CRICKET.

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 370, 26 February 1937, Page 2

CRICKET.

(By “Late-cut.”) The match between Rangitiked and South Taranaki provided some very good cricket and a most exciting finish at Hawera last Saturday. * * * The visitors, with two wickets still to fall, required six runs to win and had only four minutes to play. J Marshall, who ecored a brilliant 116 (not out) took a four off the last ball of Eden’s over, leaving two to win. Fullerton-Smith then secured a single and then Marshall another- single. Rangltikei needed one to win, but off Betts’ last three balls, FullertonSmith was unable to score and so the game ended a draw with each tide scoring 201. * * * On the play, however, the honours were decidedly with the visitors, who both fielded and batted better than South Taranaki. J. Marshall’s innings was outstanding, but the four last Riangitikei batsmen to return to the pavilion literally threw' their wickets away in an attempt to get runs in a hurry. * * * Among the local players Betts* (72), Geary (53), Beere (28) and Dormer (24) were, the only batsmen to shape like representatives. Beere’s innings was a pleasure to watch after the stodgy performances of some of the earlier players. He attacked the bowling with vim and lifted the ball in all directions l into the vacant places in the field. His rapid score, made in 10 minutes, included one delightful six. * * * Apart from Betts the South Taranaki bowlers 'Were unimpressive. Betts bowled excellently to secure seven for 48. Geary and Dormer bowled fairly well and should have had more to do. As' it was the bowl-

ing was poorly handled, too many bowlers being used. * * * The South Taranaki fielding Was definitely poor, no less than six chances going begging. * * * At Hawera S.T.H.S. was decisively defeated by the strong Hawera B eleven. The schoolboys appeared to be very much in need of practice. Anderson (23) was the only batsman -to play the bowling of Stevens and Fairweather with any degree of confidence. Most of tlie S.T.H.S. players were very much at sea in facing the slov-i bowlers-. To School’s 57, Hawera replied with 110. Anderson secured foul' wickets and B. Ryburn three. * -» * There is every indication that the Test commencing to-day in Melbourne will be a real epic. It is surprising that the successful young fast bowler, Lu-sh of N.'S.W-, is not among the Australian 13. However, Nash, th© Victorian speed merchant, is there and will probably Play. * * * The toss, the weather and Bradman Will be big factors in success, or failure, and if the Australians win they will not only win -the Ashes but will, by winning the last three Tests, after losing the first two, do something which lias never before been ' done in tile history of Test cricket.