LOCAL COMPETITIONS

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 103, 28 October 1933, Page 24

LOCAL COMPETITIONS

REPRESENTATIVE PRACTICES

■After what seems like an unusually long wait, although really amounting to only a week, players in the Wellington Cricket Association's competitions were only too keen to get a start with the competition matphes today. The third graders had hoped to beat the others to it, but they were doomed to disappointment once again in the announcement that thero were no wickets for them today. The make-up of the teams engaged in the senior championship, though subject to some changes, gives promise of keen and interesting competition, though some teams appear to be rather stronger than others. A striking'feature is the great amount of young material being employed in senior ranks, much of it already having received experience of play in the top grade and some of it being started on this important course of development. 'Xhe ranks are well seasoned with players of experience, and generally the sides should be quite • well balanced, .though, as indicated, some will prove stronger than others. At starting time it seems that Wellington, Kilbirwie, and Wellington College Old Boys Will be hard teams to beat, and it so happens that the draw provides for two of these teams being brought together in the opening series of matches. There are possibilities all round,' however, and each Saturday should have something eventful in store. • LOOKING I'OR "REPS." 1 : Form will be. watched closely not only with a view to championship prospects but also with an eye to Wellington's «liances in the Plunket Shield contest. .'Although it would appear from last season's experience that Wellington this year will be starting to build up its team again, a process that usually takes a few seasons, there is no reason why, from the talent available, the province should not be represented strongly enough this season to make a bold bid towards turning the tables on tke other provincial sides, each of which defeated Wellington last year. At least some of the promising young i»nlor cricketers of last season are boond to show up conspicuously this Ktton, and they will have added •hances in the fact that some of those yrko have served Wellington, well in the

past will not be representing tho province. The big gap to fill is that created by Dempster haying gone to England. „ Still, there is more than ono good candidate in line for his place. No doubt Mr. Ken. Tucker, back in harness again as sole selector, will be entering possibles and probables in Ms notebook from today, and it would be well for i.he association to make an early start with special practices for those whom the selector has under consideration for the representative team. Early form, of course, should not be accepted as tho only guide. Additions to those chosen for the special practices could be made from time to time as more form is revealed. Such a procedure is very desirable, and there should bo no looseness about it. The association should sec to it that selected players pay strict attention to practice, not only in batting and bowling but also in fielding.