CRICKET

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25306, 4 October 1947, Page 10

CRICKET

PROSPECTS FOR COMING SEASON HADLEE AND EMERY TO PLAY IN CHRISTCHURCH (By COVER POINT.) Cricket in Christchurch will have its, official opening to-day,, when most clubs will have their first practices of the season. Although it is too early yet to assess accurately the relative strengths of the teams in the senior competition, there seems little doubt that the season, if the weather is good, will be the best since 1939. The management committee of the Canterbury Cricket Association has in the last two years, made changes in the hours of play and in the system of scoring which are almost certain to provide the brighter cricket necessary for the welfare of the game. The limiting of the senior competition to eight teams will, without doubt, raise the standard in the grade. High School Old Boys, which won the championship last season, will again field a strong side. W. A. the New Zealand captain, has returned from Dunedin to Old Boys, Ids old club, and will strengthen what is already a very strong side. Old Boys has two other New Zealand representatives, F. B. Smith and W McD. Anderson, as well as Canterbury players in J. G. Lteggatt, P. Small, and A. E. L. Britton, and a Canterbury colt in J. F. Collins. One of the leading spin bowlers for several years, R. F. Cook, may not play this year, as he is employed in the country at present. Apart from Hadlee,, there will be another new player of note in R. W. G. Emery, the former Auckland representative, an all-rounder who scored a century against Otago two years ago. Emery is expected to play for West Christchurch. R. H. Scott, the New Zealand g layer, whose club. West Old Boys, has een relegated to second grade, will be playing senior cricket. He was a member of the St. Albans team between 1933 and 1938, but this season he may turn out for Riccarton, a side which could do with a bowler of class.

Sydenham will again field a strong senior eleven, the only notable . omissions . from last year’s side being the wicketkeeper, N. Davidson, who has returned to suburban cricket, and W. Spong, for many years a leading left-hand bowler. Spong is a°t available until after Christmas. at the earliest. A candidate for senior honours will be D. O’Malley, who batted well for St. Bede’s Old Boys last season, and G. Smart, a fast bowler, who was one of the players included in the New Zealand Brabin Shield team last summer. Leading batsmen in C. Smith, J. Reece, D.yC. Wilson, and M. Metcalfe will be available, and F. Kerr will also play regularly this season. The bowling will be headed by N. V. Burtt, D. McKay, S. M. Cameron, and, probably. Smart.

Lancaster Park’s Strong Team Lancaster Park will have a particularly strong team in the senior grade. Of last year’s side, I. B. Cromb, J. H. Parks, G. Dryden, R. Davey, L. Mahoney, W. Pollitt, R. C. Shand, R. T. Dowker, and H. C. Waine will be available, and the NewZealand representative. D. A. Mcßae, will play again after missing a season. Cf the newcomers. P. O’Malley and N. Falloon, both members of the Canterbury Colts’ team, will be watched with interest. Among those not remaining with the duh are V. Empson and C. Carston, a Plunket Shield representative last season.

Riccarton expects to have much the same team as last year in the field. East Christchurch, a consistent team last season, will be without P. O’Malley. D. C Watson, a useful batsman, and D P. White, who will not play till later in the season.

West Christchurch may have E. Hind, a capable young batsman from Timaru’ in the side, but W. Ashworth, N. Burnette, and W. Burton may not play. The side will be strengthened greatly by the inclusion of Emery, and a useful bowler In W. S. McKibbin, formerly of Old Collegians, may possibly plav for West Christchurch, too. J. S. Patrick. D. T. Ager, J. L. Kerr, and J. Booker, four of the team’s most reliable players, will be turning out.

Old Collegians had a sound side last year, and this season it should be just as strong, although McKibbin, D. G. Hamilton. and N. H. Buchanan will not be available. The side will have to find a wicketkeeper, and the season seems to offer opportunities to the younger play*rs in second grade. St. Albans, a team which made rapid progress last year, will field much the same side as last season. T. Burtt the New Zealand spin- bowler, will be appearing again, and former Canterbury representatives in J. Smith—who was 'particularly successful last season—F. P. O’Brien, and E. Mulcock, are expected to play again. Competition matches will begin next Saturday.

CATHEDRAL CLUB OFFICERS The following officers were elected at the annual meeting of the Cathedral Cricket Club:—president, Mr M. Noonan-vice-president, Mr C. Dobbs; secretary, Mr K. Fitzsimons; treasurer, Mr D. Bromley; auditor Mr J. Crawford; club captain, Mr W Foley; committee, Messrs G. Fox, M. McKendry. J. Wildermoth, R. Smith, and D. Sherratt.