CANTERBURY COMMENT

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 49, 27 February 1937, Page 23

CANTERBURY COMMENT

There will be considerable surprise and some criticism over several of tlie latest selections, more particularly in connectjpn with the choice of the Wellington right-hand bowler, B. Griffiths (states the "Star-Sun" in commenting upon the New Zealand selection).' Griffiths won-his New Zealand cap for the first time last year against the Marylebone team. He bowled with distinct skill at times, but his seven wickets in the Tests cost 29 runs apiece. At the conclusion of the -tour E. R. T. Holmes, the English captain, said of him:

"Griffiths is a genuine spinner with nip off the -pitch, . but he will have to have more; control of length, if he ever wishes, to reach , the,, highest class." , -.

Unfortunately, Grifflths's' control of length is poorer this season than it was last, so much so that his captain, J. R. Lamason, of Wellington, made the remark recently: "Griffiths's stock ball seems to be the full toss." In this season's Shield games, Griffiths's seven wickets have cost ,43 runs apiece. He is a trier, and the selectors' gamble may yet prove justified. They feel that, a right-hand bowler is essential in the team; hence-the interest in the form shown by Groves and Sharp at Dunedin.

Weir, of Auckland, is also rather fortunate to gain selection. ' He was included in the second Test team against M.C.C. last year, but showed poor batting form and .was dropped. This season, he made 138 runs in the Shield.. matches, finishing up with the sound average of 34. Weir's main value is that he is a tough batsman in a tight corner. He'is also a mediumpaced bowler. However,- his place would have been better filled by either Cromb or Gallichan, both of whom are decidedly unlucky to miss the trip. Cromb's omission is. hard to understand. /Were a New Zealand ; eleven chosen for. a Test in New Zealand today he should be one of. the first chosen. .. ' ■ ■

The' NewZe'aland team's bowling in England is liable to suffer from lack Of variety.and a minimum of hostility. This, apparent weakness could have been remedied to a very large extent had Mulcock, the Canterbury in-swing bowler, been included. According to leading New Zealand cricketers who have played in England, his puizling type of deliveries would secure many wickets in matches against county teams. This season Mulcock has'taken thirteen Shield wickets for 24 runs apiece.

Donnelly, the nineteen-year-old Taranaki player, apparently wins a place in the side because of his youth and promise. He can scarcely be said yet to have earned it.

come as a happy surprise .to many Taranaki sportsmen.'

. The young left-hand batsman has been recognised ~as one ,_qf the "finds" of Dominion .cricket ■ .'this season: Although he came into the limelight, last season his sparkling 141 for Wellington against Nelson and his 22 and 38 for the same province, in the Auckland Plunket Shield game this season have given- him throughout New Zealand. . Donnelly has a claim to selection not on his batting alone. His medium-slow spin bowling -. has potentialities "In . change work for' the tour.''-It-will be remembered that this season he dismissed, an entire New Plymouth;'club side for eight runs, and to show that this., trundling is consistent he took seven for 49 in: a club match on Saturday, a game in which he scored a dashing 53. Critics gave him the highest acclaim-on his fielding in the Auckland Plunket ; Shield game. A keen; dynamic man in the field, Donnelly is at home in practically every position. .....