REPRESENTATIVE MATCHES

Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 15, 18 January 1941, Page 13

REPRESENTATIVE MATCHES

GAME AGAINST AUCKLAND NEXT MONTH?

Earlier indications were that Wellington's representative cricket programme for the 1940-41 season would be restricted to the matches against Auckland and Canterbury over the Christmas and New Year holidays. However, it is hinted in authoritative circles now that there is a strong likelihood of return games with the two provinces. Wellington may travel to Auckland towards the end of February; Canterbury will endeavour to send a team north early in March or at Easter.

Nothing, of course, is definite. Canterbury have to fulfil an engagement with Otago before they can consider sending a team north. But Mr. W. R. King, chairman of the management committee of the Canterbury Association, made it abundantly clear to Mr. J. D. Howitt, manager of the Wellington eleven which defeated Canterbury at Lancaster Park recently, that his association would like to send a side, if one of reasonable calibre could be selected.

Mr. Howitt reported accordingly to this week's meeting of the Wellington management committee.

. Wellington sought home-and-home matches with Canterbury earlier in the, summer, but the southern association then was not prepared to make any definite arrangements because of possible defections owing to military service. Apparently things are not quite so bad as formerly anticipated. The game with Auckland, tentatively arranged for,the end of February, will almost certainly be played. Because Wellington's performance against Auckland at the Basin Reserve over Christmas was most unimpressive, the return match, if and when it is played, will present an-opportunity for the Wellington eleven to re-establish itself in the eyes of local, followers of the sport. T.L. Pritchard, New Zealand fast bowler from Manawatu, will be available for the return game. His presence alone should make a marked difference to the strength of the Wellington attack. He did not play in the earlier match, but his worth was amply demonstrated against Canterbury. His bowling, plus Donnelly's batting, won that game for Wellington. DONNELLY MAY PLAY. Donnelly is now in Burnham Camp training for overseas service. There is, however, a slim chance that he will be available for Wellington against Auckland. Efforts may be made to secure leave for Donnelly for • the match. Like Pritchard, Donnelly was not available for the first match with Auckland. If he plays—and if justifiable changes are made in the Wellington eleven—then Wellington should extend Auckland. A point to be remembered, of course, is that Auckland were far removed from being at full strength when they appeared at the Basin. If they can field H. G. Vivian, M. W. Wallace, and J. Cowie, all New Zealand representatives, and V. S. Sale, a North Island player, then a first-rate match is indicated. J. A, R. ..Blandford, the former New. Zealand and Wellington wicket-keeper, who has been playing for Auckland in the last couple of seasons, is now back in Wellington. He was selected to play for his old club, University, in competition matches today. Auckland have indicated that they ■have no objection to' Blandford stepping out with the Wellington, representatives for the remainder of the summer. Auckland's attitude is an admirable one. They appreciate the fact that during the war years every effort should be made to give a cricketer opportunities for play. Had the Picket Shield been at stake, their attitude, naturally, would have been different. Wellington now has the two best 'keepers in the Dominion, Blandford and W. E. Norris, of Manawatu, who was particularly impressive in the game with Canterbury. Blandford just shades Norris as a 'keeper, but Noms should retain his place in the Wellington eleven because of his solid batting. He was one of the few batsmen who shaped at all convincingly against Auckland. WOULD STRENGTHEN SIDE. It is conceivable that before the Auckland match, assuming it is played, the ban upon W. Hepburn and R. Crawford, Midland Club players who were suspended pro tern. for a breach of the association's rules, may be lifted. Hepburn's presence in the side would provide considerable solidity in batting. McLeod, leading the Wellington batting averages at the moment, should also find a place. ; Apart from possible matches with Auckland and Wellington, an eleven from the Trentham Mobilisation. Camp may meet a city side, features of last season's Rugby were matches against Army footballers. So far efforts to hold cricket matches against Army elevens in Wellington have met with no success. . This is curious, because mboth Canterbury and Auckland Army elevens— relatively strong sides, too—are playing in the respective senior competitions. The match between the veteran representatives of Wellington and Auckland may be held at the Basin Reserve late in March. This fixture, inaugurated a couple of seasons ago, is most popular.