THE LEG THEORY

Hokitika Guardian, 9 March 1933, Page 6

THE LEG THEORY

USED BY BOWLER IN AUCKLAND

SPECTATORS HECKLE PLAYER

Some idea of the .much-discussed legtheory bowling was given spectators at Eden Park on Saturday, when D. C. Cleverly, tlie Ponsonby fast bowler, adopted it at times in the niatch against Grafton on. the No-2 wicket. Soon after the commencement of Grafton’s innings Cleverly, packed his field on. tho leg side, when bowling to C. Kerr, a. left-hand batsman. ,

Cleyorley’s action resulted in an, immediate outburst from a -section of spectators on t’lie ‘‘hill,” who velie-' 1 loudly “Cut it out, Larwood! You've been reading the Australian paper-i” There was cheering when a batsman scored ariv runs, the bowler being repeatedly heckled to fill up. Iho gaps ; n his field'. Batsmeii were e:i(4 '.raghd to hit. the ball with such remarks as “We are on your side.”

Although Cleverly was by no means accurate in bib bowling, there is no doubt he intimidated some of the batsmen occasionally when liebumped the ball occasionally or made it flv over their heads. One batsman C. Burke, showed annoyance at one stage when a ball went o\er bis head by walking down the wicket end hitting the pitch hard at the spot where the ball landed. In the early part of Grafton’s innings Hoivpool, the captain, bad to retire with an injured finger through being hit by a delivery from Cleverly. Tlie batsman did not have a glove on and. the injury was quite accidental. At no stage did Cleverly adopt the leg theory to Korspool. Cleverly was eventually spelled and when be came on again it was noted that lie did not bowl to a leg field, evidently on the advice of his captain.