NO YOUNGSTERS

NZ Truth, Issue 1302, 27 November 1930, Page 14

NO YOUNGSTERS

Old Hands Getting The Wickets (From "N.Z; Truth's" Christchurch Rep.) PANTERBURY is rich m batting talent this season, but, apart from Merritt, the only bowlers -tforth anything are the old-timers. Almost every week-end, Read and Cunningham head the bowling averages, and last Saturday another veteran, Arthur Thomas, topped the list with 7 wickets for 33. In spite of the absence of even one promising bowler m the younger brigade, many local critics consider that Read and Cunningham have had their day and should make way for younger talent. This is unadulterated rubbish. Bil) Cunningham is only 30 years' of age, and he is bowling better than every His 7 wickets for 54 on Saturday was a great performance. r

Canterbury is .m urgent need of 'his virile, length botfl- ; ' ing. ■ :.-i.\l ,■;.,;-,-.- Rea.d is over 40, but he is wonderfully, fit. • So far this seasori'h,e : has bowled mOre overs than any other bowler m "Christchurch.. In his latest match he went right through the Sydenham innings unchanged, getting the fine average of' 6 . wickets for 40 runs. "Truth" consid-

ers that Read is fit enough to last out a Plunket. Shield match, particularly as the other members of the Canterbury team -will be young, and if necessary they can relieve Read of the heavier tasks m the field. "Truth" believes m encouraging young players, but it is a bad policy to promote a youngster before he is fit for his new responsibilities. To be bashed all over the park m his first Shield match would , discourage and dishearten any colt and might easily spoil him altogether. In expectation of seeing a fine -display of batting by Roberts and Kerr, a large crowd gathered at Hagley Park. The Riccarton hope. A. Roberts, attacked the bowling from the start of his innings, with some fine strokes, but. when he was 14. he fell to the trap of that heady ex-Otago slow bowler, W. Douglas. Flighting the ball -Well, Douglas tossed up-a temnfing ball which dropped shorter than anticipated, and Roberts,' who had stepped out from his crease, did not come out far. enough to get the ball on the full, and he was stumped.