SPARKLING BATTING

NZ Truth, Issue 1303, 4 December 1930, Page 15

SPARKLING BATTING

KERR GETS. ONE OFF THE CENTURY (From "N.Z. Truth's" Christchurch Rep.) WITH the leading batsmen m Christchurch showing attractive and improved form, the public are beginning to sit up and take more interest m senior cricket. . ' • . Those numerous spectators who turned out to bask m the sunshine on Saturday last, were treated to" a couple of exciting 'finishes. . • . -. Thanks to a splendid 99 by Jack Kerr, West Christchurch got into a comfortable position against Riccarton, but the later batsmen fared badly, and when the last man, Bean, came, B, runs still- were needed for a win. . ' Tom Condcliff, the West skipper, was the other batsman. When they were within two runs of a victory, Condcliffe smacked a ball hard to the off, but the fieldsman, "Scrum" Evans, slipped, and the ball went to the boundary for 4, and West was 3 runs ahead. ; Condllffe was caught by Roberts , off the. next ball, and the spectators sat back to discuss the exciting finish': ,• ' ' When one short of the century, • Kerr was clean-bowled by Charlie Rix with a ball that came fast off the pitch and ! kept low. The innings, which was ; chanceless, was marked by masterly

'iiiiitiiiiiiiuiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiMiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiu BEST BATTING— v J. L. Kerr (West Chch.) ........ 99 C. H. Williams (Lan. Park) 69 W.. Merritt (Od Boys) 66 G. H. Stringer (Fficcarton) ...... 54 J. W-. Peake (West. Chch.) ..... 54 M. L. Page (St. Albans) n.o. 49 BEST BOWLING— S. G. Lister (Old Collegians) 7 for 62 W. E.' Merritt (Old Boys) .. 5 for 64 A. J. Read (Lan. Park) ... 4 for 49 "iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiii

placing, brought about by sound footwork. . •■• ■ Alexander, who started off the season with a fine knock of 79, has gone out' first ball on three successive innings, and now he has a trio of ducks m his bag. He will do better soon, as his eclipse is temporary. , / F. A. Jarrett helped along West's. tail with a sound 18, but. his running between the wickets lack? 4 judgment, In Riccarton's second innings, G. H. Stringer followed up his first success by making 54 not out, ■ m quick time, by excel' ent batting. He is one of the most ■improved bats m the competition. With ordinary fast/medium . bowling, Frank Powell got 4 wickets for' 7l. He is very lucky to be picked for the Canterbury team m its annual match against the country eleven this week. - He may do well against the weak country side, but he is miles below rep. standard. • ; "','•. When Bill Cunningham went m for the last wicket for Bast Chrlstchurch. 14 runs were required to. get a win over Old 'Collegians. . In' a keen, fighting finish, Cunningham's partner, P. Allsopp, lost his wicket eight runs short of a win. Steve Lister was the most successful bowler, with -7 for G2, his biggest , bag this,- season. •■' ■ . The figures flatter hjm, as his length was not good, though the fast and uncertain wicket made his. short balls rear, and he had two victims caught by the wicketkeeper, Jackman, who was m good, form. • • ' ;-■ Frank Woods made' 35, his highest score this season. He usually takes a couple of months to g€t into form. Reg Read kept Sydenham very ' subdued. He bowled 5 maidens m succession. His first, 7 overs yielded 4 runs, and he finished up with 4 wickets for 49, giving him a total of 10 for 89 for the match. '. Charlie Oliver and M. Harper batted soundly for Sydenham with 30 apiece. Harper exploited a neat late cut. W. Spohg and Vie. Hahn made the Sydenham tail wag by putting on 86 m 42 minutes. Spong usually goes m last but- he has a lengthy series of not outs, and is a much' better 'batsman than his skipper- seems (o realise.