CRICKET COMMENTS

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 188, 1 April 1932, Page 6

CRICKET COMMENTS

easter matches BAY OF PLENTY REP. TEAM'S PERFORM AN CES AT N HAMILTON. COST OF DROPPED CATCHES. (Notes byr"Cover-point.") Cricket interest over the' Easter holidays was mainly centred on the doings of the Bay of Plenty team in its challenge for the Hawke Cup and the Rotorua representatives' 3 match against an Auckland side at the Government grounds. Weather conditions were ideal for both matches', .and in the latter game Rotorua enthusiasts had much to interest them, some fine perf ormances being registered by both teams. Hawke Cup Match. Although it was generally known that the Bay of Plenty team which had left for Hamilton in quest of the Hawke Cup had been weakened by the last-minute withdrawal of three prominent players, none was prepared to suggest that the team would make under 100 runs in their first innings. Therefore, the news that in their first strike Bay of Plenty had collapsed for the small total of 59 runs came as a rude shock to cricket followers in the Bay districts, and combined with the good start made by South Auckland, made the result appear a foregone conclusion at the end of the first I day's play.

It should not be taken that tlr's total was the extent of the true ability of the team, and it must be remembered that unaccountable batting debacles are very much part of the game. Some years ago the writer" remember witnessing a reputably strong batting side from Canterbury collapse in a Plunket Shield match against Wellington for 39 runs in its first innings, and many similar instances have occurred even in Test I cricket. Considering that South Auckland held, by their cheap dismissal of the Bay team and their lead of 274 runs on the first innings, the upper hand and absolute confidence that the game would result in their favour, the total of 171 runs scored by Bay of Plenty in their second strike was quite a good performance and to some extent negatived the suggestion that the team was palpably below Hawke Cup standard. Many Chances Dropped In fielding, however, it must be admitted, that the standard was below that expected. While the ground fielding was reasonably good, the dropping of numerous catch . s made practically a gift of about 150 runs to the holders. Admittedly some of these chances were very difficult, but the number that were dropped deI finitely indicates that this was the main wealcness of the team. In contrast to the display of the challengers, the fielding of the South Auckland side left nothing to be deI sired, some almost impossible catches , in the slips and in the field being taken in a brilliant manner.

Sutherland Aggressive. The score of 62 runs made by E. G. Sutherland in the 'second innings was probably the brightest display made by a member of either team, and proved that the South Auckland bowling was not as difficult as the earlier batsmen had made it appear. Thirty- ! six runs of his total, which was made in 30 minutes at the crease, were galned by well judged hits out of the ground. I Although G. C. Beale failed miserably in the first innings, he justified his inclusion by making second highI est score on his second visit to the crease, and had scored 24 runs in a confident manner when he had the misfortune to play a ball, which was well off the off stump, on to his wicket. I Hinton (14), in the first innings, and York ,and Lenihan, who made 19 and 15 runs respectively in the second innings, were the only others to show glimpses of their batting capabilities in the Bay team.

Bowling Respected. Peebles, Lenihan, Godsalve and Sutherland were the best of the bowl- ; ers, and all commanded respect from the South Auckland batsmen. Two casualties were sustained by the team during the first day's play, Hampson being taken ill and Gresham receiving an injury to his fingers, which necessitated his leaving the field for a time. Owing to the fact that a twelfth man had not been included in the team, the services of a South Auckland player had to be used as a substitute fieldsman. Rotorua's Fine Score A very fine performance was placed on record by the Rotorua representaj tive team which played an Auckland City and Suburban team during the Easter holidays. The total of 324 runs in their first innings stands as the second highest total compiled by a Rotorua team in representative games.

Stylish d:splays of batting were given by N. Hinton (77 runs), and I Higgins, who made 55 runs. Although his "stonewall" tactics in the early part of his innings were uninteresting as a batting display, McGill, who compiled 70 runs, made some good strokes and undoubtedly paved the way for the other batsmen. Reed's knoclc for 29 runs was bright and breezy and worked the enthusiasm of the spectators to a high pitch. Masters and Heazlewood were the chie'f run-getters for the visitors, the former scoring 47 runs in good time. Heazlewood, who played throughout the innings for his 69 runs, showed a rock-like defence and refused to have a go at the bowling. His total was very valuable to his side, wlreh at stumps had scored 152 runs for the loss of nine wickets.