CRICKET.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 18 December 1924, Page 7

CRICKET.

THE TEST MATCH. WAS GILLICAN WRONG? IN DROPPING DOUGLAS. -IY CABLE—PRESS ASSOCIATION-COPYRIGHT. Received Dec*. 18, 1.40 p.m SYDNEY, Dec. 18. The general opinion concerning tho English team’s play in the first test :s that Gilligan made a mistake in dropping Douglas, who is regarded as /ne greatest fighter England possesses. Several old 1 international players expressed surprise at his omission. It is stated that his dangerous bowling with the new ball should not have been overlooked. The Englishmen were reticent, One said: “It is all in the luck of' the game. We have seventeen players who cannot all expect to play in tests. Sandham, who replaces Douglas, figured only in one previous test against Australia. He headed ‘ the English batting averages last year, ,is sound and solid, and should be an excellent test match batsman. The weather is unsettled and the wicket will probably favour the batsmen. Much will depend on who wins the toss. HEATHCOTE WILLIAMS SHIELD. AUCKLAND V. CHRISTCHURCH. (by TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSOCIATION.) CHRISTCHURCH, Dec. 18. In the match for the Heathcote Williams Shield, Auckland Grammar School, having declared with nine down for 462, Christchurch Boys’ High Echool batted this morning. Scoring was slow,, and at noon they had lost two wiekets for 28 runs.