BY "NOT OUT" "AU REVOIR"

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 74, 28 March 1931, Page 22

BY "NOT OUT" "AU REVOIR"

NEW ZEALAND TEAM

STRENUOUS TOUR AHEAD

Tho Now Zealand cricket team leaves these shores to-day with the good Irishes of all followers of the gamo in ■this country, and the hope is that its performances on tho important tour will bo such as to win i'or New Zealand'a move prominent place in the cricket world, a placo that will mean not one but at least three Tests when the next tour is undertaken. Tho side, although not tne Dominion's best in the opinion of many enthusiasts, is one that should do well, but it is a great pity that certain lesponsibilitics with which certain of its members have been saddled were not placed on other shoulders, and that tho team was given every possible chance of playing its best cricket. There is also the regret that with a view to creating an even greater impression than tho 1927 team it was not made a, stronger match-win-ning proposition. Its task will be much harder than that of tho first New Zealand team to visit England. The players seemed to be well alive to this .fact before leaving, and all were looking forward to the big undertaking with confidence. If that confidence is not unshaken it will carry them a long way. All will look forward to the reports of the team's progress with tho hope that in the early stages there will bo the evidence that the side is likely to achieve good measure of success on the field of play. There can be no doubt about the impression that the players will make off the field. Comment at Home. Bccent reports from England show that considerable prominence was given to the selection of the New Zealand team, aud iv the comments thereon special roforoneo is made to tho fact that eight members of tho team toured England in 1927. Surprise is expressed at the non-inclusion of some players who had been well spoken of by members of the M.C.C. team and who, by accounts, wez'e still showing good form. Newman and M'Girr were two of those who had previously been regarded as certain members of the side, but more surprising still was tho omission of Blundcll, "who did so well at Cambridge as to be regarded as a better bowler than Alloni." The writers at Homo seem to have plenty of information regarding tho performances of Now Zealand representatives, as is shown by the following notes published in one paper: —: "Lowry is tho logical leader. Apart from his splendid captaincy, however, he did not do very well during most of last season, but struck his real form before the finish, scoring 80 in the fourth Test against the M.C.C, and 132 for Wellington against Auckland in tho final match for the Plunket Shield, which Wellington won. "Dempstor is a'brilliant batsman, and an equally brilliant field. Ho headed the ..New Zealand batting averages in England, and also the Plunket Shield averages for last season, while he was awarded the bat offered by the late G. A. Faulkner to the best New Zealand fieldsman. Ho also won the Redpath Cup for the best individual performanco in New Zealand last year for the second time. He was in his best form in the second and third Tests against Gilligan's team, scoring 136 and SO not out in the first, and 62 not out in tho second, while he made 50 not out for Auckland against the tourists. He and Mills set up a new record for New Zealand against an M.C.C. side by putting on 276 for the first wicket. "Mills, a left-handed batsman with * very graceful style, contributed 117 to the record stand, and has also done well this year. Weir held the Bedpath Cup in 1929, and finished second in the Plunket Shield batting averages with 95.66. Against Gilligan's team in the fourth Test he made 63, while for Auckland, against the tourists, he made 77 in the first innings and 60 in the second. "Blunt is an all-rounder well known in England. He is a good length bowler who uses an occasional leg break. He took eight for 99 in a recent Plunket Shield match, and also had the best New Zealand bowling analysis in tho first Test, which New Zealand lost by eight wickets, taking throe for 17 and two for 17. Blunt was the only batsman to stand up against Allom and Nichols in the Test when he played a great fighting innings to score 45 out of a total of 112. He finished second to Dompster in the batting averages for the English tour. "Page, an all-rounder who did well in England in 1927, scored 67 and 32 in tho second Test against Gilligan's team, and made 116 for Canterbury against Wellington last month. AII--cott, another all-rounder, is a lefthand, slow to medium bowler. He took 37 -wickets for an average of 27.35 in the English tour, and is also a good bat. He made 45 against the M.C.C. "Merritt, who was only 18 years old when he came to England in 1927, had an average for the tour of 19.54 for 169 -wickets. He is principally a legbreak bowler, but often sends down a googly. A. H. H. Gilligan, reporting on cricket in New Zealand to the Now Zealand Council, described Matheson as the fastest bowler in New Zealand. Matheson, however, has a very long run, which during a strenuous tour might cause him to break down. Matheson made 94 not out for Auckland against Canterbury last month. Talbot, a promising player, should improve with English experience. He did not have a good match against the M.C.C, making only 19 and 11. Cromb is an opening batsman for Canterbury, and is also a useful bowler. "The wicket-keeper will again be James, who came over here in 1927, and who kept very well in the Test matches against the last M.C.C. team." Unlucky to Miss Trip. Many Nelson ians havo been watching with interest J. Newman's performances in Wellington this season, and the following summary of his bowling strengthens the opinion widely hold that he has been very unlucky to miss the trip to England (states the "Nelson Mail"). In Wellington club games ho has taken forty wickets at an average of 13.6 apiece, in the course of 185 overs, of which 56 wero maidens. In representative games against West Indies, Auckland, Otago, Canterbury, and the Country, Newman secured eighteen wickets at 17.9, a total of fifty-eight wickets at 14.9 apiece. In club matches his figures havo been six for 45, nine for 109, four for G9, four for 38, four for 41, two for 123, seven for 53, and four for 73, and it is safe to say that he and Baker have carried Midland to. victory in the Wellington championship. In representative games Newman's figures have been, against West Indies one for 29, Trial one for 14, Country four for 53, Otago four for 50, Canterbury five for 117, and Auckland three for 54. Only Allcott and Blunt of those who took more than ten wickets havo better bowling figures in tho Plunket Shield' games. Tho Canterbury Spirit. Of tho fourteen' Now Zealand rop.-o-Bciitaiives i'or the tour to England five ;i.ro from Canterbury and iive from Auckland. Before the council decided against sending a fifteenth man it was I'vcly rumoured that in the event of

nn extra man being chosen the additional representative would be from Canterbury. From what B. O. Talbot, a member of the touring team, had to say at a, function in. Christchurc'h last Saturday one would imagine that players in other centres hardly come into tho reckoning. The player is reported to have made the following remarks: — "Though it is essential that there shall bo no intcrprovincial rivalry on the tonr, wo must not forgot tho Canterbury team spirit. Tho New Zealand team should have tho same spirit. The: tour will be a long and arduous one, and, though wo wilt naturally want to play in every game, we should remember that, if wo are not fit, it is far bettor that wo should stand down rather than keep a fit man out for the mere sake of playing. I think the Canterbury members of the team played themselves in. If there had been more men sent, I think they would havo come from Canterbury." Kilbirnie and Old Eoys. Kilbirnic did not neglect to put. life into the play iv their final match ol! the season against Old Boys at the Kilbirnie Reserve last Saturday, but their first innings total of 272 was due mainly to the excellent third wicket partnership between Ward and Crook, who added 122 before Crook was dismissed lbw. His chanceless 69 included nine fours and one six. AVard did not last long, and was caught soon after reaching 80. His total included ten boundaries. The remainder of the sido did not give an impressive display, although Bilby hit out well in making 44 not out. The absence of K. C. James from Old Boys' ranks was shown by tho numbe rof extras that' got past tho wicket-keeper. Ho has boon a stalwart for Old Boys as captain, 'keeper, and batsman, and the hopo is that lie will have another very successful tour with tho New Zealand team. Lambert had a good day with tho ball, and finished up with tho excellent figures of seven wickets for S8 runs off 16 overs. Duncan, always to be relied upon, bowled steadily, but could not get tho wickets. Ho required only one to make his total 50 for the season. Old Boys began well, and at the close of play had made 9S runs in 55 minutes for two wkkots. Even with a start like this it is hardly likely that thoy v.-ill be ablo to repeat their previous week's performance and score an "eight-pointer." Wellington arid University. Wellington -again forced the pace when they mot University .on No. 2 wicket at the Basin Beserve, and after making 208 runs for the loss of seven wickets they declared. The first five batsmen did well, putting up 208 runs by tho time the fourth wicket fell, but then Harrison performed tho "hattrick" by dismissing Aircy, Cousins, and Blundell with successive balls. University made a very fair start, and compiled 75 runs for the loss of one wicket before stumps wero drawn just before 6 o'clock. Whyte, who made a big score in tho previous match, was again in the baiting mood. He indulged in some big hitting during tho time he was at the crease for his 48. Hollings treated the spectators to a fine display, scoring from a variety of pretty strokes. After making 58, he was run out. Morgan (52) made his runs soundly, and Airey had "a dip" at nearly everything that came his way. Paccy (37 .not out) was going well in University's innings beforo tho close of play. He opened with.Nelson, who made 20. The bowling by Blundell and Syines was not easily played by th« batsmen, and quite a number of "flukey" strokes helped to swell tho University account. The recalling of batsmen who have been given out Ibw in playing a ballon to their pads seems to be developing into a habit. There was another case at the Basin Beservc on Saturday. Worker had been given out Ibw, and was on his way to the pavilion when the University captain (E. G. M'Leod) generously offered Worker the right of aatting on. Worker, however, was quite content to abide by the umpire's decision. From what has been seen of Worker in Wellington this season and from the reports of his form in Hawkes Bay it seems that this fine lofthanded batsman has not received tho honours due to him. He was unlucky to miss the last tour to England, and he is unlucky not to be going this time. For the work that they do in tho schools both Worker and Massey would have been even greater assets to the game had they been given the opportunity of a tour to England. Midland and Petone. Bright batting was the order of the day in the Midland-Petone match at No. 1 wicket at the Basin Keserve. Midland's first few batsmen put on the runs at a fast rate, and, although the last few wickets fell cheaply, the side compiled tho good total of 261. Petonc have a fairly stiff hurdle to exceed that score. At the drawing of stumps they had lost one wicket for 17 runs. W. A. Baker, who has shown consistently good form as a batsman this season, was again to the fore with a score of 80 runs. Baker did not take long to get into Ms stride, and batted very freely. Doneghue, who opened with Baker, made 41 in bright fashion. Baker would have boon a valuable man to have had in the Wellington representative team this season. Tindill, a young mcketkeeper of considerable promise, is also a very promising batsman. As was predicted last season, he ib a player who should go far in the game. His score of 53 on Saturday was a contrast to those made by the last few Midland batsmen, but it was a case with the latter of getting runs quickly. Morgan played some fine forcing shots, and Dustin did quite well. Hutt and Institute. M'Girr's score of 99, the highest in senior cricket for the day, was the outstanding feature of the Hutt-Institute match on the Hutt Becreation Ground last Saturday. With the exception of M'Girr and two others the Hutt batsmen made a poor showing. To the total score of 204 M'Girr contributed almost half, while Aldersley made 34 and Birch 25. These three players obtained four-fifths of Hutt's total, tho highest score among the othcr'batsmen being 10. Among the Institute bowlers Bilby was the most successful, obtaining five wickets for 66 runs in 10 overs. Fortune took two for 46 in 10 overs. Henderson bad a bad day off, for in his 11 overs he secured only one wicket at the cost of 54 runs. Institute began their innings well, and in the hour they woro at tho wickets they made 65 for two wickets, Banks being unbeaten with 27. Dempster did not take a place in. tho side, as ho was leaving to-day with tho Now Zealand team. Mercantile League. The match which was commenced at Anderson Pa'jc last Saturday between the Mercantile League and the W.C.A. juniors, provided a rather disappointing display, few batsmen, with the exception of Condlift'e and Warncs, showing any enterprise against bowling that was by no means exceptional. Boberts and Foley also gave glimpses of their true form, but for the most part the balance of the League players were well below standard. Condliffe's exhibition was easily the best, this player's contribution being 57. Splendidly supported by Warncs, Condliffe batted throughout the greater part of tho innings, and gave no semblance of a chance. In the juniors' inn ings, Brooks and Morris, who opened the attack, got on top of tin; liaf.tiujr immediately, ami at no stage did (lie Association players ,-ippear comfort able. Bolii bowlers wore using tho strong wind (o advantage, and in this one resnect wen; superior to the juniors.