CRICKET

Grey River Argus, 11 October 1930, Page 10

CRICKET

»■ RECOVERY OF ASHES. f The ashes came back to Australia.' Old England, after many vicissitudes, heart burnings, team changes, and newspaper controversies, has parted gracefuly with the emblem of cricket supremacy (says a Sydney writer). The status of the William Maldon Woodfull team has been acclaimed. The genius of Don Bradman has been acknowledged. The oval as the graveyard of Australian cricketers in bouts with England for forty-eight years has been turned into the arena of triumph. The victors are modest through it all. The vanquished are generous in their plaudits. Such is cricket and j the spirit of cricket. I M.C.C. FOR AFRICA. I ARRIVAL OF THE SIDE. In South Africa a chorus of approval has greeted the names of the M.C.C. team to tour South Africa. H. G. Deans captain of the last South African team [regards the side as the most powerful that has been sent to South Africa in his time. “The M.C.C. has paid South r Africa a great tribute by selecting ! such a team,” he said. “It is strong in all departments, and constitutes a most formidable proposition. South Africa is tackling a big task with three of the tests being played on turf wickets. The visiting team is well equipped for both turf and matting wickets, and does not lack spin bowlers. A lot of people think I am optim, J istic, but I consider that South Africa will be able to hold the English team, despite its strength. We have young fellows of the right kind coming on, and they should not be long in getting the necessary confidence for big cricket,” he added. AUSTRALIA’S FIRST XI.

Jack Blackham. and Tom Garrett are the only members of the first Australian XI. alive, now that Charlie Bannerman, has gone to the home of his fathers. Many years ago, when nearing the close of his international tours in England, Jack Blackham, interviewed by the St. James’s Budget, in reply to a question as to the best Australian players he had met, said: “Well, 1 think Charlie Bannerman has been the . best we have produced. Next 1 would Iput Murdoch. Spofforth, without doubt, has been our best bowler. Alick Bannerman our best mid-off, and little Gregory looks like being the best of our cover points.” “Little Gregory,’’ of I course, was Syd., when a boy coming on and destined to become the world’s greatest cover of the last forty years. NOTES. I The senior competition in Christ- £ church opens to-day. ; N. Galilean,' of whose bowling the j M.C.C. players spoke highly, has been awarded the Louisson Challenge Cup by his club The performance which won the trophy was 41 wickets at an average if 12.1 I It is reported that Herb. McGirr will , * retire from active playing, but will still help Hutt in an administrative capa_ ( city. ’ Parnell, winners of the Auckland ' j competition last year, will feel the | loss of Wensley, the coach, and Whit- j ley who is at present doing well in I Ehgfiland. I Three Auckland clubs, North Shore, ’ University and Grafton, have applied for Wensley, the English coach, this season. He is likely to play for Shore. Though they have lost Page, Cromb, and Ward, Christchurch Old Boys will have a strong side with Merritt, Dally, Carleton, Burns, Escott, Harris, Stringer, Vincent, and Grose. When mention was made of the I Plunket Shield, a glance over the Wellington clubs- shows that Dempster, Hollings, Airey, Foley, Janies and McLeod will form the basis of another solid provincial side. Dissatisfaction has been expressed by both the Rangitikei and Wairarapa I associations at the present system of B conducting the competition for the 'Hawke Cup, the minor associations’ I Plunket Shield. (A good deal of interest will centre round Dunning, of Carisbrook, who bowled well against the M.C.C. team last season. Dunning played for Oxford * before coming to New Zealand, and has j a chance of getting in the New ZeaI land side. | l l | Midland relied on Alf Cleverley, the j profesional boxer, for the- most of its j stock bowling, and will miss him this I season. Alf has gone to the States look. I ing for experience at his trade, and a J stray fight or two.

Two members of the last New Zealand touring team will play together in club cricket this summer, Charlie Oliver (Sydenham) and Curly Page (Old Boys) both having joined St. Albans.

With Airey, Hollings and Cousins in form and the addition of Charlie Orchard, the big hitter from Linwood, and the two Newmans from Nelson, Wellington club will have a. strong eleven this year.

The N.Z Nomads are arranging their Christmas tour, and have booked up matches with Christchurch Old Collegians on January 6 and 7, and with Canterbury Colts on January S and 9.

All Black Sid Carleton, who was one of Christchurch Old Boys’ best senior B batsmen, will play for the A team this year.