AUSTRALIAN CRICKETERS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 7 February 1928, Page 6

AUSTRALIAN CRICKETERS

MATCH AGAINST NELSON PREVIOUS .VISITS RECALLED Cricket lovers are assured of a rare treat fcext week, when the: Australians will visit Nelson, playing the first match of their tour here. Nelson has been somewhat unfortunate i:i the matter of Australian visits, bill on the other hand has been extremely fortunate in tiiu teams secured when it has been its turn for a visit. Tln> only previous visits have been in 18fctl and 1914, and in the three teams Nclsonians will have seen some of the finest cricketers the world has ever known. Thus in 1881 there were SpofTorth, Murdoch, Boyle, Palmer, Blackhain and McDonnell; and in 1914, Victor Trumpet', Noble, Armstrong, Collins, Laver and Crawford. The present team includes Ponsford ("the batting machine" 'who in successive interptate innings recently scored 132, 437, 202, 380, and 336), Wocdfull, who topped the Australian averages in England, Kipp'ax whose amazing run of scores compares with Ponsford, Oldfield, the best wick-et-keeper in the world, Oriminett, the great slow bowler, and Blackie regarded as Australia's best bowler at the present time. Every man is good enough to play in the Australian XI to-day, and the tests next season will see mnet of. the Australian team drawn from these players. The Australians will arrive, here next Wednesday and play a two-day match against the local team on the. same day and on,Thursday. The match will attract .great ijnterest nil over NewZealand. Despite the weather conditions the wicket at the Park is being maintained in-good order, although the outfield is very dry and hard. The local association has to guarantee £IOO for the match, besides standing some of the expenses of the game, so it is hoped that everyone interested in sport in the district will attend and thus help the local cricketers*, besides seeing players among the world's best. The 1881 Nelson team (22) comprised Fayou, S. Fowler, G. Fowler, H. Boddiiigton, Halliday, J. P. Firth, La wry, L. Balrnain, T. Eden, W. Eden. Arnott, E. Boddington, Greenfield, J. Wigzell, Knyvett. H. Balrnain, A. Lines, D. Burns, Navlor, -Silcock, ' Bolton and Hale.

In 1914 the. 15 consisted of Broad, Saxon, Neale, Stead, Allcott, Richmond. Vercoe, Saunders, Smith, Lane, T. Knapp, Coleman, Stratton, Thomas and Havcock.