CRICKET BLUE

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 5, 7 January 1930, Page 11

CRICKET BLUE

LOCAL PLAYER'S SUCCESS

"VIEWS ON.COMING TESTS

Just over four years ago a young cricketer, who had. shown great promise as ■ a bowler at Waitaki Boys High School, and who had gained representative honours for North Otago, was given a trial as an Otago representative. He then returned to his home in Wellington, and played in senior cricket here, though only for part of a season. Since then he has been at Cambridge University, and has represented his university, for two consecutive seasons,- during which, according to the official records of cricket in England, he has been one of the most successful of- the amateur bowlers in first-class cricket m England, tak is not prepared to admit, but for what success he has had he pays generous tribute to "Patsy" Hendren. The cricketer referred to is Mi. D Blundell, who returned to his home town to-day after having successfully completed his studies at Cambridge. With regard to his doings on the cricket field he remarked: "I owe quxte a lot to 'Patsy.' as he started me off properly " The Cambridge bowler—he was in the eleven for his bowling, and that only—mentioned that he had not had any cricket since July, but was very keen to get into action again, and if possible would be at practice to-mor-row, with a view to getting into form for local cricket. ■ Although the visit of a New Zealand team to England next year was rather in the pale just now on account of the tour by the Australians this year, it was expected at Home that the New Zealandera would undertake the toiir; in fact, it seemed to be a definite thing that a New Zealand team would go to England- in 19&1. With regard to the Tests to be'played between England and Australia this year, he was of opinion that England would retain the Ashes. "I do not think that Australia will have a good enough team to get England out twice in the time allotted, and that is what counts," he remarked. "Of course, the last Test will bo played: to a finish. There is no doubt that the Australians are strong in'batting, but there is room for improvement in their fielding, and their bowling appears to be distinctly weak. I do not think their bowling will be good enough. At the same time it will probably be Jound that England: will- not be- making Suctf -terrific' opening stands as previously, but they will bat for a, long way down the:list. As a general rule, the bowlers they have in the teams can bat. Tate is the best bowler I have seen. M'Donald in many' respects is as good as Tate, and would be certain to be chosen for England if he were eligible. Freeman, Larwood, Goddard, and Bobins are other outstwding bowlers. Kobins is likely to go a long way, and Goddard is one of the best bowlers in England on a sticky witffet. The" position generally, however, is that the bowling department shows that weakness that is apparent everywhere." Among the outstanding batsmen were Hammond, Sutcliffe, Woolley, Duleepsihhji, and Hobbs. The last-named Would undoubtedly be selected if fit. With Duleepsinhji there was more of a touch of genius than with any other batsman in England. He had a wonderful eye, and he was a wonderful slip fieldsman. Hallows was a fine left-hander, though not good in the field. One of the most promising batsmen was E. T. .Killick, who had a very correct style, but he was probably not -yet quite class enough for a place in the Test team. In addition to playing for Cambridge, E. D. Blundell also played for Bichmond, and he went on tour to Ireland with one of the M.C.C. teams. He competed in amateur athletics, running in relays and in quarter : mile events. His best time for' the quarter from a standing start was 50 2-ssee., and in the course of a relay race he had covered the distance in about 49isec.