VICTORIAN CRICKET

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 861, 3 January 1930, Page 7

VICTORIAN CRICKET

WHY PONSFORD HAS SLUMPED FAST BOWLER NEEDED It must be recognised that, owing to our want of continued sunshine, but few Victorian cricketers have as yet struck their true form with the bat (writes John Worrall, in “The Australasian”). Woodfull is an exception. Me is always in form, his powers of concentration counter-balancing any deficiency that otherwise might exist. Ryder is apparently out of form. Whefi such is the case it is more easily noticeable with him than with any other batsman, for he scratches about and discards his bold policy of attack. Me wants all the practice he can get, and that he will be in his true form against the Welshmen in the Boxing Bay contest is the wish of all enthusiasts. Ponsford, for the present at any rate, has descended from a super-man and a colossal runmaker to just the ordinary good batsman. What he really wants is more sunshine and cricket, and there are many hopeful signs that he will be his old self again before the summer ends. In his second innings at Sydney and in his second knock against Queensland- lie was caught in the slips oft similar strokes. The ball m each case was pitched up fairly well and in each instance Ponsford tried a wristy shot in front of point from the pitch. The ball could have been driven on both occasions, a stroke that still needs cultivation by our leading batsmen. On present form Rigg is our next best batsman to Woodfull, and now that the champion lias retired from the scene he is our leading artist with the bat.

In the bowling department we have two weaknesses —the want of a real fast bowler and of a slow bowler like Harry Trott. Alexander is a prospective express in the rough, with fine action and run. but his unfortunate habit of running down the pitch after delivery puts him out of court. In endeavouring to repair the fault his concentration is put into the wrong channel. Still, he is worth persevering with, though Nature is at fault in the

shape of that left foot. In picking Ebeling as a fast bowler the selectors, unconsciously, perhaps, are crucifying his chances of selection. By physique, stamina and natural law he is a medium pace bowler, with a good fast ball up his sleeve. It is a good delivery when mixed with slower ones, but when sent along over after over there is nothing in it. Blackie, the evergreen, keeps adding to his list of victims every match, and as a bowler of guile and resource should be the first trundler chosen for England. He is a living marvel. He supplies the only case on record of being out of the game for years and upon his return regaining all his old skill with the ball. There is a prevalept opinion that Ironmonger will not be chosen for England, but that he is the best bowler in Australia on a sticky wicket is undoubted. We have been poor with the ball, and by passing over bowlers such as Ironmonger and Blackie have played into the enemy’s hands.

On a subject that no writer likes to mention unless under practical compulsion, it must be admitted that there were grave complaints about the umpiring in the match between Victoria and Queensland. That they were made affecting both sides, is beside the point. Ellis, who' kept wickets splendidly in spite of a few mannerisms, had at least three decisions given against him where the verdicts should have been in his favour. And, according to the players of both teams, there were other mistakes, some of a most serious character. The system of giving each man a turn at umpiring, irrespective of his qualifications, is not in the best interests of the game. The best players are supposed to be chosen, and the same rule should appty in the selection of umpires. In this game players on both sides were dissatisfied. Such a state of affairs should not exist in a city like Melbourne, for if the drift continues such names as Crockett and Phillips will fade out of recognition, memories to be forgotten.