With Bat and Ball

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 238, 28 December 1927, Page 11

With Bat and Ball

A Cricket Causerie

, a Wonder£ul batsman, and raa.inly on the on-side. His nov Too' t IS P ? r£ect ’ and he gets into position to play a ball about two , b et °f 6 any other batsman.”— Hobbs ) ' C ‘ Jarues thinks of Jack * » * More and more stories of “W.G.” are oreated.” Here is another: Dr. Grace disliked losing his wicket if he could possibly avoid it. On one occasion he hit the ball high into the air, “f^ Se ! lns the Welder shape for a safe catch, turned to the fielding captain, and said, “I declare the innings closed,” before the ball had time to drop. A pretty problem for the umpire. Australia’s Test Possibilities Cricket enthusiasts are beginning to ask what are the prospects of Australia getting together a formidable eleven t° meet England next season (writes Not Out” in the “Sydney Referee”). Candidly, it is not easy to answer just now. The outlook is clouded, owing to so many players being unavailable for important matches, whereas a year hence we may find several of these thoroughly keen on playing, and aspiring to places in the Test teams. Batting prospects look good, fielding prospects fair, but the bowling is obscure. We will have to wait a while, and perhaps even then we shall know not a great deal beyond the fact that at present the bowling does not look like causing the English batsmen loss of sleep.

The Wellington Team Mr. Ken Tucker, sole selector, has chosen the following team to represent Wellington in her first Plunket Shield game, against Canterbury, commencing on Friday:—Brice (captain), Dempster, Foley, Lowry, Worker, James, McGirr, Bernau, Badcock, Lambert, Massey, with Airey as 12th man. Lowry, Worker and Bernau are the country representatives in the side and the three old campaigners are in good form. Both Hollings and Henderson are unavailable owing to illness. Like Auckland, the Wellington team is much the same as the one which lost the Plunket Shield last season, the Southern centre being content to rely on the old brigade with the inclusion of that promising colt Massey, who did so well for the rest against New Zealand recently.

English Coaches to the Fore Conspicuous among many good performances in the Otago-Canterbury match was the great innings by Newman, tho English professional coach to the Canterbury Cricket Association, in the home side’s second innings when they faced the big task of getting 357 to win. Newman put his back to the wall and hit up a faultless 112 not out. Eastman, the Otago coach, also did well, scoring 91 in the Southerners second innings, being largely responsible for Otago’s surprise stand. No better argument in support of playing these coaches in Plunket Shield games could be had than their fine performances on the field against New Zealand’s best, when in all probability they do more good in one match than in a month of ordinary coaching.

Rydei and a Sixer A Sydney friend in Adelaide writes me that J. Ryder’s hit for six to the long end of the ground was one of the biggest clouts ever seen there, says “Not Out” in the “Sydney Referee.” A drive for six in first-class cricket at Adelaide is usually tremendous. The Sydney man adds that Ryder’s was the finest innings for Victoria, his enterprise being in contrast with the form of most of tho others who made runs. When Ryder makes use of his quick-footed-ness in getting out to the ball, he is one of the most entertaining batsmen In Australia. He played several innings of this type in England, and on such occasions appeared to infinitely greater advantage than when he kept inside his crease.

Ponsford’s Wonderful Figures The recent record innings by W. H. Ponsford for Victoria against Queensland calls attention to one of the most prolific run-getters of recent years. In fact, his records are somewhat remarkable. and he is quite impartial in his dealings with the various States. Previous to Ponsford’s latest, which beat his own 429 against Tasmania, the record score in Sheffield Shield matches was 365 not out, made by Clem Hill against New South Wales at Adelaide in 1900-1. The previous best against Queensland was 353, made by Charles Gregory at Brisbane in the 1906-7 season. Although Ponsford did nothing remarkable on his recent trip to England, he must have Improved a great deal and the huge scores by him Saturday after Saturday and in Shield matches are noticeable for the few chances given. New Zealand enthusiasts are fervently hoping to seo Ponsford in action later on in the season with the Australian eleven. The following are Ponsford’s aver-

rijiggs, Eva Reta, Dipnoi, Author Thorpe, Rosie Nelson, King Elect, limit; Royal Review. Kitty Patch, Golden Spray, Prudent Child, 12yds blid; Te Repa, Mat Audubon, Miss Wilkes, 24; Taipoiti, Tidewater, Great Elect, Peter Felix, Connie Audubon. 60; Comfort, Oval, 72. Grey Trotting Club Cup, 2 miles.— Locanda Boy, Vesuvius, Donard, Panto, Avonwood, Mac Dillon, Okoura, Wairua, Wineberrv, Petronius, Sarella, Kreisler, Nipper, Wee Gus, limit; Nourmahal, Shadowland, Bankhead, Sungleam, Jackie Audubon, Rapier, 12yds bhd; Audobell, 24 • Transport, Orphan, 3b; Acre, 60; Daphne de Oro. Haunui. 84.

Victoria Park Handicap, 12) furlongs.— Queen’s Ferry, Challenger, Author Wood, Dan Logan, Logan Dillon, Real Light, Avon Wood, Sylvie Logan, Tumatakuru, Val Logan, Charlie Lincoln, Tommy Dillon Afton Waters, Lady Brent, Bingen Wo’od Rose Marie, Haeranga Pal, Audience, Electric Huon, Nigger Minstrel. Writer, Allanora, Dundas Boy, Kawana, limit; Routine, 12yds blid; Audrey Dillon, Sedmere, Mentor, 24; Thorpie, La Sonette, 36; Wineberry, Actor, 48.

President's Handicap, 8) furlongs. Mentor Auto, Royal Authoress, Du Maurier Greateaux, The Thistle Bush King Bertha Bingen, Rap, Roachdale, Great Audo. Pageant, Lady Minto, Venarc, Sedmere Locanda Maid, Alpha, Plus, McGirl Harlna, limit; Expedient, ?2yds bhd’ Kreisler. Jean McElwyn, Harley Dillon, Panto, Kyana, 24; Sahib, 48; Acre, 72. <-„,,ntv Handicap, 16) furlongs.—Whispering Boy. Quickflre, Page Bingen, Mat Audubon, Peter Fashion, Era Reta. Miss Wilkin Proud Mac, Kitty Patch, Clolden Snray, ’ Te Repa, Dipnoi, Author Thorpe, :,, Fleet. Nelson Wood, limit; Taip®t e r Eyre, Great Elect, Peter Felix Tidewater, Connie Audubon, 24yds bhd; Oval, Comfort, 36; Louisiana, Bb. D ’ Handicap, 8) furlongs.—Lenora P Donard? Panto, The Thistle. Wairuna Wee Gus, Hope Dillon, Jean McFlwvn Sarella, Kreisler, Wee Audubon, Kda Boy, limit; Transport, Okoura, Bankhead Jackie Audubon, Logan Lad, Eslsowhind 12yds bhd; Salitb, Nipper, 24; Haunui,’ Daphne de Pro, 48.

Form at a Glance Racegoers will appreciate tho appearance of this season’s first pocket edftion of the Turf Register, which has lust been published by the Christchurch Press Company. The public form of all horses that have raced at totalisator meetings is shown from August 1 to December 3. Those who to patronise the holiday meetings will find it an invaluable book of reference, and it is a volume that no racing man should be without.

ages in inter-State cricket since he began cricket four years ago:— Against. In. n.o. h.s. Runs. Av. N’.S.W 11 3 352 1069 118.77 S. Australia .... 16 0 214 1236 77.28 Queensland .... 5 0 437 964 192.50 Tasmania .... 2 0 429 591 295.50 W. Australia .. 1 0 158 158 155.00 35 2 437 4018 121.75 Centuries.—l 62, 429, 110, 110 not out, 138, 248, 108, 159, 166, 158, 110, 128, 102, 214, 151, 352, 108, 116, 131, 133, 437. In England.—l 44, 143 not out, and 110 not out. Shield Contests Begin The first match of this season's Plunket Shield series has resulted in a win for Canterbury over Otago. The match commenced at Christchurch last Friday provided plenty of thrills, not the least among them being the Dunedinites’ fine stand against what appeared on paper to be a much stronger team. For the next month, chief cricket interest in the Dominion will centre round the remaining matches for the shield. On Friday next, Auckland commences a match against the touring Otago men at Eden Park, and the same day, Wellington will play the Canterbury side at the Basin Reserve (Wellington). Then after the shield games are over, comes the visit of an Australian eleven, which it has been promised will be a fairly strong side, and will almost certainly include several all-Australian players of test match fame.

We Can’t Take Any Chances When the Otago provincial team to play Canterbury in the first Plunket Shield match of the season was announced, it was thought locally that the

team would not be capable of making: much of a stand against any of the other provinces. The rude shock the Dunedinites gave Canterbury, however, should serve to dispel all such fears. Even without the services of Dickinson, the Otago bowlers succeeded in dismissing the strong Christchurch team for a very moderate total in its first innings, and then as a further demonstration of their all-round strength, hit up 341 for six against Merritt and Co. No! Auckland w’on’t need to take any chances against Otago when their match commences next Friday.

Whitelaw is a Coming Man P. 13. (“Snowy”) Whitelaw, captain of the Auckland Grammar School’s first eleven, bids fair to become one of the Dominion’s future batsmen. He knocked up a chanceless century against the Napier Boys’ High School last week, and scored 128 before he was dismissed after giving a hard chance. He is a member of Mr. Beale’s touring team and scored 49 against Hamilton on Monday. Whitelaw has had a meteoric career already, having played for his primary school (Maungawau) for three years before going to Grammar, and gaining a place in the primary school reps in 1923 and 1924, captaining the A team during the latter season. He went on to Auckland Grammar in 1925, and won a place in the first eleven the same year. He headed the batting averages last season and at the beginning of the present season was elected school cricket captain. A stylish right hand arm, exceptionally strong on the off, Snowy is also a splendid slip field. His career in the near future will be watched with a great deal of interest.