THE CRICKET CRITIC

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 807, 30 October 1929, Page 13

THE CRICKET CRITIC

Weather Clerk Intervenes Despite the deceptive intervention of the Weather Clerk on Labour Day, the four matches composing the second series of the first round of the Auckland Cricket Association’s senior grade competition were completed—two of them, in fact, and the two others in theory. Thus the attempts of the rain to foil the decision of the management committee to make a brisk start with its competition were rendered null and void. Two Official Draws Though the matches set down for decision on Eden Park could not be played on account of the they go down officially in the competition records as draws, such a decision coming under Rule 53 of the Objects, Constitution and General Rules of the Auckland Cricket Association, which says that "... play in all such matches shall be limited to the days so allotted, even though from any cause whatever, no play takes place on any such day.” Lucky and Unlucky Teams Thus two of the teams concerned, Eden, University, United Suburbs and Parnell may count themselves lucky and the other two unlucky. Two teams get two points where they might have got four, and two others teams get two points where they might have got none. But of such is the glorious uncertainty of cricket. Grafton, which played Ponsonby at Victoria Park on a sticky wicket came out of the deal worst of all, in that, after pitting its strength against the Ponies it had to submit to a four-point defeat. By the same token Ponsonby can consider itself fortunate in being drawn to play at Victoria Park and not at headquarters. Y.M.C.A. in the Lead With two matches of the first round completed, Y.M.C.A. with two consistent three-point wins to its credit is in the proud position at the top of the championship table. Last season the Young Men finished up sixth in the list, but they have made an auspicious start this time, even without the invaluable services of the professional player-coach, E. H. Bowley. This fact is due chiefly to services rendered by W. L. Elliott, captain, and T. Lyon, the fast bowler,, who was in wonderful form during the past week-end. “What a Fall There Was” In any sport the fall of the champions calls for special comment. After going through last season undefeated, either outright or on the first innings, Eden had to lower its colours on Saturday to University. The season before that, when Eden also won the championship, two losses on the first innings was as near as the side went to losing the championship. This makes the triumph of the students all the more meritorious, for the first team in the grade last year had a remarkable sequence of six first innings wins, and five drawn games. While failing to be out-run by any other team, the champions also failed to register a single four-point victory. Last Season's Opening The first matches last year ended in three-point wins for Ponsonby against North Shore, and for United Suburbs against Parnell. University defeated Y.M.C.A. by four points, and Eden drew with Grafton. In the second series, Ponsonby drew with Eden, and three-point wins were registered by University, North Shore and Y.M.C.A. over Grafton, United Suburbs and Parnell respectively. At that stage University was leading for the championship ■jvith Ponsonbv second and Eden third. ' Th ree Fine Finishes With the exception of the North Sliore-Grafton match, in which the Devonport men adopted barn-door batting tactics, all three games on Saturday provided most interesting finishes. Especially was this so at Eden Park, where Parnell and Varsity were pressed hard to take the points. It is finishes such as these which will attract the public to ordinary club games, which in the past have not enjoyed reputations, for always or even frequently providing tense battles. Young Fijian Player Eden has an interesting capture for this season in Edward Thakabau, the young Fijian student at the Training College.

He was selected to play for Eden against Parnell on Labour Day, but weather caused the postponement o f the gaane. Thakabau, when he was receiving his education in Wanganui, played for the Wanganui representative side. He is a particularly steady bowler and

he handles a bat efficiently. For a year or so, Thakabau, acting under medical advice, has not taken part in active sport to ’any considerable extent, but he should manage to reach form fairly quickly in cricket. The company of prominent Eden scoring men should benefit his batting. Another Grafton Recruit Another man, at present on the way from England to New Zealand, who may find a place in the Grafton senior grade side is Mr. Whitwell. He is due by the Aorangi on November 4. New Club Team The King’s College Old Boys’ Cricket Club, which applied for the admission of its team into the senior B grade competition at last evening’s meeting of the management committee of the Auckland Cricket Association. submitted a list of the proposed members of the side. The names included:—J. B. Simpson, Auckland representative in 1926. K. Ir. Wilson (Universitv senior A. 1927). R. J. Gillett (captain of the King’s College XI. in 1924. 25. 2G, 27, and 28), R. R. Kissling (Parnell senior A, 4 927-28), A. L. Caugliev (Y.M.C.A., 1921-22), and J. E. Caughey and S. B. Morris, who have played for Otago University. Parnell’s Loss The Parnell senior B grade team will be without the services of three valuable men this season, Ces Badeley of All Black fame, Len Righton, also a well-known Rugby man. and A. Luke. Badeley is now in Hamilton, and the other two have retired from the game. However, there is enough talent left to be moulded into quite a strong combination. the following being the tentative team:—A. Bell, M. U Cock, R W. Dow. E. A. Gilles, J. Kenny, s. 11. lly. C. K Sharp i C. SI E. A. Stehr. E. W. Whitley and \Y. Johnston.

Professor-Cricketer A distinguished man of science who has played cricket for University for some years now is Professor P. W.

Burbidge, M.Sc. (N.Z.), BA, Res. (Cantab.), professor of Physics and Dean o f the Faculty of Science at the Auckland University College. A solid type of batsman and a bowler who has bowled quite a bit in senior grade cricket, Professor Burbidge’s white sun hat is almost

as much of himself as his limbs. Wherever the 'professor-cricketer goes his sun hat goes also. Nearing Destination For a short tour of the Australian Commonwealth before coming to New Zealand, Harold Gilligan’s M.C.C. side arrived at Fremantle yesterday and will commence a three-day match with Western Australia at Perth on Friday. Following is the Australian portion cf the itinerary: November 1,2, 4 —v. Western Australia. at Perth. November 8,9, 11—v. South Australia, at Adelaide. November 15, 16, 18 —v. Victoria, at Melbourne. November 22, 23, 25—v. New South Wales, at Sydney. November 29, 30, December 2—v. Queensland, at Brisbane. Dacre’s Masterly Innings Commenting on an innings played by C. C. Dacre, the New Zealand .cricketer, in England, for the Gloucester Club and Ground against the Wiltshire Club and Ground, an English paper says:—"The most interesting period of the match was from a quarter to 5 to 6.15 p.m. on