INTEREST VERY KEEN

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 138, 6 March 1936, Page 13

INTEREST VERY KEEN

M.C.C.-Ncw Zealand Cricket Match To-day

WEATHER PROMISING

Dominion Special Service.' Christchurch. March 5. Everything to-day seemed auspicious for tlie opening to-morrow of the most interesting cricket fixture held in Christchurch for a number of years—the fourth and final representative match between the touring M.C.C. team and New Zealand. The weather was fine and seemed more settled titan for .some time and the wicket at Lancaster Bark appeared to be in excellent order. The first three matches between the two countries having .been drawn, there is. of course, keen interest in tomorrow's match and a large attendance is expected. * The visiting team contains some of the most promising cricketers in England as well as a number of players) of experience who have already found their way into test cricket. The strong visiting side is opposed on this occasion by probably the strongest eleven that -has represented New Zealand this season, and its predecessors have already distinguished themselves by emerging from the first three representative matches with honours even.

As the majority of Canterbury's representative matches were “away” this year, followers of the game here will be seeing some old friends from the North Island in action for the first time this season. Tlie Auckland batsmen, Vivian, Wallace and Whitelaw, have all given good displays at Lancaster Park in recent seasons, and the advancement of Wallace, a brilliant youngster, will be watched with interest. Wellington will be represented by Blundell and the promising slow right-hander. Griffiths. It is curious that Canterbury, which has far from an impressive Plunket Shield record this season, should have five men in the team, but it would be hard to point to any player who has not earned his place. Walter Hadlee, the sound and stylish Canterbury youngster, will be appearing in his first international match. The New Zealand team altogether is a sound combination, and providing the bowling of Roberts, Blundell, Griffiths, Cromb, Elmes and Vivian is supported by reasonably good fielding, the M.C.C.’s total should be kept to a moderate figure. Although for this match the visitors have returned to their shock attack, which was so successful in the Dunedin match —Read and Baxter—New Zealand has sufficient batting talent to make a good showing. The promising young Canterbury player, F. P. O’Brien has been selected as twelfth man for the New Zealand team.