MATCHES THIS WEEK

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 149, 21 December 1936, Page 15

MATCHES THIS WEEK

WELLINGTON SELECTION

TWO COUNTRY PLAYERS

The Plunket Shield interprovincial cricket competition is to commence this week, when the representatives oil all four major provinces will be in action. Wellington, winners of the trophy last season, v/ill be meeting Otago at the Basin Reserve, and Auckland and Canterbury will be playing their match at Christchurch. Strong ' sides have been chosen for the first matches in this season's competition, and in each case there are some surprises. The selection of the Wellington team was made by Mr. A. W. Duncan on Saturday, and it was not altogether in line with, expectations based on the form of players this season. There are several players to.be regarded as unlucky, players like O'Brien (Hawke's Bay), Betts and Donnelly (Taranaki), Massey (Wairarapa), who was not even given a place in the Country team though regarded by sound judges as being fit for a place in a New Zealand team, Dustin (Midland), J. Ell (Wellington), who is placed as twelfth man, Capstick (Hutt), and Rice (Kilbirnie), who are definitely rising."stars," and others who have been doing well. But, as is usually the case, Wellington's field is so great that it is impossible to place everybody worthy of inclusion in the province's first eleven. For-those who have missed selection this time there will be an opportunity in the match with Nelson (to be played on January 7 and 8), and there may be changes in the teams for subsequent Plunket Shield and other matches. The Wellington team to meet Otago in the match commencing on Christmas Day has been selected as follows: —

D. A. R/Moloney (Manawatu). E. W. Tindill (Midland). E. G. McLeod (Hutt). ; - S. Ward (Kilbirnie). J. R. Lamason (Old Boys), captain. N. Gallichan (Manawatu). : C. Parsloe (Kilbirnie). J A. R. Blandford (University). ■\y- Tricklebank (University). B,'Griffiths (Old Boys). E D Blundell (Wellington). J Ell (Wellington), twelfth man. _ T C Lowry, who is expected to go to England with the New. Zealand team, was not available owing to a knee injury. The se^cted players are to have special practices this week. _ Messrs. A. W. Aldersley and a.Moore have been appointed umpires for the match.