CRICKET.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2701, 4 January 1910, Page 6

CRICKET.

THE HAWKE'S BAY INVADERS

- (Notes by “Short-Slip.”)

The tug-of- war between the chosen representatives of Hawke’s Bay and Poverty Bay i s over, and the visitors ' have returned to sunny Napier with “The Cup,” the ashes, and the ball with which the match was played. The team the Hawke’s Bay Association sent up. was undoubtedly the strongest which has ever played against Poverty Bay. In fact, it represented the full strength of the province, with the exception that P. Fulton, G. Hawke, and H. B. Lusk were absent. The merit of the team lay in the fact that it was a youthful side, composed of lusty youngsters, in the full vigor and stamina of life’s morning. Hawke’s Bay should maintain a high place in New Zealand cricket with such brilliant young players to fight its battles for it. The fates were unkind when the match commenced at Tarulieru on Friday morning. A howling nor’-wes-ter was blowing, which increased in fury as the day wore on, and made the conditions under which play was carried , on exceedingly unpleasant for everyone. Under such circumstances considerable interest attached to the spinning of the coin for the choice of first knock. After the players had inspeeved the wicket prepared by Charlie Whiteley, they were satisfied that whichever side had first use of it would take a deal of getting out. A serene and bland smile stole over the genial features of Macassev when the coin turned up tail after Hallamore had called “head,” while the burly Poverty Bay captain gave a rueful shake of the head, donned the pads, and led his men out into the gale. Jack Board, the renowned Gloucester professional, and Arthur Fenton were the opening batsmen. With 10 on the board, Fenton had the bad luck to be run out. He failed to s ee Youn*., who was covered by another fieldsman, —and dashed down the pitch for a run. Board sent him back, but an accurate return from Young enabled Manning to put down the wicket before the Napier man could- regain his ground. Macassey, the Hawke’s Bay captain, filled the breach, and set himself doggedly to repair this piece of bad fortune, which had. thus early overtaken his side. Manning was bowling on the short side, and Board off-drove him hard to the boundary for 4. McMahon opened with a good length and had Board in difficulties once or twice with his slow leg-breaks. Macassey refused to take the slightest risk, and only scored three singles during his first quarter of an hour’s stay at the wickets. Manning still continued to bowl on the short side, and Board commenced to score freely off him. At 52 the first change in the bowling was made, Farrell relieving McMahon. Macassey hit the left-hander’s third hall for 4, but treated the remainder of the over respectfully. At 58 Wack took up the bowling at Manning’s end, and the rate of run-getting slackened. . Board cut Wack beautifully for 4, and commenced to score freely with powerful strokes to the off. In Farrell’s next over Macassey gave a soft chance to Manning at mid-on, but the fieldsman misjudged the flight of the ball and allowed it to drop softly just over liis head. McConnell was conspicuous for fine fielding, stopping a couple of very hot drives by Board which appeared certain to reach the boundary. Board continued to apply the wood, ay ft some of his on-drives travelled rLV£ n i . p?CO.• A .V~'v.o\« l-.'Fi?rif-Tvx- -A such rare ■ utat;■ ■ - *-i £ • leatnii uiashed through McConnell’s legs at long-on before he could get down to it. At 7S Babbs was given a. trial at Wack’s end, while McMahon came on again in place of Farrell. The century went up with both men going strongly. Macassey had discarded the extreme caution with which he opened, and was scoring freely with good- strokes. Barker relieved McMahon at 105, and sent down a maiden to Board. The long partnership was here severed by Babbs clean bowling Macassey. The Hawke’s Bay captain had played an invaluable innings for his side. Going in after the bad start, he batted soundly and well for an hour and nine minutes, and his score of 36 by no means represented .the worth of his performance to the side. . Just before Macassey’s disnnssal Board stepped in front of his wicket to place a. straight one from Babbs to the on. He missed the ball, and a spontaneous and confident appeal went up from the Poverty Bay men. However, Umpire Heenan said “not out,” holding that the ball broke. Harry Babbs must be a better bowler than he is given credit for, if he can turn a fast leg-break. Board-hit a full toss from -Babbs to the square-leg boundary, and in the same over made a slashing ondrive that sent the ball through Sam McConnell’s legs at long-on like a streak of lightning. Baker had partnered Board after Macassey’s dismissal, and, though he opened with a flukey stroke, lie soon demonstrated that he was a sound and stylish batsman. The pair took the score from 105 to 167, where Young, the fast bowler of the team, was brought on for the first time. Young met with immediate success, as Baker made a faulty stroke in attempting to hook and’was caught by Wack, at short-leg, off the second ball. Smyrk joined Board, and the luncheon adjournment was taken, the score standing at 172 for four wickets. Board was 96 and Smyrk 3. On returning, Board added a couple, ' and then lost his wicket in precisely the game manner Baker did. Attempting’ to hook a fast short-pitched one from Young, he skied the ball to Manning at short-log. The Hawke’s Bay coach had given a fine display of sound and gtylish cricket. There was rare power behind his strokes, while he placed the ball between the fieldsmen with consummate skill, and fully bore out the high reputation as a batsman of the first-flight which had preceded him to New Zealand. .While watching Board’s masterly display, the local men came to the conclusion that the Napier men were extremely. fortunate in possessing a coach who had at his command such a variety of strokes. By this time the long spell of bowling and fielding in the howling gale was beginning to tell on the local side, and they heaved a sigh of relief when Smyrk and- Hindmarsh were dismissed cheaply. With six wickets down for 198 the end appeared in sight, but the Poverty Bay men reckoned without their host. Anderson and Jack O’Brien set up a most fruitful partnership for the seventh wicket, and showed the brightest and most spirited batting of the day. O’Brien was absolutely brilliant, and his off-drives could not have been better executed by a Trumper or a Soooner. He used big height to advantage, and brought his right foot across in getting his full weight into the'stroke, which sent the ball flashing at almost incredible speed to the boundary. O’Brien, to my mind, i s the most brilliant batsman Hawke’s Bay has ever turned out, and as he i s a •youni? pi aver, I shall he greatlv surprised if this, fact is not generally ad-

mitted ere long. On Friday he flashed his .blade to such purpose that his first 50 were scored in forty minutes. He hit to all parts of the field with equal power. He should have been taken at 42, Gibson dropping him at extra longon off Farrell. O'Brien scored 67 in one minute under the hour, whereas it had taken Board two hours and 21 minutes to register his 98. Of course Board had to open the innings, and naturally could take no risks; but O’Brien showed a versatility of strokes that stamped him a first-class batsman. Anderson gave an attractive, disph; . While not so dashing as his partner, he scored at a good pace in fine style, and while making his 86 assisted o’Briep.to add 105 for the seventh wicket. Both left within a few minutes of each other, O’Brien being clean bowled by Hallamore and Anderson having liis wicket shattered by Manning'. The two Napier High School boys, McLernon and Hurston, put on 23 runs, the former scoring 13 and the latter 10. They showed the results of Board’s coaching, and as each are well-built youths they should develop into useful players if they follow up the game. The innings, which had occupied four hours and five minutes, terminated at 3.30 for the fine total of 335. The fielding of the local men was not good. The field was often raggedly placed, and a want of judgment was shown in placing the field at times. Particularly was this noticeable when Board was scoring freely on the off. An extra forward cover would have saved many of the strokes which the Gloucester man sent to the boundary in this direction. The long spell in the fierce wind seemed to take the starch out .of the local men, while the bowlers who had to contend against the gale had a most arduous task to perform. The Poverty Baj’ captain should have given Young a trial earlier. It was not until 167 runs had been scored that the fast bowler was brought on. Young bowled with rare pace, and kept a good command of length, and aided by the wind was most difficult to negotiate. He got rid of three good batsmen in Baker, Board, and Hxndmarsh, and had only 30 runs hit off the 48 balls he sent down. Barker should have been persevered with more. He was only given five overs, off which 17 runs were scored, and he bowled well, keeping a good length and putting some devil into his deliveries. Manning sent down J

fourteen overs for 50 runs, McMahon thirteen over s for 44, H. Waek sixteen overs for 66, and Babbs fourteen overs

for 52. Hallamore might also have gone on earlier himself, when he had such a capable man as McConnell to relieve him behind the sticks. Two men only got going in Poverty Bay’s first innings, and both showed it was possible to score, and score rapidly off the visitors’ bowling. Young batted for an hour and one minute in making his 37. He played a lot of good bowling confidently, and made some fine strokes to leg. One off-drive off Fenton was a magnificent stroke, and travelled to the road at phenomenal pace. Charlie Lasker electrified the Napier men by the vigor of his hitting, and banged Fenton to the southern boundary twice in succession with all the wood behind. He played Nelson soundly, and his 52 stamped him as a capable batsman against the best of bowling. He was at the wickets for an hour and four minutes, and v'f■ seven fourers. The remainder batsmen found the bowling of.H' 1 , tUo Anderson, Nelson, and SmvrF enton j for them. In Povertv Bav’- ,a nings, Hallamore and A l -' 5 seconc A ll men to stand- S' a Young wore'the all his old/-S out. Hallamore showed His skill in running up his 44. I were well-timed and powerful, while his cutting and leg play were equally good. Young again played capital cricket, and his all-round display in the match stamped him as the most consistent performer on the side. Barker and Manning also shaped well, but were both dismissed when apparently well set for a score. Nelson bowled remarkably well throughout. His'* length was perfect, while every now and then he would send along a ball that would beat the best of batsmen. In the first innings he bowled eight overs for 9 runs, and captured one wicket, while in the second innings he sent down 23 overs for 40 runs,

bagging four wickets. He clean bowled Gibson, McMahon, Barker, and Manning with trimmers in the second innings. Smyrk also proved himself a most useful bowler. He captured three wickets for 32 runs in the first innings, and three for 28 in the second.

The Hawke’s Bay men showed wonderful improvement since, last year. They are scarcely recognisable as the same players, so greatly lias tlieir style of batting improved. This is no doubt due to tne coaching received by Trott and Fenton, with a final polish put on by Board. The lesson taught the Poverty Bay boys should result in a deal of good. A really sound licking from a better side like that administered by Hawke’s Bay is better thqn all the victories in the world from players from whom you can learn nothing. Let us hope the Hawke’s Bay men will visit Gisborne regularly. Our cricketers should make it their endeavor by attention to practice to be in a position to make a better showing next time they meet the good sportsmen of Napier on the field. May they win the toss, and have first strike on a good wicket. The Hawke’s Bay men were loud in their praises of the wicket prepared by Charlie Whiteley at Tarnlieru. and declared it was as good as anything they could get in Napier. No wonder they were satisfied as to the excellence of the wicket. Hark ye, my friends! No less than 967 were scored on the same wicket\ during the two days’ of the match, and there Avas no sign of wear then. Hawke’s Bay scored 355 in their only innings, Avhile Poverty Bay totalled 272 in their two innings. Then in the exhibition game after the match was over Hawke’s Bay totalled 260, and Poverty Bay made 100 for two wickets. As good as gold after 967 runs had been scored on it! /This is a Jiuia feather in Charlie Whiteley’s cap, and undoubtedly he deserves it.

WELLINGTON DEFEATS CANTER-

BURY

1 Pi:n Phkss Association.! WELLINGTON, Jan. 3

The Wellington-Canterbury cricket match was resumed to-day in excellent Aveather. The wicket was . in capital run-getting order. 'The . local team made 171 before the last wibket fell, £he tail showing to good account, and Roberts was top scorer with 31. Upham had 26 to his credit, and Hickey 9 not out. Reese was the most successful howler for the visitors, getting 4 wickets for 40 runs. T. Carlton, Watson, and Addison each, secured two wickets. The southerners failed miserably with the bat in their second innings eight wickets falling for'6o r.uns. Boxsb’all and W. Carlton more than doubled the score before they were separated.' The innings finally c.osed for 129 (W. Carlton 56 not out, Boxshall 19, and'Reese 11). Upham captured 6 wickets for 52 runs, Hickey 3 for 37. The Wellington. fielding was clean and-sure throughout, while .Upham trundled steadily. The batsmen found a difficulty in negotiating, him.

i ii before the 1 Hickey also bowled " ,011 , y \r. Carlb partnership of B°xsh a h Wellington > ton. Wanting 81 to ' | askj having I, easily tne winning ; nine wickets in hand yjjdlano and ■ stroke was ». s2 : Hickson wen! “ re dit. , respectively to their- !. -RmTARA^— wwW PLYMOUTH,/™. 3 NlW J.divo cricket match, The represents concludWangamn v. .NoitJi x . a substantial ed to-day, resuming rlins . Tho win for rara £ .31; first innings 96, scores wore: Hu a |> cr ] l!im 141 and “■"lid S 1 ; 1 ?! boiiiß ‘Jio principal scorere* 1 nc Waigamd scores wore 154 and 101. A PECULIAR INCIDENT. DUNEDIN, Jan. 3. Otago’s innings ternih> a tod for 539, ~1, , 55 The hist ball of his innstraigkt. back to tho bowler (Scott), striking him o n Hie middle of the forehead. Tho ball went about sixty feet- up and was caught by Irwin. Scott was able to walk off the field. __ OTAGO DEFEATS SOUTHLAND. DUNEDIN, Jan. 3. The cricket match Otago versus Southland was concluded to-day. The home team put up. the record scoro of 593 in the first innings, and won by an innings and 448 runs. The principal scorers for Otago were: feeideberg 162, Aticartney 118, Hiddleston BG, Callaway 55, Rutherford 50, and Wilson 43. In their second innings Southland' made 74 (Richards 21, Doig 16, and Bannerman 12 being the top scorers). VICTORIA V. SOUTH AUSTRALIA. uniticu Piiess Association—Copyiiioiit. (Received Jan. 3, 10.55 p.m.) V MELBOURNE, Jan. 3. South Australia in the first innings made 360 (C. Hill 185, Crawford 75, the others were poor). Hill batted, for four hours brilliantly. He hit 19 fours, and one six. . . Victoria in the second innings has lost no wickets for 25. SOUTH AFRICA V. M.C.C. LONDON, Jan. 2. In the first innings in the test match South Africa made 208 runs and England 147 for no 'wickets, Hobbs 77, Rhodes 65.