A SPORTING COUNTY

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 272, 13 August 1938, Page 17

A SPORTING COUNTY

Australian Cricketers Meet Kent To-day (By Bui: wood.> The Australians will meet Kent at Canterbury to-day, and will be engaging a side in which New Zealand has a particular interest by reason of the fact that A. J'. F. Chapman, wiio captained the county eleven for some years, was a member of the Cambridge University eldven during Toni Lowry's time, toured New. Zealand with Lowry with the M.C.C. in 1923, and eventually married Tom Lowry’s sister, Tom Lowry returned to New Zealand to captain New Zealand, and Chapman subsequently captained Kent and England, and both were regarded as the most astute leaders who have ever led their respective countries. Since Chapman's retirement from the leadership of the Kent County team, the side has fallen upon evil days. From their high estate they fell to twelfth position on the county ladder last season. One merit the Kent eleven can claim, and that is that they always play bright and attractive cricket. Last season they won eight matches, lost 16, and drew four of the 28 mutches played. L. E. G. Ames (the wicketkeeper), F. E. Woolley, L. J. Todd and W. IL Ashdown all passed their thousand runs. F, G. 11. Chalk, the amateur, is also an attractive batsman, ami last season hit up 107 against Middlesex at Lord's. B. 11. Valentine and J. G. W. Davies are useful all-rounders, and A. E. Watt is a tireless bowler and brilliant fieldsman. Hat-Trick Twice. Watt and D. V. I*. Wright both captured over a hundred wickets for the county last season. Wright did the hat-trick twice, and, like L. J. Todd, would have done better had he been better supported in the field.

The Australians should enjoy renewing acquaintance with Frank Woolley, the 51-year-old veteran all-rounder, who has performed so brilliantly witli bat and ball for Kent and England for the past 30 years. Last season he scored 1524 runs for the county, and took 30 wickets. Tire match between the Australians and Kent in 10,34 was sadly marred by rain. Only 35 minutes' cricket was possible on the first day, and rain prevented any play on the second day. Irian effort to impart some Interest to the third day’s play, Percy Chapman, the Kent captain, declared the county’s first innings closed at the total of 21 for two wickets, which had been strung together on the first day. Australia responded with 197 for the loss of one wicket (McCabe 108, Ponsford 82 not out). Kent, in the second innings, had seven wickets down for 74 when stumps were drawn. Fleet-wood-Sniitlr took one wicket for 0 runs and four for 30 for Australia.