TENNIS

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 129, 28 November 1923, Page 3

TENNIS

N.S.W. V. NEW. ZEALAND

THE AUSTRALIAN TEAM.

(FROM OCR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

SYDNEY, 22nd November. The New South Wales tennis team selected to tour New Zealand next .month—and which will sail from Sydney by the Marama on 12th December—is far below the State's best. The approaching Australasian and NewSouth Wales championship meetings were very, likely responsible for many prominent players refraining from seeking places in the side; but, although it lacks some of the better-known representatives, the team is nevertheless composed of men of proved ability, both in singles and in doubles. With the practice that they will obtain in Auckland and Wellington, they should be at the top of their form when they reach Christchurch, and, it is hoped, will prove worthy opponents for the New Zealand team in the test match which will be played there. The response to the request made by the N.S. «V. Lawn Tennis Association for players desirous of being considered for selection for this tour resulted in the names of only nine players being submitted. Such a small number of applicants comes as a surprise, when it is considered that the New South Wales Association is paying the steamer fares to and from the Dominion, and the New Zealand Association the railway fares in New Zealand. Frank Peach has been appointed captain. He has represented New South, ft ales at different times against every State in the Commonwealth except Western Australia. He is the only member of the present team that has previously represented New South Wales in New Zealand, and was a member of the NewSouth Wales side which toured the Dominion in 1920, and which won by 12 rubbers to 0. Ralph Goodman has represented New south. Wales twice previously—against Tasmania at Double Bay in 1916 when £.ew South Wales won by a 4 to 1 majority, and in 1920 against West Australia at Perth, when New South Wales won by the small margin of 1 set. This will be the second occasion on which Keith Poulton has played for his State. Ho originally won his blue in August, 1921, when he represented New South Wales against Queensland, at Brisbane, Queensland on that occasion winning by 1 rubber. Poulton's best performance to date was his defeat of H. Rice in straight eets at the receut metropolitan championships at Strathfleld. G. R. ("Joe") Reid is the only member of the side this year who gains his blue for the first time. Jack M'Causland was a member of the A.S.W. six which received- such a bad •thrashing at the hands of the Northern State at Brisbane about three months ago On that occasion he lost both his rubbers in singles and two out of the three in the doubles. It is questionable as to whether W. Pike, the ex-Quean-beyan player, should not have been chosen instead of M'Causland. E. Jordan is one of the old campaigners of the party, and has represented N.S.W. against all the States except West Australia. This will be the first time that the honour has fallen upon him of representing N.S.W. against New Zealand. Mr. E. B. M'Kay, an ex-secretary of the N.S.W. Lawn Tennis Association, will accompany the team as manager.