CRICKET

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 129, 29 February 1928, Page 8

CRICKET

CAN NEW ZEALAND WIN THE TESTS?

MANAWATU’S RISE TO FAME

(Notes by

“Burwood.")

The Australian team arc gradually getting used to New Zealand wickets as the tour progresses, and from now on solid scores can be looked for from this powerful batting combination. The visitors ran up 448 against North Otago at Oamaru on Wednesday and Thursday of last week. R. K. Oxenham, the able Queensland all rounder, _ took pride of place in this innings, with a freely-compiled score of 169, while Kippax (76), Jackson (44), Ponsford (3S), Schneider (31), and Morton (22) all helped to swell the total. North Otago, though they did not send up an S.O.S. call in the frantic manner that Waikato did, performed quite creditably against Australia’s best. True, they fell cheaply before Grimmett for 118 in the first innings, but did exceedingly well in the second knock to get 268 for six wickets. The Australians were somewhat lenient in allowing Kinpax and Jackson to star as trundlers. Minor associations need have no fear of Australian teams. The cricketers from the Commonwealth are as fine sportsmen as arA to be met with anywhere on the globe. They are no*, out to crush or humiliate weak teams they meet. If the batsmen are too nervous to make runs, the Australians will give them sufficient to make up a respectable total. This was clear from the fact that Kippax and Jackson were allowed to bowl at Oamaru. In North Otago’s second innings. Zimmerman. who is a master at Waitaki High School, and who has visited Wellington more than once with Otago teams, hit up 117 in dashing fashion, while Sumnier played a resolute knock for SG, and Uttley (39). Robertson (22 not out), and McDonald (20), all did well. The match ended in a draw, as the game had to finish earlv on the. Thnrsdav afternoon, in order to allow rhe Australians to coion the train for Dunedin. Two Great Batsmen. On Friday morning those two great opening batsmen, Ponsford and 'Woodfull, gave Dunedin people a taste of their quality by batting for 172 minutes b> fore the Otago bowlers were able to get a wicket. With the total at 214, Woodfull, who bad reached 107, skied one from the fast bowler. Dickinson, into A. Alloo’s hands. Ponsford was then 94. and he and Kinpax tool; the score from 214 to 308. Tea was taken with the board showing one wicket down for 303. and the Otago men must have been wondering if the total, was going to reach a thousand A Great Bowler. A welcome surprise, however, awaited the Otago supporters, as Dickinson, refreshed by the adjournment, got up rare pace after tea and made a brilliant bowling spurt which quite routed the Australians. Ponsford, who had been at the wickets for 239 minutes for 148. placed the first , ball from Dickinson after tea into Alice’s hands at mid-off. Dickinson then clean bowled Kippax and Oxenham and secured Richardson and Schneider l.b.w. When stumps were drawn on Friday night, with seven wickets down for 393, Dickinson had taken every wicket which had fallen at a cost of 78 runs. In this Otago bowler New Zealand has the good fortune to possess that rare asset in the world to-day—a fast bowler. They are rare birds indeed, and all the world is vainly seeking for them. With the possible exception of Jack Gregory and Scott, Dickinson is faster than any bowler Australia possesses. That he is a first-class batsman also he proved by hitting up a century for Otago against Wellington in the Plunket Shield match at Dunedin a few weeks back. A one-time New Zealand Rugby representative, Dickinson is possessed of sturdy physique and can keep going tirelessly both at the bowling crease and in the field. It is incomprehensible how the selectors refused to select such a sterling all-round player for the English tour. Dickinson's striking proof of form is very pleasing on the eve of the tests of strength between Australia and New Zealand. In Dickinson and Merritt, New Zealand will have a fast and a slow bowler, who will compare favourably with anything the Australians can match against them. A Good Colt. Of the youngsters with the Australian team, Andrew Jackson, the Sydney colt, who has just turned 18, is doing better than any. After Dickinson had fired Richardson, Schneider, Oxenham, and Oldfield out at Dunedin for a total of 5 runs last weekend, Jackson and Grimmett got together, and carried the score from 320 to 436 for the eighth wicket. Jackson reached 63 and Grimmett 59, both playing bright cricket. The Australian innings realised 454, which goes to prove that the visitors from the other side are more dangerous when playing against the strongest New Zealand sides, as they then play serious cricket, and give nothing away. A Wonderful Bowler, s

The Otago men on Saturday found the bowling of 0, V. Grimmett, the ex-Otago player, much too good for them. No doubt Grimmett gave of his best in gratitude for the handsome present he received at the tea adjournment. Be this as it may, Grimmett only sent down 88 deliveries, but these were good enough to reap for him six wickets for 23 runs. The googly specialist clean bowled Galland, Alloo, and Torrance, got Zimmerman 1.b.w.,, had Blunt caught off him, and caught and bowled Douglas. Grimmett must be acknowledged as the world’s best slow bowler to-day. Next to him would probably come Newman, of Kent. Merritt, our own youthful slow bowler, has done remarkably well thus far, and may yet gain a place amongst the immortals. It will be highly interesting to compare the respective merits of Grimmett and Merritt in the forthcoming tests There is, however, another slow bowler on the Australian side who is nearly as deadly as Grimmett. This is Don Blackie, tho Victorian, who on Saturday helped the South Australian to nonplus the Otago batsmen. Blackie’s bag consisted of four wickets for 27 runs off sixteen overs. Shepherd, Knight. McMullan and Dickinson all fell to the tall Victorian, Knight and McMullan being clean bowled. That Blackie can send down a deadly delivery he proved here when he skittled Badcock and Lamason in Wellington's second innings before either had scored. The deliveries were so overwhelming that neither batsman made strokes at the balls which completely confounded them. In Cffago’s first innings of 171, Boger Blunt was the only man to shape like a batsman. The crack New Zealand batsman had just passed his half-century when ho was caught at slip by Blackie off Grimmett. Zimmerman followed up the century ho scored at Oamaru on Thursday by putting 36 together in confident style before falling "l.b.w. to a “wrong ’un” from Grimmett. The Oamaru man is an able player, as he scored a century for North Otago against Southland a few weeks back. At the request of officials of tlie Otago Cricket Association, the Australian captain agreed to bat again on Saturday instead of ordering Otago to follow their innings. Richardson’s good-natured action was received with cheers. No doubt had a timilar request been preferred here, the big crowd would not have been so disappointed at not being allowed to see the Australians bat on the Saturday afternoon. The ’pectators at Dunedin, however, were not so overjoyed on Saturday afternoon when Ponsford and Schneider batted for 77 minutes for 79 runs. If the New Zealand public expect fireworks from Po.qsford and Woodfull they will be disappointed. Ponsford 'is net a Trumper, nor id .Woodfull a Jlacar fe-

■ ney. Both, however, are much harder to shift than either of rhe famous pair named. Their defence is well-nigh impregnable, and this is what enables them so often to play the Hobbs-Sut-cliffe role. Well Done, Manawatu. The congratulations of all cricketers will go out to Manawatu upon their success last week in wresting the Hawke Cup from Wanganui. This is not to say that everyone is glad that Wanganui was beaten. Wanganui has done extremely well in winning and defending the cup so often this season. They have also held it several times in the past. Manawatu, however, have battled away manfully for the past twenty years to reach the top, but it was not until last week that their efforts were crowned with success. The game was played at Wanganui, and when Manawatu fell for 166 in their first innings it looked very much as if the game was all over. Norris shaped well in this innings for 51, but Gallichan (37) and Pacey (20) wei;e the only men to give him much support. Wanganui appeared to have the game well in hand when they smacked up 325 in their first knock. Orr, Wood, Thakubou, Bernau, Holland, Sewell, and Symes all scored well in this innings. With a comfortable lead of 159 runs on first hands, Wanganui supporters slept soundly. They got a bit of a shock, however, when the Manawatu men commenced to pile on the runs in tbeir second strike. Norris again shaped confidently for 33, while Pegden notched 38 The batting honours, however, were carried off by N. Gallichau, who followed up his 37 in the first innings by playing a masterly knock for 143. This youthful player, who is fast developing into one of the most accomplished batsmen in the Dominion, played Bernau and Holland soundly, and punished both freely. McSweeney and Gallichan won the game for Manawatu by making a spirited stand for the sixth wicket when play was resumed on Thursday morning. Playing high-class cricket, the pair added 138, carrying the score from 144 to 282. Here McSweeney, who had reached 55, was caught by Symes off Williams. The remaining batsmen offered little, resistance,, and the innings closed for 3-15, which was a vast improvement on the weak opening knock of 166. Petone would have fared badly in their first innings had it not been for a resolute knock by J. Patrick, who, after six wickets had fallen for 54> runs, went in and banged up 71 bv fearless hitting. With assistance from Bundle (28) and Smyrk (19). the total eventually reached 182. Bowler or Batsman? I am beginning to seriously wonder whether “VViri" Baker, the Midland captain, should be considered as a batsman or as a bowler. Everyone knows that be can bat, but he has been doing so well with the ball recently that he will soon have to be recognised as a bowler. His five for 75 was a long way tho best performance put up by the Midland bowlers. “Look here,’’ “Burwood" said to the Midland captain later iu the day; “everyone declares that you cannot bowl- for nuts. How is it that yon keep on getting wickets?" “Oh,” replied Baker, with a smile, "I just wangle them out. I turn the ball a bit from leg." There is the mystery explained. The bowler who can keep a length and turn the hall a trifle from leg will keep on taking wickets. Midland did not do too well when they went to the wickets, the board at call of time showing seven down for 166. Doneghue (41). Baker (32), and D. Patrick (38) all shaped well, but went just as they were warming to their work. Alec Bruce was an absentee owing to the death of his mother. Over Zealous.

lt is always wise to be on the move when backing up for a possible run while batting, but it is distinctly unwise to leave the crease before the bowler has delivered the ball. In the Thorndon v. University match at Kilbirnie on Saturday, Nelson was backing up much too zealously. Badcock was bowling, and caught the batsman napping badly by pretending to bowl. Awav up the pitch v ent Nelson, while Budcock quietly lifted the bails. No one on th» Thorndon side appealed, but Badcock gave Nelson a helpful little lecture upon the folly of leaving the crease before the ball has loft the bowler’s hand. Nelson gravely told the professional that tho bull is dead as soon as it lodges in the lowler’s hands. Which only goes to show that many senior players know very little about tho laws of tho game. AB cricketers should know that the ball conies into play the moment the bowler commences his run to the crease. From having a commanding lead, Wanganui were now on the defensive. They required 187 runs to win, and as so often happens in these cases Manawatu’s morale was in the ascendant, while the bottom dog feeling affected the holders of the shield. No doubt, tho Wanganui wicket had worn as the result of the 836 runs which had already been scored in the match. So well did Deidrich (six for 43) and Gallichan (three for 5) bowl (hat Wanganui were all sent to the right about for 141, and Manawatu thus won the Lord Hawke Cup for the first time by 45 runs. The victory was a most meritorious one, and shows that Manawatu are developing some really good young players. Amongst these, Gallichan, who scored 37 and 143 with tho bat. and took two for 49 and three for 5 with the ball, is well worthy of a trial in the New Zealand team against tho Australians. Ho is a first-class batsman, a useful slow lefl-liandcd bowler, and a fast-moving fieldsman, with a suro pair of hands. Manawatu's success must have been very gratifying to veterans like McVicar and Ongley, who have kept tho cricket flag flying' with so little to encourage them over a long stretch of years. Manawatu has been the nursery of some very able plavors, as if has'to be remembered that. H. B. Massey first came into prominence at Palmerston North by his able bowling against MacLaren’s English team. A Good Side. That youth will be served is very evident from the success which continues to wait upon the Institute team. Though there is not a veteran player in ths team, the eleven has won every match it has played in the senior competition this season, and appears certain of another victory in the match commenced at the Basin Reserve on Saturday. Old Boys have a fair bowling string in Duncan. Lambert, Barclay, Parsloe, and Malcolm, but the Institute batsmen made light of them and, holding possession of the wickets for the whole of the afternoon, piled up the solid total of 481. Dempster and Banks put on 126 for the second wicket, and Dempster and Crook added 189 for the fourth wicket. A Constellation. The outstanding figure on the Institute side was Stuart Dempster, who registered another double century, running to 219 by as brilliant an innings as has ever been played at Wellington headquarters. He and Banks were very quiet for a loug time, but after passing the century Dempster sparkled up and delighted the spectators with the versatility of his strokes and the rapidity with which he piled on the runs. Time and again the little dasher jumped out and banged good length balls to the boundary. This little man can hit. He sent the ball flying out of the enclosure no fewer than live times, and found the boundary on twenty-four occasions. It was the very champagne

of cricket and in direct contrast to the dogged displays given by Ponsford and Woodfull a week ago. This innings of 219 on Saturday brings Dempster's aggregate for senior championship games up to 939 for nine innings. As he has been not out twice, his average works out at 1.34.14. Ho scored 224 against Y.M.C.A. earlier in the season, so this is his second double century this season. There is no question but that Dempster must rank amongst the world’s best batsmen today. It is not so much his wonderful consistency or the number of runs he piles up, as the manner in which ho makes them, that stamps Dempster as a master batsman'. lie will hook one ball with power to the square-leg boundary, and send the next one speeding past first slip just as fast with a flick of the wrist. His off and cover drives are strokes to marvel at. It is all done by footwork and beautiful timing. His First Century. R. Crook reached the cricketer’s Mecca on Saturday by scoring tho first century of his career in senior grade matches. This Institute youth is a big fellow, and he uses his reach to get out and punch good-length balls which shorter men would have to play. Crook was at the wickets against Old Boys for ISO minutes on Saturday, and found the boundary fourteen timet. lie will score faster when ho develops a few more scoring strokes.