THE CRICKET TEST.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 70, 23 March 1928, Page 8

THE CRICKET TEST.

AUSTRALIA V. NEW ZEALAND.

AT EDEN PARK TO-MORROW.

DOMINION PLAYERS ON TRIAL.

The progress made by New Zealand in cricket during the past seven years is to be tested out searchingly at Eden Park in a match, starting to-morrow morning at 11.30 o'clock against V. Richardson's team of Australian players which is on tour in the Dominion. It was in 1921 that an Australian team last played a Test match in New Zealand, when Ransford'a team defeated the Dominion side by an inning* and 227 runs. Since then matches with visiting State teams and the results of the games played by the New Zealand team in England have encouraged us in the belief that the Dominion standard of play has improved. Opinions about Richardson's team vary, but generally it is considered a stronger one than that led by Ransford in 192f. Consequently the match, especially as everything points to the wicket being a firm and reliable one, should go far towards settling the moot point about New Zealand's present fitness for participation in regular international Test matches.

One win, or good showing, does not, of course, give a definite answer, but there have been so many changes in the New Zealand team, which will take the field with at least five players who are making their first appearance, as New Zealand rep. players, that a good showing against the Australians would give the greatest encouragement to supporters of the game in the Dominion.

The results of previous Australian ▼. New Zealand matches indicate how much it would mean to cricket supporters should the present match go well for the home side. They are:—

1896. Australia won by five wickets. 1905. Australia.s33, New Zealand 138 and . 112 for seven. Drawn.

Australia won by innings 358 runs. 1910. Australia won by nine wickets. Australia won by 162 runs. 1914. Australia won by seven wickets. Australia won by 113 -rang 1921. Australia 273 and 147 for four (dec.) New Zealand 204 and 106 for four. Drawn. Australia won by innings and 227 runs.

The New Zealand team is as follow: T. C. Lowry (captain), F. T. Bad cock, H. il. McGirr, C. G. Finlayson, C. S. Dempster, H. Foley (Wellington); R. Read, W. E. Merritt, L M. Hamilton (Canterbury); J. E. Mills (Auckland), N. Gallichan (Manawatu); L W. Cooper (Auckland), twelfth man.

The Australian team will not be selected until half an hour before the start of the game to-morrow morning. Indications at present are that the wicket will be a good, firm one, though as the result of recent rains it may be a trifle slower than that on which the Auckland-Australia match was played on the same ground a fortnight ago. The personnel of the Australian players is: V. Richardson (capta n), W. C. Alexander, K. J. Schneider, and C. V. Grimmett, all of South Australia; D. Blackie, W. H. Pons ford, W. M. Woodfull and' F. L. Morton, of Victoria, R. K. Oxenham, Queensland; A. Jackson, A. F. Kippax, R. McNamee, and W. A. Oldfield, of New South Wales. In the previous in Au-klanu the Australian players who stood down were Oxenham and Schneider. No Suburban Matches. In order to enable players to see the Test match the Suburban Association has decided to postpone its senior grade matches which were set down for tomorrow.