CRICKET

Evening Star, Issue 19781, 3 February 1928, Page 12

CRICKET

tßy Wallaby.]

notes and Comments THE PLUNKET SHIELD AND LOCAL TOPICS.

'As was expected, Wellington has won the Plunket Shield for 1927-28. Undoubtedly it was the strongest province, its batting strength especially being particularly marked. At the same time it must bo admitted that our friends across the straits are favored with a big expanse of territory irom which to choose their players, and it was akin to giving to him that hat, when Nelson, a South Island district, was added to the prolific field already under the black-and-gold banner. However, they wero entirely “ within the law ” in playing Taylor —who, by the way, is a quiet, ur.»r,ssuming, and likeable chap—and no exception can be taken to their action. Auckland put up a plucky light against overwhelming odds, their score or 458 in the second innings when facing a deficit of 754 being a highly commendable effort. it falls short, however,_ of Otago’s 495 in the historic match with Wellington four years ago. Bowley must have opened out in surprising fashion, for I see ho scored at a mucin faster rate than Mills or any of the other batsmen who were with him at the wickets. Dacre, who came later, was breezier still, and evidently played one of his most attractive innings.

There is always keen interest in the meeting of the old north end rivals, Grange and Albion, and on Saturday a goodly number ot spectators watched the play. The match was played on the Grange wicket, which was not in good order, and this, combined with the fact that Grange had three good men—M'Mullan. Alloo, and Conradi—absent, made tne winning of the toss a more than usually important matter. For whichever side won it was sure to send tho other side in to bat.

Grange’s luck held good, and Galland gave vent to t. pressions of satisfaction when the coin favored him, and soon the Grange team, brought up to strength with three substitutes, filed into the field. There was an element of irony in the subsequent proceedings when two of the Albion batsmen were caught out by members of their own team who were helping their opponents in the-field.

Things looked black for Albion for a while. First Vorrath was run out through failing to see that the fieldsman had gathered up the ball before the second run was begun. Then Duncan was caught, and Shepherd was held in the slips off a ball that bumped and struck the handle of his bat. Soon afterwards Allen was smartly stumped, and four wickets were down for 37. Allen’s dismissal aroused doubts in the minds of the lookers-on, for it was quite obvious that the batsman had not moved his foot. However, when he came back to the pavilion, Allen frankly admitted that be had been hatting all the while with his foot on the line, not knowing that part of it at least should be inside. It is rather surprising that a senior player should be so ignorant of the rules, but there it is. . It was at this stage that the tide of fortune turned in favor of Albion, and it was a clear case oi fortune favoring the brave, for each succeeding batsman went bravely lor the bowling and, as happens nine times out of ton, found it much less formidable than was expected. Blfiir and Binney took toll to the extent of 80 runs, the former driving hard and clean, albeit with (usually) a cross-bat. He must have a wonderfully accurate eye. Anyway, he hit eight 4’s and laid the foundation of a very bright batting interlude. Binney, who, somehow, is looked upon as a veteran, though he is no older than Shepherd, began very confidently, and brought off some, very pretty hack cuts. This is a stroke that has gone largely out of fashion, and it. was quite Binney, who somehow is looked upon ns a veteran, though he is no older than Shepherd, began very confidently and brought off some very pretty back cuts. This is a stroke that has gone largely out of fashion, and it was quite refreshing to see it made so well and so often. Thanks, Dick! Blair smacked eight 4’s in making his 56. . After, Blair’s dismissal, which was brought about by his miss-hitting one from Elmesand being caught at. cover, Caskie and .Blamires (two ‘ big fellows’D carried on tbe good work. Both drove lustily, and “the padre also placed some good forcing strokes to the on. The only fault with tins pair was their rather too leisurely running between wickets • they lost a number of runs which more active men might have got. Caskie hit one nice sixer to long on off a slow full toss of Galland’s. Blamires hit six 4’s. Caskie was caught by his team-mate Allen in the deep field, and Blamires. was out >bw in stepping out to hit Knight. With these tivo batsmen gone Grange might have looked for some respite, but Barron and MTvor literally took up the running—and the hitting—and made things merrier than ever. Eight wickets were down for 215 when they got together, and they carried on until rain forced an adjournment. When they resumed half an hour later conditions were such that one wondered what had now become of Grange’s luck. Runs came apace, and it was not till 307 was on the board that a separation came, Barron letting one from Hanan past him into his wicket. He had hit eight 4’s, 6’s, and a 5 in his score of 71, the runs being got in his best style. MTvor finished up with 40 not out, including six 4’s, and he too showed that a cricket ball could be hit hard with perfect safety. Grange’s bowling figures were not flattering:—Gallant! (who got three early wickets), three for 97; Knight, on© for 117; Elmes, two for 66; Hanan, one for 22. The fielding was poor, with the exception of Knight and Galland, who were always dangerous. Tho grass in the outfield was long, otherwise Albion’s score would have been bigger than it was. However, it should be just about enough to enable them to gain a two-pointer and a substantial load in the championship table. But one never knows, does one?

Charlie Chadwick still keeps wickets, and keeps them well. He is one of the “evergreens,” if you like. An incident which brought a laugh from the crowd occurred when Vorrath, who was fielding as substitute _ for Grange, dashed on to the Albion wicket (where a second grade match was in progress) to field a ball. Just at that moment the bowler sent down one which Vorrath had to dodge; then he stooped to pick up the ball which had been hit out to him from the senior wicket. Meantime the junior bat had played his ball hard, and the two balls came in the direction of Vorrath in such a confusing manner that the fieldsmen hesitated, and missed the lot. The incident reminded one of the old story of the batsman who explained that he had been bowled because he had seen two balls (hid), and hit at the wrong one. Only in Vorrath’s case the two balls wore actually there. By the way, I am told that I was mistaken in saying that Vorrath’s century against Wellington was his first in any cricket. His father informs mo that the lad made 160 in a third grade match before he became settled in the higher grades. Another bit of wrong information that I had given me was that which prompted my statement that Blunt’s dismissal in the first innings of the Wellington match was the first occasion upon which ho had fallen into the “ leg trap.” I am reminded that Arthur Alloo trapped him in the match at Christchurch five years ago, brother Cecil being the catcher on that occasion.

Whatever may bo said about George Dickinson’s bowling (and he certainly appears to have “ gone to tho pack ” so far as that department of the game is concerned! he has shown groat improvement as a batsman. On Saturday he followed up his century against Wellington by notching another, this time against Dunedin. And it was a flawless hundred. Moreover, it is an unfinished break, and he resumes tomorrow with a chance of carrying on to 200—unless, of course, the closure is applied. Roger Blunt also hit the Dunedin bowling about to the tune of a century. Roger gave a difficult chance to Cherry before he reached the coveted three figures, and after he had “ got there” he “went in for a bash,” and was finally bowled in going ’way down tho pitch to hit Clariclgc. It was a case of throwing his wicket away. Torrance was the only one on th* side who looked like a bowler. He captured a couple of early wickets, and then settled down to keep an end going, while Claridge, Cavanagh, Cherry, and Co. operated at the other end. M'Gregor was away. Carisbrook’s total —290 for three—should ensure them a win unless they hang on too long. The cricketers at Sencliff are very keen, and welcome heartily any town teams that take a trip up there. lam asked to suggest that those of our city teams that may have a bye or a day off should endeavor to take a run up to Seacliff. Even in Sydney, the “gate” depends ifpon .the importance of the match. For instance, tho interstate match against Tasmania netted only £6O; that against Queensland £1,581; and that against South Australia £.1.152.

Each season in Australia some young player comes to light suddenly in firstclass cricket. This season one of the most notable is H. Davidson, the Waverley wicketkeeper, who made such a brilliant debut for the. State against South Australia. It is safe to say (says the Sydney ‘Referee.’) that no •‘keeper has ever started with greater brilliancy in representative cricket than the young man of Waverley. It may interest those ex-Victorians now resident in Dunedin to. know that the Melbourne Club leading in the V.C.A. premiership contest with 15 points, South Melbourne being next with 12. Then follow Colli®gwood_ (9), University (8), Prahran, St. Kilda, Carlton, Hawthorn-East Melbourne, and North Melbourne (5 each).

“NET PRACTICE A CURSE.”

Ernest Jones, the old Australian fast bowler, still takes keen interest in the game. He was recently credited with some outspoken remarks concerning the progress of cricket and those who are at present participating in it. He said that what was wanted to-day in the bowling line were men of the type of W. P. Howell and Hugh Trumble.

“What Australia really needs,” he added, “is a really fast bowler. Since the breaking np of the combination of Gregory and M'Donald, fast bowling has deteriorated.” Ho considered it a moot point whether Blackie and Ironmonger could withstand the pressure of a strenuous tour in the hot sun.

Continuing, Jones remarked: “Net practice is the curse of present-clay cricket. High-class fielding is an essential, and often a catch dropped means a match lost. Present-day throwing-iu is awful—more judgment in the throw-in is necessary. My complaint about net practice is that it creates an artificial atmosphere, and batsmen are prone to make shots they would net attempt in actual matches. Bowlers also fall into errors. .Regular match training in the open, with a correctlyplaced field should be instituted, when every phase of the game could be tried under proper conditions.” Reverting to bowling, Jones went on: “Grimmett is one of the few bowlers who works his head to_ get tho batsmen out. At the same time few batsmen will take risks to knock the bowling off. My experience of bowling and bowlers is that when a bowler finds himself being knocked about he begins to wonder what is wrong. A worried bowler is not at his best. It is the batsman who can knock up the runs who holds a decided advantage.” AUSTRALIAN TEAM FOR NEW ZEALAND. To judge by what has appeared in New Zealand newspapers there appears to have been a feeling that the Australian tour might be abandoned owing to the allowances for players not being sufficient. There never has been any suggestion to that effect from this side. The New Zealand authorities are allowing 10s per day to the players. This is fair. The further allowances are to come from bodies on this side, the Board of Control and the V.G.A. and New South Wales Cricket Association having determined on augmenting the dominion allowance. The board has brought it up to 15s, and the V.C.A. and New South Wales Cricket Association are adding a further 15s for their own players. The team will leave Sydney shortly after the New South Wales v. Victoria match, and reach Wellington on February 14. If the English coaches now in New Zealand be included in the dominion elevens for the test matches the cricket should be of very great interest to supporters of the game over there. The New South Wales Association, on the proposal of Mr T. H. Howard, has instructed its delegates to the board to bring before the board the necessity ot that body taking steps to prevent any association from making a separate allowance to its players on such a tour, the idea being that it is a matter lor the board only*