CRICKET

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20743, 1 March 1939, Page 4

CRICKET

HAMII TON GAMES BATSMEN PREDOMINATE THREE BIG SCORERS i oß.y “Long Stop”) HONOURS BOARD Batting—J. G. West (Old Boys, 87; S. A. R. Badeley (East), 73; P. Jordan (East), 65; R. Clough (Old Boys), 33; A. J. Aitken (Old Boys), 30; C. Day (Frankton), 122; L. Higglnson (Old Boys B), 60; B. Wilson (High School), 66 not out; D. Snell (Old Boys B), 43 not out; T. Collins (Frankton), 38; F. Sutton (Whitiora), 40; J. Tiller (Frankton), 35; D. Crozier (High School), 34; C. Clark (Old Boys B), 34. Bowling—R. Pedrotti, five for 47; M. Lyon, five for 81; L. Higginson, six for 33; W. McKenzie, five for 39. On Saturday there was a return to the batting form of several years ago, with team totals well past the two hundred mark and a good number of players scoring a worthwhile number of runs. It, would be quite impossible to say definitely that this or that was the reason; quite-a number of players had taken part in games during the week, and this match play may have helped them considerably, even if the matches , were not hard or too serious. Another factor that may have helped was the state of the wickets; with play going on close to the Saturday pitches these could not be heavily watered, and consequently were in a much harder

condition than usual. In looks, they were below their customary form; they powdered to dust at the creases, tmd there were many patches that looked dangerous on them, but the fact remains that they played extremely well, and the ball came through at a dependable height. It seems quite possible that the soaking of the wickets has been done too late in the week to allow them to dry out thoroughly and evenly. One "sure point, however, is that the batsmen would prefer to have the wickets as they were on Saturday to their former state, irrespective of their looks, and the type of cricket that was provided was far preferable from the spectators’ point of view. Slow Start •Claudelands were very late in taking the field and when the game did start play was very slow for a number of overs. Both Aitken and West, who opened for Old Boys, played cautiously to begin with, as did Badeley and R. Skeet for East, and there was little indication in the early play of the batting dominance that eventuated later. The Old FP-ys pair have given their side a good start on both their last appearances, and seem to form a happy opening combination. The value of such can hardly be overestimated, and it is a long time since any club has had a consistently good pair to open its innings. Free Scoring Practically the whole of the Old Boys team provided some good, bright cricket. West was the unlucky one, for after a chanceless innings that went past the tea adjournment he Just touched a bail for the wicketkeeper to take when he wanted but 13 to reach his century. He revealed quite an unexpected range of shots, amongst which a strong pull off some of the fast bowling, even when not too short, was particularly brilliant. Aitken played a typical innings, but rather spoiled the solidity of his display by a tendency to “swish” at off balls; in fact, he sent more than one chance difficult, certainly into the slips before he was caught there. Apart from West’s success, the most pleasing feature was Clough’s return to scoring form; after so long a spell of trifling scores his knock of 38, made vigorously and with a good deal of abandon, should restore his confidence and produce more of that batting ability that has ranked him amongst our best. A surprisingly good innings came also from Hansen, who straight and off-drove several times in masterly fashion, the ball never leaving the ground and travelling at great pace. Bowlers Tested The Claudelands bowlers were severely tested in having to maintain the attack all afternoon, but they came through with honours. T. Lyon sent down 22 overs, a big afternoon’s work, and only once were double figures scored off one over. M. Lyon sent down half a dozen fewer and had a dozen more runs scored off him, but proved a more effective wicket-taker. Hemi proved equally as consistent as T. Lyon, taking the same number of wickets for half the runs in half as many overs. The other pair, Roberts and Cassells, were used only for two or three overs as a change, but were unsuccessful in defeating any batsman. The bowlers were really well used, and to show that the Lyon brothers were not unduly fatigued thev went in first to hat for the eoneluding half-hour’s play. Old Boys i declared their innings closed with nine, wickets down, but strictly, according to the rules, Claudelands could have refused to allow this, as such a closure must be made much sooner. It is a small point and a really silly rule, as it can be defeated so easily in different ways, hut nevertheless Claudelands might well have insisted on their rights. Solid Start Badeley and R. ?kcet tried the opening positions for East, and while the former has on several occasions made a success of this position. Skeet d es n .t impress yet : he always apwhile thei s no son why he j should no! do this wherever he goes ! xhry’suh.iiicd ii mcver, nn?e ne of th i■! ll h h .M.i s-H "ii .-.pencil out ! Jordan Dashing Jordan has certainly developed in his batting bevond the purely defensive style, i living Badeley a long start in time ,md runs, he almost overt'i,,k him: pe-haps his best shots are in front of th- wicket, putting a lot • i!’ !*<iwer intdrives on both sides. ! Hnwcver. he is * ... inclined to lift the j i. li. i fan ! not so apparent when the i ! ,!•!-•- are but really j T. skuel and Perrett took advantage j

of the good score that was on the board to bat freely, but the former has never attained the ease and correctness essential for big scoring. Pedrotti Again For the second Saturday in succession Pedrotti was used as a change bowler to spell the others, and proved easily the most effective of all. Bowling an off break which he tosses well up, the ball has more spin than the batsmen expect. Lissette relied mainly on inducing the batsmen to take big risks and practically throw their wickets away, but it must be said that he does get a good dral of success, and with better luck, or surer fielding, would return better figures still. E. Everest appeared to bowl with his customary vigour and even turned more than he has been doing for some time, but failed to get amongst the

wickets. ,T. Everest, on the occasions when he has i few overs, has generally appeared to keep a consistent length and often secured a wicket or two. but his bowling on Saturday held no terrors, and, in fact, was appreciated, especially bv Jordan. In a team not overstocked with reliable bowlers it might be expected that O. Harding would be used more: he has the ability to bowl, as he show’ed in the lower grades and in Auckland, but be has not been given the opportunity to develop the length and other elements that w’ill yield results on local wickets. Senior B Notes All the games on Saturday maintained their interest, to the end, and provided fluctuations in fortunes that kept the players keyed up. Frankton United, who had collapsed so badly on the first day. staged a great second ' innings in which Day well topped the j century. This player has had several good scores to his crerit and his latest I achievement was thoroughly deserved. > Cambridge A had an impossible task ! to make the 150 runs required for a l four-pointer in the time, but they I tried, and did not simply sit back on ! 1 their first-inning* lead. ! East also went for a major decision j against Claudelatds t the achievement j of which was quite within the bounds j of possibility, but their run-getting failed and they lost enough wickets ; to make it appear unlucky for Claude- ’ lands.

j High School did not start the day [ in too hopeful a position, Whitiora i needing only 17 runs with four wic- ’ kets in hand, but good bowling by j McKenzie and Belcher resulted in a j tie. B. Wilson, Crozier and McKenzie j piled up a bigger total in the second j innings, but High School delayed too j long and left themselves insufficient ; time to dispose of Whitiora a second time, though they got close to it. ! Sutton was the most successful of the Whitiora team; Gall, who gave early promise, seems to have lost form 1 since Christmas, and Harvey is occasionally dangerous with the hall. The greatest surprise of the day came at Steele Park, where Old Boys continued their erratic way by inflicting a convincing defeat on Hamilton. At the beginning of the day it appeared on form, likely that Hamilton i would be able to finish the game off I quite early, but the Old Boys batsmen got into scoring mood right from the ' jump and took complete charge of the , game. Clark and Snell gave a great I start, but the deciding effort was that of L. Higginson, who topped an excellent bowling feat in both innings ! by scoring 60 in the best of style. SHEFFIELD SHIELD TROPHY TO SOUTH AUSTRALIA (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) ADELAIDE, Feb. 28 The Sheffield Shield match was again “washed out” by rain to-day, resulting in a draw. Thus the shield trophy, won last season by New South Wales, goes to South Australia, which was one point ahead of Victoria when the match began. Victoria was unfortunate, as it had a first innings’ lead and victory was Within its grasp when the rain came.