1954-02-20 — Page 19

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`LEAGUE CRICKET

THE CHINA MAIL, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1954.

ARMY NEED JUST ONE MORE VICTORY TO MAKE SURE OF THE CHAMPIONSHIP

By "THE ZOMBIE”

As a result of their brilliant victory over the Scorpions last week- end, Army now need only one more win out of their four remaining matches to make sure of the Senior Division Cricket League title and complete a "double". for the seasón.

Although the Optimists, whose guests they will be at Chater Road this after- noon, and the Scorpions may offer them strong resistance in their cutstanding matches, their two ixtures against Kowloon Cricket Club will undoubtedly give them at least the four needed points,

However, the soldiers can chocse no better venue than the local "Lords" "for their deciding victory and a 'ab more Atting glumax than a hard-earned win qver their present nearest rivals,

Optionists,

With thus added significance, the guine between the Optimists and the Arthy' this afternoon will be the top attraction. It will be do extremely interesting match

will which

see the soldiers' bowling strength pitted against the Optimists scoring prowess,

to

The issue will depend mainly

ability on the Optimists withstand the formidable array of attacking weapons that the this afternoon. Army is

up Lining

Weir. IEL Balley, Alexander, Packenham-Walsh, and Withall and perhaps what is probably

important the more

factor either Mahon or Spink striking a good patch with the ball.

Should! Army kucceed In Ampexing the title this after- noon, it will mark their second

double success since the incep- their tion of the League, previous one being in the 1930- 51 season.

ALEC BEDSER'S COLUMN

"What I Feel About Negative Bowling"

Negative bowing tactics employed by both sides during the recent Teel match between the West Indies and England led to many protests by the critics. Apparently both teams at various stages resorted to the now common usage of the defensive attack by bowling outside the leg stump to a packed leg field.

I believe this theory was first introduced as a means to upset the concentra- tion of a well-set batsman. The idea was to prevent him scoring for a few overs 1180 or hope for a desperate or imprudent stroke. If unsettled the batsman was

resumed. This WAB fair. Hable to get out when the normal style of attack was

enough,

time

score

But now teams playing for off-spinner taking advantage of was fully protected by covers

defeat and ita tuming wicket.

overnight. At the end of each or facing advantageous to "shut up" their Should the international day's play it was covered up with tarpaulins so as not to be opponents' scoring rato by

the world come to exposed to one drop of rain, bowling well down the leg side captains of

not to bow Would It bo or an understanding

so dreadful if it supported by es many as six or Great credit must also be exhis form of attack 15 used its wanted why not

seven fielders on that side. Whenies theory? Or if it is time that was soaked and the ball played

return to tricks for a change. tended to their skipper, Major

timeless Testat I am sure tho extraordinary diMcult

Course would not be TWO ARGUMENTS Batley, who ably led the team

without the not only by his round judgment

balamancomed by those who have but also by saving the side with taking a grave risk.

the interests of the game close The two main arguments for Five other clubs have also u osptain's performance with the

Denis Compton, in his prime, at heart. In 1938 at the Oval covering wickets are: feat-Kowloon bat or ball at criticial periods of might have had the answer with when England beat Australia in achieved this Cricket Club, Clvu Service many matches.

Test the outlook of his famous sweep stroke. Others a timeless Cricket

Club. Hongkong

Indies) and Peter May (England) never again." liko Everton

(West the players at the time was University, Hongkong Cricket

2. The character of the wicket Clubs and the Indian Recreation

have tried to defeat the method Club. The last named Club had

I think a lot of the frouble is not changed by climatic in- by taking guard six inches out-

and from one basle tact Quences

remains true also the distincion of winning

side the leg stump and thrashing springs the double two seasons running

the ball through the gaps on generally speaking wickets are throughout.

On

So often do they this too good. paper in 1990-31 and 1931-32.

the off side, would appear to be the obvious weigh heavily in favour of the solution but if the ball is swing-batsman and against the bowler, ing in the direction of leg It is I have many times had the throughout the world. In Eng

Readers may be interested the following comparative figures of the Army and the Scorpion Xis,

Batting

No. of Innkiga Highest team score

Total No. of runs No. of wkla, los! Average team whose

wks path to success has been marked by fine team work and com-

It will be a fitting reward toj

grund fighting

14

172

24

224

Army Acorpions

(1 wkt.) (4 wil 1,304

not so easy,

2,121

ruhg Der

B&

17.0

94

22.5

Bowling

No of OverN

340.7

409.5

bren have conspicuous

Maiden Overs ...

04

In

ver the

No. of runs given 1.174 No. of wktn. taken Average runs

wit

122

130

Case

bination. There

Fome

very

dividual

In performers team, notably Dowling and Alexander, and lately Weir.

However, it is the ability of every one of their eleven bats- mon to come off at the appro- priate me But has brought them many a

elise victory this

15*800,

SIR GORDON IN SWITZERLAND

Sir Gordon Richards, champion English jockey,' and'a keen curling enthusiast in Switzerland during the close: season, makes a shot at St Moritz, watched by fellow jockey Douglas Smith.-Express Photo.

THE WEEK-END.

TH. DEAR

GAMBOLS

OOH! MY BACK

132 complete scores of the Scond Division games are not available but it is believed that the figures for the Second XI probably Army

record In constituto

jocal League games,

TODAY'S GAMES

First Division

I is 100 bad that

Optimist v. Army. CCC v. Scorpions, RAF v. University. Recreio v. Novy. KCC v. IRC.

Second Division

Navy v. DBS. Tiniversity v. KCC. Recreio v. IRC.

TOMORROW

Second Division

Dockyard v. KGV School. Army v. Police,

Weekes

am

1. It prevents stoppages and blank days;

A “sticky dag" is one of the cricket. But I do charms of admit they differ considerably

of land "stickies" are playable and can bring out the best skill of while in Australia batsmen, they are well-nigh unplayable.

The Kennington' Ovál pitch, to approaches the my mind, now ideal for at one time or another during a normal match it afforda all types of bowlers a fair crack of the whip. There might be a "green top" to start off the game

later the walle

spinners get their chance.

disheartening experience. I am not proposing to enter having beaten a batsman with a Into the rights or wrongs of the forward stroke only to see him

mind and change his

and safely play at this stage but I

might happen me with a back stroke! I have wondering what If the theory was allowed managed to find the edge of the discover the turf develop. For one thing it is bat only to

for the ball to boring to watch. Ball after ball was too slow thuds out of the Bat's reach carry to the slips.

the wicket-keeper through to

At Kingston, Jamaica, on the standing back. An over takes

two opening days the pitch shone much longer to complete. Runs as if polished, and the batsman's become scarce, and the game reflection could be seen as he becomes a war of attrition with stood at the crease.

Add a cach side waiting to see who is

fast outfeld and what chance going to make the first mistake. has the bowler? Precious little,

THE ANSWER

nkat

What is the answer? 1

easy to legislate in such matters for shrewd cricket brains soon get to work to find away around every problem created by laws. Perhaps a low could be framed to prevent too mony feldels

the leg 810. The offeri would make leg theory 201

venture.

on

unprofit

But again it could be hard on The

poor old bowler-already the game's labourer and pre- judice him in the course of his legitimate business, such us on

MY BEST GOLF SHOT

I over.

Moreover, this pitch, like so many others In the world today,

I always maintain the best cricket is played on fast pitches which give the bowler a chance and the baisman every op- portunity to make strokes. Let's have more of them!

TRINIDAD SEEKS TO ABOLISH CRICKET

By TREVOR

FORBES

There will be no cricket on Trinidad's Test wicket in

a few years' time -- if a group of scientists have their

way.

But don't worry: they are no spoil-sports out

Far interfere with future West Indian Test matches,

to

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RYDER CUP RECOVERY

By JAMES GOODFELLOW

The golf shot which turned a Ryder Cup game when he sensed he was getting on top is described by selector Bill Cox, Fulwell professional:

"After the first round in the "I hit a perfect No. 5 shot (I Ryder Cup contest at Ridge- still have the club). The ball wood, New Jersey, in 1935, I ruied the pin all the way of the was Ave 'hotes down to Horton 160 yards. It pitched and Smith, one of the top money stopped dead 2rt. from the stick. winners in the United States.

'IT WAS DIFFICULT.

"Now I felt I was on top. It was difficult for Horton Smith to follow with a similar siroke, He pushed his tee shot to the right, was bunkered, and lost the hole.

"Losing the 19th hole, 1 became six down with 17 to play. From this point, however, 5 dramatic change came over the game, and I captured three of the next four holes,

HIS GREAT CHANCE

"And as I expected, the play "This was the tonic I needed. of my opponent did become As I stood on the 24th tee I ragged. His lead alipped away thought: 'If I can finish near the from him. I won the next three fing and get a two, then Hortonholes to go one up at the 27th. Smith may go ragged. It is my The match finished all square." great chance.

-London Express Service.

вод

Barry Appleby

AND I'LL PUT LOTS. SALT IN IT

OLD MR. GRANCH + HES BEEN DOING IT FOR HIS RHEUMATISM FOR THE LAST THIRTY YEARS

THINK I'VE GOT A TOUCH OF RHEUMATISM

.. AND IT'S CURED. HIM

The cricket they plan to it is hoped that it will not only banish is that destructive inch-kill any "mola crickets" already the there but will make the ground Immune from them for anything up to twelve months.

long parasite

'mole cricket.”

known

23

Untli now this mischievous "gate crasher" has made use of

In view of the remarkable

ttelde against other parasites. a turf wicket impossible, owing results achieved by this insec to his habit of burrowing into

are high that It will the ground and breaking up its hopes

Bucceed against the "mola cileket,"

murface.

As a result matting wickets

If so, visiting batsmen beware! have had to be laid bringing a For on a surface more reK- somewhat artificial effect upon ponsive to his wily deliveries, the game. Better a match on a Sonny Ramadhin-the "Trinidad making wicket than no match Terror" can prove เก even at all--but better stilt it natural turf wicket can be used.

NOT FAR DISTANT

And that day may not be for The "mole cricket" distant, may prove as vulnerable to a petroleum chemical insecticide as have 'grasshoppers in Canada and locusts in Iraq.

The preparation is now being tested out in a Trinidad cricket ground.

It is applied to the surface soll before seeding and

PACKED FULL 'OF GOOD POINTS

Surf

greater menace.

Anyway, that should make the local calypso singers happy.--- (London Express Šervice).

NOTICE

THE HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB

at

THE HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB EIGHTH RACE MEETING

Saturday 27th February & Saturday 6th March, 1954. (To be held under the Rules of the Hong Kong Jockey Club)

THE PROGRAMME WILL CONSIST OF 18 RACKS

- The First Bell will be rung at 1.80 p.m. and the First Race run at 2 p.m. each day.

The Secretary's Offee at Alexandra House will close at 11.45 am. cach day.

MEMBERS' ENCLOSURE

NO PERSON WITHOUT A BADGE WILL BE ADMITTED, All persons MUST wear their badges prominently deployed throughout the meeting,

Admission Badges at $10.00 each per day are obtainable through the Secretary on the written or personal introduction of a Member, such member to be responsible for all visitors introduced by him.

Tiffins will be obtainable at the Club House ordered in advance from the No. 1 Boy (Tel. 72811)..

NO CHILDREN will be admitted to the Club's premises during the Meeting. For this purpose a Child is a person under the age of seventeen years, Western standard.

PUBLIC ENCLOSURE

The price of admission will be $3.00 each per day payable at the Gate,

Any person leaving the Enclosure will be required to pay the requisite fee of $3.00 in order to gain re-admission.

MEALS & REFRESHMENTS will be obtainable in the

The Club's property Happy Valley is being lent to the Hong Kong Kennel Club for a Dog Show on Saturday | 20th and Sunday 21st February, 1954. The premises RESTAURANT. will close to Members at 12 Noon on Saturday and 10 a.m. on Sunday. The Badminton Courts will be closed all day Friday 10th, Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st February.

During the Show the Private Boxes, Coffee' Room, Bar, Ladles' Lounge and the upper verandah . will be open and reserved for the use

SERVANTS

Servants must remain in their employer's boxes except for passing through on their duties. They may on no account use the Betting Booths in the Members' Betting Hall.

CASH SWEEPS

The cost of a Through Ticket is $36.00, Through Ticketa ra- served for this meeting: but not paid for by 10.a.m. on Friday, 20th February, will be sold and the reservation cancelled for future meetings.

Cash Sweep Tickets on the last race of the 2nd Day (0th March). of members of the Jockey Clubs $100 each may be obtained from the Cash Sweep Ofces at Queen's Building, (Chater Rood). '5, D'Àguilar Street' and 383 who attend the Show Nathan Road, during normal office hours and until 11 am, on (admission. $3.00 adults' sad | that day."

$1.00 for Service parionnel in Tickets for the Special Cash Sweep on the Hong Kong Derby uniform and children under scheduled to be run on 8th May, 1954, are now available. The cost 16, payable at the Public of each ticket is $3.09.2 Gate).

Members of the Jockey. Club attending the Show and who wish to make use of the Club BoomN. and

upper

verandah

Member's}

thereto..

they wi

TOTALISATOR

"Backers aro, advleed not to destroy or throw away their tickets unii after the "all clear" signial has been exhibited. tag

ALL WINNING TICKETS AND TICKETS FOR REFUNDS MUST BE PRESENTED FOR PAYMENT AT THE RACE COURSE ON THE DAY TO WHICH THEY REFER, NOT LATER THAN their | ONE HOUR AFTER THE TIME FOR WHICH THE LAST RACE otherwise oF THE DAY HAS BEEN SCHEDULED TO BE BUN, HV #7198) admitted his PAYMENT WILL NOT BE MADE ON TÓRN OR DISFIGURED

TICKETSSU

lokmakers, Tii Táo men, etc. will hot 69 within the precincts of th# Hour Hooft Jack