CRICKET

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 55, 28 November 1929, Page 18

CRICKET

TOWN v. COUNTRY

THIS WEEK’S MATCH

Since the New Zealand team’s visit to England there has been a marked revival of interest in the game throughout the Dominion, a revival which has been further stimulated this season by the approaching visit of tl ( e English team. This increase of interest is not confined to the big games, for the Town-Country match which commenced at the Basin Reserve ’on Friday morning, is attracting more attention this year than it has done since its institution. The match was first played in 1924, a low-scoring one-day game, resulting in a win for the City representatives by 106 runs to 82. In the following season two full days were taken. The Country team, after making 310 in their first. innings, and dismissing their opponents for 209, collapsed before Brice in their second venture for 117- Left with 219 to get to win the town team, thanks to a hard-hit lis’bv McCirr, got them for the loss, of four wickets, three of the tour being lU ln°the next match, which was abandoned on the second day owing to ram. was noteworthy for a fine effort by Kortlang, who made 149 not out in the Town s first innings, and 185 not out m the second.. The Town won again m 192 1 by six wickets although Norris made 70 in the. Country’s first innings and Taylor, the Nelson professional, 121 m the second. Last season, after being I<9 runs behind on first hands, the Country team declared their second innings closed with seven wickets down for 270, and Town after an excellent finish, won by eight wickets. Browne made 10u and hitc 94 in the Town first innings. . It will thus be seen that although they have always put up a good fight, the Country team has never yet been successful This year, however, despite the absence of the Wanganui and Taranaki players they have a well-balanced side, and are hopeful of at last opening their account. They’ will be led as usual by T. C. Lowry, the Wellington and New Zealand captain, who has a batting average of 61 in these games, and they have in their ranks other good batsmen in Cameron, of Rangitikei, a solid, steady bat, who has several good scores to liis credit- Pacey, of Manawatu, who made a century in'a Hawke Cup match last season- Norris, also of Manawatu, who made 70 in. this match two years ago, and who is also a capable wicketkeeper; Baumber. another Palmerston representative, a dashing batsman with a Hawke Cud century' to his credit? Gallicuan, who represented New Zealand against the last Australian team to visit New Zealand; Ralfe, of Nelson, and formerly of Auckland, who made a century against a H eilington touring team last season; and Neale, the well-known Nelson batsman, who lias scored thousands of runs during his career, and who in his last club match made 91 and 117 not out. Massey, too, is a good man at a pmeh, as witness his great last-wicket partnership with James for Wellington against the last Australian team. In Gallichan, Newman (of Nelson), Hoar (of Wairarapa. who represented Wellington last year), and Massey, they have a good variety of bowlin— with Lowry and others for changes. The City side is a young one, several prominent players standing down m view of the heavy programme ahead, but uudei McGirr’s inspiring leadership they may be depended upon to give a good account of • themselves. Airey and Hollings, the two Wellington batsmen, are in great form just now, and it will be interesting to see how Cousins and Fortune, the two fast bowlers, shape. The Country team will assemble on Friday morning, and will be quartered at the Grand Hotel. Play commences at 11 o’clock each day. Of the team originally selected to play for the Town, B. A. McLeod (University) and F. T. Badcock (Old Boys) are unable to take part in the match. The former is a school-teacher, and is unable to obtain leave on the Friday, and Badcock is suffering from a sprained wrist. D Burt (Institute) and E. T. C. Leys (University) will fill the vacancies.

UMPIRES FOR SATURDAY

Following are the umpires for Saturd’ Senior. —Wellington v. Institute, Kclburn No. 1, C. A. Webb and S. H. Fer•'usson; Midland v. University, Kilbirme No. 1, S. A. Smith and L. T. Lambert; Old Boys v. Hutt, Hutt No. 1, W. Page and L. T. Cobcroft; Petone v. Kilbirnie, Petone first day, and Basin Reserve second day), D. McKenzie and J. R. Bur1CJ Junior A. —Karori v. University, Anderson Park No. 2, A. Francis and J. Thawley; Institute v. Hutt, Hutt No. 2, E. Smvrk and D. Burns; Midland v. Old Boys. Relburn No. 2, R. Hendry and W. E Watts; Petone v. Wellington, Petone No. 2, J. Slack and A. Tidman. Junior B.—Wellington v. Wellington College, College Ground, F; W. Clayton i.nd L. C. Bell; Midland v. Stop Out, Wakefield Park No. 2, W. J. Chatfield and J. D. Mav; University v. Railways, Anderson Park No. 1, G. Hansen and G Junior' C.—Hutt v. Wellington College, College No. 2, Brooks and Stewart; University v. Petone, Petone, K. Francis and .Tenness. . Umpires for match Town v. Country, Basin Reserve, Friday and Saturday, Messrs. W. Toomath and S. J. Tucker. THIRD-CLASS COMPETITION As the Marist team has withdrawn from the third class championship, all points gained by the other teams in matches played against it have been cancelled. The teams now stand as follow:— “A” Section Midland 28, United “A” Q 6 Karori 24, Seatoun “A” 23, Kaiwarrn’ 20, Hutt “A” 19, Petone “A” 19, Kilbirnie “A” 17. Khandallah 16. Midland, Kaiwarra, Hutt “A” and Petone “A” have played one match more than “B” Section. —Kilbirnie “B” 48, United “B” 32. Hutt “B” 24, Old Boys 21, Seatoun “B” 19, Institute 18, Petone “B” 17, Railway 13.