Cricket.

Free Lance, Volume IV, Issue 186, 23 January 1904, Page 20

Cricket.

THE most interesting feature of the senior championship matches last Saturday was the excellent display of batting given by the Old Boys team. A maker of statistics had figured out that during the four representative matches played during the holiday season the Old Boys players in the Wellington teams had aggregated 500 runs between them. This conclusively proved that they were capable of making runs, and, personally, I was not surprised to see the way they shaped on Saturday. True, the greater number of the 314 runs scored came from J. P. Blacklock's and Tucker's bats, but not a solitary member of the team was dismissed without scoring. » » Before he went to South Africa as a "Tommy Fernleaf," Pearson Blacklock was one of the most promising colts in Wellington cricket, and the fine stands he used to make in company with Freddy Midlane caused many heads to wag as to the deeds he nould da ere long on the cricket fields of Wellington — aye, of the colony. Many of us have looked in vain during the past two seasons for the fulfilment of the promise referred to, but on Saturday it was 1 brought home to us with much vividness. Commencing with a degree of steadiness unusual with him, Blacklock soon got the measure of the Phoenix bowling, and gave as neat and pi-etty a display of cricket as has been seen on the Basin Reserve for a long time. All his hits were full of vim, and were backed up with a lot of power. Though he made some fine cuts to the off boundary, Blacklock's most telling strokes were the drive straight past the bowler and the one to the on — the fence in front of the pavilion being safely negotiated every time. Blacklock's score of 148 is the first century in local senior cricket this season, and was gathered together in slightly under three hours. The wav m which he got his runs was as follows, and the figures speak for themselves : — 2153133242133123325 24233311113331411 31412312231112311211111324131333. Mention of Blacklock's batting brings back to memory the days when the name of Blacklock was a power in Wellington cricket. "Jimmy," the father of the player under notice, Arthur and Bob, two of his uncles, were all fine cricketers in their day. By the way, Blacklock pere was an interested spectator of his son's prowess on Saturday. * # • Another pleasing feature of the Old Boys innings was the return to form of Kenneth Tucker. "The best all-round player in Wellington" is a generally-ac-cepted criticism of Tucker's abilities, but in Cup matches this season he has not shown his right to retain that title. Speaking to him before the play commenced' on Saturday I mentioned the figures brought out in the second paragraph of these notes, and I suggested that it was up to- him to give the "Boys" a lead. He said, "I'm with you ; we are good for 300 runs to-day." Of course, I did not think his boast would be fulfilled, but, as the score approached the third century, Tucker's remarks were indelibly impressed on my memory. His own contribution of 65 runs was made in a way associated with Tucker's name. One sweet drag to long leg re-

ceived the full weight of the bat, and anothei cut square with the wickets was sent a«av with a swishing accompaniment. Both these strokes produced five all run out, but all loundthe wicket he was equaJiy effective. J\o\\ that Tucker has struck his correct form, we may expect many moie good exhibitions from him. * * * Staples, the consistent scorer of the representative matches, put a score and a couple extra on the sheet w hen he was given out caiught off a stroke he avers came sharply off the ground to the fieldsman — a bump ball. He was settling down, to hist work at the time, and seemed good to stay in a long while. Wills (11), Hay (12), and Jacobs (10) were the other double-figuie scorers. These are a trio of whom much has been expected, but their form in junior cricket has not so far been reproduced in senior cricket. True, Wills, in his first innings in the bigger cricket shaped well, but has done nothing startling since. Hay spoilt his advancement by playing one season under the Hutt Valley Association just when he was getting used to the Basin Reserve. When at College, "Dick" was pointed out as one of Wellington's coming cricketers. He is young enough still to be classed as a coming player, and the hope may yet be realised. Before the Old Boys' team entered the senior ranks, Jacobs was its most consistent batsman, and was the hardest player then playing junior cricket to get rid of. He was so solid in those days that he could experiment wiuh the bowlingr. and the hook stroke to leg he brought to perfection. This stroke has proved disastrous to him in hi& senior cricket for he has been dismissed so often leg-before i -wicket or caught at the wickets through trying as to dishearten him. He still has nlenty of cricket in, him and if he discards this stroke altogether for a while it wall pay him. better. O. P. Blacklock (9), Wedde (7), Pope (6), McGowa,n (3 not out) Kirkcaldie (2), and extras (19) all assisted towards the Old Boys fine total of 314. Hickey (four for 45), Bnce (three for 75). Bartlett (two for 43), and Barton (one for 46) were the successful Phoenix bowlers. * * • The Phoenix team had only half-an-hour's battinf. and the tail end of the team going in first put on 33 runs for one wicket' — McLennan, a promoted junior, playing a googly one from Tucker on to his wicket when he had made 5. Lash 10 (not out) and Hickey 14 (not out) will open play w r hen the match is resumed. * • • The Wellington-Midland match suffered by comparison with the Old BoysPho&iix game. Tor instance, during the afternoon 347 runs were scored in the latter match, for the loss of eleven wickeits, while in the former fifteen wickets fell for an aggregate of 194 runs. But No. 1 wicket — on which the older clubs met — was in a frightful state ; so much so that I would not have been surprised to have found the players declining to continue playing on it. I have growled before — really, I cm tired of growling aJbout the state of the wickets provided for matches this season. I am informed that so muoh of the custodian's time is taken up with putting in the practise nets every day that he and his assistant cannot give the attention to thei preparing of the wickets that they would hke. But, surely this can be remedied. The preparing of the match and practice wickets should be the first duty of the custodian, and the putting of the practice nets in position should be a secondary consideration. My opinion, though, is that the remedy for the trouble is a new custodian. * * * The Wellington team had first turn at ihe wickets, but 107 was the full result of the effort. Latham (24), Mahony (22), Ashbolt (20), and Hickson (12) were the only double-figure scorers. It is only fair to say, though, that Upham's bowling kicked horribly on the bad wicket and many of the batsmen, received some nasty knocks therefrom.

Mahony batted confidently and well, and Frank Ashbolt put more vim into his play than usual. Latham's was a very serviceable contribution, and Stan Hickson was settling down after a very bad passage from bumpy balls when he was caught at cover-point off a rising stroke. Upham (seven wickets for 54 runs) w £s the main deLtroyir<3 r.e,ciit, Mitchell (tw o fm* 17) and Stephenson (one for 31) assisting him. • * • The openin- of the Midland innings w as disastrous from that team's point of view , for Hales proved very deadly. Five wickets fell with the score at 39, Hales being credited with the lot of them. Hales bowled from the same end as Upham did, but his bowlmg rarely kicked, and, as- a consequence, the batsmen hardly knew what to do and, while they were deciding the matter, Hales got past them into their timber-yard. But with the score at 39, Upham joined Claude Hickson, who had opened the innings. The Midland skipper emulated Hickson's cautious play, and both were unbeaten at the end of the day's play — Hickson with 52, and Utiham with 23. The Midland team have now half their wickets in hand, w r ith a leeway of but 20 runs to pull up. The most popular cricketer m Wellington at the present time is Tom Hales, of that there can be no possible doubt. When he comes in to bat he is cheered, when he makes a run he is cheered agai.l, end when a batsman is dismissed through him you hear a chorus of "Well bowled, Hales." But, there is one feature of Hales's bowling that jars my feelings- — and that is the long saunter he takes down the field before he turns to start his run to deliver the ball. I watched him closely on Saturday, and feel convinced that he could shorten his run by at least seven yards without in the least impairing his delivery. I am curious at times and on Saturday something prompted me to find out how much time passed by from the time Halesj received the ball from the fieldsman or wicketkeeper till he bowled it again, and twice my watch made the time twenty seconds. Now, on Saturday, Hales bowled 96 balls, and if the time I have stated above is to be relied upon there was about half-an-hour of playing time occupied m delivering these sixteen overs during which there was no actual play. Of course, figures can be made to prove anything, but I think "Tom" will agree with me that if lie can save some of this waste time no harm will be done the matches in which he is playing. Re Hales once more. Skipper Richardson does' not spell him soon enough. He is his stock bowler, and therefore he should make the most use of him he can. But, on Saturday before Hales was relieved he was; dead weairy. I have argued in this strain before, but, as I am a believer in quick changes of bowling, I will not extend it further at this stage. * ♦ « I am told the friendly rivalry among certain third-class cricketers is at a low ebb. Fancy a protest against an opponent using one of the opposing team's bats ! Yet, such a protest was made in all seriousness in a match last Saturday, and insisted on. Some Dunedin tallies : — Cummings 23, Howden 42 (not out), W. Mackersy 26, Chadwick 24, Henderson 25 (not out) Harraway 53 (not out), Siedeberg 29, Thomson 30. Continued on page 21.

The North and South Island match commences in Wellington to-moirow (Thursday), at 2 o'clock. Anybody who attempts to foietell the result of a cricket match has great piesumption, so I will not hazard a conjecture. Given fine weather, though, the match should oe worth witnessing. I do not know what manner of difficulties Mr. Gore had to surmount in getting together the North Island team, therefore a comment on the eleven as constituted may be only a waste of words, as those I might consider worth a. place may have informed Mr. Gore that they •w ere unable to take part if selected. I cannot help remarking, however, that the non-selection of a wicket-keeper is a weakness. Mahony has, no doubt, Mr. ■Gore's approval for the position, but, as he is not playing behind the wackets for Ins club team, he cannot be expected to fill the bill in the inter-Island match In any case, a reserve wicket-keeper should have ben chosen, and both Hallamore (Hawke's Bay) and Schmoll (Auckland) have shown good form m that position this season. The match commences to-day Uhursd'av). at 2 o'clock, and w.ll be continued on Friday and Saturday. * * * I hear that there are a number of internal troubles in the Phoenix Cricket Club, more particularly among the members of the first eleven. Mowatt, who promised to develop into something above the ordinary, has resigned his position in that eleven because of the troubles referred to, and has perforce deprived himself of any participation in the game for the present. The supporters and executive of the -club ought to inquire into the grievances, and, if no other course is likely to prove effective, should insist on the withdrawal from the club of those members who are responsible for the "bickerings." This is the best course to pursue in the interests of the club. * * * The fourth test match between the English and Australian teams will commence m Sydney on the 2bth February. "Actseon" says "Aucklanders> are very pleased at four local men being selected for the North Island team." Sydney figures — Balcombe 70. C Gregory 107, Evens 56 Newell 58 (not out), Mackay 104, Farquhar 54, Bowden 98. An Auckland w riter considers that there is no better batsman in the colony at the present time than Sims, the Canterbury cricketer. "Long Slip," in the "Otago Witness," is my authority for the statement that the* Australian players in test matches receive £25 per match, and 15s per day expenses. L. A. Cuff, who is well remembered as an ex-Canterbury cricketer, playing for North v. South Tasmania, the other day, compiled top score for the- former with 133. A note in the Old Boys-Phoenix match brings something to my mmd. As far as I can gather from Sydney files. Freddy Midlane is not a player this season. Can any of his friends tell me if my conclusion is a correct one ? Frank Jackson, a member of the Ponsonby Wednesday team, in a recent match, secured the whole ten wickets of his opponents at the small cost of 9 runs. The North Shore (Auckland) Wednesday team were his victims. D. Parton, an enthusiast in cricket circles in Masterton, and a member of the team, of that name, was fielding substitute, for the Midland senior team on Saturday. He was the fieldsman that sent Stan Hickson back to his dressing-room. After doing his turn in tne field, Parton was prevailed upon to umpire in a junior match.