CRICKET.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIV, Issue 826, 4 January 1906, Page 12

CRICKET.

(By

“Yorker.”)

THE REPRESENTATIVE TEAM. Wanganui, December 27. Auckland had an easy victory in their match with Wanganui, winning by an innings and 68 runs. The Wanganui men in their first innings made 134, and several batsmen showed fair form. H. rs. Cave, in particular, played nice cricket—somewhat of the slow, steady order, but very correct. His mng stand and 35 runs were invaluable to his side. He watched all the bowlers very carefu.ly, and made no mistakes until he was clean bowled by Stemson, who beat him with a slow hanging ball on the off stump. Cave was a liJttie too soon for it, and paid the peantly. 1 regret to say the next best man for the Wanganui side was Mr. Extras—3o —a result which was the consequence of the wicket-keeper’s inability to take McNeil’s fast stuff, which at first was somewhat erratic. This bowler, however, sent down some very good overs once he got his length. Another batsman who showed out was F. Beaven, whose 18 (not out) was really nicely made. His runs were made by good free cricket, mostly in off drives which were kept well along the carpet. G. Marshall, who has the reputation of being a very good bat, and made 70 odd against the English team at Wanganui, was manifestly out of form. He was caught in the slips off Cliff in the first innings for next to nothing and in the second was caught behind the wickets off SLemson. He was never at home to the latter bowler, who concealed his pace very effectively. Churchil. another double figure man, partnered Cave in the first real stand of the innings. His strokes were effective, but somewhat rough. Auckland’s first pair were Hemus and Lusk. Both batsmen opened fairly confidently, Hemus especially getting to work very quickly and scoring eight off the first over. This batsman monopolised the bowling, and continued to make good use of his opportunities, cutting, driving, and glancing. His 49 was a brisk and attractive contribution, and augurs well for his chances of success in the more important engagements in the South. Lusk started we 1, but was caught at the wickets before he got fairly going. Wanganui’s w cket-keeper, Sykes, hough not a top-notcher, was no slouch in the posxtion, and no liberties could be taken by the batsmen. D. Hay filled Lusk’s place, but after running a dozen or so runs for Hemus, who continued to score rapidly, he lifted one to Broad in the long field and retired with a single on the score-sheet.

Haddon was the next Aucklander to join Hemus, and shortly after his arrival 50 appeared on the board. That Hemus was responsible for 41 of the total gives some idea of the rate he was scoring at. Haddon went a b t “ gingerly” at the start, but soon settled down into his stride, and anything loose, especially balls on the short s’de, were severely dealt with.

Just when there appeared to be good prospects of an attractive and fruitful partnership Hemus was caught by Church’ll off Luxford at square leg. Wanganui’s ground fie ding was not of a very high order, but they made few mistakes in the a r. Li’ttle Oliff was the next on the list. He opened in h’s usual business-like manner, and was soon helping Haddon to p’le on the runs. Unfortunately when his score was 24 he had a misunderstanding with his partner and was run out. Auckland’s skipper fil'ed the gap, and stayed with Haddon unt’l play closed for the day. Haddon’s inn’ngs was not of the same order of merit as his North Shore performance a few weeks back, but it was, nevertheless, an extremely useful contribution, and his 75 runs were well made. The wicket was ready good, but t struck me somewhat slow for Haddon. The stroke which struck me most—and he has a fa r number—was a forcing drive which he frequently made off short and good length balls past mid off to the boundary. It doesn’t strike one as being particularly safe, but made by the player it is extremely effective and attractive. Al' his strokes were kept well down, h's pulls included. Haddon ended up yesterday with 70. but only succeeded in getting five more on starting again this morn ng. Elliott played very steadily, and was successful in increasing his overnight score of 24 to 42.

After Haddon’s downfa’l Eli ott was joined by his clubmate, Brocke-Smith. Smith made 24 before he was bowled by Broad, who chucks down a fairly good ball with an occasional curl in the a’r. He was batting n’cely, and looked like making a score when his end came.. The balance of the runs were practi-

cally made by Stemson. His 49 were chiefly completed during his partnership with Elliott, the latter be ng satisfied to let the runs come from Stemson’s end. Inc uded in his score was the only sixer of the match, a hit clean over the fence. Auckland’s 293 was only a fair total, all th ngs considered. The wicket was a very good one—very like the North Shore pitch, though not so fast. The Wanganui bowling was only moderately god, and lacked variety. The game was cont nued on the Wednesday, with the weather looking threatening. The open’ng day had been beaug fully fine, the light being perfect. Play began at 11.30 on the second day, and the rain held off until about one o’clock, when a light drizzle started and continued until about three p.m., when play was aga'n started with Wanganui in for the second time. The grass, of course, was wet, but the wicket . was little affected, and runs should have come quick y. The batsmen seemed afraid cf the bowling, which, notwithstanding the wet ball, was really good. There was, of course, no work to be got, but Stemson and McNeill both kept a good length and sent down some splendid overs. Brooke-Smith, of Eden, was given a trial in McNeil’s place at the last of the innings, and came out with the fine average of 2 overs 3 w ckets 1 run. The ball he took his second wicket with was a clinker, coming back from the off like a streak.

The fielding of the Auckland team was good. Some good catches were made, and only one missed, a return to Lusk off h's own bowling, which that player elected to take in one hand when both' were available. The same player took two nice catches in the slips. Owing to sickness on the trip down Sammy Jones was not well enough toplay, and Selector Ohlson fil ed his place tor the occasion. Ohlson made very few runs, but fielded well, making two good catches. Onewas an especially good piece of work at cover, a one-handed catch when the ball appeared to be well out of reach. Jones is now recovered, and the team, which picks up Hussey at Wellington, should be in full force against Otago. Jones stood umpire during the match.

Our cr’cket correspondent with theAuckland team wires from Dunedin le the Otago match as follows: — There was a good wicket, on the slow side, but rather easy. The weather was overcast, with occasional I’ght showers, but there was not sufficient wet to damage the wicket. Wilson, the ex-Vic-torian rep., played a so id game all round the wickets, be ng especially severe on leg. stuff. He got in several real old leg hits clean over the boundary. Jones missed him early in the innings off Stemson, otherwise it was a fan tless display.

Graham’s 44 was a lively and characteristic innings, with beaut ful cuts through the slips. Austin and Howden shaped nicely, the latter especially beng very stylish. With the exception of a catch missed early in Graham’s .’nnings, and the one above mentioned. Auckland fielded very fairly, although the placing of the men was noticeably bad. Hemus and Lusk made a good start, both batting confidently. The featureof Hemus’ 57 was the nice late cuts, off Downes and others through the slips. Lusk scored mostly by pull'ng and off driving, and bdth watched the bowling well. Haddon hatted confidently all the time, and made several very sweet strokes. Stemson’s bowling was consistent y good, and he had two chances missed. The Auckland men are all shaping well at practice, and in good f.’ltle.

There has hardly been the usual amount of holiday cricket, but some very good scores were made. Playing for Auckand College and Grammar School v. Helensville little Forster, a brother of the Grafton senior, got 126 in a very attractive manner, only giving one difficult < liance off a leg stroke. Next day he paid a further tribute to Jones’ coaching by making 49 against the bowling of Sloman, Hay. and Grevile. Mulgan got 61 very nicely out of Grammar School’s total of 308.

Sloman and Eastgate did some good bowl ng whi’e away with the Grafton team, who defeated both Papakura and Maungatawhiri. They were very pleased with their treatment on the trip. • ♦ ♦ •

Kallender, who has not p ayed for a couple of months, did some big hitting during the holidays. May there be more to follow, as all enjoy watching the big fellow make runs.

I am informed that at their annual* pr’ze-giw’ng the St. John’s boys were presented with a cup for winning the secondary schools’ championship. As they didn’t win the eompetit’on, some explanation is needed, which T hope to furnish later on.

The annual Otago and Canterbury game was played last webk, and furnished an unpleasant incident over the w cket on the third day, the umpire expressing the opin on that it had been tampered with . No particulars are yet to hand, but as Canterbury were batt: ng, and ■to protested, presumab'y an attempt had been made to improve the pitch. Details are awaited with interest.

Otago gdb 155 and 208 to Canterbury's 122 and 159, and thus won by 82 runs. Graham got 60 and 47, and Siedeberg 90, while the best scores on the losers s'de were Orchard’s 33 and Ca laway’s 31.

Playing against Marlborough, Taranaki put together the high score of 380 for three wickets.