CRICKET

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 117, 15 February 1928, Page 8

CRICKET

NEW ZEALAND’S PLACE ON THE MAP

AUSTRALIANS WILL APPLY ACID TEST

(Notos by

“Burwood.”)

The Australian Board of Control team will open their New Zealand tour at Nelson to-day, and for the next few weeks this powerful combination, which is the strongest that has visited this country since the beginning of the present century, will be busy showing the world just where New Zealand should be placed on the cricket map. The Australians arrived by the s.s. Marama yesterday and were given a fitting welcome by Government and civic authorities and the public. Never before in the history of the game in this country has a visit from an overseas cricketing combination excited so much interest. In the past, interest only existed as to the size of the scores the visitors would hit up and how many times, they would clout the ball out of the ground. During the past few years, however, ample proof has been forthcoming that cricket in the Domi:».j»»u has- made most pleasing progress. Only last year those two world-renowned' players, Hugh Trumble and Warwick Armstrong, assured “Burwood” that the standard of play in the Dominion compared very favourably with that in England. They did not go so far as to suggest that a New Zealand team would be able to beat the strongest county teams, but they declared emphatically that the full strength of New Zealand would give even the strongest English county teams a good game, and that they would beat more first-class counties than would beat them. This judgment was amply borne, out during the . New Zealand, team’s tour through England. Had the wearers of the silver fern not struck one of the wettest summers experienced in England for fifty years their highly creditable record would have been even better than it was.

New Zealand’s Chances. In reviewing New Zealand’s chances against the full strength of Australia it is always a wise plan to view prospects by the light of history. The New Zealand team which visited Australia during the 1925-26 season first definitely proved that Dominion players had a right to be regarded seriously on the cricket field. True, they collapsed against Queensland in the opening match of the tour, falling for 94 in the second innings, and being beaten by an innings and 92 runs, but there was some excuse for this. The team had just arrived off the boat, and ran into intense heat in the Queensland capital. However, they made amends by putting up a creditable fight against Victoria at Christmas time. New Zealand totalled 314 in their first innings, Allcott scoring 107 and Worker 89. Victoria replied with 592 for seven wickets before declaring. This sounds a formidable total, but it must be remembered that Hendry hit up 325, not out, of the tally, and, part from him, Mayne and Lansdown were the only batsmen to pass the half-century. New Zealand totalled 231 for six wickets, in their second knock, managing to make a draw of it. Blunt (57), Oliver (58), and Worker (42) did best in this innings. The New Zealanders did better against South Australia at Adelaide, notwithstanding the fact that they had to face two Australian eleven bowlers in Grimmett and Arthur Richardson. South Australia scored 351. Alexander, who is. here with the Australian team now, hitting up 130. New Zealand replied with 339, Lowry notching 123, Blunt 65, and Dacre 77. New Zealand appeared to have an excellent chance of leading South Australia on the firs* innings, but Arthur Richardson came to light with a last-minute bowling spurt, «nd dismissed A. Alloo, Cunningham, and Hope for one run. This showed that New Zealand batsmen could play Grimmett and Richardson all right. The googly merchant had to be content with three for 130, while Richardson owed his four for 41 to getting the last three wickets cheaply South . Australia declared their second Jnnings closed when five wickets had fallen for 293, Arthur Richardson (104) and Parry (69) being the chief scorers. Blunt bowled well in this innings, capturing four for 72. New Zealand succeeded in making a draw of it, their record being 192 for seven wickets at drawing or stumps. Oliver .(68), Dacre (40), and Blunt (84) showed pp best in this knock.

The third important game of the tour was played at Sydney at the New Year, when another draw was recorded against New South Wales. The Sydney men ran up 531, Brown and Ratcliffe recording centuries. Cunningham came well out of this severe ordeal, with five wickets for 125.

New Zealand made a spirited reply .With 455, towards which Patrick and Allcott contributed centuries and Blunt a solid 73. In their second innings, "New South Wales hit up 205 for three wickets, Phillips registering 102 not out.

These figures may not seem inspiring, but they were a marked improvement upon the form shown by the 1913-14 New Zealand team in Australia, which could only total 161 and 105 against New South Wales, and 141 end 188 against Victoria, both matches resulting in innings’ defeats. This team, however, did well against South Australia, scoring 362 and 287 for six wickets to their opponents’ 433 and 161 for three wickets, the game ending in a draw. This was the match in which Dan Reese, the New Zealand captain, scored the fine double of 96 and 130 not out. New Zealand Wickets.

Of course, New Zealand wickets are not so fast as those , i'n Australia, and consequently bowlers can get more spin on the ball. It will be interesting to see what effect this will have upon the deliveries of Oxenham, Grimmett, Blackie and McNamee, who all impart a lot of finger spin to the leather. However, New Zealand wickets have greatly improved within recent years, and if the present dry spell continues the Australians will find them little inferior to their own glass pitches. The day has gone by when cricket was played in New Zealand on pitches little superior to a country road. An Australian player once remarked that the Wanganui eleven could beat any team in the world if they could only carry their own wicket around with them.

The Wellington Match. The Wellington public are fortunate in that thev will be able to see the Australian team earlv in the tour, as the Wellington match, which will be played at the Basin Reserve on Friday, Saturday, and Monday next, is the second on the programme. It will be highly interesting to see how New Zealand’s champion province will shape against the full strength of Australia. “Burwood” is satisfied that the Wellington pien will give a good

f account of themselves. It is questionable if Australia will be able to show us better batsmen than Lowry and Dempster, a more valuable allrounder than McGirr, or a more expert wicketkeeper than Janies. This is not forgetting that Ponsford, Woodfull, Kippax, Oxenham, and Oldfield are on the Australian side. ■' Where the Australians will have a big advantage over Wellington will be in their clever slow bowlers, Grimmett and Blackie. The local men have nothing to match this famous pair. However, Brice, Badcock, and Lambert will have a word to say, and can be depended upon to prevent Ponsford from beating his own individual world’s record score of 435 in a single innings. If McGirr can repeat the brilliant form he produced with the ball in the Pluhket Shield matches this season against Otago and Auckland, he should give the Australians something to think about. Australia’s powerful batting side should also serve as a solid try-out for Massey as a bowler, and show us just how good a bowler this promising colt really is. In any case, the match should prove one of the most important which has been played here for many seasons past, as not in recent years has the Board of Control sent such a powerful cricketing combination across the Tasman. Institute’s All-Round Strength. The continued success of Institute, one of the most youthful sides in the Wellington competition, goes to prove ■ that it does not pay to retain too many veterans in a team. Institute quite outplayed Hutt at the Basin Reserve on Saturday. It was a wise and bold policy which prompted the Institute captain to declare, the first innings closed right away on Saturday with eight wickets down for 255 runs, as'this only gave Institute a lead of 76 runs on the first innings. The captain’s confidence in his bowlers, however, was fully justified, as Hutt were again dismissed on a batsman’s wicket for under 200 runs. Massey proved the downfall of Hutt, as he secured fot»" wickets for 71 runs, being well supported by Bryant, a useful left-hander, who took ; two for 49. McGirr (49) and Aldersley (45) were the only Hutt batsmen who played the bowling with confidence, though Watson was going well when he fell l.b.w. to Bryant. Foley and Dempster played attractive cricket in hitting up the JlO Institute required to win outright. Both exceeded the half-century, Foley remaining unbeaten. This praiseworthy victory gives Institute a commanding lead for the championship, as their 22 points is five ahead of Old Boys, their nearest rivals on the ladder. Bad Fielding. Old Boys had themselves to thank for the severe trouncing they received at the hands of Wellington on the Kilbirnie ground on Saturday. Wellington scored heavily in their second innings, running up 362 for five wickets before applying the closure.. Airey and R. Whyte made a great stand for the second wicket, both passing into three figures. They were both very lucky, however, as both were dropped before reaching double-figures, and were very leniently treated by the fieldsmen several times later on. The Old Boys’ ■ fingers seemed all thumbs, and it was pathetic to watch the attempts at catching. Any batsman will, make runs if given .three or four lives, and it was Airey and Whyte’s lucky day on Saturday. Airey ran to 124, and Whyte to 102. H. E. Burton, the Wellington captain, who was one of the best batsmen in the province some six vears back, has again struck form. He batted particularly well in this ffitrtch, hitting up 67 and 92. Wellington won comfortably, after declaring the second innings closed, by 202 runs. ■ C. Sharpe, the ex-English left-han-der, played a prominent part in Old Boys’ defeat by taking five wickets for 68 and two for 87. . A. M. Cousins also bowled well for Wellington, his figures being four for 58, and two for 61. A Great Bowler. A. Finlayson, who is leaving for Auckland shortly, placed the seal upon his reputation on Saturday by performing as brilliant a bowling double as has ever been recorded in local matches. Playing for Petone on the village oval, he secured six wickets for 35 runs against Kilbirnie in the first innings and eight wickets for 45 runs in the second innings, thus reaping the phenomenal harvest of fourteen wickets for 80 runs during the afternoon. As he scored 85 with the bat in Petone’s only innings, Finlayson has the right to say “Alone I did it.” This fine allround player his been lost to the Wellington Province for some seasons past though the Wellington Cricket Association, refusing to accede to his demand to be paid for wages lost while playing in representhative matches. This is a pity, as the Petone all-rounder is well worth his place in any representative side in the Dominion. Petone had a hollow victory over Kll-. birnie on Saturday by an innings and 92 runs. Thorndon Find their Feet. The Thorndon team are doing quite well this season. They scored their third successive victory on Saturday by defeating Y.M.C.A. at Kelburn Park by 75 runs on the first innings. The feature of Thorndon’s second innings was a stylish hit for 118, not out, bv the captain, E. Roberts, who scored 83 in the first innings. It is always a pleasure to watch this dapper little batsman putting on the runs, as there are few more stylish artists in the competition. When he cuts the ball goes off the bat like a flash of light, and when he hooks mid-on has little chance of intercepting the flying leather. But whatever stroke he makes he reminds one of a master fencer plying a light rapier. Another Thorndon batsman who gave the young men a taste of his quality was Arthur Hyder. If Roberts plied the rapier, Hyder wielded the bludgeon, but lie used it to deadly effect. In about half an hour he had 54 runs otr the slate. It didn’t matter how they came, Hyder hit them, and hit them hard and clean. It might pay to put this natural hitter in a bit earlier. H. Carruthers also rattled on 28 in double quick time, getting power behind his shots.

D. Reynolds (22), H. Thom (32), L. Browne (38), and E. D. Haughey (37) all played attractive cricket in Y.M.C.A.’s second knock, which realised 162 for six wickets. Altogether the little knot of spectators saw some breezy cricket.

Students Make Brave Fight. The University eleven made a valiant effort to reach the solid score of 139 set them by Midland at the Basin Reserve on Saturday. It was a long journey, however, and the students could not see it out, the innings closing for 306. E. McLeod was top scorer with a stylish 68. As this player had secured six wickets in Midland’s first innings, this proved what a useful all-round player he is. A. C. Tripe (50), E. T. C. Leys (47), and H. C. Bailey (45) all took some digging out. The ’Varsity men might have been there yet had' it not been for W. A. Baker, the Midland captain, who secured six wickets for 116 runs. Midland have a promising young left-handed bowler in Robertson, who sent down some good overs, while only 32 runs were hit off him. M.C.C. and South Africa. The victory of South Africa in the final Test makes the honours even between the M.C.C. touring team and South Africa. M.C.C. won the first two Tests, the third was drawn, and the fourth an fifth were won by South Africa. The matches resulted as follow:— First—M.C.C. 313 and 57 for no wickets; South Africa 196 and 170. M.C.C. won bv ten wickets. Second—M.C.C. 133 and 428; South Africa 250 and 225. M.C.C. won by 87 runs. Third—M.C.C. 430 and 132 for two wickets; South Africa 246 and 464 for eight wickets (declared). Match drawn. Fourth—South Africa 328 and 156 for six wickets; M.C.C. 265 and 215. South Africa won by four wickets. Fifth—South Africa 332 for seven wickets (declared) and 69 for two wickets; M.C.C. 282 and 118. South Africa won by eight wickets. Short Runs....

In view of the approaching test matches between New Zealand and Australia, it is gratifying to know that W. E. Merritt is bowling as well as ever. Trundling for Old Boys against East Christchurch on Saturday, he took six wickets for 28 runs.

Alan Kippax topped the New South Wales batting averages in the present season’s Shield matches. He made 807 runs in eleven innings, and got an average of 80.7. No one else made over 420.

The attendance and the gate takings in connection with the recent match in Sydney between Victoria and New South Wales were records for a Sheffield Shield match in Sydney between the States. The attendance was 67,616 and the gate takings £4606, as compared with 56,152 and £4133 two years ago.

High praise for C. Grimmett is given by “J.W.,” the cricket writer of the “Australasian.” Referring to the fact that in Sheffield Shield matches this Grimmett took forty-two wickets, at an average of 27.42, and had a vatting average of 42.85, he writes: —“There can be no doubt that the little New Zealander is the best allrounder in the Commonwealth. A grander little trier with the ball we have never had, his heart being the biggest part of him. We will want him badly next season.”

D. Mcßeath secured the hat-trick against Geraldine recentlv, the performance being the first of its kind this season. At the start of the innings he was almost unplayable, and he sent down forty-five balls before a run was scored off him. So far this seasqn he has taken thirty-eight wickets, at a cost of 220 runs, giving him the fine average of 5.7. A great deal of fuss, is made nowadays when . a bowler secures his hundredth wicket in Plunket Shield matches (says an Auckland writer). After all, it is' only interprovincial cricket, and how many of our present-day bowlers will ever reach records held by the following?:—A. Downes (Otago), 308 wickets; A. H. Fisher (Otago), 250; E. F. Upham (Wellington), 234; J. H. Bennett (Canterbury), 223; D. Reese (Canterbury) , 155; S. T. Callaway (Canterbury and Otago), 149; R. Neill (Auckland), 138; W. Frith (Canterbury, Otago, and Wellington), 131; W. Robertson (Canterbury), 129; F. Wilding (Canterbury), 122; C. Frith (Canterbury and Otago), F. H. Cooke (Otago and Nelson) , and F. Ashbolt (Wellington), took 110, 140, and 108 wickets respectively. These figures do not include wickets taken in New Zealand Test matches or sundry other games. By far the most successful bowler for the East Christchurch senior A team this season has been J. McF.win, who to date has taken forty-five wickets for 728 runs, an average of 16.17. Some of his best performances this season are five wickets for 71 runs, six for 51, six for 63, and seven for 70 While R. C. Blunt is going as well as ever with the bat, he has lost his sting as a bowler (says the “Otago Daily Times”). He is still taking wickets in club games, but he has lost his nip off the pitch, and other features of his trundling when he is in his-best form are missing. Probably, however, it is onlv a passing phase. The unfortunate incident that arose last Saturday, when J. Newman was no balled for the wearing of a finger-stall, could, it seems, have been avoided had the Umpires’ Association made more exhaustive inquiries before coming to a decision on the matter (states the Christchurch “Star”). The association now admits that it made a mistake, but an unpleasant incident could have been avoided had the association been more sure of its facts. Those who know Newman are satisfied that he would not be guilty of any tactics savouring of unfairness. CITY AND SUBURBAN ASSOCIATION Points gained by the various teams in the City and Suburban Asociation’s competitions, up to Saturday last, are as follow:—South A, 52 points; Selwyp, 45; 1.8. C., 36; Wellington Gas, SO; South C, 27; Swifts. 26; St. Thomas, 25; South B, 23; Electric A, 21; Duthie's, 20; Overhead, 17; Electric B, 17; Schniedeman’s, 16; C. C. M-, 13; Collegians, 7; Miramar, 5. BETTER THAN THE BATHS. ‘ INCIDENT AT ROTORUA. An insurance man spent a holiday recently at Rotorua. He contracted a cold, and did not seem to be able to shake it off. A Masterton friend happened to be there, and he said, “I’ll soon settle that cold for you.” He then produced a bottle of Baxter’s Lung Preserver. “Wonderful stuff, this, old chap. I always carry it around with me.” Sure enough, in a couple of days’ time liis friend was quite restored, and vowed that the little bottle of “Baxter’s” had done him more good than some of the baths. “Baxter’s” is the favourite cough and cold remedy throughout New Zealand. It is not an untried preparation, but has now been upon the market for over sixty years. It is a rich, red, warming, soothing compound that does good from the first dose. If you have a sore throat, or suffer from bronchial complaints, you cannot do better than test this wonderful specific, which also possesses unique tonic properties. You can get a generous-sized bottle of “Baxter’s” from any chemist or store for half a crown. Bachelor size, eighteenpence.—Advt.