ALL KEY MATCHES IN NEW CRICKET ROUND

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31238, 9 December 1966, Page 20

ALL KEY MATCHES IN NEW CRICKET ROUND

The extremely close competition for the senior cricket championship, which after five rounds has left only four points covering the first five teams, is likely to continue in the round which begins tomorrow.

Recent form gives little indication of the likely outcome of what are again all key matches. Lancaster Park, the leading team, meets West Christ-church-University at Lancaster Park. West-University has lost its wicket-keeper, G. C. : Nottage, who has returned to

the North Island, and B. R. Prestidge has also departed. But there will be comfort in the return of the talented off-spinner, P. A. Sharp, who has not been able to play, except in the President’s grade, because of a neck injury. R. K. Allen, an experienced senior wicket-keeper, will

take Nottage’s place. Riccarton will be without R. C. Motz in its match against Sydenham. Motz has a finger injury, and he will be replaced by a promising young batsman, P. Bidwell. Sydenham has taken a bold step in an effort to meet its long-felt need for a lively opening bowler to partner P. Thomas. It has included a boy of 16, P. McKenzie, who has just left . Linwood High School. McKenzie played for the club’s second grade D team in the fifth round, and had a match analysis of eight for 57. B. J. Bayley’s return will strengthen Sydenham’s batting; the players who have been dropped are A. J. Howard and A. Kennedy. Old Boys, two points behind Lancaster Park, will meet St Albans, and three of the batsmen engaged—B. G. Hadlee, C. J. Stevens and J. W. Burttr-will have their last opportunity of impressing the Canterbury selector; they appear to be particular rivals for places in the Canterbury team. It is to be hoped that in the second half of the championship, rather more determined efforts to achieve outright wins will be made. So far, only two of 15 matches have been taken to a full decision. This is accounted for, in part, by the reduction of teams to the strongest six. Last season, there were 25 outright results in 40 matches. No ‘ such proportion is now possible this summer.