PLUNKET SHIELD

Evening Star, Issue 21284, 13 December 1932, Page 4

PLUNKET SHIELD

THE AUCKLAND TEAM STRONG COMBINATION OH PAPER [SrECIAL TO THE ‘ STAR.’] AUCKLAND, December 12. The players to represent Auckland in the Rlunket Shield matches against Canterbury at Christchurch at Christmas, and against Otago at Dunedin at New Year, have been selected by Messrs N. C. Sneddon, H. Duncan, and W. Brook-Smith as follow:—Weir (captain), Mills, Postles, Badeley, Hampton, Vivian, Whitolaw, Pearson, Dacre, Garrard, Matheson, and Bush. Badeley and Hampton arc both Waikato players. The selectors’ first choice was probably H. G. Vivian, the Parnell colt and New Zealand representative cricketer, who this season has given further proof of his all-round ability. In five innings he has scored 353 runs, so that his average is over 70. His slow left-handed bowling has also been of great value, too, his figures being twenty-live wickets for 266 runs. A few weeks ago he established a record by taking all ten wickets in a single innings. G. L. Weir, of Eden, was also assured of a place, and he will again captain the side. His batting average for the. present season is 34, while he has taken eighteen wickets at an average cost per wicket of 14 runs. A. M. Matheson, one of the finest slip fieldsmen in Auckland, was another who had to go in. In four innings lie has made 179 runs, while his fast medium right-hand bowling has earned him ten wickets for 224 runs. J. Mills and A. Postles, both of Eden, were almost certain of places for their batting, although it was probably more their, past reputations than their form for the present season that put them in. To date Mills has, made 128 runs and Postles 121 for six innings. V. Whitelaw, of Parnell, in five innings has collected 215 runs, an averof 43. ... C. C. Dacre,- the association’s coach, has as yet done nothing outstanding, ; but the general opinion was that he would not be left out.

Another likely pick was D. R. Garrard, of University, who enjoyed the reputation of being a heady slow right-hand bowler. For the present season to date he has made 96 runs and has taken 13 wickets for a total of 156 runs.

On Friday last the selectors visited Hamilton to watch the Hawke Cup match between Taranaki and South Auckland, and were much impressed with the wicket-keeping of G. S. Hampton, the ex-Dlillhouse boy, who is now farming near Hamilton. As there is no outstanding keeper in Auckland, Hampton was given a place. S. A. R. Badeley, the former Aucklander, who is a good batsman and very useful medium paced right-hand bowler, was also a strong candidate for a place in the touring side. On paper it seems certain that the batting strength of the side will be Strong. G. L. Weir (medium right), Vivian (slow left), and Dlatheson (medium right) are all stock bowlers. But it would not do for them te be so overloaded that their chances of making runs J should be appreciably lessened. Badeley should he able to take some of tlih weight froni Matheson and Weir. • , , : ' j); . ■