CRICKET

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume VIII, Issue 386, 16 December 1897, Page 8

CRICKET

[By

Stonewaller.

The third I’ound of the Auckland Cricket Association Championships was brought to a close on Saturday last, when United, Parnell, and Auckland Fifteen scored wins over North Shore, Gordon, and Auckland Eleven respectively. The positions of the senior teams at the present junc-

On the form at the present time United seem likely to repeat their performance of last year and carry off the Cup. The greatest turn-up of the season to date was Parnell’s victory over Gordon, in which, on the previous week’s play, the Eastern suburbs did not appear to have a hope. However, the unexpected happened, brought about in no small measure by a combination of unlooked-for circumstances. Firstly, Gordon, after putting on 126 on the first day’s play for the loss of four wickets, failed to carry the total beyond 159, an addition of only 33 runs for the remaining wickets (one man short). Then Parnell, seizing the “straw,” made the most of it, put on 118 for the loss of five wickets and declared the innings closed, thus taking the apparently poor chance of getting rid of Gordon in the next hour for less than 63 runs —this being the number the latter required to win —and they did it. Pabst and Kelly were unavoidably away, Kyd was not fit to bat, and Ford, for some reason best known to himself — probably under the impression that his side would get the required number easily enough without his services—absented himself from the field some time during the afternoon. Consequently, the seven wickets left went under for 58 runs three minutes before the call of time, Gordon thus losing the day on the completed game by 5 runs, whereas if there had been a man present to keep the sticks from falling, time would have run out, and the game would have gone to Gordon by a substantial majority on the first innings. On the other hand I must congratulate the Parnellites —- who snapped up every chance—on their capital fielding, also Lawson (43, not out), Mills (22), and Totman (22) for piling on the runs by good cricket, the former in particular forciug matters. The United Eleven whipped North Shore in hollow fashion on the first innings play, running up 192 against the suburban players 67, a majority of 125. Stemson, who reached 77 before succumbing lbw to Warren, played sterling cricket for his quota, while Marshall also played in nice style for his contribution of 30. The Auckland Fifteen, gave the Eleven of the same club a rare shaking up, winning by thirteen wickets, and then—to add to the drubbing-—gave them considerable leather-hunting. Rubbing it in with a vengeance, surely. For the winners Hill batted remarkably well, but his style is hardly as taking as effective. Stevenson, the recently-promoted colt, took six of the senior wickets for 28 runs, and if he continues performing with the ball as at present the Eleven will not be able to keep him out. The team to represent Auckland against Canterbury will be chosen on Saturday. As mentioned elsewhere the preliminary eighteen have not been putting in much practice, but with men in such buckle as Kallender, D. Hay, Mills, and one or two others, they are bound to be a strong batting side. The Canterbury representative cricket team for the North Island tour, which will reach Auckland in time to open theii’ match against this province on the 27th, will embrace the following payers : —C. Boxshall, C. R. Clark, L. T. Cobcroft, C. W. Gerrard, W. C. Pearce, A. Sims, A. E. Ridley, H. C. Ridley, D. Reese, F. Wilding, J. Wheatley, and W. C.’H. Wigley. The,following players signified their inability to make the trip : —J. D. Lawrence, F. S. Frankish, and F. C. Stevenson. The committee reserved to themselves the right to make alterations in the team, should any of the selected fail to attend practice regularly. Speaking of the selection the cricket writer of the Christchurch Press says : —From what I can gather the above selection has been fairly well received in cricket circles in Christchurch, although, as is universally the case, there are some who adversely criticise the team. Of late, Clark, Sims, and Wheatley have hardly shown their best form with the bat, but as far as the last-named player is concerned, it must be stated that he has been given out leg-before-wicket in his last two innings for scores of 1 and 4, but previous to that he showed good form. Sims has not batted so well since he went off towards the close of last season, but the better the class of match he plays in he appears to rise to the occasion, and he may regain his form before the tour starts. Clark has done but little with the bat, but he is worth his place in the team on account of his fielding, added to which he should prove useful as a change bowler. Wigley fairly played his way into the team by his performance on Saturday. Apart from Boxshall, the wicketkeeper, all of the others are likely run-getters. The bowling does notread as very formidable, as, although several trundle fairly, there is not a bowler of the calibre of Robertson amongst them. If the team fail to return with an unbeaten record, they should at least render a good account of themselves. It will certainly not be the fault of the Aucklanders if the Christchurch reps do not win the match here, as the eighteen chosen so far have shown very little disposition to indulge in prac-

tice. Some of the eighteen I have never yet seen at the nets. The Giffen controversy has assumed such different phases that it is difficult to say what is the exact position just now. The writer has carefully studied all the newspapers, and he finds that Giffen has a bad knee, but, under certain circs., the knee can rapidly recover. Giffen has certainly had a difference with Ben. Wardill, but, although the two are considerably estranged just now, the great George still regards deal old Ben as his best-loved brother, and is prepared to weep on his neck at a week’s notice (cheque enclosed). .There is truth in the rumor that George sticks out for an extra £5O, but it isn’t a money matter; George will gladly play, and pay his own expenses if necessary, provided the team elects him captain and allows him to bowl unchanged for three years —and he’d like to bat for a similar period without being given out. And yet people talk learnedly about “ the Giffen difficulty.”—Sydney Pulletin. Mr Henniker Heaton has advised Mr Smith, secretary of the New Zealand Cricket Association, that there is every probability of the English Parliamentary team visiting New Zealand, but nothing definitely will be fixed until March. “ Long Tom” Rokemin Richardson may yet be the founder of a school of bowlers in Australia. At a club pennant match in Melbourne the other day it was noticeable that two bowlers on one side had developed the long Richardson gallop up to the wicket, and the Richardson delivery. But they managed to keep a more consistent length than Thomas. The New South Wales cricket team mentioned some time sit.ee as likely visitors to this colony will not come this season, having now decided to defer the tour until next year. “ Cricket Critic” : It is very evident that, with a fair share of luck, the Englishmen will win the majority of the test matches, owing to their undoubted superiority in catching. Just look at the matches already played—Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane. While the home teams consistently miss catches, the visitors snap up nearly every possible catch offered by their opponents ; in fact, in the Sydney match, I don’t believe the Englishmen dropped one “possible” during the two innings I It won’t do to give men like Ranji or McLaren two or three “lives.” The innings of the former at Adelaide and the latter.at Brisbane are object lessons. Both were missed before they’d scored! Result, over 180 a-piece at the finish. By the way, Ranji, so far is the only Englishman who has made 100 runs or more without a chance—viz, in the second innings against N.S.W.

ture are as under :— Club. Played. Won. Lost. Parnell 3 3 0 United 3 3 0 North Shore 3 I 2 Gordon 3 1 2 Auckland Fifteen ... 3 1 — Auckland Eleven 3 0 3