CRICKET

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 30, 5 February 1927, Page 22

CRICKET

By "Nor Out" FOR ENGLAND

NEW ZEALAND'S ELECT

SELECTION NEXT WEEK

During next week the New Zealand selectors (Messrs. W. B. Pat-, lickt W. £. Brioe, ana P. Williams) • will meet in Christchureh to arrive at a definite conclusion regarding the New Zealand team for England. The result of their deliberattions is being awaited with the keenest interest in. all parts of the Dominion. It is quite possible that the selectors are already of one mind regarding most cf the: players for the big tour; in fact, it would seem that the delay in announcing the team has been made simply for the purpose of having one or two players finally tried out. The Otago-Canterbury match, now under way, may be looked upon as a benefit for one or two players so far as the selection of the New Zealand team is concerned. Dickinson and Talbot are no doubt the two players to whom the southern members of the Selection Committee are giving particular attention, though the writer can see no real reason why either should be further considered. Talbot is not class enough, and Dickinson has not only lost form but is also affected by an injury to a shoulder. Players who will see. out. a atrenuous tour are wanted. This tour is going to be really strenuous, and the New Zealand Council might have been well advised to makej the number of players fifteen instead of fourteen." If Eowntree'or Dickinson are to.be sent, then there should certainly be fourteen other players. However, the council has decided that the number shall be fourteen. Who will be the elect?

Aucklanders claim that Bowntree, Allcott, Dacre, Mills, and Gillespie all have excellent chances of selection, and they consider that Player and Matheson may receive favourable consideration. Mills, Allcott, and Dacre, despite the fact that the two latter have done nothing out of the way through this season's representative matches, look to be certainties, with Gillespie having a good chance. In picking the team, however, the selectors will no doubt look beyond performances. Onljj 1 once in the Plunket Shield matches did Dacre and Allcott really impress as batsmen, but they have proved their worth on other occasions. This also applies to such players as Dempster and Worker. The team for England would not be weakened by the inclusion of Dempster, ■while Worker is a better bat than his form this season suggests. It seems, however, that Worker has lost a very good chance of selection by cramping his style. Lowry has been marked down as a certainty, and he will no doubt o.:cupy the position" of captain or vice-captain. Brice, in the writer's opinion, has strong claims to ,the captaincy, and he would be a more serviceable man on the tour than some people may imagine. -JBeuth (Hawkes Bay lefthander), Kingston, >and Gallichan are three country players who may havo appealed to one or more of the selectors, but their claims are outweighed by more players than are required for the tour. It comes as a big disappointment to learn that Hiddleston is unlikely to make the tour. This great batsman, to whom high tribute has been paid by teams from overseas, would have been most valuable on the tour, and his place is difficult to fill. Blunt, Dickinson, and Alloo are the chief claimants from Otago, with the first-named a.certainty. The other two will be very lucky to get a place, though Alloo would be quite a serviceable man. Talbot has been brought forward as a possible from Canterbury, but to the writer he does not appeal. Of the other Canterbury nominees, Page and Cunningham have nominees,, Page and Cunningham have discussion on the team opened. Oliver stands a good chance of selection. It is very difficult to see how Kortlang caa be overlooked. In more ways than one he would be an extremely valuable mail' to have on the tour. James, of course, still remains a certainty, and if Badcock is considered on the same terms as other players, as he should be, h*, too, should be chosen. Henderson has come into the running by excellent performances, and is bound to receive serious consideration, as is M'Girr. Hollings had good prospects, but they have faded. Boiled down it is the writer's opinion that the chosen twelve should come from the following:—-Mills, Blnnt, Page, Lowry, Kortlang, Oliver, Dempster, Dacre, James, Allcott, Henderson, Brice, Cunningham, M'Girr, Badeock, and Gillespie. Hiddleston^ if available, would be a certainty. ;Wara Welcome Awaits Team. The tour of the New Zealanders is being awaited with keen interest in England, and it is apparent that no stone is being left unturned to see that the tourists have a pleasant and delightful visit to the Old Country, where they can be assured of a warm welcome wherever they go. The team is to leave Wellington by the Tahiti on the 29th March, and from San Francisco will proceed to New York to join the Majestic for England, where they are due on the 29th April. It is probable that on arrival they will spend two days in practising at Southampton, where the Hampshire County. Cricket Glub have courteously placed the county ground at their disposal. They will probably travel to London on Sunday, Ist May, and spend the following week practising at Lord's, and perhaps play a couple of practice matches—one at Berkhamsted (provisional, 4th May) and one at Alton (practice match, 7th May), where Major -jG. Burrell has kindly promised to entertain the New Zealanders as his guests. ■ • Interesting Fixtures. , The list of fixtures for the New Zealand team, aa published recently, was approved and confirmed at a recent meeting of the County secretaries, held at Lord's. The list, drawn up by Mr. H. D. Swan, with the assistance of Mr. Arthur Sims, is very interesting and comprehensive. With the exception of Hampshire, who unfortunately could not find a convenient date, all the firstclass counties have made fixtures with the New Zealand team. Then, there will be matches for the visitors with M.C.C., the Universities, the Navy, the Civil Service, the Army, the East of England, the West of England, Scotland, and Wales. Among the miinor counties to be met are Durham, Northumberland, Norfolk, and Bedfordshire. Opportunities of appreciating the hospitality of English county house crickftt are provided by matches at Holyp«irt (v. Mr. H, Martineau's eleven), and at Old Buekenham Hall (v. Mr. Everard Gates's eleven). The New Zealanders will have the privilege of playing on the historic ground at Scarborough, whore they will be the guests of the Scarborough Cricket Club. Although it was not possible to arrange a fixture there during the nine days of the festival itself, Mr. H. D. G. Leve-

son-Gower has very kindly arranged for them to play, in September, a two-day match (which may possibly be extended to three days), immediately following on the other matches of the festival. Mr. Leveson-Gower courteously went out of his way to arrange this match, as he felt that it would be very unfortunate if a team from the Dominions could not have an opportunity of playing at Scarborough, one of the most delightful of Yorkshire coast resorts. Sight Seeing. The New Zealandera will be very fully occupied during the whole of their vQit, and will not have n??ny day, fre<> from wicket, bnt in arranging thn programme, Derby Day (Ist June) has been specialy left clear in order that any of the team who so desire may have an opportunity of visiting Epsom. They will also have a free day (21st June) between their matches with Durham (at Sunderland, 18th, 20th June) and Northumberland^ (22nd, 23rd June) when opportunity will be taken of enabling the visitors to see something of the shipyards at Tyneside, and they will be the guests of the Newcastle Bace Committee at Gosforth Park Baces. During the tour they will be fortunate in spending many week-ends where places of interest can be seen on Sundays.

In drawing up the programme it has been found possible to a very large extent, to avoid any long and tiring journeys, as the matches, speaking generally, follow upon each other very conveniently. - The only really difficult journey comes at the end of the tour when they will have to travel by night from Canterbury (Ist, 2nd September) to Llandudno (3rd, sth, 6th September), but as it will probably found possible for them to make this journey by sleeping car, they should not experience a very great deal of inconvenience! Batting Averages.

_ Excellent performances with the bat m the last two series of senior matches have accounted for numerous changes of position in the list of averages J Lamason, back with Y.MCA has started off with a big flourish, showing great form with the bat. It is surprising that he was not included in the minor associations team as a Marlborough representative. He is at the top of the list of averages, having scored 217 runs m four visits to the crease. Being twice unbeaten, he has the bis average of 108.50. Hollings maintain! his high average, having dropped only a couple of points since the previous list was published. A big advance has been made by Kortlang, this being due to his great mnings of 201. He is now third on the list. Brice, Nunn, and Airey remain in high places, while Mason and James have lost a little ground, though their averages are still good. Christopherson has improved his figures considerably, and now has the distinction of being the only player m the senior competition to pass the 500 mark Others to move up noticeably are Baumber, H. E. Nicholls Turkey, Tattersall, and D. Patrick The averages of those players who have batted at least four times are:—

Senior Competition. The fifth and sixth series of senior matches have made- Hutt's position stronger than ever, and it now seems that the championship title is theirs for another period. They have a clear lead' of nine points from Petone, and with no more than three more series of matches to be played there is little chance of the deficiency being made up. Hutt have, to lose all their retaining matches to be deprived of the premiership, and that is hardly likely. Of late there have been some very fine, performances, team as well as individual. Kilbirnie came to light with a great batting display last Saturday, rattling on 406 runs in time that must have been a record for local cricket. Badcock and Christopherson, the latter starting more cautiously than the former, banged the bowling about in all directions, and both passed the century mark, Christopherson going on to 153. Had the innings been closed earlier, Kilbirnie, behind on the first innings, would have had a fighting chance of success. As it was, Institute lost only two wickets 'in playing out time, BUby doing most of the scoring. Kilbirnie are a good second innings team, but it is invariably the good first inningß team which find success in the local competitions.

There was a reversal of form in the fielding performances of the Institute and Kilbirnie teams last Saturday. Kilbirnie came into their own again. Hutt's big score of 292 was too much for Old Boys. Beard and M'Girr practically cleaned up the town team, who could not avoid an innings 'defeat. Hutt have a great attack; in fact, they are still a fine all-round side. Bonaldson maintained his consistency with the bat for Old Boys, and James added another good score to his large account. A notable absentee from Old Boys was Lambert.

University put up a strong fight against Thorndon, most members* of the team making runs. Hollings', Leys, and Osborn were the principal batsmen, the last-named is a very valuable addition to the team. 'Varsity were rather unfortunate in losing three wickets by the lbw route. Thorndon's success in this match was mainly due to Kortlang's great innings.

Between T.M.C.A. and Wellington there was a very keen tussle, Wellington making a very determined bid for the four-point win that V.M.C.A. aimed at in declaring their second innings closed. .Lamason was again the star man with "the bat for V.M.C.A. He has done exceptionally well since rejoining the team- Whitwiell and Craig came to light as good scoring batsmen for Wellington.

Midland exhibited their batting strength very forcibly .against Petone, Turvey, Patrick, and Doneghue scoring heavily, and other members of the team giving useful help. When Petone batted again, J. Patrick and M. Nieholk gave an exhilirating display, scoring with freedom in all directions. The day's play in this match was quite entertaining. -'■-.""

CHAMPIONSHIP YABLE. Outright Ist lv. Ch. • win. win. L. •" D. Pts. Hutt 2 4 — — 20 Petone 12 2 1 11 Instituta ....... — 3 2 1 10 V.M.C.A. ...:.. 1 2 3 — 10 Midland — 3 3 —. 9 Thorndon — .3 3 — , 9 •University ..... 1 1 4 , — T KUWrnle — 2 4*- 6 Old Boys — 2 4 — 6 Wellington .....— 2 4 — 6

:::: 11 Ig ™ cS^om^x? i Js I 11 Airey (W.) 6 — 87 326 "Msi f*y«-) • 6 - 123 111 48.0 fsU°d:] :::: I ■}. 10 ? gj -jj-g a^.r:: \ z 111 Z | I^i&L (0.b.)-: I i m ill ii-jj TattersaU (H.) .. 8 — 84 285 4?fis WWtwell (W.) ..7 3 II J?6 HI xripa IV.) —-. 8 i (J7 038 14 no l!***^) ••.... «■ X *117 -Si?- Ss.B Bilby (I.) 9 2 ■ »60 231 33 0( DonegKUe (M.) ... 7 — 54 221 315 Craig (W.) 7 — . 77 .205 29 2S W. Dustin (O.B.) .8 1'!! 202 28.8E Morris E. 11 2 '65 240 26.6f MXHrr (H.) 6 — 61 158 26.3£ Gibson^T.) ....... 6 1 »39 129 25.80 Grant (M.) ...... 5 — 39 127 25 4( Griffiths (I.) 7 4 *33 75 20.'0t M'Kay (H.) 8 — 84 '196 24.5 C Leys (V.) 8 — 8? 193 24 IS Baker (SI.) 8 — 70 193 24 12 Virtue (T.M.) .... 10 1 »78 217 24' l] Holz (K.) 4 2 21 48 24 OC Gwllliam (H.) .... 7 2 »84 116 23 2C CalvgrtU;) ...... 7 _ o 80 150 212 M. Nlcholls (P.) . 7 — 62. 155 22 14 Masaey (I.) 7 2 35 105 2LO Banks (I.) 8 1 31 141 20.14 Among other batting averages are the following:— \ Wilson (P.) 2 2 .69 79 790 c B*wn (V.) » _ 69 131 43 6 W«d (J-> 2 — 49 51 25.5 C Price (T.) 3 — 4.1 71 23.6f Vietaßyer (T.) ... 3 2 »17 23 23.0 C Bedmond (K.) .... 11 1 33 192 19.2{ Patrick (P.) „...-•'.7 1 »74 115 19.1f Haughey (T;JI.) ..9 4 *28 76 19.0( *Kot out.