THE CRICKET CRITIC

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 801, 23 October 1929, Page 13

THE CRICKET CRITIC

A Bright Beginning The opening of the cricket season in Auckland on Saturday was a particularly bright one, from the batting point of view, and if each of the coming Saturdays of a long season can produce the same quota of batsmen who, while not throwing all caution to‘the winds, are not afraid to go for a hit, the hillside critics who on many occasions in the not very far distant past have had good cause to groan about dull cricket, and duller cricketers, will have occasion to throw brickbats no longer. It is, of course, too much to expect that sixes can always be as plentiful every week as they were last week, but there is no reason why batsmen generally should not make a point of following the lead given by Allcott, Garrard and Bush on the opening day. The Jessopian Touch In every match on Saturday there was at least one six scored—surely a unique feature of an afternoon’s cricket in Auckland. Len Elliott scored the only one in the Y.M.C.A.-United Suburbs game, and two were signalled in the Parnell-Ponsonby match. Quite a crop was reaped in the other two matches. For Grafton, at North Shore, Allcott carted the Shore bowlers all over the field for his 81, which included five sixes, and Horspool sent the leather over the line twice. At Eden Park, Ron Blisli top-scored in that respect with three big hits to his credit for University against Eden, and his team-mates, Garrard and Smeeton, registered one and two sixes, respectively.

Wickets in Good Order One factor contributing to the abundance of big hitting was the perfect state of the wickets for batsmen. Those at Eden Park were in exceptionally good order for the opening day of the season. Last year, the senior competition was commenced on October 20, and with the exception of a bright innings by University, the play on the day was very dull. The students rattled up 194 in one and a-half hours against Y.M.C.A. at Eden Park, J. A. Dunning, Auckland Rhodes scholar, scoring 103. There were two centuries on the first day last year—the other one by G. L. Weir for Eden against Grafton at King’s College—as against one, that by Horspool, for Grafton against Shore last Saturday. Queer Coincidences On both days University provided the fireworks, but there was a further coincidence in Wellington, where the University team on both days also put big scores. On October 20 last year K. H. C. Mackenzie, the captain of the students of the “Windy City” scored 128 against ICilbirnie, and last Saturday ho ran up 120 against Old Boys—the W T oe " tury of the Wellington season. V\ . J. Smeeton contributed a breezv half-century to the Auckland Club’s total last Saturday, and on October 20 last year liis score was 48. As with Rugby football, the Varsity clubs of both cities play a big part in the cricket competition. Metge Appears Again dA' A' Metge demonstrated on SaturtL,n f W A b ? a most useful addition to the Varsity batting strength this season. lie played for the club for six years be-

Core leaving on transfer to the North in 1 925, and while in Whangarei lie formed a country team, Maung a k aramea, which won the North Auckland championship one year and was runner-up the next. He was an

Auckland repre- C. L.. Metge sentative in 1923-24 and 1924-25 and in March, 1924, was one of Auckland’s opening batsmen against Charles Macartney’s New South’ Wales side. He scored 12 and 0 on that occasion, and is a solid left-hand batsman who picks the right ball and hits it hard. While | in Whangarei he was a North Aucki land rep. Afore should be heard of ; him in Auckland this season. The First Century j Ernie Horspool, former Auckland and I New Zealand representative cricketer. • who scored the first century of the seaj son and the only one on Saturday, thus | wins Mr. F. AY. Alattliews’s bat for the : first 100 of the season. Last year this generous donor’s bat was won by G. L. ‘ A\ eir who scored 103 not out on the j first day of the Eden-Grafton match at ! King’s College. AVeir completed his j century some ten minutes before J. A. ' Dunning of University got his at 1 Eden Park. The Rhodes scholar’s j total was also 103, but at that figure j he was defeated, whereas AA’eir carried on on the following Saturday.

Grafton’s New Colts The Grafton senior eleven seems to have succeeded, in getting what it has been sadly needing for some years now —new blood. There have been more changes in the personnel of this team than any other in the competition, and before the season is out the eleven should be moulded into a powerful side. W. AlacCormick, who was captain of the Auckland Grammar School XI. last season, has donned the pads for the club, but he was unfortunately run out after he had made nine on Saturday. He is a fine batsman, with Bowley stamped all over him (he has had the benefit of coaching at the hands of the Sussex professional), and is also a good bowler. Curiously, he is very like that other fine colt, P. E. Whitelaw, who preceded him as captain of the Grammar eleven. Trio of New Men

Three other new faces in the Grafton team are T. R. Sheen, S. S. Wilson and C. D. Franklin. The last named is in his early twenties, and is not long out from Home. He has been playing on the East Coast for a year or so. Wilson and Sheen were to have thrown their lots in with Eden had that club been successful in getting two teams into the senioi* grade. C. B. Stone, a

fast bowler with plenty of power, but as yet lacking something in length, has also strengthened the side, and will be seen in action with the ball at North Shore on Saturday. Sloman, who was in the Grafton team last year, is reported to have retired. AVylie has gone down to the second, and Cliffe is not likely to play again owing to injuries. Bannister has been transferred to University and Goodwin is now in Wellington. Nelson Bass For Suburbs Nelson Bass, the fast bowler who played for Ponsonby some years ago, and "was a New Zealand League representative, will turn out for United Suburbs on Saturday week, and should strengthen the attack of that side. A. Williams, who talked of retiring, Will also be in harness again soon, also Nolan, who was away in AVellington last Saturday.

The club, however, will be weakened considerably by the absence of Hendv, who leaves on Tuesday week for the Far Xorth, where he will be travelling for his firm for seven weeks. Hendy played for the Auckland representatives the year before last. Cook, of the second grade team, who captured 76 wickets in that grade last year, and had a good batting average, has been promoted to the senior grade. The Senior Captains There have been several changes in the captaincies of the senior teams competing in the Auckland Cricket Association’s competitions this season. Following is a list of the skippers, with last year’s leaders in brackets in each instance: Eden.—H. D. Gillespie (J. E. Mills). -University.—D. R. Garrard (D. It. Garrard). Ponsonby.—S. G. Smith (X. C. Snedden). North Shore.—R. E. Frater (R. E. Fra ter). Grafton. —C. F. W. Allcott (R. W. Rowntree). United Suburbs.—M. Wetherill (M. Wetherill). Y.M.C.A.—L. Elliott (E. H. Bowley). Parnell.—H. Duncan (H. Duncan). The New Skippers In Y.M.C.A’s instance, the change has been caused by the departure of Bowley. Gillespie was captain of Eden for a number of years till last year, when Mills was substituted for him. But the left-hander’s tactics evidently did not meet with the approval of the members of the team, with the result that Gillespie will lead the champions again. It is learned that X. C. Snedden stood down this year, with the result that S. G. Smith was elected captain of the Ponies. Smith in recent years has been captain of Auckland and New Zealand teams, and should make an able leader of his club team. Snedden is generally regarded as one of the best

captains Auckland or New Zealand ever had. and no doubt Smith will have the benefit of his advice. Plunket Shield Fixtures Auckland’s Plunket Shield fixtures this season have been tentatively arranged as follow, subject to the approval of the council of the New Zealand Cricket Association: Otago v. Auckland, at Auckland. December 24, 25, 26 and 27. Canterbury v. Auckland, at Auckland, January 3,4, 6 and 7. Wellington v. Auckland, at Wellington, February 21, 22. 24 and 25. Senior Grade Draw Following is the draw for the first round of the senior A grade championship of the Auckland Cricket Association:— Second Series.—United Suburbs v. University; Y.M.C.A. v. Xorth Shore; Parnell v. Eden; Grafton v. Ponsonby. Third Series. —United Suburbs v. Parnell; Y.M.C.A. v. University; Grafton v. Eden: Ponsonby v. Xorth Shore. Fourth Series. —United Suburbs v. Grafton: Y.M.C.A. v. Parnell: University V. Xorth Shore: Ponsonby v. Eden. Fifth Series.—United Suburbs v. Ponsonby: Y.M.C.A. v. Grafton; University V. Parnell; Eden v. Xorth Shore. Sixth Series.—United Suburbs v. Eden; Y.M.C.A. v. Ponsonby; University v. Grafton; Parnell v. Xorth Shore. Seventh Series. —United Suburbs v. North Shore; Y.M.C.A. v. Eden: University v. Ponsonby; Parnell v. Grafton.

EXECUTIVE MEETS COMPOSITION OF SENIOR B GRADE SELECTORS REAPPOINTED The composition of the senior B grade occupied The attention of the Management fommittee of the Auckland Cricket Association last evening. Applications for admission to this grade were made by the King's College , Old Boys and Mount Albert Clubs. There were 10 teams in the grade last Mr. X. C. Snedden (Ponsonby) stressed the necessity of teams not i being let into the grade too easily. That the time would soon be reached i when the committee would have to I consider doing away with the senior B grade and adding a fifth grade was the forecast of Mr. D. V. Moore (Primary Schools).’ The Mount Albert Club supported i its application with a letter giving the | performances of its players. | Mr. W. J. Smeeton (University) said ! that it appeared the club's main fear j was that it would lose its strong play- ’ ers if it did not go up a grade. ! Mr. Snedden considered that Mount ; Albert’s case was stronger than King’s. The secretary pointed out that last ! season the two clubs, Balmoral and j Windmill, which had had teams admit- ; ted to the senior B grade, had finished i at. or near, the bottom of all their | grades. I Mr. Snedden: Xone of the four teams j ought to be in the senior B grade. After further discussion the appli-

cations were referred to the Junior Management Committee for a recom- : mendation. GROUNDS PROBLEM The town clerk advised that the ques- 1 tion of allocation of council grounds i had been referred by the Parks Com- ; mittee of the City Council to its chairman. Mr. J. B. Patterson, and Mr. j Phelan. The special sub-committee of the Management Committee appointed a fortnight ago will now confer with Messrs. Patterson and Phelan, and re- , presentatives of the Suburban Cricket I Association. The Wellington Association wrote accepting February 21. 22. 2 4 and 2 5 as the dates for the Plunket Shield match between Wellington and Auckland at Wellington. Messrs. X’. C. Snedden, E. C. Beale and W. J. Smeeton were reappointed selectors for the coming season. The chairman. Mr. E. E Xalder. stated tliat the Eden Park Board of Control had decided to proceed forth- j with with alterations to the members' stand so as to give greater dining room, office and press accommodation. The number of entries received for the various competitions was Si*, as follows: —First grade, S: senior grade j B. 12: second grade, 16: third grade, 35: fourth grade, IS. This is one more j entry than last season. Following is the draw of matches for j Labour Day:—United Suburbs v. University. Eden Park Xo. 2. Messrs. X. B. Levien and F. J. Hellaby: Parnell v. Eden. Eden Park Xo. 3. Messrs. 11. D. Poulton and W. W. Luke: Y.M.C.A. v. j Xorth Shore, Xorth Shore. Messrs. AN . : A. Duff and C. E. Harvie: Grafton v. j Ponsonby, Victoria Park. Messrs. ( W. Andrews and J. H. Harvey. The hours of play for Labour Day will be 9.45 a.m. to 1 p. m.. 1.45 p in. to 4 p.m., 4.15 p.m. to 6.30. The first half J of the play for the purpose of using a • new ball will be reckoned to be 1.45 ! P-ni. UMPIRES’ ASSOCIATION The annual meeting of the Auckland. Cricket Umpires’ Association was held last evening, Mr. R. E. Turton presiding over a full attendance of members. A special vote of thanks was accorded Mr. E. E. Nalder. chairman of the Management Committee of the Auckland Cricket Association, for his services rendered in the past, and it was decided to elect him an honorary member. Three new active members were elected. The following officers were elected for the season:—Chairman, Mr. R. E. Turton: vice-chairman, Mr. W. A. Duff; secretary, Mr. X. B. Levien; general committee, Messrs. Turton, Duff. Harvey, Riddolls, Hellaby; examination committee, Messrs. Harvey, Turton, Duff; appointments committee, Messrs. Duff, Turton, Levien. WAIPA MATCHES

From Our Own Correspondent TE AAVAMUTU, Today. The first matches of the season under the auspices of the AVaipa Cricket Association took place on Saturday. , . Playing at Te Awamutu High School was defeated by Paterangi, the score being, High School 139, Paterangi 140. For the winners B. Beechey (77) and the losers (A. J. Shepherd 92) were top scorers. Te Kawa met Rukuliia team, winning by an innings and 53 runs. Te Awamutu journeyed to Kaipaki and proved more than a match fpr the home team, the scores being 100 to 34. For Te Awamutu G. Morris (4S). Rusden (21) and Philp (16) batted best. Korakonui met a team from AN harepuhunga. whom they defeated by eight runs. Wharepuhunga batted first and compiled 99 (Silvester 73). Kelly, Donneson. Ausley and Spraggs sharing the bowling. Korakonui replied with 107 i (Kelly 27. retired), (Donnison 35, retired). D. Jolly, F. Gooder and Silvester trundled well for Wharepuhunga. Two inter-club matches will be played on Monday next (Labour Day) against Hamilton teams. The AVaipa team to play at Hamilton is: X. Rusden, K. Smith, R. Lord, J. Philp, W. M. A\ r inter, G. Howcroft, R. Mexted, B. Beechey, C. Tarr, E. Shea, X'. Oram and A. J. Shepherd. The following will play at Te Awamutu: P. Holt. R. Ashton, H. Smart, Beechey. junr.. Exon, Byers, H. C. Mutton. R. Snowden. Raymond, R. Bourne. McMullan and G. Morris.