FOR AUSTRALIA

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 120, 17 November 1925, Page 6

FOR AUSTRALIA

DOMINION CRICKET TEAM

SHIPPING AND OTHER

TROUBLES

ANOTHER BOWLER WANTED,

The shipping trouble is having an effect on cricket, and through it the Wellington public- will most likely be deprived of an opportunity of seeing the New Zealand team in action. A proposal -was made recently that the New Zealand team should play a match with Wellington before leaving for Sydney, but no definite arrangements were made, as there was doubt about the team's sailing date. As the Ulimaroa, by which it was intended the team should travel, is not available at the expected time, the team will not leave this week. It is r.ow likely, as indicated in "The Post" yesterday, that the Makura, due from San Francisco next week, may take the team to Sydney.

In view of the uncertainty of the shipping arrangements the Wellington Cricket Association has decided to proceed no further with the proposal that, a match should be played in Wellington between the New Zealand team and a local eleven. Owing to the delay in getting away, the team may not be able to fulfil "its-engage-ment at Newcastlo at the end of the month. The match there will probably be played just pridr to the team's return to New Zealand. FINDING THE PLAYERS.

These troubles are not all that have been met in connection with the sending of a team to Australia. Considerable difficulty has been experienced iv arranging the side. At the present time the selectors are in search of a player to complete . the side, a player with bowling credentials. The team is without a ■ fast bowler, Dickinson and Henderson being unable to make the trip. For the one remaining vacancy the choice of the New Zealand selectors will probably be made from Hope (Manawatu), Bernau (Wanganui), and Talbot (Canterbury). W. S.: Brice was asked again if he could arrange to make the trip, but'he stated to-day that he could not get away. In the event ofTalbot being selected, Canterbury will have seven of its players in the team. Bernau is striking form in Waugauui, and Hope. is bowling remarkably well in the Manawatu senior competition. Talbot is allowing up witli bat and ball in Ghristchurch, his deliveries being'made with, much pace. The selection of the player to, 'complete the' New Zealand team will probably be made to-day.

■ The team, /when first announced, was as follows:—Patrick, Blunt, Cunningham, Oliver, M'Beath, and Crawford (Canterbury); Hiddleston, and Dempster (Wellington); AHcott, , Rountree, and Dacre (Auckland), and Worker, Dickinson, and Alloq (Otago). It was then known that quite a number of the. Dominion's leading players were not available, and in choosing the team the selectors anticipated that there would be life-* tie alteration., Subsequent events,;however, complicated matters. , Several of the elect were not certain thafj they could accept the places given -.them', arid at intervals Dickinson, Rountree, Hiddleston, and Dempster dropped out. Other players were then offered places, but the position was not improved by the inability; of some of these players to travel. Canterbury's six were unchanged, Patrick intimating that ho had arranged to go with the team.. James (Wellington) and' Giljespie (Auckland) were selected to fill vacancies, and:. Banks and Henderson (both of Wellington) were also offered places, but did not accept. The selectors then decided that Lowry (who is now in Australia) should be included. They are now endeavouring to fill the remaining vacancy. All this trouble, most of it long after the time that the team should have been definitely arranged points to. the ; need of improved methods of selection. In the first place the' New Zealand selectors should have had' definite advice as to players who were certain to make the trip if selected. From those players the New Zealand team should have been chosen. i TEAM AND PERFORMANCES. The team for the tour, with one more player to be selected, is as follows:—W. R.. Patrick (captain), It.' C. Blunt, W.; Cunningham, C. Oliver,'D. M'Beath, and C. G. Crawford (Canterbury); A, W. AIIoo. and R. de R. Worker (Otago); K. James (Wellington): T. .C. Lowry (ex-Hawkes Bay); and C. Dacre, C. AUcott. 'and .H. Gillespie (Auckland).

The averages of the- players in last season's Plunket Shield matches were as follow:— ■

J3AXIIJNU. ■ lii. N.O. Tl. Euhs. Ay. Patrick ■6, .— 307 51.16 Worker . 6 1 205 41.00 Blunt 6 — 179 29.83 Alloo 5 — 149 29.80 Crawford 6 — 125 ' 20.P3 Oliver 6, — 123 20.33 aniesuie .6 ■ — • 122 20:33 M'Beath .6 4 35 17.50 Dacre 6 —79 13,1fi Tames '.' 6 • — .78 13: On AUcott 6 1 58 li/in Cunningham ... 6 2 36 9.00 Lowry did riot play in Plunket Shield' matches. r • BOWLING. : Wickets. Runs: Ay. M'Beath 14 207 14.78 Allcott 23 409 17.78 Alloo 12 233 19.41 Cunningham ... '16 ; 327 20.43 Blunt ....; 2 43 21.50 Dacre 3 101 33.66