Dickinson’s Bowling Feat

Evening Star, Issue 19800, 25 February 1928, Page 4

Dickinson’s Bowling Feat

Five Australian Wickets in Thirteen Balls Ponsford and Woodfull make Centuries Sound but Uninspiring Batting [By Wallaby.] When it became known that the Australians were batting yesterday, the attendance at Carisbrook, which had been small when play started, increased as the day wore on and eventually reached about 3,000, which included a large number of schoolboys, who bad been granted a half-day for the purpose of attending the match. This may be deemed satisfactory for a Friday. The takings totalled £139.

EXPENSIVE MISSES Naturally, everyone was keen to see the world-famed pair of opening batsmen, Ponsford and Woodfull, m action. And that privilege was accorded them for nearly throe hours, but only by accident, so to speak, for had Shepherd accepted a sharp but easy chance at short square leg in the second over of the match the great world’s record breaker, Ponslord, would have had to return disconsolate to the pavilion with but a single run opposite his name; instead of which he stayed at the crease nearly four hours and made ]4B, which, it 'may be added, is Ins first century during the_ present tour. It was an expensive miss for Otago, and horribly bad luck for the veteran Dick Torrance, off whose bowling the chance was dropped. It was the third ball of Torrance’s first over and Ponsford turned it fair and square to Shepherd about knee-high. The fieldsman stopped the ball, but it bounded out of his hands and ho failed to recover it before it reached the ground. Another disaster to Otago was when Woodfull put one of Douglas’s sharply to Zimmerman’s right hand (which is his wrong hand) at slips and was let off. It was a catch which the fieldsman had to stretch for, but which would probably have been hold by a righthanded man. Woodfull had only just reached double figures, and he, too,’ went on to make a century.

RUN-GETTING MACHINES To be candid, the batting of this pair, to whose names such a long list of huge scores is appended, was not inspiring, except to potential record breakers, who would learn the great art of “ safety first.” Watching them, one understood how it has been possible for these two to pile up century after century, and those in the crowd who had a thorough knowledge of the game could admire and appreciate such a fine exhibition of sound, safe, absolutely correct and orthodox cricket. No risks were taken; anything well pitched outside the off stump was let alone, good-length stuff’ on the wicket was played straight and hard; but anything under or over-pitched received its deserts with unerring certainty. And until each batsman bad passed his century scarcely a ball left the ground after being hit. Consummate skill, all of it, bub as the enthusiast applauded and remarked to his neighbor “ wonderful pair, these!” away down in his heart was the song “ better an hour of Trumper or Macartney than a day of Ponsford and Woodful.” And what made the partnership less entertaining than instructive was the fact that each man’s style was somewhat similar to the other’s. And there was not a great variety of strokes, the runs being got mainly from drives ou both sides of the wicket (“safe” drives, not those of the flashing, sweeping kind), w r ith an occasional hook, leg glance, and dab to third man. But these; we have seen what the big world has seen and applauded; wo have seen Ponsford and Woodfull in a 200-nm partnership (214 to be exact), and so have something to talk about in the coining days, for as a demonstration of complete confidence and an example of how to make runs with certainty, it was worth seeing. _ Woodfull was perhaps the more attractive of the two; he scored a little faster ail the time, and gave the impression of having improved “out of sight” in this regard since his previous visit here. Yet, in his 107 were only seven 4’s, but no fewer than fifty-two singles. He took 160 minutes to get his score. Ponsford, on the other hand, hit seventeen 4’s and sixty-five singles. A good percentage of the singles in each case came from effective pats “down the gully.” . The large number of singles suras up, to an extent, - the methods of these two run-getting machines, for their placing was a great feature of their play. They made it appear as though the field was badly placed, so frequently did they find the gaps, and _ yet they never took the risk of applying extra force on the chance of getting a four when a comparatively quiet single was a certainty. And, as I have said, every ball skimmed along the turf. The similarity between the two batsmen did not end with their _style_ of batting, for they were not dissimilar in their physical appearance, viewed from outside the ring; while, still further, they were each dismissed, at long last, in the same way—caught Alloo, bowled Dickinson. Woodfull, in forcing the pace a bit after getting his-century, bit out at Dickinson and skied an easy catch to the Otago skipper at mid-on, while Ponsford, laying back to force a fastisb one, mistimed it and lifted it to mid-off where the smiling Grange man held it without trouble. Ponsford took 3h lOrain _ to get his hundred (which is _ flattering to our bowling), and 3h 48min to complete his 148. He was out first ball after the tea adjournament. Kippax, in getting 38 in 72min, batted more freely than the time taken would indicate, though only four 4’s are included in his total. Dickinson bowled him with a full toss which the batsman attempted to glance, but missed altogether. A STYLISH COLT Perhaps the most stylish innings of the day was that of the youngster Jackson. Jackson is only a youth, being but eighteen years of age, but he has already inscribed _ his name on the roll of fame by making a century in each innings in an inter-Stato match. He has a free, graceful style, and pleased the critics therewith during Ins partnership (which was unbroken at the call of time) of 72 with Grimmctt for the eighth wicket. Ho showed a greater variety of strokes than any of the others, and had hit four 4’s in his 39. Grimmctt, the Dunedin born international, played a sound innings, too, after a somewhat shaky start, despite the fact that he was limping as the result of a slight strain sustained at Oamaru, and made some pretty and effective shots to leg. He was missed by Douglas in the slips soon after he came in. IH THE PROCESSION The other four batsmen who were disposed of yesterday made hut five runs between them, being victims of a wonderful spasm of bowling _ by Dickinson, of which more anon. Richardson was out Ibw, the Aussie skipper appearing to lose sight of the ball altogether after putting his leg across to glance it. The diminutive Schneider, of whom so little could be seen between his cap and his pad tops, was also out Ibw, while Oxenham was clean bowled with one which he declared he did not sec, and Oldfield caught, first ball, by Galland behind the stumps. GOOD FIELDING The out-cricket of the Otago team, apart from the missed catches, of which there were four, was decidedly good. The ground fielding was excellent, Dickinson, Blunt, M'Mullan, Alloo, and Knight often winning applause for smart work, while Galland kept wickets very well in all the circumstances. DICKINSON'S GREAT EFFORT But it was that wonderful spell of bowling by Dickinson, which began with the fall of the second (Ponsford’s) wicket, that was the outstanding thrill of the match. The Carisbrook man had been bowling steadily up to that point, and had already accounted for Woodfull. Indeed, it was generally conceded that Dickinson had come back to something like his old form. He was not sacrificing length for pace, as he had been doing of late, but was pitching them well on the wicket _ and rarely short. He was also keeping his arm np much more consistently. And up to the stage mentioned he.had bowled twenty-two overs for 55 ( runs and Woodfull’s wicket. Then, like a giant refreshed after the tea adjournment, he got to wort ao

deadly earnest. Ponsford was caught off his first ball. Two overs later, after a couple of singles had been scored, he bowled. Kippax. Next over, and before any more runs were got from him, he sent Richardson back Ibw; and on Oxenham coming in the Carisbrook express bowled him neck and crop first ball. Jackson scored a single off him, and in his next over (a maiden) he despatched Schneider (Ibw) and Oldfield (caught at the wickets) with successive balls. Thus he took six wickets in five overs for 3 runs! and five wickets in thirteen balls for 1 run. What a dramatic change in the game this brought about, and how it delighted the crowd! It was a bit of bonding that must rank with the finest achievements o? any bowler in the world, when the calibre of the opposing batsmen is taken into consideration. It is, at any rate, a performance to which, Dickinson, Otago, and New Zealand may point with satisfaction. ALL SEVEN WICKETS . Dickinson’s record for the whole day is one that deserves the highest commendation. Starting the attack at 11.30 a.m., he was bowling at the finish, with, of course, frequent spells, and moreover was bowling better at the ind than at the beginning. He i t down thirty-two overs (two maidens) for 78 runs, and the whole seven wickets which fell were captured by him. STEADY SUPPORT And, though the other six bowlers who were used failed to secure a wicket between them, it is not to say they bowled poorly. On the contrary, none of our bowlers was ever really collared, a id each trundled steadily. Torrance, as usual, put in an enormous lot of work, and was perhaps the most effec- ’ c in keeping the batsmen quiet, though Alloo for a long time was diffi cult to get away. Douglas, Shepherd, Zimmerman, and Blunt all sent along a number of good balls and never slackened iu their work. Alloo handled his bowling very well indeed. He wisely made frequent changes in the yttack, often ringing a double change, and altogether his captaincy was excellent. The umpires (Messrs W. Beal and G. Croshie) had a pleasant task, appeals being few and far between, and their decisions were always given with promptitude. The scorers (Messrs W. A. Rowlands and E. Williams) wore, as usual, accurate and of great assistance to t!... Press reporters. GROUND IN FINE ORDER The wicket at Carisbrook yesterday was a little on the slow side at the outset. but got faster as the sun dried the moisture which a few cloudy days had kept under the surface. It played well throughout, a very occasional hall “lifting” at the pavilion end. The outfield was green and fresh and the grass well cut down. By the way, the Australian team was favorably impressed with the system of ringing a gong at the end of each over—a system introduced in Dunedin and, so far as I am aware, never adopted anywhere else. The Aussles were also pleased with the idea of each batsman and bowler being supplied with a card bearing details of his score and analysis respectively. This, as most cricketers know, is a “ W. A. Rowland patent,” During the luncheon interval yesterday Mr G. Todd (president of the 0.C.A.) welcomed the Australians in a very happy speech, during which he voiced the opinion of cricketers generally when he said that we learned more from Australian visiting teams than from teams coming from England, because the former were always so ready and willing to give any of our young players advice and to show them howto spin a ball or make a sti’oke. Mr V. Y. Richardson (the visiting skipper), in _ replying, said that any member of his team, would be only too pleased to be of assistance to young New Zealand cricketers in this way. Mr W. C. Bull (manager) also voiced the appreciation of his charges in respect to the wonderful hospitality shown them since their arrival in- the dominion. Mr Richardson, by the way, added that yesterday was the finest day they had yet struck in New Zealand. THE PLAY DESCRIBED When our report closed yesterday Ponsford (63) and Woodfull (73) were still unseparated. Ponsford square cut Dickinson for a single, and Woodfull drove him past cover for a brace. Fielding at point M'Mullan made a smart return to tlic wickets, Woodfull having a close shave. The batsmen were not taking liberties with Alloo, but the last ball of his next over saw Ponsford make a lovely carpet drive to the off boundary, bringing his score to 70. Woodfull placed Dickinson nicely through the covers for a pair, and notched another couple to square leg. Ponsford brought 170 up by off driving Alloo for a single, Woodfull punching the Otago skipper to the on for 2. Blunt relieved Dickinson at the Hillside end, Ponsford driving-his first past the bowler for 1, Woodfull repeating with the next ball, Tiio over produced 4 runs. Woodfull signalised, lus entry into the 90’s by driving Alloo to the off for a single, Ponsford also notching a smartly run single. Blunt’s next oyer added a couple of singles, 180 being hoisted. Woodfull drove Alloo past the bowler for 1, Ponsford also making a good carpet drive for a single. Woodfull glanced Alloo to square leg for 3, the Otago skipper now proving easier to score off. Ponsford was scoring more rapidly and brought his 80 up by driving Blunt to long-off for 3, Zimmerman replacing Alloo at the other end. The Oamaru man did not prove troublesome and three smartly-ruu singles came Irom the over. Ponsford drove Blunt through the covers for 1, Woodfull cutting him square for a single. The batsmen were still scoring mainly by singles, but Ponsford drove Zimmerman to the on for 2, repeating to the off for a single. Ponsford square cut Blunt for 1 and Woodfull brought 200 up with a single past point, play having been in progress 2h 37miu. WOODFULL'S CENTURY Facing Zimmerman, Woodfull notched a short single to the off and reached the 100, which had taken 2h 4()mm to get. A single to each batsman ciiuo Irom Dickinson’s next over, Zimmerman’s producing only a single. Woodfull drove Dickinson past point for a single which was the onlv one of the over. Woodfull made an uppish stroke through the covers for 2 and followed with another single off Zimmerman, off whom Ponsford drove to mid-ou lor 1. WOODFULL OUT With the score at 214 Woodfull skied Dickinson just beyond the bowler in geing for a big hit, Alloo coming iu to take an easy catch. 214—1—107. Ho had been at the wickets 2h 52rain. Dickinson’s one wicket was obtained at a cost of 46 runs. . Kippax was the incomer, and approaching the century Ponsford batted very carefully, scoring ten singles in succession. Kippax opened his account with a brace and the 3 smote Zimmerman to the square leg boundary, following with a single. Ponsford obtained a single ofl Dickinson short of mid-on, Kippax also notching a single. Ponsford brought, 230 up with a. smart, single, and 1 to Kippax gave the NewSouth Welshman the bowling again. Shepherd took over the bowling from Zimmerman, Kippax glancing him to fine leg for a brace, and running for a single to mid-on. Kippax was batting freely and facing Douglas, who came on for the first time since the morning, scoring 1 past the bowler. PONSFORD REACHES HIS HUNDRED Ponsford hoisted his century with a 4 to the off after 3h lOmiu play. Another 4 in the same direction went to his credit, and a third boundary to long-on finished the over. This brought £SO w the hoard. A full toss from

Douglas was despatched to the on boundary, the next also reaching the fence on the off side. Another full toss from Douglas received short shrift at Ponsford’s hands but <snly a single resulted by reason of smart fielding on the part of Blunt, 260 appearing during Shepherd’s next over m which Kippax reached the fence on the on side. Ponsford turned Shepherd to the square leg boundary and Kippax cut Torrance through the slips for 1. Ponsford was laying the wood on and drove Torrance into the country on the on side, bringing his total to 130. Alloo put Blunt on again in place of Shepherd, Kippax later cutting the new bowler for a single. The over produced three siugels, 280 appearing on the score board. - Torrance unsuccessfully appealed for Ibw when trundling to Kippax and Blunt’s next was a maiden. One came from Torrance, and Ponsford sent Blunt to the pickets with a lovely drive along the carpet. Kippax scored a single and Ponsford glanced Torrance to square leg for a brace. He followed this up with a boundary shot past point, and at the other end Alloo come on. three singles resulting. Dickinson tuoii charge at the north end, Kippax adding 4. Alloo was not worrying the batsmen much and Kippax cut him through the slips prettily for a brace. At the afternoon tea adjournment one wicket bad fallen for 308 runs, Ponsford being 148 and Kippax J 57. A DRAMATIC CHANGE Upon resuming after the tea adjournment Ponsford faced Dickinson, and in going lor a smite the Victorian was caught at mid-off by Alloo. 303-2-148. Ponsford was at the wickets for three hours fifty minutes, and gave but the ono chance, when he had scored one run. Richardson came in and opened with a. single, Torrance bowling a maiden from the pavilion end. Thcro was a lull in the scoring until, with the total at 314, Kippax played all over a fast one from Dickinson, who shattered the Australian’s stumps. 314 3—38. At this stage Dickinson had taken three wickets for 57 runs, tbo over being a maiden. Schneider was the next batsman, but before he hud scored he lost his captain, who put his leg in front to Dickinson. 315—4—2. This was sensational, but further was to follow when Oxenham joined the little South Australian, Dickinson’s next ball being a clinker which took Oxenham’s off-stump. 315—5—0. Dickinson’s figures were now five wickets for 57, ho having taken three wickets iu nine balls. Jackson opened his account with a single, and Schneider drove Torrance to the off for 3, 320 appearing, in the next over Dickinson captured his sixth wicket, Schneider being out Ibw to tho Otago trundler 320—6—3. Oldfield followed, but went first ball, Galland taking a smart catch behind the wickets off Dickinson. 310—7—0. Dickinson was bowling like a champion, having taken seven wickets for 53 runs. Grimmett was the newcomer, and Dickinson’s fifth ball just shaved the top of his wicket, THE ROT STOPPED Jackson cut Torrance square for a brace, Grimmett opening with a single to point off Dickinson. Jackson punched Dickinson to third man for a single, Grimmett following with a single, which gave him the bowling. The ex-New Zealander drove Torrance through the covers to the boundary, and Jackson square-cut Dickinson for a single, Grimmett adding ono in similar fashion. Torrance’s next over produced one, and Shepherd was then brought on to relieve Dickinson. Grimmett received a let-off when Douglas failed to get his hands on one off Shepherd, the over producing 11 runs. Torrance sent down a maiden to Jackson, only ono being scored off Shepherd’s next. Torrance, who was keeping the ecoro down, bowled his eighth maiden over, and Grimmett notched a single off Shepherd, Jackson sending the Albion man to the off pickets, which brought 350

up- . Shepherd was not proving very dangerous, and off his next over both batsmen scored, four runs being added. Grimmett reached 20 with a single, and at the pavilion end Alloo replaced Torrance, one run coming from the over. Dickinson came on at the north end, and Jackson turned him to fine leg for a single. Grimmett snicked ono through the slips, and Jackson reached 20 with a pair to leg. Grimmett offdrove Alloo foi a single, and faced Dickinson, latc-cutting him for I. Jackson drove Alloo to the on-boundary, and followed by placing the Otago skipper nicely for a single, Grimmett nnving through the covers for 1. Jackson brought 370 up with a brace, and Grimmett cut Dickinson through tho slips for 4, repeating with another lovely shot for 4. Blunt wont on at the pavilion end, and Jackson reached 30 with one past M'Millan at deep point to tho fence. Another was pulled to the on fence which gave the outfielders no chance. Two singles made 10 off the over. A double change saw Douglas on at die other end, two singles resulting from the over. An appeal against Jackson by Blunt for Ibw was answered in the batsman’s favor. A single, and Grimmett played the balance of the over carefully, getting one off the last. Stumps were then drawn. Scores AUSTRALIA.—First Timings. Woodfull c Alloo b Dickinson ... 107 Ponsford c Alloo b Dickinson ... 143 Jvippax b Dickinson ... 38 Richardson Ibw b Dickinson 2 Schneider Ibw b Dickinson ... ... 3 Oxenbam b Dickinson ... 0 Jackson not out ... Oldfield c Galland b Dickinson ... n Grimmett not out ... Jn Byes 16, Log byes 4. ... ... 20 Total for 7 wickets ... 392 Bowling.—Dickiuson, 32 overs, 2 maidens, 78 runs, 7 wickets; Torrance, 31 overs, f» maidens, 06 runs; Douglas, 9 oyers, 41 runs; Alloo, 20 overs, 3 maidens, 46 runs; Shepherd, 11 overs, 53 runs; Blunt, 17 overs. 3 maidens, GO runs; Zimmerman, U overs, 1 maiden, 28 runs. Fall of Wickets.—One for 214, two for 308, three for 314, four for 315, five for 315, six for 320, seven for 320.