BIG CRICKET

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 44, 21 January 1936, Page 12

BIG CRICKET

M.C.C. v. MANAWATU. TO-MORROW’S GREAT GAME. A big attraction where the sporting fixtures for -to-morrow. (Anniversary Day) are concerned is the cricket match at the Sportsground between England (M.C.C.) and Manawatu. The visiting players, who are the pick of England’s younger men and who are expected to figure as lest playeis in the near future, have already displayed their ability on the fields in Australia and New Zealand. In some of their matches, they have piled up big scores and in the first lest at Dunedin New. Zealand was in a hopeless position when rain intervened. Coming as they did from the fast wickets of Australia, it was not altogether surprising to find .them “at sea on the heavy wicket they encountered m the opening match at Wellington, when the Capital City team inflicted a narrow defeat upon them. 'lt was the irony of fortune that they should again encounter indifferent conditions on their return to 'Wellington for the second Test and New Zealand were holding the honours at the close of an indecisive contest. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. The individual members in the ranks of the tourists are: — E. R. T. Holmes (captain), is a prospective captain for tiie next Tests with Australia. He was a member of the English side against South Africa, last season. Born in 1905, he gained his Blue at Oxford and captained the ’Varsity in liis-third year. Is at present captain of Surrey. Hon. C. J. Lyttelton (Worcestershire), is a son of the president of the M.C.C., Viscount Cobham. Is vicecaptain. He is also a first-class golfer. . W. Barber (Yorkshire) is a fine batsman of splendid scoring ability. Last season he topped tlie 2000 mark, with 255 as his highest score. Played for England in two Tests against South Africa. . A. D. Baxter (qualifying for Middlesex) has played for Scotland as well as for M.C.C. sides; Is a fastmedium bowler and took 40 wickets for a little more than 13 runs per wicket last season. S. C. Griffith (Cambridge University) is a very capable wicketkeeper and a sound batsman. His top score last season was 69. J. Hardstaff (Nottinghamshire) is one of England’s most promising batsmen. A son of a Test player, he himself’ gained Test honours last season. Last season lie made about 1700 runs at an average of 40. Made 230 not out in Australia on the current tour. J. H. Human (Middlesex) won hjs Blue at Cambridge. Toured India with the M.C.C. in 1933-34. Last season he made over 1000 runs, with 144 as his highest score. J. Langridge (Sussex) is well-known to New Zealanders as a former coach to the Auckland Association. A fine all-rounder and last season made over 1000 runs and took over 100 wickets. A left-hander, he has represented England against tlie West Indies and South Africans. N. S. Mitchell-Innes (Somerset) played for his county while still at school and gained his Blue for Oxford in 1934. Played against the South Africans. He made over 1200 runs last season, with 168 as his highest, score.

J. Id. Parks (Sussex) lias several times recorded over 1000 runs and taken 100 wickets in a season. Last, year he made 1600 runs, with 156 as liis highest score, and took 100 wickets at an average of under 20 runs apiece.

A. E. Powell (Essex) is a competent wicketkeeper and a • useful batsman. Is a Cambridge Blue. H. D. Read (Essex) lias come into prominence as a fast bowler. He played for England in the filial Test with the South Africans. Last season, in first-class cricket lie took 100 wickets at 22 runs apiece.

J. M. Sims (Middlesex) is a fine spin bowler. Last season he took over 130 wickets at an average cost of about 20 runs per wicket and made over 600 runs. Played in the third Test against the South Africans. D. Smith (Derbyshire) is one of the best left-handed batsmen in England. He played in the three Tests against the South Africans. Scored over 2000 runs in the season, averaging 40 runs per innings with his highest score 225.