THE CRICKET CRITIC

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 593, 20 February 1929, Page 13

THE CRICKET CRITIC

r c. White, Somerset farmer and *fllEnclaiwi cricket er, must have felt thoroughly at home when he reaped harvest of Australian wickets at Adelaide. Whitening unto harvest! Otto Nothling, well known to New Zealand Rugby crowds as a line Rugby Znyer. is the now captain of the Queensland cricket eleven, vice L. O'Connor, The annual cricket match between the lackland and Victoria (Wellington) University Colleges is to he played in jtockland during, the faster holidays. Cc ache* to Sad The three English coaches in Auckland E. H. Bowley, J. Langridge and G. R- Cox. Are leuvin £ * or England on jiarch 12- # m The Shield Game The final ITunket Shield game for the season, Otago v. Canterbury, commences at .Dunedin on Friday next, and will be continued on Saturday, Monday and Tuesday. It is reported tb.it Shepherd. MMlullnn, Galland, Dickinson. Blunt, Eastman and A. W. Alio© are certainties for the Otago team. Crick#t in Wellington According to a Southern exchange, thu Wellington Cricket Association is becoming concerned over the dwindling gates at the Basin Reserve, whirl have been steadily falling a Wray during tli© last three or four seasons, and they are anxious to ascertain why, and to find a remedy. With over half the Mesoa gone, and only about three more matches to go, the receipts arc about £4O, against the £OO last season, whereas three or four years back they wero as high as £3 50. They are haying a conference with the Director of Reserves on the subject of ground charges.

Who Won the Test? Who won the fourth test for England? Some would say Hammond, the phenomenal Gloucestershire centurymaker. Others will say that White won it with his remarkable bowling. But even with Hammond’s centuries, would England have won without White’s bowling? With White’s bowling. would England have won without Hammond's centuries? Maurice Tate was in tho team principally for his bowling, but it was his 47 in the last innings that helped to make England’s position better. The truth is no one man won the match. No two men won it. The whole team, let us hope, won it. Reports of Fourth Test The following castigation of the authorities responsible for the cabling of test news to New Zealand is from a Southern exchange:—“lt is impossible to congratulate those responsible for describing the fourth test match between Australia and England—the most exciting test match, perhaps, of the whole long series between the two countries—on the accounts sent to New Zealand by cable. If ever a country was fobbed off with a scrappy And perfunctory account New Zealand was—and the interest here was intense. There was much that we would like to have known. We would like to have known the circumstances of Bradman’s being run out when he *as the on© man of whom it could be aaitl with confidence he stood between victory or defeat for Australia. We knew nothing—absolutely nothing—of how the English field was placed, and tho drab account breathed nothing of the intensity that must have existed among players and. spectators alike as •very ball was bowled, played, or missed.” Tour of the Englishmen The foliowring are the remaining engagements of the English cricketers in Australia after the completion of the match with New South Wales: February 21 and 22—V. Western Districts (N.S.AV.), at Bathurst. February 25 and 26 —V. Southern Districts, at Goulburn. March 1 to 5—V. Victoria, at Melbourne. March 8 to 14—Fifth Test, at Melbourne. March 21-23—V. Combined Team at Perth. Another Wonderful Aussie It is claimed that Bowral (New South Wales) has another player of Bradman’s calibre in Dick Brown. Goulburn also claims one in C. V’. J a«./a°n. Brown’s performances indicate that he is following in Bradman’s footsteps. In his first eight innings this season Brown made six centuries, a and an 84, and, being out four times be had an average of 301. He is a nne fieldsman, good bowler, and wicket- keeper. "! e*t Averages T* l © following are the averages of r 1 ® Players who have taken part in the nrst four tests, England v. Australia-* ENGLAND BATTING. __ Ins. N.O. H.S. Tl. Av. " R. Ham-

McCoy’s Bowling Decidedly little to enthuse over in the batting part of the conclusion at Eden X’ark on Saturday afternoon of the Parnell-United Suburbs A.C.A. match, left the spectators apathetic. Suburbs’ batting was weak and crumbled before the deliberate bowling of McCoy and A liken. Parnell finished up 175 runs ahead on the innings and deserved to do so. The only Suburbs men to reach sizeable double figures were Webster (32), and McLaren (34). and they wore the batting tail. It was a miserable day for Suburbs and a happy one for McCoy, whose average, 7-52, was the result of excellent placing. McCoy troubled every Suburbs man and made the ball twist to a remarkable degree on a favourable wicket. Parnell was superior in every department. V.M. Collapses When Y.M.C.A'h batting collapsed against University at Eden Park after a brisk spurt by Elliott (52) and Lyon (66). the spectators were treated to another display of clever bowling. This time it was Matheson and Smeeton, who did remarkable things on a howler's turfMatheson took live wickets lor 40 runs, and Since ton, the other five for 48. After Lyon and Elliott went, the batting was poor and Varsity ended the match 336 runs ahead* of the Young Men on the first innings. University deserved to win. Y.M.CA’s general play was <lily fair and Varsity was not to erratic. One good feature revealed was the ability of Smeeton and Matheson as an attacking force.

Girls on Eden Park Girls on Eden Park! Dozens of them—cheering, giggling girls. Such is tho sight that cricket enthusiasts will meet on Easter Saturday, when two teams from the Auckland Girls’ Cricket Association will play a match on No. I wicket. They are very particular, too. They don’t like being called women or ladies—just girls will do. At least that is what a member told the Management Committee of tlic A.C.A. last evening, when it made the new association a grant of a guinea.

New Era in Cricket Perhaps tho invasion of the weaker sex into the sacred realms of cricket is only the beginning. Who can tell? The day may not be long in coming when both sexes will play the king of games together. One imagines that therein lies the secret of the popularity of tennis. It might do just the same for cricket, for woman —-with all her glad abandon, multi-col-oured dress and attractiveness —would surely lift the game from the test standard rut. Meanwhile girls will play among themselves on Eden Park. It is not to be wondered that Management Committee members are thinking of undergoing a course of rejuvenation. KEEN SENIOR B GAME One of tho most exciting matches seen on the Papatoetoe ground took place on Saturday last, when Parnell defeated Papatoetoe on the first innings by seven runs, within two minutes of time. In the last half-hour, with the score creeping up, and Harry and Alec Swaffield going well, the situation was intensely interesting. Then the latter was given out lbw, and the last batsman failed to stay, so the match ended in Parnell’s favour. One might say that Papatoetoe was unlucky in the umpire’s decisions. For, in Valentine’s second over, Bejj was caught behind the wicket (even the batsman admitted it), but ho was given not out. The last wicket then added 17 runs, which made all the difference between victory and defeat. However, this is the luck of the game, and so close a match, played in a true sporting spirit, shows that cricket can be anything but a dull game. The senior B competition is now at a very interesting stage, the Papatoetoe and Shore A teams being close together in the lead. These two teams meet in the final match of the first round next Saturday, and the result will be eagerly awaited. THE FIXTURE LIST SATURDAY’S A.C.A. MATCHES Following are the A.C.A. cricket fixtures for next Saturday: First Grade—Y.M.C.A. v. Parnell, Eden Park No. 2; University v. Grafton, Ldon Park No. 3; Eden v. Ponsonby, Eden Park No. 1; North Shore v. United Suburbs, North Shore. . Senior Grade B.—Y.M.C.A. v. University. King’s College: Ponsonby v. Eden, Victoria Park: Papatoetoe v. North Shore, Papatoetoe; Windmill v. Parnell, Domain No. 4; North Shore Colts v. Balmoral, North Shore. Second Grade A.—North Shore v. Balmoral. Victoria Park; Grafton v. Windmill, Domain No. 5; Nortlicote v. All Saints’, Victoria Park: Western United V. Parnell A, Domain No. 10. Second Grade B.—City v. Parnell i>. Domain No. 12; United Suburbs v. Mount Albert, Domain No. 9: Takapuna v. Tamaki, Victoria Park; Western Springs v. Ponsonby, Victoria Park: University v. Epsom United, Domain No. S. Third Grade A.—King’s College v. North Shore, King’s College; Papatoetoe v. Y.M.C.A., Papatoetoe: Balmoral v. Grafton, Domain No. 13: Eden v. All Saints', Domain No. 14; University (withdrawn). Third Grade B.—Telegraph v. Point Chevalier, Point Chevalier: W.Y.M.I. v. Technical Old Boys, Domain No. 10; Power Board v. Birkdale, Victoria Park; Glebe, a bye. Third Grade C.—Victoria v. Remuera, Eden Park No. 4; Comrades, a bye; Epsom United v. Aotearoa. Outer Domain No. 1; Avondale Depot v. Western Springs, Point Chevalier; Henderson v. C.C.C.C.. Henderson. Fourth Grade A.—Roskill Wesley v. C.C.C.C.. North Shore; Telegraph v. Mount Albert A, Eden Park No. 5; Swanson v. Y.M.C.A., Swanson; Victoria v. Cambria, Puhinui: All Saints’ A v. St. George’s, Outer Domain No. 2; Parnell v. Papatoetoe, Papatoetoe: King’s College A, a bye. Fourth Grade B.—Point Chevalier v. King's College B, King's College; North Shore v Ponsonby, North Shoz'e; Northcote v. W.Y.M.1., Northcote; Western Springs v. St. Stephen's, Point Chevalier; Mount Albert B v. Kingsland Jubilee, Mount Albert.

TEAM FOR WELLINGTON MANY PLAYERS NOT AVAILABLE Despite the fact that many prominent players are unavailable, it is quitely likely that the Auckland Cricket Association will send a team to Wellington at Easter, as a result of the discussion at the meeting of the management committee last evening. The chairman, Mr. E. E. Nalder, reported that ho had made exhaustive inquiries as to the possibility of getting a team away, and he had found that Rowntree. AUcott. Player, Postles. and possibly Mills, of the Plunket Shield team, could not go. Added to that, Bowley and Dunning would not be available. Ho was of the opinion that the A.C.A. could not send a strong

enough team to make an attraction of : Uie game. Mr. N. C. Snedden: We are not taking a very great risk financially. I ; am in favour of offering Wellington j the best team available. Mr. J. TL watts: With seven men unable to go. what sort of a team have j we left? We will lose £7O or £IOO. ■ Mr. Snedden: We cannot lose, all 1 that. Th€> match, he continued, would j be an opportunity for men who have j been on the border-line of representa- \ tive cricket for years. The committee thereupon set about counting its resources. The names of Frater, Bush (Shore), Martin (Suburbs), MaLheson, Browne (Varsity), G. Weir (Eden), Elliott. Lyon, Hunt (Y.M.C.A.), Bade ley (Waikato). Anthony, McCoy (Parnell), and Smith, Monteith. and McLeod (Ponsonby) were mentioned as possibilities for the team. Messrs. W. S. Smeeton and Bennett were also in favour of a team being sent. After considerable discussion, the matter was left in the hands of the sub-committee, Messrs. Nalder, Snedden, and Hockin, to draft a letter to the Wellington Cricket Association, informing that body that many Plunket Shield men could not travel, and asking if it was still willing to accept a match. It was agreed that the expenses of both teams were to be a first charge on the gate, and after that a profit or loss was to be borne on a 50-50 basis by the two associations. MID-WEEK MATCHES THEATRES AND FIRE BRIGADE St. James Theatre defeated the Auckland Fire Brigade at cricket yes- I terday by an innings and 3 4 runs. Scores: St. James: First innings, 345 (Newdick 66 retired, Robertson 33). Bowling for Fire Brigade: McKay, 5-22 : Herring, 1-15; Williams, 2-38. Fire Brigade: First innings, 1)4 (McKay 3G not out, Williams 17). Bowling: Emmett, 1-4; Myers, 1-7: Wallace, 3-24; Robertson, 2-8: Meredith, 2-13; Fuller, 3 -20. Fire Brigade; Second innings. 37 (McKay 20 not out). Bowling: Newdick, 4-16; Robertson, 6-19. Tho Strand and Majestic Picture Theatres team defeated tho Regent eleven by 14 runs. Scores: Strand and Majestic, 109 (Furley 69). Regent, 95 (Callinan .25, Hayes 18, Ilellriegel 31). Tho best bowlers for the Regent were Hellriegt‘l, Callinan and Guttridge, and for Strand and Majestic Furley and Poore. CRICKETERS’ LANGUAGE The language of a fourth grade cricket team was variously described as “deplorable” and “disgusting” by a complaint at the meeting of the Management Committee of the Auckland Cricket Association last evening. Representatives of tho Parnell and Church of Christ fourth grade cricket club had been asked to come before the committee. Only the Parnell representative appeared. The Parnell manager, Mr. AV. J. Dinnison, said he had never heard such language as that used by the fourth grade teams this year. In a recent match with Parnell, the Church of Christ men had used what Mr. Dinnison described as “deplorable” language. If it happened again, he said he would take his team off the field. Ho thought something should be done, and that tho A.C.A. would be better off without such teams. Mr. E. E. Nalder, chairman of the committee, assured Mr. Dinnison that he had the.support of the association. “We are not going to stand these things,” he said. Representatives of the Church of Christ team are to meet the Management Committee next Tuesday.

FUNDS FALL SHORT SUBURBAN CRICKET COACH APPEAL TO THE CLUBS Funds for the engagement of the English coach to the Suburban Cricket Association have fallen unexpectedly low. The association is now proposing to request all clubs to make up the deficiency. The coach committee reported to the association last evening on the position, and suggested that requests for contributions should go to all clubs. “Every club member is in duty bound to assist the association,” was the opinion of the chairman, Mr. J. F. W. Dickson. “The guarantors cannot be expected to bear the full responsibility. It is now proposed to organise a committee with power to raise funds for next season.” Mr. E. Stallworthy appealed to all members to assist in raising more money. Mr. W. Dervan, committeeman from the Northern Boxing Association, who was invited to attend the meeting, was confident that his association was prepared to assist in raising money for tho coach fund. The question of re-engaging Mr. Georg© Cox, of Sussex, the coach, was held over until next meeting. SUBURBAN FIXTURES Following are the Suburban cricket fixtures for next Saturday: Senior B Grade—Harbour Board v. Ponsonby, Domain No. 35; Manurewa v. Ellerslie, Domain No. 11; Working Men’s Club v. Chelsea, Victoria Park; Railway v. Tramway, Victoria Park Lodge Matches, at Victoria Park— Remuera v. Haxdley’s, Outer Domain No. 6. Second Grade—F. J. Fawcett, Ltd., v. Richmond, Domain No. 7; Invicta v. Takanini, Takanini: Green Lane, bye. Third Grade A—Maungakiekie v. Otahuhu, Otahuhu; Richmond v. Kingsland, Victoria Park; Gas Garage v. Edendale A. Victoria Park; Avondale v. Ellerslie, Outer Domain No. 3. Third Grade B—“ Herald” v. Auckland Meat Company, Domain No. 6: Richmond v. Manurewa, Outer Domain No. 4; Royal Oak v. Glen Eden. Grey Lynn Park. Thrid Grade C—Avondale v. N. R. Ambulance. Grey Lynn Park; Edendale B v. Oratia, Glen Eden No. 1; Arnbury’s v. L. D. Nathan’s, Domain No. 6A. Fifth Grade —Belmont Rechabites y. Comrades and Richmond v. Ellerslie, Domain, at 10 a.m.

mond . . 7 1 251 851 141. S3 S* £• Hendren 7 0 53.71 7 1 ,?• Sutcliffe . . 50.71 v- P- Mead . . i ®- Hobbs . . H. Larwood . . 2 0 72 SO 40.0 0 7 0 74 24 4 34.85 ?* _P«ckworth F. P. Chap7 4 *39 55 IS.33 , ,™P. ... 7 0 30 165 23.57 G.‘ Gekry*!? I * 6 3 S 0 29 60 47 145 66 SS 20.00 1S.12 17.60 Not out bowling. J r wi.- Wickets. i- *" 23 G. Geatv .. . T» Kuns.Average. 596 25.91 s- T w - Tate .. $ Urwood .. n' *> .Hammond • «• Jardin* . .. 17 .. 17 1 .. 0 513 560 203 10 SO.17 32.94 203.00 AUSTRALIA BATTING. ft 1 -Jackson . . r* Bradman . X' . *. 8* Hendry. . . . Ins. N.O. H.S. Tl. 2 0 164 200 6 0 112 30S S 0 112 405 S 1 111 354 8 0 100 245 Av. 100.00 61.3$ 50.63 50.57 30.62 2S.37 26.00 26.00 20.25 17.50 9.50 S.75 o i Be ckett . . »■ . . p • CUdffeid . . Grimmett . . r> Blchurdsou . p- Blackie . . W- 'ijUew-iy . . 4 0 2 0 4 0 8 2 8 2 4 0 41 104 44 52 39 81 *41 105 18 57 27 35 6 3 *11 2 4 S.00 l/* , • Ponsford ironmonger 3 1 4 0 6 13 6.00 1.25 • Not out bowling. g- Blaokie . . . Wlck ,V e - Runs. Average. «en<Jry .... w Grimmctt #J j- .. j .... .. 21 9 IS 229 43.71 4 5. SO ir Byder . £KS23r.. ;V kCL"* •• ! I o 306 216 51.00 108.00 Kelleway .. 0 77