CRICKET.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16492, 6 March 1914, Page 9

CRICKET.

TOUR LIKELY TO FALL THROUGH. By Tslegrzpli—Press Association—Copyright,

SYDNEY, March '■

The proposed tour of the New South IVales team, in Western Australia at tj}° °ud of March may fall through. Ib° Western Australian Association stipulated that the team should include Irumper and Macartney, and failing either, Bardstey. It is understood that Macartney has stated his inability to go, and Trimmer being a Way is unlikely to be able to go west, DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIP. 1 o-monow afternoon at Lancaster lark tbe final match for the championship will be commenced, the contesting teams being Riecarton and Sydenham. THURSDAY ASSOCIATION. THE MITCHELL SHIELD. The play-off for the Mitchell Shield between Sunnysido and Telegraph was started yesterday at Suiniyside. Telegraph having first, use of’ the wicket, opened with Martin and Armstrong. Runs came steadily and 58 was up before Martin was bowled bv Porter for -38, after playing a- careful innings-. Armstrong soon followed, being caught in the slips. Ford and Shaml gave.no trouble, each being out. by the time 98 was on the board. Then Wall and Francis started a long partnership, which carried the score to 183 before IVall was out for a - well-plavcd 68. His. chief scoring stroke was to leg: Stumps were drawn with five wickets for IS9, Francis, being not out,with 40. Following are the scores. TELEGRAPH. . • First, Innings. J. Martin, b Porter . . .38 G. Armstrong, c Porter b' Cusworth . ' . . . ' . 20 A. Shand. e Norman b Porter . 5 S. Watt, b Porter . . . .68 G. Ford, b Norman . . . 4 F. Francis, not out . , v4O P. Mansell, not out . . . 1 Extras 13 Total for five wickets 189 Bowling Analysis.—Norman, one wicket for 68 runs; Porter, three for 53; Cusworth, oue for 55. THE AUSTRALIAN TEAM. RETURN MATCH AGAINST CANTERBURY. The Board of Control of Lancaster Park met on Wednesday evening; pre-sent—-Messrs O. R. Clark. On the chair), G. H. Mason, S. E. Wilson, F. Wilding, F. T,. Evans and F, L. Murray _ (secretary). A letter was received stating that Mr Sims’s Australian team would play a. return match against Canterbury on March 13 and 14, the whole of the proceeds to go to j the Lancaster Park ground. The secretary reported that the Traffic Manager of tho New Zealand Railways had kindly agreed to postSuie all country trains on Saturday) arch 14. It was decided that the secretary should call a meeting of, ladies for the purpose of providing luncheon for tho players taking part in tho benefit match. It was agreed to extend an invitation to his Excellency tho Governor and Lady Liverpool to be present at tbe match, The secretary reported that Mr Norman Duncan had presented the Board with two garden scats for the members’_ enclosure. It was decided to write and thank Mr Duncan for his generous do-, nation. It wits decided to' give tho holders of Lancaster Park tickets' the right to tako any friend into tho members’ enclosure for the benefit match by paying 2s 6(1 each day. Tt was decided to forward the following letter to Mr Sims.—Dear Sir, — I am desired by the directors of Lancaster Park to express to you and to each member of the team of Australian cricketers now touring the dominion the very sincere thanks of the Board for yoilr offer to play a return match against Canterbury for the benefit of the ground. Needless to say everyone interested in tho Canterbury Cricket Association and the Canterbury Rugby Union, the joint owners of Lancaster Park, gratefully welcome such a proposal. Your team is probably the. most, brilliant combination of cricketers that- has ever visited .tlib dominion, and, in view of tho very great expenditure incidental to tho tour and the small returns at some of the minor centres which a fine sporting spirit has led you to include among your fixtures, the gift of the whole of the proceeds of the second match in Christenurch is most generous, and' I trust the -public, by a. bumper attendance, will show how very much it appreciates your fine offer .—Yours sincerely, Charles Clark, chairman.

AUSTRALIA v. NEIV ZEALAND.

THE FIRST TEST MATCH. [Per Press Association.] DUNEDIN, March 5,

Rain fell at intervals to-day,' but cleared off late in the afternoon and if the weather keeps good the wicket should he first-class to-morrow.

Tho following is the Australian team: —Noble (captain), Armstrong, Waddy,' M’Kenzio, Collins, Cody, Mailer, M’Gregor, Trmn.pcr, Crawford and Dolling. ■ : ■ _ . j- ' Rnnsford is not available, having left after the South Canterbury match to. catch the Sydney boat at Wellington.

[From Our Correspondent.] DUNEDIN, March 5.

After a. long; spell of fine weather soaking rain fell for a couple of hours this afternoon. This will not affect the wicket at C'a risk rook if the weather clears. Alacfarlane (Otago) was. today selected as twelfth mail for the New Zealand team. This step was necessitated because of a doubt as to Tiickwell being able to play. It is now stated that Tiickwell will be available. Messrs Croxford and West have boon appointed umpires. The Hov K. 0. Ilia mires, known throughout the dominion as a cricketer, is now in Dunedin attending the Methodist Conference. Speaking about cricket prospects ho said: “My-opinion is that when A New Zealand-team is being picked some consideration should be given to the claims of players in the smaller districts. We may find good material there. T can mention one very promising young man. __ I have played against most of the New Zealand bowlers and none have impressed me so favourably as Holland, -of Wanganui. He is a fast, medium howler, and the off-break that he gets on a fast wicket-is remarkable. I should like to see him given a chance. I can toll you also of a good batsman. M'Mnhon, of Gisborne, is in my judgment, ‘in the first flight to-day. He is fit to go in any team. He .learned his cricket in New South Wales.’.’ RICCARTOX CLUB. The following.will represent the Ricearton Cricket Club in the First Grade final- v. Sydenham, commencing nl Lancaster Park on Saturday next: —J. Bain, K. Boulton, E. It. Caysill. A. C. Fuller, A. 11. Guiney, tV. P. Guiney. E. T. Harper, A. Norman, S. ',7. Smith," R. S. Taylor and H. B. Whitfa; emergencies— L. A. Cargill and IV. B. Clarkson. SYDENHAM CLUB. The following arc the First, and Fourth Grade teams for next Saturday: First Grade, v. Ricearton, at Lancaster Park—-Conrad i, Fraser, Hayes, Paterson, O’Malley, Taylor, Watson, Woods and three others. Fourth Grade, v. Ricearton, at, Lin wood Park—Peek. Pordain, Skinner. Pritchard, Rowan, Wilson. Tory, Hickinhpftom, Waits, Young and M'Ewen. WEST CHRISTCHURCH CLUB. The following will represent West Christchurch flub on Saturday next: First. Grade, v. Lin wood, at Mauley Park —Bryan-Brown, Donnelly, Mat,thews, Waters, Bannehr, Hammond, Thomas, Young, Weston, Maclde and Jenkins-.