CRICKET

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVII, Issue 34, 8 January 1927, Page 4

CRICKET

AUCKLAND v. WELLINGTON. NORTHERNERS START BADLY. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Jan. 7. On their return from the South Island, the Auckland touring cricketers commenced a match against Wellington to-day. The weather was fine, but a strong southerly breeze was blowing when Dacre, the Auckland captain, won the toss, and elected to make first use of a firm /picket. Auckland did not open too well, the long train and steamer jodrney apparently having had an effect on the tourists, and, with seven wickets down for 154, the northerners appeared to be in a bad way, but two colts Postles and A. Matheson, then got together, and by enterprising cricket added 90 runs, both being unbeaten when stumps were drawn with the board showing seven wickets down for 244. It was a young man’s day, as the colts, Hollings and Massey, proved easily the best of the Wellington bowlers. Detailed scores:— AUCKLAND.—First Innings. Bowley, c Hollings, b Mitchell ... 13 Mills, b McGirr ... , 29 Cooper, b Hollings 21 Gillespie, 1.b.w., b Mitchell 18 Player, b Hollings 15 Dacre, c Collins, b Massey 28 Postles, not out 50 Smeeton, b Massey ... 11 Matheson, not out 45 Extras 14 Total, for seven wickets 244 Bowling analysis: McGirr, one for 57; Massey, two for 31; Mitchell, one for 60; Hollings, two for 56; Lambert, none for 26; Collins, none for 5.

DOMINION TEAM FOR ENGLAND. PROPOSALS FOR SELECTION. CHRISTCHURCH, Jan. 7. The New Zealand Cricket Council recommended the selectors Messrs Wilson, Brice and Patrick, to submit the names of eight certainties for the team to tour England by tiie middle of January, but it is officially stated that the selectors will probably be present at the Plunket Shield match between Wellington and Auckland at Auckland, and the whole team will be chosen at the conclusion of this match, in tile event of an Australian team visiting the Dominion, the present intentions regarding the time of the selection may be changed. THE PONSFORD OFFER. DENIAL OF TERMS. LONDON, Jan. 6. The Ponsford imbroglio is agitating cricketing circles in England. Sir Lindsay Parkinson denies that Ponsford has been offered a salary of £ISOO if he would play for the Club in 1927, and adds that he has" not received a reply to the terms offered, while Ponsford was in England, though he promised to consider the matter and cable a reply. The Evening Standard, discussing the squabble whether England or Australia should have Ponsford, describes it as undignified, though the suggestion that admirers should subscribe £1 per run was amusing, and “probably only refers to the past, otherwise Ponsford may stay at the wickets a couple of days while he ammasses the price' of a new motor-car.”

The latest development is that Parkin has become manager of the Grosvenor Hotel at Blackpool and intends to play for Blackpool. Parkin says he lias been offered £3O per week by League clubs to play on Saturday afternoons, and some also offered him £SOO if he would sign articles, but he intended to play for Blackpool as an amateur.—A. and N.Z. cable. PONSFORD VERY RETICENT. MELBOURNE, Jan. 7. Beyond saying that he had received an offer from Sir Lindsay Parkinson, a wealthy Blackpool business man, to go there to a business position, on the understanding that he would play cricket on Saturday afternoons. Ponsford declined to throw any light on the reported offer of £ISOO to go to England. —A. and N.Z. cable. TESTIMONIAL TO RHODES. LONDON, Jan. 6. The Yorkshire County Cricket Committe headed the testimonial fund to, Rhodes with £250, expressing the opinion that some fresh and substantial tribute should be paid to a man whose superb bowling finally turned the gamp in favour of England in the last test.— A. and N.Z. cable.