TWO DOUBLE CENTURIES

NZ Truth, Issue 1150, 15 December 1927, Page 14

TWO DOUBLE CENTURIES

Snappy Batting, Bright Bowling And Senior Record

(From "N.Z. Truth's" Special Wellington Representative.)

EXCELLENT weather and fast wickets were conducive to several brilliant batting displays in Wellington senior cricket last Saturday. Playing for Institute, Dempster (224) and Foley (111), were responsible for breaking the record for a first wioket partnership in Wellington senior cricket.

IN three hours the pair compiled 303 before being separated. A. J. Bruce, playing for Midland, rattled up 208. Institute found the Y.M.C.A. bowling right to their liking, and in merry fashion they ran up 373 runs for the loss * of five wickets. Dempster and Foley were responsible for 335 out of this total. • Dempster gave one chance throughout his long innings, and that was when he was 103. His placing both sides of the wicket was masterly. Thirty fours and a six helped him along towards his double century. FRONT RANKERS , Dempster is at the top of his form and is a front ranker in New Zealand cricket to-day. H. Foley gave a finished display in an innings that was ■without a. semblance of a chance. His total included 14 fours. Last week "Truth" referred to Foley as being one of the most promising batsmen in New Zealand. His showing on Saturday, even though the bowling was weak, points to Foley as being a natural cricketer. Those who journeyed to the Kilbirnie oval received a cricket treat when Midland went to the crease to face the bowling of Kilbirnie. At the close of the day they were still at 'the wickets, and the total had mounted to 557 for the loss of nine ' wickets. | The feature of this fine total was the contribution made by Bruce. With the dash and determination of one who meant to score, he made light of the bowling, hitting eight sixes and eighteen fours. Petone opened against Thorndon on the Petone oval. The batting by both sides was poor and In marked contrast to what was seen on some town grounds. Petone, with H. E. Nicholls and Capstick first to the wicket, made a promising start, compiling 68 runs before being separated. Ellerm tangled the rest with his slow bowling, and finally succeeded in bagging six wickets for 45 runs. ! Wellington took strike against University on the Hutt ground. The students as usual went on business bent, and managed to dispose of the Wellington men for the small total of 118. The bowling certainly was good, but it is poor batting when in a trifling tot.nl only three men reach double figures. Airey, who made 54, was the only batsman who faced the opposition confidently. Nelson did most damage with the ball, capturing six wickets for 66 runs. Kxcept for the outstanding display given by Tattersall (93) one could not get enthusiastic in watching Hutt play Old Boys on the Basin Reserve. It was very monotonous cricket, the sort that

makes the spectator wish he had put in the afternoon Improving' the garden. When Tattersall lost his wicket Hutt collapsed, for the last five wickets went making the total 100 for 12 runs. Tucker (12) and Lambert (60) are the not out men, so with just a bit of luck they will catch and pass Hutt's score on the first innings. Watson has taken three wickets for 25, McGirr one for 48, and Board two for 41. The reversion to the six-ball over was started in Wellington on Saturday,, and there was general satisfaction amongst the bowlers, particularly those who have pretensions to be fast bowlers. Cricket can, from the spectator's point of view, become very tiresome. More support will be in evidence for the cricketers if they will try to please the public. The players are supposed to be in good physical condition, and they should therefore be capable of showing a little more energy when in the field. Ellerm (Thorndon), six for 45, and Nelson (University), six for 66, stood out prominently as bowlers on Saturday. The wickets were fast and all in favor of the batsmen. Too many of the trundlers content themselves with tossing the ball down fast without regard for length. Variation In pace should go hand in hand with accuracy in length, if a bowler is to be successful. MAKE HASTE When the New Zealand reps, were playing New South Wales they received much severe barracking for their slowness in running between wickets. Many runs were lost because of this indifference. This fault is still outstanding in local cricket. Then there is a lack of understanding between the batsmen. It is the duty of the non-batting man to give the call for a run. He is in the better position to judge, by reason of the fact that he has a full view of the •placing of the field. Tattersall, who played such a fine innings for Hutt on Saturday, should give a little attention to these remarks. He was responsible for McGirr losing his wicket, and further he was lucky to have the umpire's ruling In his favor. MeGirr's was a good wicket thrown away.