M.C.C. CRICKETERS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 257, 27 September 1935, Page 10

M.C.C. CRICKETERS

MATCH AT PALMERSTON % NORTH. SET DOWN FOR JANUARY. The itinerary in connection with, the visit of the English cricket team has been completed by the New Zealand Cricket Council. The tourists will play their first match in the Dominion at Wellington and will then cross to Nelson. They will proceed down through the South Island playing matches versus Canterbury, South Canterbury, Otago and Southland prior to meeting New Zealand in the first Test at DunReturning to the North Island/, the second Test game will be staged at AVellington, and on Tuesday, January 21, the Englishmen will come to 1 almerston North, opposing Manawatu in a two-days’ game at the Sportsground on January 22 and 23. In view of the fact that Manawatu are the holders ot the Hawke Cup—the trophy which signifies the championship among tne minor cricket associations of the Horn inion—interest in .the summer sport received a great fillip last season, am local players who aspire to gaining inclusion in the eleven to meet the visitors are already looking forward to tne entry upon . the season s activities.

VISIT TO FIJI. BY DOMINION TEAM. In the cricket season of 1894-95 a team of cricketers came from yJ 1 to New Zealand and played matches against Auckland, Taranaki, Hawke s Bay, Wellington, Nelson Canterbury, Otago, and Southland. Now Mr C. E. Beale, an Auckland enthusiast who has managed several northern teams on tours through New Zealand and, in particular, the North Island, has advanced the suggestion that a team of 12 players _ a . , a manager pay a visit to Fiji in the coming season, thereby following the footsteps of a team of Auckland and AVellington enthusiasts who made the trip to the Islands in the IJ2o-Zi season. However, on this occasion it is suggested that the team be more representative of the various associations in the Dominion, it being Mr Beale’s aim to enlist a good all-round side of young players, all good fieldsmen and imbued with the team spirit, and having the right conception of what is expected of them as cricketers and citizens of New Zealand, and as guests of the people of Fiji. The trip will necessitate an absence from New Zealand of six weeks, while it will be necessary for at least £22 to be available to cover the return steamer fare, from and back to Auckland, incidental expenses of the voyage, travelling in Fiji, etc., of each member of the party, as well as the expenses in New Zealand to and from Auckland of members of the team who do not reside there. As regards accommodation for the party during the stay in Fiji, of five weeks, this will be arranged and paid for by the Suva Cricket Club, which club and the Northern Districts Cricket Association would be the team’s hosts. Though there are about 250 islands and islets in the Fiji group, all the matches will he played on the largest of all, Viti Levu (4053 square miles); at the eapfi till, Suva (6); at Lautoka (2); at Bai (1); and at Bau (1). Ten matches in all will he played, four of them being of three days’ duration, and six of two days, leaving 10 days free for travelling, resting and sight-seeing. The team will arrive at Suva on December 13, and depart on the return for New Zealand on January 17. Mr Beale has written to the Manawatu Cricket Association inviting the nomination of any players who are desirous of becoming members of the proposed tour, and also from non-playing enthusiasts who would like to participate in the tour.