OTAGO CRICKET.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1244, 19 February 1914, Page 17

OTAGO CRICKET.

INTERPROVINCIAL, MATCHES. (By Telegraph—Dunedin Correspondent) MONDAY, February 16. Harry Seideberg, the well-known Otago and New Zealand cricketer, -who was captain of Otago against Canterbury in the match concluded to-day, had exceedingly bad luck on the first day. He was fielding in his usual place at cover-point, and when he had occasion to stop a hot one from Patrick he shot his right down to stop the ball, which jerked his thumb back, dislocating and splitting it at the same time. The injury was exceedingly painful, and Siedeberg was unable to play for the rest of the match. Strangely enough, the emergency who filled his place was clean bowled in each innings without scoring. Otago was distinctly unlucky in losing Siedeberg, who had been showing his oldtime form in recent matches. The celebrations in connection with the jubilee of matches between Canterbury and Otago were commenced on Thursday with a match between veteran ex-representatives of the provinces. The Otago team included .some famous players of an earlier .generation. Among the notables were Fisher, Baker, Johnston, Brixford, and others whose names are written large in Otago and New Zealand cricket. The match resulted in a win for Otago by nine wickets. The teature of the game was the batting of Baker, who compiled 103 not out by clean hitting all round the wicket. It was the old “Jim” Baker, the hero of many a big cricket fight, come back. On the strength of this performance Baker, whose days were thought to be numbered, has been selected to captain Otago against Southland in the match commencing this week. The Canterbury veterans’ team., which was defeated by Otago in the Jubilee match at Dunedin on Thursday, paid a graceful compliment to the veteran “Jim” Baker, of Otago,

who made a century against the visitors, by presenting him with the ball used in the match.

Canterbury has the Indian sign on Otago in representative cricket. Since 1906 this province has not won a match against Canterbury, who again defeated Otago to-day by an innings and 32 runs. This was a Plunket Shield match, and Canterbury retained it with a team which was without the services of Dan Reece, Sandman, and Hickmott. Canterbury created a new record by compiling 442. The previous best to .these matches was 382, established as far back as 1880. Canterbury was greatly assisted in this score by the wretched lofty fielding of Otago, who are now bemoaning the evils of the dropped catch. The most serious defection was the dropping three times of Patrick, who so appreciated the tolerance of the Otago fieldsmen that he went on and compiled 118 before he was finally disposed of. The Canterbury batting was solid rather than brilliant. Whitta, Cargill, and Patrick did the bulk of the scoring, and showed the best form.

Despite his three chances, Patrick batted splendidly, some of his square shots being a treat to see. The cricket throughout was bright and interesting, while all the glorious uncertainties of this uncertain game were dramatically realised. The batting of Canterbury was solid right down to the last man, the distinction being most marked when compared with Otago. In all departments of the game Canterbury proved its superiority. Canterbury’s ninth wicket on Saturday morning was exceedingly productive, putting on 106 runs to the overnight’s score, carrying the innings to a fresh record mark. Otago was called upon to face high figures on opening their first innings, and although the wicket was playing true and the conditions generally were excellent few had the courage to suggest that the home side would be equal to the task of getting within reach, yet no one dreamt of the disaster that was to happen to the pick of the Otago batsmen, nor of the wonderful recovery that was to be made by the last wicket. Batsman after batsman went out to the crease to fall a victim to superior bowling, sheer ill-luck, and their own rashness, until eight of the best wickets were down for 75. Tuckwell, who was looked upon to make a stand, was the victim of circumstances not unattended in cricket, but McFarlane simply threw his wicket away by attempting an impossible run. It was left to Chadwick, who was chosen owing to the inability of Condliffe to play, and Higgins to save Otago from rout and disgrace. This pair once started never looked back until they had taken the score from 75 for the eighth to 187 for the ninth wicket, when Higgins succumbed, after a sound innings, for 40.

Chadwick batted with rare freedom, and looked as if he might have continued without end had there been anyone to stay with him. His not out innings of 71 at such a critical stage in Otago’s first innings was invaluable.

Otago had to follow on to attempt to save an innings’ defeat, but they were not successful. After losing three wickets for 141 overnight, the team were dismissed this morning for 215. Tuckwell gave a fine exhibition of batting for 52, but McFarlane, who got 62, was extremely lucky. Bennett bowled very well for Canterbury, and Wilson, a googly bowler, also had several of the Otago batsmen tied up. The ground fielding of Canterbury was excellent, and the standard of their cricket all round was immeasurably superior to the home side. Of the 54 matches played between the provinces, Canterbury has won 30, Otago 23, and one has been drawn. The New Zealand Cricket Council has made very bad terms with Mr. A. Sims over the Australians’ New Zealand tour, and there is not much likelihood of profit to the Association and the Council over the deal. It is understood that in provincial matches the Australians take 60 per cent, of the gross gate money. The local ground generally takes 25 per cent., leaving the local associations only 15 per cent., out of which the ground expenses have to be taken. In the test matches the Council is on a little better wicket, for the Australians get 50 per cent, gross takings, while the grounds take from 20 to 50 per cent., but the New Zealanders’ travellingexpenses, as well as ground expenses, have to come out of New Zealands’ 25 to 30 per cent.