CRICKET

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 97, 18 January 1921, Page 9

CRICKET

COMING AUSTRALIAN VISIT NOTES ON THE PLAYERS. The Australian team chosen by the Board of Control to tour tlie Dominion is a strong and well-balanced side, and admirably fitted for the task before it. Practically speaking, all the players are young, with their careers still before them, although they have already made their mark in the cricket arena. They have no doubt been chosen with the twofold object of being strong enough to win matches, and at the same time develop players for future use in bigger company. All the men have at one time or another represented their States, <and some of them have played against, the Englishmen. In Ellis and Ratcliffe are two of the most promising wicketkeepers in the Commonwealth. The former fills this important post for Victoria, and is also * reliable batsman. Just before tho holidays ho scored a century for his club, Prahran, against Richmond. Ratcliffe is unfortunate in being opposed by two able competitors in Sydney. Ho was, 'howevt'r, considered good enough to receive a tempting offer from tho Melbourne Club to cross the border and | play in the southern State. He is a sound left-handed batsman, and was chosen for \ his batting alono to play against the A.I.F. team. Vernon Ransford, the "crack” "Victorian left-handed batsman, is well known to the New Zealand public. Ho was considered well in the running for the Teat matches against the Englishmen. Although he opened with a score of 93 this season against South Australia, he did not get a place owing to meeting with an accident. He is one of the best outfields Australia has produced, and is reported to be as good as ever. In Test cricket his figures are:—lnnings, 29; not out, 6; runs, 893; average, 36.82. Either he dr Steele will captain the side. The latter player has filled this position for South Australia, for whom he first plaved in 1911-12, and he has made two centuries—ll 3 not out and 100 against New South Wales. He is a free batsman and plays for Adelaide University. The other two Wheptfielders amongst the tourists' are A. J. Richardson and L. V ■ Pellew The former ia a steady batsman, who scored 7 and 111 for his State versus the present English team. He is also a fair leg-break bowler. Pellew 'boloims to a well-known Adelaide cricketing family, and learned his cricket at St. Peter’s College. In his first appearance this season for his State against Victoria he scored 69 and 53. His off-play is very strong and he is a very fine fieldsman.

! Twd> A.I.F. Cricketers. With the visitors are two members of the Australian Imperial Forces combination which toured the Old CountryJ the 1919 season, viz., C. B. Willis ar u 4 U Lampard, and both are Aictorians. In that team the former had the highest aggregate, viz., 1652 runs, wi an He scored four centuries: 150 not out v. Leicester, 130 v. Notts, 129 not out v. Worcester, and 1-4 v Sussex. On his return he played « fike innings of 111 for the A.I.F. against Victoria. B He is a free and dashing batsman and drives well. He is al=o - good outfield. Lampard is an all - To ¥" d nlaver of great merit- Ho at one time gave promise as a wicketkeeper, but afterwards went in for “googly bowling. He was one of the most useful mtn with the Australian military team, notching 821 runs, with ani averageof 25.65 and bagging 69 wickets for -• •• a niece. This season he made a fine stand with Liddicutt for Victoria against iSi.". «»I”';-',sftrffif SWT "AiSJ* U eP Lid<Holtt e iL made tbs most of bis trial in the Victorian team, as in addition to the above score he has put together a century at the expense o South Australia. He is a sound and reliable batsman and a medium pace bowler, who generally secures a. tew wickets.

Most Dangerous Bowler. H. Iremonger is probably the most dangerous bowler on the side. He firs •nlayed for Queensland, but afterwards £Xe a member of tho Melbourne. Cub staff. He is a medium pace left ' l ' andpr ’ and on his day most difficult. Ini the 1914-15 season 'he performed excellently in the bi" matches, securing 36 wickets at In average of 18 runs. Ho is not “a V f AriS of the Sydney Club, is a. useful all-round player. Last season he topped both batting and bowling averages for his club. Ho is a slow and tricky bowler and a batsman of orthodox Hendry, of the Waverley Club, Sydney is another excellent two-handed man For hie State he made 85 and 3 in the match with the A.I.F. eleven, and in the Sheffield matches last season captured 22 wickets for 12.20 runs a-piece. He is a medium-paced right-hand bowler and a capital fieldsman in the important ■position of slip. Altogether, the visitors are a strong combination, and should provide some attractive and interesting cricket for lovers of the great summer pastime.