CRICKET.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XII, Issue 712, 29 October 1903, Page 13

CRICKET.

Pohsonby won the toss against Parnell and ■ went in to bat. The latter were generally considered to be a very strong team, but the Westerners made a very creditable showing, putting together 112 runs. Pomeroy top-scored with 21, while others to do well were W. Robinson 20, M. Walker 17, Sims 15, and R. Woods 13. J. R. Lundon did best with the ball, taking 3 wickets for 28 runs. When time was called, Parnell had lost 4 wickets for 31.

Thanks to a fine stand by W. F. Warren and Barry, North Shore managed to put together 121 before the last wicket fell. These two players were the only Two-figure scores, the' first-named hitting up 64 before Nicholson found his wicket, while Barry made 24. Magee, with 5 for 34, was the most destructive trundler. City lost one wicket for 32, so the match is in a very open state.

Grafton leading off against Eden commenced badly, but some bright cricnei was shown by the . tail, and 131 was on the slate, when the last wicket fell. Sloman 24, Clayton 21, C. Hay 18, Stevenson 14, Kallender 12, and Bowden 10, did best for the Black and Whites. W. Mills took 5 wickets for 53. Eden put together 58 for 3 wickets, W. B. Smith making 30, and H. B. Lusk 20.

The cup contests were continued on Saturday, at Wellington. In the Midland v. Wellington* match Wellington’s first innings totalled 130, Richardson (44), Mahoney (23), S. Hickson (13), C. Gore (ii). Midland are leading by 32 on the first innings. Phoenix defeated Old Boys by 65 runs. The winner’s second innings totalled 152, while Old Boys were disposed of for 66.

Saturday’s cup cricket at Christchurch, Sydenham met Lancaster Park and scored 127, Reese (34), Kinvig (29). Callaway and Wilding dividing the wickets. The Park team have lost seven wickets for 119. C. Ridley (30), Wilding (24). Midland were dismissed by United for 147, H. Lawrence (81). Olli ver, Fisher, and E. Frankish divided the wickets. United have lost five wickets for 41.

The Associations of Victoria and South Australia have agreed to pay each of the players who take part in the Test matches £25 per match as remuneration, in addition to travelling and hotel expenses. New South Wales has not exactly fallen in line, but it will probably do so, as the Association has given power to the executive committee to make the arrangements, and has, moreover, altered the rules relating to professionalism or non-am ate uri sm.

The Victorian batsman, Harry Graham, who has been engaged to coach the Dunedin Boys’ High School at the rate of £5 per week, is expected to arrive about the end of the month to take up- his duties.

The Otago Cricket Association will probably engage F. Shacklock, a Notts professional to act as coach this season. The “ Witness ” says : Shacklock has a splendid delivery—an easy action until his arm has completed a half-circle, when the limb turns speedily, the ball pitched a good length, and “ doing a bit ” all the way. He mixes his bowling with judgment, several of his “ specials ” being very dangerous. With the bat Shacklock shapes excellently, and appears to be a good allround man. I trust that the Otago Cricket Association will stretch a point to retain the services l of the old Notts player.

The English County —Championship matches played this season numbered 152, of which 93 were won and 59 left drawn, while six were abandoned altogether, without a start having been passible. These figures are somewhat better than those of 1902, when out of 154 matches 83 were won, as against 71 left unfinished, and two abandoned.