1939-04-18 — Page 23

THE CHINA MAIL, APRIL 18, 1939 -

EXPERIMENTS IN COMING CRICKET SEASON

More Help For Bowlers; Eight-Ball Over Trial

PROSPECTS OF THE COUNTIES

TWO decisions taken by the powers-that-be ought to bring about an exceptionally interesting cricket season in England.

Something has been done in the hope of mak- ing the balance between bat and ball more even by the issuing of instructions to groundsmen concern- ing the preparation of wickets which allow bowlers more assistance. Further, there is to be a trial of the eight-ball over of which many of our leading · batsmen and bowlers have had experience when on tour in Australia and South Africa.

Not yet is there any reduction attraction in the field, for both possess J. B., a cricketer of the first-class fixture list. In- exceptional speed.

still in his 'teens, is also capable of deed, a County Championship the googly, and V. H. is regarded as match will be begun as late as a sound opening batsman. Both ard September 4, when Lancashire right handers, are to start their game with Lei- cestershire on a Monday, to pre- vent any clashing with the first! Saturday of the English football

season.

One or two big personalities will be missing from the field during the com- ing summer, among them Harold Lar- wood and Herman, the Hampshire pace bowler.

and Woolley Both Frank

also taken Geary have

up George coaching work, but it would not be surprising to see both of them mak- ing odd appearances after the schools break up at the end of July.

The problem of finding amateurs with sufficient spare time to accept the captaincy of a county eleven still agi- tates the minds of county officials, and even now the leadership of the Hamp- shire, Leicestershire, and Essex elevens has not been settled..

A Visit From The West Indies

д

Flowing Strokes

Flowing strokes are said to be f penchant of G. Gomez, of Trinidad, and he, with Headley, a fine cutter and powerful driving batsman, and Weekes are all dangerous when well set.

The last time a West Indies team came here they were not very strong in slow bowling, and it appears that a fast attack is again to be the chief nenns of getting opposing sides out. to Constantine, who in In addition Lancashire League cricket bowls me- dium pace and no more, there is Mar- tindale, who secured, over a hundred Johnson wickets last time here; T. (Trinidad), fastish left hand; E. A. a sturdy medium-fast V. Williams, bowler from Barbados; and L. G. Hylton, who was picked as an extra player after the original choices.

off-

of

After an interval of six years, team from the West Indies will arrive

Of the slower bowling, Grant him in England during the latter part of

self can be fairly useful with April, to engage in a strenuous pro-

breaks, and C. B. Clarke (Barbados) includes three Test gramme which

is of the leg-break and googly type, matches with England. They are un-

but without first-hand knowledge der the command of R. S. Grant, who the newcomers one is inclined to re- got a Blue for both cricket and Asgard Cameron as the spin bowler most sociation football at Cambridge, and who is a brother of G. C. Grant, who likely to do well.

Before opening their tour proper, led the last team from the Islands

the West Indies will play two one-day which toured this country.

Godalming and Reigate, games at their first-class programme beginning with a match against Worcestershire on May 8.

Another Cambridge Blue in the side is J. H. Cameron, the little googly bowler who, at the age of 18, when playing for the Rest against Lord's Schools, achieved the feat of taking all ten wickets in an innings. He. has also assisted Somerset,

The Mayor of Southampton, Councillor A. H. Powdrill, greeted Wally Hammond, the captain of the M.C.C. cricket team on arrival at Southampton, (Fox Copyright).

is continuing as captain, but nothing, cestor in June. definite is known of other assistance C. J. B. Wood, formerly the cap- Likely to be forthcoming from ama-tain, has been appointed assistant se-

cretary to the club.

MIDDLESEX.-Middlesex, runners-

teurs.

new

thb -

Hylton is of the versatile type, be- ing capable of changing from medium. fast to slow spin, and in view of the special efforts made to include him in the party, West Indies cricketers

LANCASHIRE.—A most formid- must hold a high opinion of his abil-able bid for the Championship ought up in the County Championship for ities.

to come from Lancashire. Last season the past three years, face the Wilkinson, the leg-break bowler who season under the captaincy of I. A. R.. spent the winter in South Africa with Peebles, the googly bowler, who suc- Although the M.C.C. team, considerably streng- ceeds R. W. V. Robins. thened the eleven, as did the all-round- taking little part in first-class cricket er Nutter. If only Hopwood would in recent years, Peebles headed

averages for 1938, recover his skill us a left-arm slow county bowling bowler, Lancashrie would have no real and he should strengthen the attack problem, for Pollard, Phillipson, Wil- when difficult pitches are encountered. again are all first-rate | Chief reliance, however, will kinson, and Nutter

centre

fast bowlers, J. bowlers.

on the two Among new men engaged on the Smith and Gray, who between them staff are S. Banham, a wicketkeeper took 173 county wickets last year.

A notable absentee will be J. H. from Bacup; F. Couper, a batsman

Human who has gone to Australia, from the same club; and J. Dyson, a right arm medium-paced from Sabden. and neither G. O. Allen nor Robins is Of the W. H. L. Lister will again captain likely to assist very often.

Farrimond, who had to professionals, Nevell has joined Sur- Lancashire. wait many years for his chance as rey. Robertson and Brown are regard- wicket-keeper, is to have the matched as the probable opening batsmen at number three, the against Middlesex at Old Trafford in with Edrich

position he occupied when making 219 July as his benefit,

in the fifty Test in South Africa.

A young player of whom much is expected is Thompson, who, for Young Professional v. Young Amateurs last 132 for once out, and August, hit took, with slow off breaks, seven wic

The fixture with Nottinghamshire in kets for 68. July is to be played at Kennington Oval.

to

a

Although the bowling has suffered by the departure of Herman League cricket, the opening attack will be left in the capable hands of Of the remainder of the party; only Heath and Court. The last-named is four have visited England before. They are George Headley, dubbed the regarded as a young bowler with

good future. Left-hander J. Bailey "Black Bradman" because of his big has rejoined the county staff after a scores; L. N. Constantine, fierce hit spell in League cricket, and a slow ter and lively bowler and a great per spin, bowler, in T. Dean, who return sonality on previous tours; E. A. Mared to England from South Africa last tindale, a medium-paced bowler with a splendid action; and I. Barrow, the year, has been engaged. wicket-keeper.

For financial reasons the Basingstoke fixture has been discontinued, but so If reports from the West Indies are successful was the match at Newport, not unduly optimistic, some of the Isle of Wight, that Hampshire are to newcomers may overshadow the per- play Middlesex there.. A raised turf formances of the cricketers with pre-enclosure has been erected on the cast viqua experience of English wickots side of the Southampton ground, Much will depend, of course, upon the KENT The Kent fixture list this weather, inasmuch as most of the season omits Folkestone from the batsmen aro accustomed to hard grounds to be used, and, although the has pitches.

usual week at Tunbridge Wells

has been arranged, the plain hint been given that unless the attendances improve there may be another change of venues,

H. P. Bayley, of British Guiana, comes with the reputation of being a steady defensive bat, who has made some tall scores, including a double century while taking part in a fourth wicket partnership of 881. against Barbados. An all-rounder and a use ful wicket-keeper, J. F. D. Sealy ("Derek") is a finished batsman with a good cover drive und oft-side strokes of class. Another bataman, the idol of Jamaica cricket crowds, who ought to do well is the left-hander, K. H. Waokes. The brothers Stollmeyer, J B, and V. H., should certainly be an

in

LEICESTERSHIRE.-Changes playing personnel and venue; in addi- tion to a possible alteration in cap taincy, may affect Leicestershire next season. Instead of arranging matches in various parts of the country, the club will play only one fixture away from Leicester-against Glamorgan at Ashby-de-la-Zouch.

HOME RUGGER

**

Leicestershire. will miss the all- round work of George Geary probably more than they anticipate. Last sum- mer Geary not only headed the bowl-

London, Apr. 17. ing averages, but enjoyed one of his best seasons with the bat since first

The following were the results of appearing in 1912. Now coach to

available matches played in the Rugby League

to-day: Charterhouse, he will be

Bramley

8 Featherstone 11 after term ends in July,

Whether C. S. Dempster is to lead Hull Kingston 19 Keighley +3 anthe side again is at the moment uncer-Warrington 30 Leigh: Although Frank Woolley has

be tain. Leicestershire should have few nounced his retiremont, and will coaching school-boys, there is a possi- qualms regarding batting, but the at billty of the left-hander making odd tack will probably cause anxiety once appearances for Kent. Foy and Cole more, although Shipman, the fast bow have not been re-engaged, but other-er and steady opening batsman, who, wise the personnel remains unchanged owing to illness, has not played since Ames, Todd, Watt, Fagg, Lewis, 1980, will assist in mid-wook matches Wright, Sunnucks, Spencer, Harding, One of three new players engaged is Carter, Davey, Davis, and Pocock form West, a loft arm bowler, H. A. Smith the professional staff. F. G. H. Chalk - takes his benefit against Kent at Lei

-Reuter.

recently

Walter Hagen, who was reported to be retiring from golf, states that he is going to make another at- tempt to win the British Open Cham pionship, which he has already won four times in 1922, 1984, 1928, and 1929.