, of Yorkshire. What a punching the little chap gave the Yorkshireman at Leeds! Reminds me of the late Little Tich’s faiAourite song— When I play cricket I give that ball a punching; I score a couple of hundred runs And then retire for luncheon. Met a Canadian bowler named B<M> Wookey recently, in Toronto. He showed me a badl} bent and absolutely useless finger. “See that,” he said, "Charlie Mac drove a ball back at me ’way back in 1913. “Bad luck. Bob,” I said. “No, good luck,” he replied; “it might have hit me on the leg and I do hate crutches.” Personally, I think Charlie Mac is determined to rest on his laurels. Jack Ryder will probably be skipper of the team. Jack is one of the straightest fellows who ever played cricket. Pity he is not a better orator, t! ough. Shakespeare might well have had such a man as Tack in mind when he wrote:— “I am no orator, a Brutus is; But, as you know me all, a plain blunt man, That love my friei.d ” Nevertheless, the bat is at all times nightier than the honeyed word, and. after all, it is better to have one’s opponent on toast 1 the field than toast him gracefully at a banquet. I sincerely hope the selectors will not forget Hornibrock. With tuition he would probably become the most dangerous bowler on English wickets Young Alexander, the Victorian fast bowler, should also be watched. He is probably the fastest bowler in Australia at present. Stockily built, just as poor old Tibby Cottar was. Others who might be knocking at the selectors’ door are Hooker and Fairfax (N.S.W.), Whitfield and Wall (S.A.), Oxenham (Queensland), and a’Beckett (Victoria). Seems to be a scarcity of slow bowlers. I wonder if I —; but, nt>, really I must do some work.

After Oldfield, Jack Ellis seems to lie the best wicketkeeper in Australia. He is probably Oldfield’s equal when keeping to fast and fast medium bowleI" Haven't heard j-uch about Jack Gregory lately, but would choose him for England for batting and slip fielding alone. Hard t imagine an Australian XI. without a Gregory Like Hamlet without a Prince, or an election without Billy Hughes

TEAMS ANNOUNCED FOR TO-MORROW'S MATCHES. OLD COLLEGIANS CLUB. First v. Riccarton, at Hagley No 2 Bean, Burrough, Bruges, Coop, Dunster, I. M. Hamilton, W J v' Hamilton, Jackman, It. O. Talbot" r;* T," Talbot. ‘ . * Second v. Boys’ High School, at Elmwood No. I—Barwick, Crowley Ea rl Gibson, A. C. Graham, R. H. T. Hamilton, Hobbs, Mair, Meredith-Kaye Parson, Wynn-Williams. * * Third v. West Christchurch, at Elmwood No. 2—Bloxani, Cooper, Cocks Farthing, J. D. Godfrey, Haworth. Head’ Heasley, P. M. Perry, Pidgeon, O d’ Williams. All players are requested to be on the ground ten minutes before the match starts. Anyone unable to play please ring W. S. Coop, 31-090. LINWOOD CLUB. First grade v. Old Boys, at Haelev No. I—R. Read, S„ Yates, F. Smithf G. Condliffe, R. Bishop, W. T. Miller A Davis, F. Kerr, S. C. Orchard, H. Westwood, M. Boon. Second grade v. West Christchurch, at Lancaster No. I—S. Rich, H. Snooks, J. Prosper, W. Laffey, B. Vine, W. Chaston, W. M’Laughlin, C. Gordon, W. L. King, O. Evans, W. Boddingtoru Third grade A v. S. Bede’s, at St Bede’s No. I—T. Dineen, R. Chaston. H. Hodgson, T. Millard, W. Grey, W. Silvester, H. Francis, P. Lye, C. Sneddon, D. Millard, W. Fitzsimmons. Third grade B v. Riccarton B, at Lancaster No. 3—L. Anderson. F. Jenkins, A. Leverett, W. Hill, C. Griffen, W. Withers, Priest, J. Leech, L. Evans, L. Fleete, W. Stonehouse, A. Clapshaw, A. Murray. Fourth grade v. Sydenham B, at Lancaster No. 4—W. Staff, H. Squire, H. Patterson, A. Parke, W. Price, J. W. Black, R. Brown, E. Kimber, A. Lee, A. Simpson, W. Scott, C. Williams, R. Linton, J. Burke. Fifth grade v. Boys’ High School, at Straven Road No. 3—W. Howard, R. Moir, A. Mitchell, L. Falconer. A. Vallance, L. Fox, A. Falgar, W. Bowen, J. Banfield, G. Ellis, V. Empson, E. F. Hamburger, H. Sykes, J. Coutts, M. Johnston. Any player whose name has been l omitted is asked to communicate with the secretary, 55, Matheson’s Road, Linwood. CITY COUNCIL CLUB. Seniors v. Beckenham, at No. 4, Sydenham Park—L. Athfield, G. Newton, R. Chinnery, C. Quaid, D. Quaid, J. Gordon, A Harry, M. Wilson, W. Smythe, A Hislop, F. HorwelL Juniors v. Riccarton, at Riccawton— E. Chappel, C. Price, F. Merrin, A Anderson, W. Hollands, F. Quinn, D. Dyer. IL Peart, G. Wilson, C. Horwell, D. WilMERIVALE CLUB. Third Grade team v. Sumner, a t Sumner—F. Dahlberg, G. Suckling, C. Dickie, N. Brosnan, A M. Brosnan, C. Webster, J. Grant, W. Murphy, W. Lodge. R. Polkinghorne, R. W. Blazey. Fourth Grade team v. New Brighton, at New Brighton—E. Cochrane, J. Jennings, F. Dickie, G. Rhodes, H. Pedlar, R. Buchanan, C. Anderson, A Rowe, H. C. Blazey, A. E. White, S. E. Pi’iestnall, A Price, W. Christensen. NEW BRIGHTON CLUB. Second team, v. Old Boys B, at New Brighton No. I—M. Bugg, A G. Cockle, E. S. Chambers, J. May, D. Jarvis, F. Turner, C. Wroth, F. Palk, M’lvor, J. Duncan, T. Eggleton, L. W. Hudson. Third team, v. West, at Brighton No. 2—W. Hopkins, P. Sherlock, A. Buckley, T. Kennedy, J. Rennie, T. C. Richards, G. Duncan, F. Iggo, D. Parsonson, F. Turner, jnr., J. Stokes, If. Crysall, G. Mather, G. Cockle. Fourth team, v. Merivale, at Brighton No. 3—Lester, Kelly, Claridge, Leckie, Mitchell, Franklin, Wedd, L. Coombridge, Whitteley, Johnson, Elliot, Evans. SHIRLEY CLUB. Seniors v. Working Men’s Club, at Shirley—Taylor, Cummings, Aris, Pitt, Marshall, Kington, Hitchcock, Archer, Campbell, Howard and Brain. Junior A v. St Albans, at St A.lbans— Fraser, Drake, Boundy, Davis, Griffiths, Streeter, S Cowper, M’Ewen, Reed, Donovan and Dixon. Third grade A v. Working Men’s Club, at Shirley—A Walker, M. Anderson, F. L. M’Kenzie, S. Bancroft, Agassiz, Truman, Algie, H. Bell, F. Rhodes, Whitehead, Johns, A. Battarbee and L. M’Kenzie. Third grade B v. Beckenham A, at Beckenham—F. C. Cowper, Worrall, Croucher, Bissett, Arts, Weekes, L. Ward, H. Ward, Wentworth, N. Cowper, Booker and Walsh. PHILLIPSTOWN CLUB. Against St Albans, at Linwood Park —G. Morris, E. Bates, W. Mapplebeok, S. Austin, P. Henderson, R. Beveridge, S. Lavery, H. Macfarlane and Olliver (3). PAPANUI CLUB. V. Riccarton, at St James Park, Papa-nui-i—Merrin, Plow’s, Ockleshaw, Hood, Dooley, Warren, Bond, Wilkinson, Roberts, Hearne, Worsdell, Everett, Longley, M’Machin. WOOLSTON CLUB. V. Beckenham, at Beckenham Park, at 2.15 p.m.—H. Nuttridge, R. Potter, W. Reeves, S. Reeves, J. Murray, A Dry den. R. Hopkins, F. Bockman, A Clark, C. Morgan, F. Morgan, F. Buckley. GREEN’S CLUB. Seniors v. Railway, at Linwood Park —F. Warr, Fk. Pitt, G. Robertson, A. Treny, J. Peterson, E. Skelton, H. French, H. Gillard, S. Clegg, G. Duggan, J. Grenfell. Juniors v. Cambridge, at Sydenham No. 2—W. M’Lauchlan, J. French, H. Watt, C. Prebble, E. Keenan, K. Sim, Fd. Pitt, C. Sturrock, A. Debenham, G. Williams, G. Pitt, W. Allsop. EAST CHRISTCHURCH CLUB. Seniors v. West Christchurch, at Hagley No. 3, at 2 p.m.—Kennedy, Alex Jones, Phelps, Davis, Mills, Brosnahan, Weston, Egan, Upton, Candlish, Gregory. Second Grade v. Rangiora. at Rangi ora.—Rollinson, Alf. Besley, Brown. Parks, King, Wilson, Flitcroft, Mansfield, Allsopp, Grimwood, C. Pearce. Bus leaves Warner’s Hotel at 1.15 p.m 3A v. Old Boys A. at Lancaster Park No. 2.—Hobson, Egan, E. Pearce, Arthur Besley, P. Davis, Handisides, San. som, L. Williams, Heatley, Alf. Jones. Boyce. SB v. Old Boys B, at Hagley Park No it. —Crooks, Kinvig, Savage, P. Williams, L. Egan, Turnbull, Smith, Suth erland, Prisk, Parks, Shirley. RICCARTON CLUB. First Grade v. Old Collegians, Hagley No. 2—Allen, Cox, Cbampness, Evans, Gibbs, Gorrie, Haines, Rix, Roberts, A.. Powell, J., Powell, F. Second Grade A v. Sydenham, at Sydenham No. 2—Marshall, Ellis, A, Ellis. S. King, Johnson. Todd, Lovett, M’Rae. Bunt, Graham, P., Grimmer. Second Grade B v. St Albans, Hagley No. 4—Andrews. P., Andrews, A, Taylor, Luttrell. Gurnsey, Robertson, Twyneham, Johns, Willis, F., Graham, 11 A win by default from < ~"°Third Grade B v. Linwood. Lancaster 3 Bull, Grenfell, Vaughan. Atkin son Nelson, Andrews, S.. Bowland. Mic’haelson, Menere, Cooper, Prebble. Fourth Grade A win by default from C °Fourth Grade B v. Papanui, at Papanui Kelly Sharrett, M’Loughlin. Hennessey, Roberts, Cox, Jackson, W., Wormald, Watson, Fawcett, Anderson. Fifth Grade v. BoyS’ High School Straven Road No. 2—Evans, J., Smith, J., Smith, A., Patton, Cornish, Hoadley. Duffy, Jackson. Dunn, Clark, Kett.

ST ALBANS CLUB. Senior v. Sydenham, at Sydenham No. I—Crawford, Cullen, Dorreen. Lindley, Pengelly, Falloon, Fraser, Saunders Pope, F. O’Brien, Thomas. Junior A v. Old Boys A at Hagley No. s—North, Johns. Logie, Sandman Mannix, Henry, D. O’Brien, Baigent. Pearce, Payne, Tucker. Junior B v. Riccarton B, at Hagley No. 4—Fairbairn, Turner, Martin, P. Martin, J. Wright, Angus. Garbutt (2), Chadwick, L. Smart, K. Cobdon. Third A v. Boys' High School, at Straven Road No. I—Simpson, Mason, H. G. Smart, Jenkins, Airey, Cobden, M’Clelland, F. England, Dunne, R. Brown. Glackin. Third B v. Spreydon, at Spreydon Domain (Domain Terrace) —Randle K. Lindley, Patrick, Simpson. Cummings, Roberts, M’Leish, Slade, Rich, Dowell. Airey. Any player not included in above please attend at Hagley Park. SYDENHAM CLUB. First Grade v. St Albans, at Sydenham No. I—F. Capstick, J. Young, M. Harper, W. STxmg, E. Gasson, C. Shackel, R. Valburton, W. Oliver, F. Bellamy, G. Slmmnnda, V Hahn. Second grade v. Riccarton, at Sydenham No. 2—C. Ayling, M. O'Malley, j. Ruston, J. Dawson. M. Patrick. D Mann. M. Gray, W. Doidge, S. Shackel, W. Tuckers, R. Puddle. Third grade v. St Andrew’s, at St An-

* drew’s—C. Bellamy, E. Edwards. C Rturge, Butterfield, A. Vivian, C. Line, R. Cook, D. Simmonds, J. Hansen, F Newton, H. Brown; emergency, W Manning. Fourth grade A v. Sumner, at Sydenham No. 3—H.- J. Mackie, W. Watt, R Milne, A. Laurie, R. Cole, L. Walsh, Len Brown, Ray Brown, W. Brown, H. Boniface, L. Hobden, F. Wise. Fourth grade B v. Linwood, at Lancaster No. 4—H. Haughey, A Hendy. J Kidson, L. Martin, H. "Reed, J. Hattersley, N. Burts, D. Hooper, L. Chambers C. Cornish, Paine; emergencies, W. Robinson, A Squire. Fifth grade win by default. Team to be packed to play friendly game with Christ's College on Saturday, October Sixth grade picked next week, or when matches start. All players to be on grounds at 1.45 for election of captains. MARI ST CLUB. Seniors v. Sunnyside, at Sunnyside— W. M'Donnell, J. Roach, G, Waine, J. Jones, W. Griffen, J. Leydon, J. Coomber, A O’Connor. M. M’Kendry. G. Blackaby, M. Noonan, P. M’Namara, G. Sharp. J. Payne. Juniors v. Working Men’s Club, at Sydenham No. I—G. Geary, M. Costello. I. Harper, C. Corliss, J. Holland, L. Foster, J. Waine, C. Kirk, J. Steere, G. Dockerty, R. Nevin, C. A. Netting. Third grade v. Stewart’s Gully at Woolston Park-—R- Dineen. R. Sutherland, L Booth, A Barnard, F. Steere. J C. Noonan, J. O'Malley, J. Toohey, J Duggan, T. Waine, J. Gillespie, J. GodWORKING MEN’S CLUB. Seniors v. Shirley, at Shirley J Flood, P. Egan, H. King, P. Peacock, H Mills, W. Lee, H. Todd, A. Mallock. C. L. Watt, J. Gray and W. West. Juniors v. Marist, at Sydenham Park —P. Anderson, R. Matthews. J. Matthews, J. Forrester, L. Evans, W. Crossen T. Pearson, D. Bioknell, A. Fyfe, S M’Laughlan and W. Hall. President’s v. Shirley, at Shirley—-J Matthews, J Armstrong, F. Fowke, C Sharp, J. Smith, L. Cutler, J. Lyons. J. Davie, J. Newsomb, C. Harbidge and A Wentworth. Bus leaves club at 1.45 p.m. for Shirley. PRESS V. VETERANS. The Veterans' Cricket Club gained a victory yesterday over a Combined Press team. Press, batting one man short, scored 160 (Williams 32, Adams 31, Puddle 30 retired, Mahoney 15 not out, Almond 14, and Stoneman 11; White, four for 53, and Fleming two for 16). Veterans scored ISI for eight wickets (M’Menamin 33 retired, Butler 22 retired, Hai’ris 22, White 21 retired, Hotz 15, Brook 13 retired, and Lye 11 not out; Archer two for 31).