THE WORLD OF SPORT.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1378, 2 March 1912, Page 12

THE WORLD OF SPORT.

CRICKET.

[Bi th» Bbjasbb.] REPRESENTATIVE BATTING; The following indicates tho batting of players who achieved double-figure averages in the two representative matches against Canterbury and the recent Auckland representative match. The Hawke's Bay match is not included! i.. ' •-'. ■■'. '■'■"■ ri . S> • d ~.„ ~, -„ ...■, >... ■- ■Jj -oJ a o to ■■' •'-•'. •". ; ' ; ;: "' EH ■ W A fc ■ < Gibbei „.. 292 81 fi 1 58.1 Robinson .-. 45 31* 2 1 45.0 Blacklook 52 51' 3 0 2G.0 Blamircs 146 fis li 0 24.3 Findlay 23 22» 2 1 23.0 Midlane 91 35 i 0 22.7 Bowles 39 2!) 2 0 19.5 •Mahoney 75 26 4 0 18.7 Baker 31 29 2 0 15.6 Patrick 40 15 4 1 13.3 Crombio 25 21 2 0 12.5 Brico 23 12 2-0- 11.5 •Signifies not out. • AlßOjplaytd: Dickson, Beechey, Grimmett, PMlips, Little, C. Hickson, Saund-' •rs, Finlayson, Berend6en, Fonton. REPRESENTATIVE BOWLING. . Tho following are the averages of all bowlers who took part in the two matches against Canterbury land the match against Auckland:—-. Wkts. Euns. Avge. Brico 5 83 16.6 \ Saunders 24 455 18.9 ■Robinson '. 2 40 20.0 Dickson 1 20 20.0 Patrick 7 144 20.5 Fonton 2 53 2G.5 Gibbes 5 143 28.6 . Grimmett '. 4 11G 29.0 Findlay — 21 — Finlayson — 23 — C. Hickson ! ; — 40 —

The Auckland Captain.—A Sketch, Lancelot Gerald Hemus, superb batsi man, has guided Auckland's fortunes as captain for the last two years. He is now 29 years of age—and ought; therefore, to • be at his best, since that age adumbrates both the headlong dash of youth, and the experience which comes later. Like most top-flight players, he began ais cricket at school. In 1900 he joined the old Auckland Cricket Club, and played with them until the coming of the Auckland, district scheme, when he had, perforce, to throw in his lot with City. Afterwards he did good service for Eden and Ponsonby, and is at present a member of the Eden Club. His debut in' representative cricket was made in 1907, and he now has the some-, what astonishing average of over 50 runs for all representative matches. This is probably a Now Zealand record. His highest representative score is 148, which was amassed against Canterbury in 1907. Ho has topped the century four times in representative games. These scores were: 109 and 135 against Otago, and 118 and 143 against Canterbury. Unlike a good many successful players, the great Aucklander still finds time to recall the memory of tho man who made him.. Conversing,.over this matter at A the ; ' v Bas'in' EeserveV-last week, Hemus said, simply and honestly, to a Dominion representative:—"! have given you these scores because you asked, for them, but I would like you to add this: Anything that 1 know about cricket I got from old 'Bob' Neill—New Zealand's best—who'tanght in» how to hold a bat and use my feet." , .There is much in that. Not ono New Zealand cricketer in ten can hold a bat properly, and, not one in 200 can use his feot. Nearly 'all of them bat fast-footed. It was a very pleasant interview, and, : .at the finish, the pressman hazarded -one more question: ''Bowling?".. Hemus laughed, and then added: "Bowling! Oh, ;; well,'you can say that I am trying to -.-learn th« 'googlie."'

•Nesblt Colin Bnedden. . Onn of the Auoklandeti, who came prominently into notice in the big match .which wrestled severely to a narrow conclusion on Monday, was Nesbit Oolin Sneddon—aetat 19 years—whose bowling caught, the eye. Like his captain, he iWas "trapped young." Ho first donned flannels for the eleven representing tho Sacred Heart College, Auckland, and was captain for three seasons then. In those days he was, as he puts it, "merely a batsman"; the call of the leg-break had not then reached him. He figured in the secondary school representative eleven for a couple of seasons. Ho has now vbeen "doing things" in representative > cricket for threo yeara. '. 'His first season in senior o'rloket came in' 1908, when he figured as a Ponsonby junior. After one match he rose to senior rank, and he is still playing for ,th© same club. The year 1909 saw him in the representative oloven. in which year he played against Wellington, Canterbury, and Otago. He top-scored against Canterbury with 66, not out. Then, in 1910, he partnered Brooke Smith in a memorable effort against Wellington, which just prevented the Shield from coming south here. In 1909 he was fifth in the Auckland olub batting averages, »nd this' season he headed them, having batted this year better than ever. His figures disclose an aggregate of 410. for eight _ innings—the average being 51.1 runs per innings. Last season he-was very successful'with the ball, but this year he did nothing remarkable until the present match with Wellington. Among other exploits, he lowered Gibbes's wicket in the second innings, and that, of course, might posjibly have wiped out a century. Sneddon i 3 probably the youngest Auoklander who ever got into top cricket. He won representative honours when he was ,17 years of age.

A Great and Pleaiant Match. It can only be said, after eeelng the 'Auckland match, that the feeling which must be uppermost in the minds of all, is one of distinct pleasure. Eor one thing, we do not often get the opportunity of seeing the splendid Auckland team in action. It is indeed an eleven to ponder over. Then the Northerners are not only excellent players, but they are genial sports. They agreed that it had been a splendid fame, and most of them also expressed hemselves as very pleased with the •wicket which Saunders had fixed up. The subject of the "Saunders wicket" is now so well known that it is perhaps redundant to say much about it, but it was pleasant to hear the Northern players pay .tribute to it. Lastly, there is our own brave old Wellington eleven, the strength of which is now beginning to be generally believed in. For years The Dominion—alone of all the Wellington journals—has maintained that a Wellington representative eleven contains marked elements of strength, and it is pleasant ta see now that that estimate of' it ia borne out by events. By the way, the Selection Committej) found places for quite a number of colts—Robinson, Gnmmett, Baker, and Dickson. Each of these justified his selection though, to bo sure, we have often seen one of them field better in club matches.

Could Not This be Mended 7 Indeed it is the fielding which is the .only blot on Wellington's ploy. Of the unfortunate catching it is not intended to say anything. It has lost Wellington its big (fames this year. An equally Serious point is the length of time that elapses between the pick-up and the throw-in. That often means a Kcond

B WEEKLY RECORD OF BPORTS AND OTHER PASTIMEB.

run. Then, too. it wai noticeable Wat ono of tha colts invariably only put down ono hand to tho ball when he could havo got two on to it—blemish _ No. 2. I'urthor, the throw-in at short distances was often "on tho hop"-mistake No. 3. For short throws, should it not bo on the full" every time?

Lord Islington Interested. Among interested spectators &t the match was Lord Islington. It is well known that his Excellency takes keen in; terest in tho "king; of summer games and is indeed a cricketer himself. ' Among others present were: Sir Joseph Ward, Lady Ward, and Miss Eileen Ward, Sir James Carroll, and a number of members of the Legislature. Ladles at Theso Matches. Speaking of those present at matches it may, perhaps, be permissible to tell a small joke about Gibbes. Our premier batsman has been accompanied to matches by Mrs. Gibbes only on two occasions this season, and, strangely' enough, these are the only occasions on which, he has failed. Dr. W. G. Grace, ill an article on "How to Score once naively remarked: "Never bring a lady whose opinion you care for to a matoh; if you.do you may find that you will not bo quite at your best." It seems, however, that everyone would not take "W.G." Beriously on this matter. For instance, tha Auckland captain waß accompanied by Mrs. Hemus right through the tour. Mrs. Blamires, too, is a frequent spectator at .matches, and so also are Mrs. Tucker, Mrs. Saunders, and a number of other ladies.

The Glbbes-Blamlres Opening. It was, of course, with interest that everyone watched Gibbos and the Rev. E. O. Blamires pioneer Wellington's first innings, and, when the news spread through the city that they were making a stand, thero was quite a lot of excitement, and some pardonable pride in Wellington. Gibbos states that he only got ono ball in his long innings which really troubled him, and he is inclined to think that last Friday's showing constitutes his best in representative cricket. This opinion, howover, is not shared by other members of the team, who state that his second innings in tho shield match at Christchurch was even better to watch. Blamires, of course, was graceful, and attractive. Questioned afterwards as to tho long time which elapsed before he got into double figures, Mr. Blamires stated that he must have been twenty runs on, before he got his first loose ball! The Auckland attack ou these two men in the second innings was very animated.

The Wellington Captain. The small crowd who were present about noon on Monday saw Blacklock at his test. No innings in the match was pret> tier. 'To say that he "picked Mb ball and smote it, ia understating matters, for ho picked and smote a number of balls that most batsmen would havß left alone. Ho got a great' clap when he came out, and one spectator stood up and called: "Good enough, Blacklock: You're just right." Masterpiece of under-statenient— "just right!"

The "Bosey" Ball and Qrlmmett. Opinion of Saunders is that young Grimmetc will, one day, be the best slow bowler in New Zealand. The East colt bowls up the real ball at times—the uuexpected turn with a certain action. He wheeled up tho "wrong W to Hemus several times, and Hemus was just fortunate enough to stop that "wrong 'un with his pads. ' ' " It is understood that the statement that Grlmraett wa3'';occasionallyj,ibreating 2ft. Gin., which appeared in The Dominion on Monday, has neon questioned by some. All that the writer can say is that that was his best estimate of tho break. He made his observation right from behind the line of the wickets.

Saunders Again Splendid. Once more John V. Saunders has been weighed in the balances of big cricket and found "just the thing." One of the Aucklanders said: "You can be as well sit m you like, but you never know the minute when he is going to have you out." His bowling figures, m representative cricket—supportad as he was by indifferent fielding—speak for themselves. Generally speaking, his length, swerve, break, direction, and variety, in the Auckland match—first innings especially—left nothing to be desired. •

Roblnson-the "Sixer" Man. •Robinson, picked for Wellington as * fast bowler, showed that he had pace and a remarkably good control of the ball. He must get a little , more pace, and years will bring him more stamina. As a batsman he shows as much promise as any player in the match. He hitj in splendid Btyle; he chooses the right ball to hit, and he has a good straight bat defence to the other sort.

Uphill Job of Getting Auckland Out. The special superiority of the Auckland men was in their all-round _ batting strength. It has been said that it was a weak Auckland team. Well, not in batting. It was really their* bost, and that is a feather in the cap of the Wellington bowlers who got them out. The last men in the order.of going in had all large scores to their credit. The tour has proved, however, that young players do not always perform at their beat on strange' grounds, and against strange opponents. The only one of the Auckland colts to do really woll against Wellington was Somervell, who played lively, aggressive cricket in both innings. In fact, without Hemus and Somorvell the side would have been in a very much weaker position.

The Fortunate Auckland Captain. Hemus batted with no end of luck in the first innings, but he is noted as a lucky basman. If catches are to bo dropped he is sure .to be the man to tip them up, and generally he makes good scores afterwards. This is not disparagement. Hemus is a beautiful bat—one of tho freest and most stylish in the country when ho is in action. His luck failed him in the second innings, when he foolishly ran himself out by not hurrying between the wickets. There was complaint about the decision, but it was undeniably a correct one for all that.

The Man Whole Play Is "Work." Thompson, the professional, batted slowly, with extreme care, and got in the twenties at each attempt. play tho game for keeps—these professionals from England, 'i'nero are any number of batsmen in Wellington us good as Thompson—and, in fact, furlougs better—but they do not play so consistently, because they do not play so seriously. There is no joy in Thompson's batting; ho simply sets about making runs as ho would do any other workaday task, His bpwling, too, is of the solid rather than tho brilliant order. Mostly it is on the wicket, and he relies upon the man with the bat making a mistake every now and then. A 6trong recommendation of his bowling is that it does not seem to deteriorate under punishment.

Other Stars in the Auckland Gomtellatlon. Snedden bowls for hia club at Auckland, but he is not usually rolied upon to do much with the ball in big cricket. 110 happened to be the most successful bowler here, and he deserved his success, but he is really only a change bowler, to be used sparingly. Somervell is another boy of 20 with a 'future. He is a safe but freo bat, and a fast medium bowler. His 54 in the first innings wa3 a very fine effort, and the sido needed the runs. Horspool, though still very young, is really out of the colt class on account of his achievements and his experience. Taylor heads the Eden averages this year, but he was not a success on the tour, either with bat or ball, ■ Jones, nnothor young player, usually opens for hii club, but he, too, wai a die-

appointment on the trip, as a batsman. He was really selected as being the only left-hand bowler available. Alan Wnllace, who, by the way, is this year's Rhodes scholar, is another young player with more than ono century and many big scores in his record. So that there was really no reason for surprise when ho mado no mistakes in that lastwicket stand with Mnson, which won the match. He has done many bigger things than that in his cricket career. The strength of theso youths is seen from thte fact that they take precedence over such men as Anthony and Mason. Anthony was once ono of tho l)est bats in Canterbury. He has been a littlo below his true form this year, but ho is still a vigorous fighting batsman. Mason has been playing representative cricket for several years, getting runs and getting wickots. He is really a good bat, with a rash temperamont, not the man for sustained effort, but the most brilliant fieldsman in the Dominion. He was thoro when he was wanted in this last match, the occasion was too serious for risks. Their youth is tho outstanding feature about the Auckland players. Cricketers develop early up there, and tho only apparent reason is that the boys at school are coached carefully and regularly. Young Taylor, for instance, is an absolute replica of Eelf, probably the best batsman for style that the Dominion has seen.

Gregory, Rhodes, and Hobbs. Says the "Bulletin": Little Syd. Gregory, who, by scoring 186 not out for New South Wales, demonstrated to the bowlers of England that they are, after all, only human, belongs to the old school. Twentytwo years ago he visited England with the Australian XI, and his form in this season's grade and representative cricket has been good enough to put him before most of those who fejl in the Tests. Still more, Gregory is a reliable fielder, which cannot be said of many of this season's Australian XI.

Of Ehodes's and Hobbs's great performance the "Bulletin" says:—"The recordhunters overlooked one taot In connection with the Inglorious Fourth. Rhodes (179) and Hobbs (178) together made 24 more runs off their own bats than the Australian Eleven did in two hits each. The two innings of tho home team only totalled 364, and of these 31 were sundries, and not, therefore, to be. credited to the ba'tsmen. For two men to make in one innings more than the opposition in two, is a Test record that should stand for some time." Ambidexterous Cricketers. No batsman can bo called "great" unless lie is ambidexterous. None of the crowd at present on deck in Australia is sufficiently so to be able to bat left or right, according to how the ball is breaking. Foster was playing as prettily as could be the other Monday, until Hordern and Armstrong stuck him up with their leg theory. Eventually ho got caught off Armstrong. The left-hander Woolley meanivlrile made light of Armstrong's legtheories, and smote one of them all the way for six.. Even Mead, who has never yet during tho tour played confidently, showed the advantage of being a lefthajidor under the existing bowling conditions. A batting artist who could change his leg side with impunity would give new life to the game, and, moreover, bo tho inspiration for both-handed bowling. When tho batsman, tho _ field, and the audience are kept equally in doubt as to which hand the next ball is coming from, and the bowler is worried by casual conversions of "leg" into "off," and vice versa, cricket will have something of the interesting character of a conjuring shojv. -"Bulletin."

The Australian Agreement. The agreement which the Board of Control has in hand awaiting the signatures of the gentlemen who will go tp England as tho Australian XI is what tho "Bulletin" calls "a real wattlesnoozer." Right through the 10 sub-sections and 23 clauses, says the "Bulletin," "it maintains the doctrine of tho board's sovereignty, and the authority, absolute and complete, of its vice-regent Crouch. "If the players appoint a manager, his duties will be restricted to paying washing bills, securing beds at the various hotels, and being'general valet to tho gentlemen who wield the bat. All cricket business will be fixed up by the board's representative, who will sit alone as Australia's representative at the meetings of the Imperial Cricket Council for the management of international cricket. "The agreement will also debar any member of the team acting as press representative. Tho board's representative will have.. power to dismiss, suspend, or deport homo any member of the team who misbehaves or tries in any way to Tepeat the scandalous treatment meted out to M'Alister during the last tour. He will also be invested with the power of inflicting fines. "The document also intimates that hotel and travelling expenses are the only liabilities that will be recognised by the board, and players who wish to indulge in fire-water, smokes, picture-expeditions, and so forth, will part up out of their own pockets, and not charge to the expenses of the tour."