CRICKET

Evening Star, Issue 23702, 9 October 1940, Page 9

CRICKET

NOTES AND COMMENTS [By “ Wallaby,”] Carry On! The spirit of determination to carry on in spite of all obstacles was a noticeable feature of tho addresses delivered at the official opening ceremonies on Saturday. It is recognised, of course, that the difficulties to be surmounted will be many, and it is quite likely that the arrangements made at the beginning of the season will need to he altered before its close. Indeed, it will bo scarcely competent for club executives to state definitely the number of teams that will be entered and continue to be fielded in each grade. It is fairly safe to say that close on 50 per cent, of the senior players of last year are away on active service or will bo so by Christmas time. By the time the season opens on Saturday week clubs will have a better idea of their resources, though, of course, entries must ho in by October 14. Sole Selector This Year. The O.C.A. has reverted to a sole selector for representative matches, a motion that a selection commilte of three be again appointed meeting with little or no support. It is strange how opinions change "and as difficult to understand tho reason for such changes. For the past two seasons there have been three selectors, but the year prior to that Mr M'Millan acted alone. On that occasion his choice was approved to as great an extent as any choice is, and there is no reason to doubt his judgment. It is just that the O.C.A Committee is like tho lady in tho story—you never know what it is going to do next. At any rate, Mr M'Millan will have a splendid opportunity of trying out promising young colts, and it may be that one or two “ discoveries ” will be unearthed—youngsters who can be taken in hand and developed iu the hope that war conditions will not last very much longer. Roger Blunt. Inquiries have frequently been made concerning tho movements and welfare of that great cricketer, Roger Blunt, who left Dunedin seven years ago under a business engagement to Sir Julien Calm in England. No reports of Blunt’s cricket activities were received after the first two or three years following his departure, and it is only recently that his name cropped up again as top scorer in a war-time match between a Notts team and an Air Force eleven. A letter received by a friend of Roger’s in Dunedin throws some light on the situation, as in it the ex-New Zealand player tells of a series of misfortunes. First, some three vears ago he suffered from a back injury, which put him out of the game for a season. Then he broke his shoulder blade, and, finally, about a year ago, when he had resumed playing, he took a hard drive cn the top of his finger, causing a serious injury which again put him out of cricket. Business troubles added to the burdens of this popular player, who is, however, keeping liis end up in spite of adverse war conditions, Hassett in Army. Lindsay Hassett, Australian teat cricketer, joined the A.I.F. recently. Hassett would hsvo risen to any height in the cricket world had times remained normal, comments a Sydney critic. As it was, there were few batsmen superior to him during the past few years, and that double-century ho scored last season placed the seal upon bis greatness. Hassett is one of those rare men who succeed at any sport in which they become interested. Although cm the small side, he was an excellent footballer, and as a golfer could hold his own in company just outside championship class. In addition, Lindsay’s personality has made him popular with everybody he lias met. Scott for New South Wales. Barry Scott, tho Victorian fast bowler, will be lost to Victorian cricket this year. He has been transferred to Sydney. There is a doubt whether he will be able to continue first class cricket, but he hopes to »arrange his holiday leave so that he will be able to play for New South Wales. He will also play grade cricket, but does not know which club he will join. Scott had some remarkably good bowling performances last year, and with the experience he gained ho would have been invaluable in the Victorian team this season.

Sixty Years Ago. The Timaru ‘ Herald * has unearthed from its files a ‘ Punch ’ ode to the Australian cricketers which appeared in the ‘ Herald ’ of October 7, 1880. It ran as follows: — Australian lads, ye’re a leathering lot, Your team lias no “ tail,” and seems proof against “rot”! Your batsmen a capital average tot! Your bowlers are commonly well on the spot i Our “ cracks ” seem all catching it awfully hot, (Nino runs in two innings “ tho Champion ” got?) Yorkshire you’ve " scumfished,” now Gloucester you’ve “ shot.” You have licked us all round, and the prospect is not ~ An encouraging one to the Briton or Scot, And—drinking your health—Mr Punch would ask: “What! Can cricket in England be going to pot? ” (Mr P. sigheth and solaceth himself with a “ deep, deep draught ” of Iced Hatfield.)