CRICKET

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 14, 11 October 1927, Page 10

CRICKET

LOCAL ASSOCIATION MEETS FIXTURES MADE Mr. C. G. Wilson presided when the Wellington Cricket Association met last night. The Mayor wrote stating that lie would have much pleasure in tendering a civic welcome to the returning cricket team on Tuesday, November 8, at 12.15 p.m. The association decided to accept tho offer of Mr. R. F. Steele to provide a gold medal to be competed for by young players. Mr. Steele’s intention is. to donate the medal for the most improved bowler in the third grade and the winner must lie under 18 years of age. "I hope that you will find another Merritt,” said the donor in the letter which conveyed his intention to the committee. Plunket Shield Dates. The Plunket Shield dates submitted by. tho Auckland and Canterbury Associations were agreed to. Both contests will take place at Wellington. The match against Canterbury will commence on Saturday. December 31, and bo continued on January 2.3, and 4. The Auckland match will begin on January 29 and continue on the following days. Professionals in New Zealand Team. The New Zealand Cricket Council, commenting on the Wellington Association’s expression of opinion that Badcock and Bowle.v should bo the onlv professionals in the New Zealand team, stated that while there was something to be said for this view, the Management Committee was of opinion that it was its duty to provide the best possible entertainment for the public, and at the same time ensure the best gate possible. It was reasonable to assume that tho members of the team which toured England would have improved considerably since they had left the country and would wish to make a real contest of the fixture. The inclusion of four professionals, as was pronosed, would create the necessary interest, and the coming season would bring plenty of opportunities to young players. The Australian Board of Control had accented an invitation io send a team to New Zealand during February and March, so that there would no inter-nro'-nrial fi'-tm-es against this team, as well as at least two Test matches at the end of the season. Instructions had been given to the selectors to include the four professionals. Dominion Conference. The agenda paner for a conference of delegates of all cricket associations, to be held in Christchurch on November 18. was received by the association. This includes proposals for the limitations of the number of professionals in provincial teams for shield matches, the number of selectors for New Zealand teams, the location of Test matches in New Zealand fl’e financing of overseas teams in New Zealand and the allocation of matches against them, registration of colours, (he Hawke Cup and Heathcote Williams Shield, umpires for Test matches . and freniiency of New Zealand tjams in Australia and England. Local Conferences. 4 report on a conference between the association the Mercantile League and ’he City and Suburban League was made by the chairman. It had been decided to charge no affiliation fee to tlm lie!lington Cricket Association, associations to have entire charge of their own affairs, the defaulters’ lists to be mutually honoured, the bodies to act in concert »o see that as far as possible teams ’n the various leagues play nn the same ground, and united action to be taken to secure uniform ground charges. Extra Hour’s Play. - It was decided that during tho months in which the Summer Time Act operates •November to March),, play should be continued until 7.30 p.m. in all grades with an afternoon tea adjournment from 4.30 to 4.45 p.m. Tho necessary special general meeting of the association to consider the Management Committee’s recommendation in this direction is to be called for 7 p.m. on October 31. Badcock’s Services. Tho services of F. T. Badcock, jtrbfesHional coach, were allocated to Thorndon Club. For this season's championship, I’horndon and Wellington Clubs were nominated and the voting of the committee proved even. The chairman gave his casting vote for Thorndon. It was decided to offer Badcock’s services as coach to the Technical College tor one hour week ly. Last years’ colts are to report for practice at the Basin Reserve to-morrow and on Thursday. Additional nominations are to be in the hands of the secretary bv Monday next. Colts must provide their own bats or have one from their clubs. Junior Grading. The Junior Committee reported that clubs had been graded as follows: — Junior "A” —Petone, Hutt. Thorndon, Karori, Wellington, Midland. Old Boys. Kilbirnie. institute, University. Junior "B”—Railways. Kilbirnie, Hutt, University. Y.M.C.A.. Old Boys, Johnsonville, Wellington College. Wellington, Marist, Porirua. Institute. Junior "C”—Dominion. Thorndon. "Evening Post,” Y.M.C.A.. Midland. TTntt. Wellington "A." Wellington “B.” Marist. Kilbirnie, Wellington College. Karori. Junior “D”—Old Boys, Y.M.C.A., Wellington. Institute, Johnsonville. Eastbourne, University. Marist. Kilbirnie. Midland, Stop Out. Thorndon. Because of the wickets not being available. the draw for the lower grades will not be made until to-dny. Senior Fixtures. Tho following senior fixtures to open the cricket season on Saturday, October 15 and 22, were approved Hutt v. 'Varsity, Hutt. Wellington v. Thorndon, Basin Reserve, No. 2. Old Boys v. Kilbirnie, Kilbirnie. Institute v. Midland, Basin Reserve, No. 1. Petone v. Y.M.C.A., Petone. It was decided that a full round of fixtures should be played on Labour Day, October 24. No Practice Wickets. On account of the dry weather, practice wickets on the Basin Reserve will not be ready to-day. It is anticipated that the wickets will he prepared hr tomorrow evening, the Director of Reserves ■having advised the Wellington Cricket Association to this effect. ANNUAL MEETING OF "DOMINION” CLUB. The annual meeting of The Dominion Cricket Club was held yesterday afternoon, Mr. A. Sando presiding. The report stated that the club had had a most successful season in 1926. having gone through without a defeat and having won the Walter Blundell Cup for the third time. It was decided to enter a teani in the Wellington Cricket Association’s Junior C grade. The following officers were elected for the ensuing season: Patron, Dr. G. E. Anson; president, Mr. C. W. Earle; vicepresidents. Messrs. A. Sando, C. G. Weston. D. J. Gniney, C. J. McKinnon, J. Brown, and C. A. Harris; honorary secretary, Mr. W A. J. Gibson: honorary treasurer. Mr. C. IT. Bell; club captain, Mr. A. Sando; selection committee, Messrs. G. Mummery. C. If. Bell. A. Sando; delegates to Press Cricket Association. Messrs. G. Mummery and J. H. Bunch.

NEW ZEALANDERS IN ENGLAND “A PRETTY .GOOD TEAM” Dominion Special Service. Auckland, October 10. Amongst the passengers on the Aorangi. which reached Auckland last night from Vancouver, was Mr. T. If. I.owi-y, the well-known agriculturist of Okawa. Hawke’s Ray, whose son is captain of the New,Zealand cricket team. Mr. Lowry, who has boon enjoying a holiday in England and Scotland, Sow

the Dominion visitors in several .of their matches against strong county sides, and he lias nothing but praise for the pluck and skill which the New Zealanders displayed. “We hove a pretty good team, said Mr. Lowry to-day. “and I thin' it turned out a lot stronger in batting that might have been expected. There wa* no easing off by the county sides, and they played their hardest, and the New Zealanders earned all the runs they got/* ° The splendid sportsmanship of British cricket crowds was also commented on by Mr. Lowry. The Dominion players, he said, had a fine reception everywhere they went, and had it not been for the wretched weather they would have had a still better time in the'field of play, but although several good matches were snoilt by rain they earned golden opinions at Home. Mr. Lowry said he could not help referring to the great promise shown bv Dempster and Blunt. _ He says Blunt’s century against Kent during the Canterbury week was a magnificent effort.