CRICKET.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 3652, 12 October 1912, Page 9

CRICKET.

(By “Short-Slip.")

Th 3 Came in Gisborne. The. Poverty Bay Cricket Association has decreed that the season in Gisborne shall commence in earnest early in November. It seems strange that competition matches should be delayed until such a late period in such a favorable climate as Poverty Bay. For instance ,competition matches under the jurisdiction of the New South Wales Cricket Association commenced in Sydney on Saturday, September 28, and thus the various clubs will have been at it hammer and tongs for a full month before Gisborne has made a start. It seems a pity that a month of good playing weather should be lost locally, and the Association might well consider the advisability of making an earlier commencement. As far as can be gleaned at present, it appears probable that five clubs will compete in the senior competition this season. These will be Wanderers, Taruheru, United, Alhambra and Kia Kalia. If two days’ be devoted to each match, this will mean that each team will have to stand down for a fortnight in turn—a state of affairs that will not tend to keep at boiling point. An effort should be made to either increase the number of competing teams to six or reduce the number to four. Asomewhat similar difficulty appears likely to be encountered in connection with the Tuhrsday Competition, for which only three clubs appear likely to compete at present. This will mean that one club will have to stand out for each match, a state of affairs which should be avoided if nos able. No doubt the management of the P.B. Association will put on their considering caps, and discover some) solution of these difficulties before the competitions start. A goodly number of players turned out to practice at the Domain on Saturday afternoon last. The Civil Sea-vice Club ' played a scratch match against All-comers, and after an interesting game, succeeded in winning by 44 runs. From the way the Civil Servants shaped they should give a good account of themselves this season. j On No. 2 ground practice was kept merrily going, a number of new faces being noticeable among those taking part. A. Wood, the ex-English International Rugby footballer, was in good bowling trim, and sent down fast de-livei-ies of a good length. Don Miller, who will lead the Kia Kaha Saturday eleven, did some forceful hitting during his stay at the wickets. R. Gartshore, the ex-High School colt, also batted brightly, and shaped like one in form. Sight screens are badly required for both the Domain and the Childers Road Reserve, and no doubt if the Association have the funds in hand these will be supplied this season. With the present background of trees and hedges, it is at times exceedingly difficult to follow the flight of the ball with accuracy.

Mr O. Iv. Olsen has again been appointed sole selector for the Poverty Bay Cricket Association. His selection for this important post will find favor with the majority of the players, as few players enjoy such confidence as does the popular’ “Tiny." He did his work well last season, and should give satisfaction again this year, as he makes a point of being wherever cricket is played, thus keeping in touch with the players in every club.

England’s Demon Bowler. In the second innings of thclir match against England at Kennington Oval, South Africa, were all out in an hour and 50 minutes, and Barnes took eight wickets for 29 runs, making his complete record for the match the extraordinary one of 13 wickets for 57 runs. “I never have seen superior bowling,” says “Old County Player" in the “Sportsman,” and goodness only knows how his figures would have worked out had ho been blessed with more fortune. This is u curious thing to say, but tlio fact yen a ins that Barnes did not receive any help at all. Everything he did was the genuine reward of real skill and honest industry. Barnes certainly has proved his right to be considered the greatest bowler in all the world. The accuracy of his pitch with the one ‘e spins from leg at almost fast-medium pace is really marvellous. : His ball-to-ball analysis yesterday appears in the official scorebooks as follows, the letter SI indicating a maiden over:

M 1.3.3. . ] M | . 4.1 I ..11.. ..W.24 j M | . W . l1•l• W . . !

.*2 W W . 1 M 1 1 WW. .. 1 I - 1 - I . .1 .... | 1 . | ... w