COUNTY'S LEAN TIMES

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 106, 7 May 1934, Page 14

COUNTY'S LEAN TIMES

LEICESTERSHIRE PLAYERS

(By \"Not Out.")

Having easily accounted for 'Worcestershire "in the opening match of their tour, .tli6 Australian cricketers had a day's spell before, their match with Leicestershire, in which the Australians are already in a strong position. Worcestershire were so hopelessly outclassed" that there would appear to be little hope for Leicestershire, who were at the bottom of the county championship table last year. However, there is always the possibility of play being curtailed on account of rain, a happening which saved Leicestershire on the last. touv. by an Australian team. Leicestershire have been experiencing lean times, and not only was there a big falling off in their performance last .season, but there was also an undermining of the county's financial position. Sir Julicn Calm generously came to tho t rescue with £1000, and. with that help, and a determination to* build up a teaih of better playing strength, it is possible that Leicestershire may start on the up grade again this season. There is a change of leadership in the side, the former Cambridge University player, A. G. Hnzlcrigg, having succeeded Tj. W. Dawson Cwlio was with A. TI. Gilligan 's team in Xcw Zealand) as captain, though Dawson is playing in the present.mutch.

Tlie Australians on the 1930 tour mot. Leicestershire in the second match, .mid, as indicator!, piny was- curtailed 011 account oJ: rain. However, Leicester-

shire had had one innings in. 'wuieh Grimmett (seven for 46) and Wall (three for 37) proved too much for them, the side being out for 148. Then Bradman set to work upon their bowling and hit up 185 (not out) in five hours and a quarter, Richardson also pasting the bowling for an even 100. The Australians made 305 for five wickets.

Leicestershire face the present season not without hopes of making an improved showing. Last year they possessed no cricketer with a personality to exercise a revivifying influence and awaken interest among the general public, by whom their victories were received (according to "Wisden's") without any pronounced enthusiasm and their defeats with gloomy indifference.' For a county with such traditions this proved a sari state of affairs. Influences are at' work which', it is expected, will inaugurate a" new chapter in the life of the club. If only promising talent can bo found and some of those still in the eleven induced to play with 'more desire to give enjoyment to the spectators (it was stated recently) there is every reason to hope that Leicestershire will furnish cricket worthy of the days of C. R de' Trafford, Bougher, Woodcock, Albert Knight, and J. 11. King. LAST SEASON'S PERFORMANCES. Armstrong (the backbone of the team) scored over 2000 runs for Leicestershire last season, and Berry (an energetic batsman) was little short of that mark, while Shipman (useful at times as a bowler) and Dawso'n each -made over 1000 runs.. Geary and Astill as all-rounders met with moderate success, though Geary (now 40 years of age) was well beyond his best. Astill (a slow to medium spin bowler) is regarded as the most ! versatile player in the side. Eiddington, mainly a defensive batsman, returned fair batting.-figures last year. The most successful bowler was H. A. Smith, whose fast-medium deliveries brought in over 10.0 wickets, and Marlow (left-hand slow) and Astill did reasonably well, but S;iary (slowmedium) fell right, away. When Corr'all was injured. Sidwell came back to the side :is wicket-keeper and lie had a good season, llazlerigg, the new captain, played in only one match for Leicestershire last season. Gorrall is back again as .'keeper. ■'.'Western came into the team as a batsman for a feiv matches last season, but did not meet with much success.