MERCANTILE CRICKET LEAGUE

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 7, 9 January 1932, Page 19

MERCANTILE CRICKET LEAGUE

In the Mercantile League's recent game with "the Wanganui Association the batting, bowling, and fielding showed a marked improvement over previous games. ' The success of the league team was in no email measure due to the sterling performances of Murphy, "Waugh, and Brooks. Murphy's-steady-ing influence was felt'right throughout the game and supplied" just that little extra check that the league batsmen required. His-74 was a dogged effort and worth, more than the figures'indicate. "... -'.. ■■•••• - ■•/■■!••■ ■•■ ■

Waugh's innings was invaluable, his 69 being the rock on which the Wanganui bowlers foundered. It paved the way for some splendid free batting by Whinham, who in attacking .the bowling at that particular .stage did the right thing at the right moment.

Brooks has seldom, bowled better..His deliveries; were- a little slower than usual and infinitely more effective, his left-handed "swingers.'' proving very ;disconcerting to the opposing.batsmen, who at no stage had, the mastery of him. Brooks's ;average for the match was, 10 wickets for lOC^runs. . The fielding was well up to standard, .Murphy and Roberts being particularly clean in their handling, .while Henderson and Eobbs,, always on tli.e alert, saved many boundary shots. J. Koberts, who .was appointed, captain of the side, handled his material excellently, show-, ing goqd judgment in Ms batting order,. an,d using His bowlers., wiselyji aMjbugh" perhaps he could have used his own "slows" to more, advantage. : "' , An invitation'has been extended for k -return visit at Easter, and there is :eyery\prospect of the game developing' into an annual-one.. . ."

Mr. R. A. "Wright, M.P. (patron of the league) was an interested spectator during the 'progress of the game on both days-.