PLUNKET SHIELD

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 112, 8 November 1930, Page 23

PLUNKET SHIELD

OTAGO REPRESENTATIVES

SOME OF THE PROBABLES

(By Telegraph.)

(Special to "The Evening Post.")

DUNEDIN, This Day.

Although it is early yet to make predictions concerning the personnel of the Ota go team in Plunket Shield cricket this season, it seems reasonable to state that there will be a bigger proportion of young players in. the side than, usual. • • Eoger Blunt, the well-known New Zealand representative player, started off the season by making 85 not out last Saturday, and it is on the cards that he will yet reach his century. J. A. Dunning, another player whose name is mentioned in connection with the New Zealand team, took three wickets for 31 runs, and was turning the ball in great style. His improved batting was a feature of the opening day's play, his 36 including a 6. Jim Shepherd is regarded by many Dunedin enthusiasts as being as attractive a batsman as there is in the Dominion, and there is no doubt that if he could spare more time for big cricket he would still have strong claims for inclusion in any New Zealand team. Ho will probably be available for some of the Shield games, and his delightful opening knock of 71 in less than an hour leads to the hope that he is in for a good season. G. R. Dickinson, New Zealand representative bowler, is a batsman of parts if ho will only curb his impetuosity at the start, and his 109 last Saturday was the first century of the Otago season. These players, along with the professional, F. T. Badcock, a promising young batsman, V, Cavanagh (who has already several fine scores to his credit in Shield cricket), J. M'Mullan (a seasoned batsman who has made many fine tallies for Otago), and E. Elmes (a most promising young all-rounder) can hardly be passed by by the selector, and for remaining- places competition is likely to bo very keen. Moloney, tho Old Boys' colt, is almost sure to be selected as he is looked upon as one of the most promising batsmen in the province, and began thq season with a splendidly played . 46. Hawksworth is the most favoured candidate for wicketkeeper, and other playors whoso claims will have to be considered are A. W. Alloo and A. Galland (both of whom have done yeoman service for Otago in the past—if Galland chose to play behind the stumps he would probably have still stronger claims), Smith (the Carisbrook colt from whom good things are expected), Mehaffic, Vorrath, and one or two others who are bound to force themselves under, the notice of selectors as tho season advances. • Unable to persuade any of those qualified to accept nomination for the position of solo selector, the Otago Cricket Association has appointed two selectors for the ensuing year, those appointed being Messrs. F. Williams and W. Butler. The former ia an old Otago representative player and one of the New Zealand selectors for some years past, and Mr. Butler is the well-known umpire who officiated in the New Zea- | land-M.C.C. match last season.