MERRITT'S INCLUSION

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 34, 10 February 1927, Page 12

MERRITT'S INCLUSION

IMPRESSES BRICE AT NETS

(By Telegraph.) (Spacial to "The Evening Post.")

CHETSTCHU.RCH, This Day. Tlih personnel of the cricket team lias given.fairly general satisfaction in Canterbury, states "Inter"' in the "Star. 11 especially so far as tho representation of Ihe province is concerned. Page, Cunningham, and Oliver, of course, were looked upon as certainties practically all along the line. Merritt's bowling in Otago impressed Mr. Frank Williams very much indeed. Brice had not had the pppor-

tunity of seeing him, and it was asking him a big question to put the lad in the team. The remedy lay in a trial at the nets, and this course waa adopted. Taking up the position of umpire, Brice watched Merritt very closely. The colt was bowling to Page and Caygill, and at tho end of three overs Brice was quite satisfied that Merritt was the slow bowler they were looking for. From the point of view of the other provinces, Auckland appears to the Canterbury people to have been a bit unlucky in that their two colts, Gillespie and Cooper, did not get into the side. On this season's form both are well ahead of Dempster, who is the lucky one, not only to get preference over the two Aucklanders, ,but also over Crawford and Talbot, of Canterbury. Sympathy is naturally felt for Eowntree, who is unquestionably the best wicketkeeper in the Dominion today, but in this respect tho selectors may be pardoned for going for younger men, and thereby- having an eye to the future. As regards the Wellington selections, the province seems to have done well to get six men in the side, that is counting Lowry and Dempster, both of whom have played for Wellington this season. In some quarters Matheson is considered to be a bit unlucky in not getting in. The inclusion of Badcoek has given rise to some discussion, and opinions seem to be fairly evenly "divided on the question. It is understood here, however, that Badcoek has definitely become a resident of New Zealand, and if this is the case, then there is little to cavil about at his inclusion. His ability as an all-rounder is beyond question, and his knowledge of Home conditions will be of great value to the team in general.