CRICKET.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 2 July 1926, Page 9

CRICKET.

A BOLD VENTURE. . NEW ZEALAND' TOUR. OF ENGLAND. TWENTY -FOUR, MATCHES ARRANGED, (BY TELEGRAPH PRESS ASSOCIATION.) aHjRIISTICIHUR'CH, July 1. Commenting oil the decision to isend a New Zealand cricket team to England during the next English summer, Mr D. Reese, chairman of the New Zealand« Cricket Council-, said that, after the fine showing of the New Zealand cricket teami iili Australia last season, great public interest would be taken in the bold move of the Council in its efforts to improve the further standard of Netw Zealand cricket. It would be a wonderful experience for New Zealand players to have first-class cricket icontimiousily for three months, and as English conditions were very .similar to those prevailing in New Zealand, no doubt the Dominion batsmen and bowlers would ibe able to reproduce their New Zealand form on English wiokeits. New Zealand batsmen did splendidly in Australia last season, and although the bowling] figures were not too good, New Zealand bowlers should do well on the English wickets. It was the visits of Australian and South African teams to England that had brought about such a. rapid im-' provememt in the .standard of cricket in those countries, and -it was reasonable to assume that the proposed tour next year /would have ,a. similar effect on New Zealand .cricket, Mr. Reese .said. The team would have to leave the Dominion about .the middle or end of March of' next year. As it was proposed to play 24 matches, the tour would occupy three months, playing at the rate of two matches a week. The present intention was to send not more than 14 players, 'although the Australian cricket team at present in England lias 16 players. It was felt, however, even by Australians themselves, that tohave five men standing out of each match was too many.

A BAD START

NORTH ANTS' AT THE WICKETS! Received 12.50 p.m. to-day.. LONDON, July 1. The attendance at the North ants match was 7000. Ellis and Grimmett, despite frequent changes of bowling, carried on brightly. When the partnership had yielded 42 Ellis got a leg in front. Grimmett was sound and obtained many rums through the slips and off-drove .strongly- „ Northanits opened badly and had three down for 15, when Hawtin and Bellamy became associated in an enterprising partnership. Grimmett, w'ho-se first five overs produced one run, became expensive. When; the total. was 53 Bellamy missed a vigorous drive and the ball found his wicket. Hawtin played confidently and exhibited a fine off-drive. The wicket was very true and Gregory was making great pace oil the pitch, Hawtin went out by an easy catch at square-leg. J. Timms was the only other batsman to make a stand. He placed accurately, finding the boundary through a well-placed field. G riimnett bowled without change for most of the innings, but in the latter part wasi rarely difficult. Mailey ,sent down a great variety c! puzzling balls. Northants followed on. Their second strike commenced more auspiciously than the first. Blagnalf opened out early -and drove Gregory stylishly. In attempting to drive Mailey to the boundary, ho misjudged the flight ol the' ball, which returned to Maileyb hands, Hawtin was missed by Gregory off Andrews when one. Lie (proceeded to confirm the good impression made in his first innings. Woolley was never comfortable and was caught the first time he made a 'big hit, Andrews bad! his first bowl of the tour. He had a good length, but was not dangerous. Timms was well taken in a hot return to Grimmett. The total Was then, 81 for three. The next three wickets fell for an addition of nine runs. Hawtin played attractively and was especially good on the offside. Ryder was unable to field in. the second innings, owing to an injury to hi.s foot, caused when making a desperate effort at the crease on the previous day.— Renter.

FLOODING THE WTCKET. DUE! TO GURIFJLESiSNESS. LO'NDON, .July 1. The Marylebone Club has issued a statement regarding the watered wicket, stating that it .satisfied itself that there was no malicious 1 mi tent, hut the flooding was due to carelessness by such of the ground staff as. were concerned. Reuter.