M.C.C. v. Manawatu

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 16, 21 January 1936, Page 8

M.C.C. v. Manawatu

TEAM ARRIVES TO-DAY.

The M.C.C. cricket team, which is at present touring New Zealand, will arrivo in Palmerston North by the Napier express from Wellington to-day for their match against Manawatu tomorrow. They will immediately proceed to their hotel, where they will bo extended an informal welcome by the Mayor (Mr. A. E. Mansford), who is president of tho Manawatu Cricket Association.

Tho team is comprised of a number of Test players and others who are out to gain the experience of a colonial tour. The following arc a series of notes on the individual players:— Holmes, E. R. T. (captain), is in the front rank of English cricket personalities and is a prospective captain, of England for the next Tests with Australia. Born in 1905 ho was in Vlie Malvern eleven before proceeding to Oxford, where he gained his blue in 1925, and captained the Oxford side in his third year. I-Ie was a member of England’s team in tho memorablo Test with tho South Africans last season. He is at present captain of Surrey and can always be relied upon to play attractive shots while at the crease. He did not play for M.C.C. in tho second Test against New Zealand, owing to injuries to his hand in the Dunedin match.

Lyttelton, Hon. C. J. (Worcestershire), is a son of the president of the M.C.C., Viscount Cobham. As an allrounder ho has performed well for the county with which the name of Lyttelton has long been associated. He is the vice-captain of the touring team. Apart from cricket, he is a first-class golfer.

Barber, W. (Yorkshire), who is 33 years of age, is a sound batsman of fine scoring ability. Last season he topped the 2000 mark, with 255 as his highest score. He played for England in two of the Tests with South Africa, and was twelfth man in the final Test.

Baxter, A. D. (qualifying for Middlesex), who had his 26th birthday on January 10, has played for Scotland as well as for M.C.C. and other sides. He is a fast-medium bowler, and has had some notable successes. Last season he took over 40 wickets at the small cost of little more than 13 runs per wicket. He is a fine golfer. Griffith, S. C. (Cambridge University), is a very capablo wicketkeeper, and a more than useful batsman. He has served Cambridge well at cricket and has also performed well as a Rugby footballer. His top score with the bat in first-class cricket last season was 69. He played also in club cricket. Hardstaff, J. (Nottinghamshire), who is 22 years of age, is one of England’s most promising batsmen. He is a son of a noted Test player, and he himself gained Test rank last season, being twelfth man in the first Test with tht South Africans and playing in the third and fourth Tests. Last season he made about 1700 runs at an average of approximately 40 per innings. He was a big success on the Australian section of the present tour, with 230 not out as the outstanding score in a glowing list.

Human, J. H. (Middlesex), who was 24 years of age on January 13, won his “Blue” at. Cambridge, for which side he mado some splendid scores. He toured India with the M.C.C. team in 1933-34. Last season he made over 1000 runs, wdth 144 as his highest score, though he has gone higher than that. He is also a useful change bowler.

Langridge, J. (Sussex), 29 years of age, is well-knowm to New Zealanders in having been here previously as coach to the Auckland Cricket Association. He is a Teally fine all-rounder, and again last season recorded a fine double —well over 1000 mns and over 100 wickets. A left-hander, he is building up a fine Tccord. He has represented England in Tests with tho West Indies and the South Africans, and was selected in Jardine’s team for India.

Mitchcll-Innes, N. S. (Somerset), who is 21 years of age, played for his county while* still at school, and gained his "Blue" at Oxford in 1934. He has made some notable batting achievements, and last season played for England in the first Test with the South Africans. Through an attack of hay fever, he was unable to play in the second Test, his place being taken by E. E. T. Holmes. He made over 1200 runs last season, with IGS as his highest score. At times lie is used as a change bowler. He has also distinguished himself as a golfer.

Parks, J. H. (Sussex), who is 32 years of age, has been a consistently good all-rounder for over ten years, and has several times recorded the “double"—over 100 runs and 100 wickets, lie made over 1600 runs last season, with 156 as his highest score, and ho took over 100 wickets at under 20 runs apiece.

Powell, A. G. (Essex), now 23 years of age, is, like Griffith, a competent wicket-keeper, and quite a useful batsman. He gained his "Blue" at Cambridge in 1934. He did not have a great deal of first-class cricket last season, but in some fourteen visits to the crease he averaged over 20 runs per innings. Like others, he played.also in special matches not ranked as firstclass.

Pearl, H. D. (Essex), who will be 26 years of age on January 2S, came into prominence with some sensational performances as a fast bowler. Ho was regarded as something of a "human catapult,” and by his action lie has become known as the "hopper." He has real nip off the pitch, and for a bowler of his pace he does much in the air. Eead played for England in the final Test with the South Africans last season. In first-class cricket last season he took just on 100 wickets at some 22 runs apiece.

Sims, J. M. (Middlesex), who is 31 years of age, is a really fine spin bonder. A few years ago he was looked upon as a promising opening batsman, but lie has since concentrated more upon bowling, and has met with much success. Last season he took over 130 wickets at an average of about 20 runs per wicket, and he.made well over 600 runs. Played in third Test against South Africans.

Smith, D. (Derbyshire), who ■will be 29 years of age on January 24, is regarde.d as one of._ the best left-banded

batsmen in England; in fact, such was the English selectors’ opinion of him that he was played in three of the Tests with the South Africans. He scored over 2000 runs in the season, averaging about 40 runs per innings, with a score of 225 as his highest. As an opening batsman he is looked upon as one of the strongest candidates for the Test team to go to Australia. The following members played for England last season in- the Tests with the South Africans: E. R. T. Holmes (second Test), N. S. Mitchell-Innes (first), J. Langridgo (second), D. Smith (third and fourth), W. Barber (third and fourth), J. Hardstaif (third), J. M, Sims (third), and H. P. Bead (fifth)^