CRICKET,

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1247, 12 March 1914, Page 24

CRICKET,

(By

“MID-ON.”)

The second series of matches in connection with the final round of the premiership were concluded last Saturday in weather simply perfect. It was an ideal day for cricket, just the day to make batsmen feel like making centuries. These require some getting, and Satchell (Waitemata) was the only batsman to attain the honour. Several scores over the half-century were registered, including Young (Waitemata) 72, Sloman (Grafton) 70, Wilson (Ponsonby) 67, Smeeton (Eden A) 56, Taylor (Eden A) 54, and Horspool (Eden B) 63. Good bowling averages were a scarce commodity, and only in one instance did a bowler succeed in capturing more than five wickets, and that trundler was N. C. Snedden (Ponsonby) with six wickets for 90 runs. The scoring generally was much better than on the previous Saturday, with the exception of the Devonport match. Eden A (274) scored a twopoint victory over Waitemata (147 and 203 for four wickets), by 127 on the first innings. Ponsonby, with the score of .269 for three wickets, overcame Grafton (176 and 188 for eight wickets), securing a two-pointer. Eden B (221) defeated (112 and 165 for eight wickets). At Devonport, North Shore (296) scored an overwhelming victory over Parnell (108 and 74) by an innings and 111 runs.

With the exception of Eden A and University, who retained their positions of first and eighth respectively, the state of the competition ladder was 'considerably altered. The positions of the teams in the competition are appended:— 72

♦Minus. NORTH SHORE V. PARNELL. In reply to the home team’s total of 296, Parnell gave a very indifferent exhibition of batting, and were dismissed twice during the afternoon for an aggregate of 182. From the start of the day’s play Parnell were in trouble, Anthony being given out leg before with the total at 16, a decision that did not altogether meet with his approval. From the pavilion, of course, there was no hope of judging. The best partnership resulted when Somerville and Breeze became associated, although it only produced a couple of dozen runs. The New Zealand rep. made some fine strokes, but lost his wicket in a reckless manner. Being under the impression that he was missed in the field he lashed out to the next ball and paid the penalty. Whether a batsman is missed or not he should consider his side and not sacrifice his wicket so unnecessarily. In his score of 28 were seven fours. Breeze (14), Crawford (12), and Slater (12) were the only other double-figure scorers. The manner in which some of the batsmen shaped at the slow bowling of Howden (4 for 33) and Townshend was painful to watch. The former was the better of the two, Townshend being unable to find a length, overpitching the ball frequently. The innings lasted nearly a couple of hours for 108 runs.

Parnell fared even worse in their second encounter, a miserable display of batting terminating shortly before six o’clock for 72 runs, Somerville (15) again heading the list. One wonders why Anthony does not make, more runs. He has lost that forward play which was so much in evidence when he first came to Auckland, and in playing back invariably comes to grief. Badeley shaped well, making the bat hit the ball, instead of, like so many of the others, allowing the ball to hit the bat. EDEN A V. - WAITEMATA. Ideal weather prevailed for the resumption of play on Saturday. Eden A, requiring 52 runs to top Waitemata’s total, soon wiped off the deficit, and amassed the good total of 274 before the last wicket fell. Taylor and Smith resumed batting, but an early separation was effected with slight addition to the total. Taylor carried his score to 54 and Smith 36 when the former was smartly

run out. Smith mis-timed one from Arblaster, and was smartly taken in the slips by Temperton. Three wickets were thus down for two over the century.

A well-sustained effort by the colt Burton and Smeeton shattered the hopes of the Waitemata supporters. As a result of vigorous batting the third half-century was passed before a separation was brought about. Burton then chopped one from Young on to his wicket and retired with a splendidly-compiled 30. His play was marked by extreme decision; his timing was accurate, and the off stuff suffered considerably throughout. Smeeton (56) displayed fine form, his one weakness being a tendency to cover up the leg stump in a rather risky manner. This mistake cost the batsman his wicket. This player’s defence has improved a great deal. Cover driving and forcing leg play were the chief characteristics of an extremely bright innings, which included seven fours. Sauverin (16) made one or two fine off drives, and seemed satisfied to get runs or retire. He retired, beaten by a good length ball from Temperton, who was breaking and swerving in good style. Honeycomb added three to the total and then returned a skier to Arblaster, the chance being accepted. Buckley and Heighway then became associated. The desire to rattle on the runs soon brought about a dissolution of partnership, Bucxley being the first to go. Heighway (21) was showing good form, but could not resist the desire to have a lash at Arblaster, who rattled his timbers. Blair and Cummings looked like making a good last wicket stand, when the former rather foolishly ran himself out. Both players were exhibiting line form. It is hard to understand the reason for the position in which Cummings batted in Saturday’s match. Certainly this player has been dogged with bad luck practically throughout the season, but still his displays and batting ability should not be lost sight of. To put a batsman of his calibre in last can hardly be regarded as an error of judgment. What is it, then? Wanting 127 to avert defeat, Waitemata opened with Mayall and Arblaster to Taylor and Cummings. The innings opened disastrously for the players across the water, two wickets being down for a dozen runs. Young and Satchell then became associated in a splendid third wicket partnership, which produced 160 odd runs. The former should have had “paid” put to his account with his total at 30, Burton failing to hold an easy one. However, it is the glorious uncertainty of the game which makes it so interesting and attractive.

From this on Satchell made no mistake, though several leg hits went dangerously near Taylor on the boundary. He put plenty of power into his strokes and timed well, the accuracy of his timing producing big hits with a minimum of effort. On five occasions he lifted the leather well clear of the chalk-line, while he also scored eleven fours. Meanwhile, the tall left-hander was extremely busy, his wonderful reach enabling him to smother good length bowling. Two magnificent hits for six fell to Young’s credit, although off the second hit he was actually caught by Dunning, who was fielding substitute. The batsman exercised considerable judgment, and restrained his hitting powers to advantage. On his present form the Waitemata “star” must be classed among the leading Auckland batsmen.

After Young’s dismissal, brought about through a fine catch by BrookeSmith on the leg boundary, A. Dunning joined Satchell, but was cleanbowled first ball. When P. Dunning joined Satchell the latter still wanted fourteen for his century, with seven minutes to go. Dunning monopolised the bowling, with the result that the would-be centurion was still eleven short and three minutes to go. The final over, however, was most productive, and the young player was just successful in placing his name on the century list. In Waitemata’s second venture all honour must go to Young and Satchell, and these two players robbed the Edenites of a possible three-pointer. Honeycomb (2 for 29), Cummings (1 for 12), and Taylor (1 for 30) did the best work with the ball. Hemus presented his opponents 33 without securing a wicket, but had hard luck on the leg boundary. GRAFTON V. PONSONBY. The Ponsonby-Grafton contest was resumed under good weather condi-

tions on Saturday last, Grafton having 176 on the slate and Ponsonby 147 for two wickets. Grafton were minus the services of E. Horspool, who was upholding the honour of the Northern City against the Australians at Dunedin. MacCormick skippered the side and indulged the Ponsonby batsmen in a little leg-theory. That it hampered the play of the westerners there is no doubt, Wilson and Worker taking fully two hours to put on 120 runs. Throughout the piece both batsmen were frequently nonplussed by the accuracy of the Grafton attack, and the few opportunities that occurred for despatching the ball to the boundary. Of the two batsmen, Wilson (67 not out) was much more aggressive than his partner, and batted in good style considering the consequent limitation of strokes as a result of the Grafton skipper’s action. Wilson was extremely fortunate, when umpire Gallagher declared in his favour a l.b.w. decision, but apart from this gave one of his soundest exhibitions this season. One six and seven fours fell to his lot. Worker (41 not out) exhibited fine defence albeit a trifle cramped. His leg glances and forcing leg shots were splendidly executed, though he has a tendency to weakness in timing “off stuff.” Should Worker not make the mistake of the majority of successful young cricketers, he should develop into a first-class bat. With the total at 269 for three wickets, the Ponsonby skipper applied the closure, thus leaving Grafton two hours to bat and 93 to make to save an innings defeat. E.ay and Murdoch opened for Grafton, runs coming rapidly. With the total at 16 the latter mis-hit Snedden, McMath jumping in and effecting a splendid catch in the slips. Hay survived another over and was then caught by McMath, off Snedden, whose over-spin was causing rhe ball to whip smartly from the pitch. Sloman and Haresnape collaborated in a useful partnership, the former scoring freely, while the latter kept up his wicket. Snedden claimed his third victim through the agency of Worker, who effected an easy catch. W. Horspool then partnered Sloman, immediately opening out on the star Ponsonby trundler. Anything overpitched the lengthy Graftonite promptly smacked to the boundary, two beautiful sixes off Snedden meeting with much applause from the spectators. Five fours practically completed his total, and did much to take the sting out of the Ponsonby attack. MacCormick made a short stay at the wickets, being caught by Earlly at square-leg off McMath.

F. Horspool partnered Sloman, who was batting in fine style. The advent of the former kept the fieldsmen on the move. Five fours and one six gives some idea of Horspool’s hitting powers. Willis was out, caught at the wickets, though the batsman seemed rather dissatisfied with the decision. Hill followed soon after, bowled by Snedden. Sloman and Harvie played out time. The former gave a fine exhibition of forceful batting at a time when Grafton were badly in want of runs. Sloman has a wonderful forcing leg shot, but appears to be over risky at times. His score included nine fours. At the call of time Grafton had lost eight wickets for 188, so Ponsonby did not take the extra time which ’they were justly entitled to. EDEN B V. UNIVERSITY. The ’Varsity v. Eden B fixture was continued at Victoria Park on Saturday last, the latter team having on the first day compiled 128 for the loss of five wickets, in reply to the students’ first innings effort of 112. Eden B, with a two-pointer in hand, did not make the pace sufficiently fast to raise hopes of a three-point win. C. Robinson and I. Mills, the not-outs of the previous Saturday, resumed with their scores standing at 7 and 36 respectively. Rowe was given a turn with the ball at opening, and though he racked them in was soon taken off. Both batsmen quickly got going, C. Robinson especially scoring freely, but soon lost “Ike,” who put one of Taylor’s up to Sutherland, who accepted. Mills had batted attractively and effectively in compiling his contribution of 44. A. O. Horspool partnered Robinson, a very profitable stand resulting. The former soon got right to the bowling, punishing each bowler indiscriminately and playing really good cricket, though some of his strokes were rather uppish. With both batsmen going strongly the score mounted by leaps and bounds, with 31, being ultimately bowledone Of.

Vickerman’s peculiar deliveries, and Horspool, with 53, being caught by Airey off Taylor. The last-named batsman’s display was most vigorous when it is noted that twelve fours were included in his score. With the departure of Robinson and Horspool Eden’s effort was over, the innings closing for 221. No ’Varsity bowler met with much success, though Vickerman, who was put on late in the innings, secured 2 for 7.

With Eden’s lead of 119 on the first innings, the students opened their second innings with Airey and Caradus. Airey soon became aggressive, playing very free cricket, his drive being especially profitable. Caradus stonewalled until caught by Mills off Horspool, with his score at 4 and the total at one for 27.

Rowe followed, and adopted similar methods to Caradus, Airey getting the runs, though bowlers were changed frequently. Eden's ground fielding was much at fault, Airey frequently driving through neldsmen’s hands and feet to the boundary. Vvith his score at 49, of which 36 came from boundary hits, Airey was clean bowled by Mills —2 for 65 —and Perry partnered Rowe.

Scoring quietened considerably, though Perry pulled a couple of times very effectively and appeared quite at nome. Through a misunderstanding Rowe set off for a single which Perry declined, and Rowe failing to get back, McLauchlan had the bails off—3 for 69. Perry d.d not then remain long with Sutherland, lor, failing to lift one from J. Alexander sufficiently high, Ike Mills brought off a neat catch. This batsman’s quota of 15 included three lours —4 for 99. Sutherland, who opened somewhat scratchiiy and appeared to be far i-vin at home, settled down to steady play, but until Vickerman’s arrival tailed iO get much support. The captarn, W. H. Graham, did assist in maxing a stand, leaving the scoring to his partner, but Robinson found his stumps, and Player followed, only to be given out l.b.w. to Alexander.

Taylor’s stay was of the briefest, J. Alexander beating him with a good one. W. H. Gray made a brief sojourn until Robinson sent him back. Sutherland became associated with Vickerman, and these two played out time, bringing the total for eight wickets to 165, the former’s score being 36 not out and the latter’s 19 not out. Sutherland, after getting set, made a very useful stand for his side, and though his defence is not of the best yet his reach and strength made him a punishing bat. Eden tried eight bowlers, J. Alexander, Robinson and Mills securing wickets.

THE AUSTRALIAN TEAM.

The following shows the averages of the Australian team on tour through 'New Zealand for nine matches, including the game with South Canterbury:—

c o c T5 <D G O £ Q, >> cd BQ O cd s o ■ fc £ ►4 0 o _■ Eden A 9 7 1 1 11 Ponscnby .... 9 6 3 0 6 North Shore . . 9 5 3 1 5 Grafton 9 5 3 1 4 Waitemata .. 9 5 4 0 3 University . . . 9 4 5 0 2* Eden B 9 2 7 0 12* Parnell 9 1 8 0 15*

BOWLING. Bowler Wckts. Runs. Aver. Ransford . . 15 86 5.73 Noble . . 17 187 11.00 Crawford . . . 9 99 11.00 McKenzie . . . . 15 166 11.06 Collins 14 171 12.21 Armstrong . . 44 542 12.31 Mailey 487 13.91 Waddy 2 32 16.00 Laver .. 11 286 26.00 Cody 66 33.00 Dolling 6 20 — BATTING. 6 o . P tn o W M s cd S o « q bJD E M C/i 0) XI .5 S cd <D cd s o ,E > m s £ H Crawford . . , . 356 354 2 — ■ 178.00 Trumper . . . , . 651 293 8 — 81.37 Noble 335 90 9 2 44.85. Sims . 227 184* 7 2 45.4 O' Armstrong . . 400 161 10 1 44.44 Cody . 304 106 8 1 43.42 Ransford . . . 451 159 11 — 41.00 Collins . . . . 342 83 10 1 38.00 McGregor . . 226 90 9 2 32.28 Waddy .... . 301 130 11 1 30.10 Dolling . . . . . . 290 74 10 — 29.00 McKenzie . . . 193 55 9 2 27.57 Mailey .... . 148 62 9 2 21.14 Laver 52 6 1 19.00 *Not out.