SEASON'S CRICKET PROSPECTS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 19 October 1937, Page 6

SEASON'S CRICKET PROSPECTS

CHAMPIONSHIP OPENING COLLEGE GROUND READY FOR FLAY WICKETS NEED RAIN Usually in the spring preparation work is retarded by wet weather, but this season lack of rain is causing delay in getting grounds into a lit condition for play. The grounds came through the winter exceptionally well and the College ground has perhaps never been better, as it was drastically treated in the autumn and football lias been kept off it all the winter. Senior games will commence there on Saturday. At the Park rain is badly needed, but it should be possible to start there the following Saturday. The Hospital ground at Stoke is ready and junior games will start on Saturday. Tahuna is backward and has not received the usual attention, while the wickets at the Botanies are also backward. It is understood that the country wickets also are not in very good order. A good rain, however, would settle most of the difficulty. FEW NEW PLAYERS There does not seem much change likely to be seen in the local senior teams except Wakatu are likely to be hard hit by the loss of Du Feu (in Wellington), Mcllwraith (in Auckland), and Brown (probably transferring to Old Boys). No new' players seem to be about, but it is said that two country players are likely to play in town. The Hawke Cup preliminary with Marlborough is due to be played in Blenheim this year as Nelson did not go to Blenheim for the match last year. The Newman Shield is field by the City Association and the first game for this should be about Christmas time. PRACTICE NIGHT Town players will greatly appreciate the action of the Athletic and Cycling Club in changing their evening meeting night to Wednesday, and thus allowing Thursday to be available for cricket practice. Thursday was undoubtedly the key night for practice and players should show their appreciation by taking advantage in large numbers of the restoration of this night to them.

MATCHES AWAY In view of a dicussion at a recent association meeting as to Nelson’s lefek of success on outside grounds, a correspondent asks for the records in recent years against other minor associations. The list appears to be as follows, although it is possible a match may have been missed. (Marlborough matches arc omitted as they are frequent and the results familiar.)

v. Ilawkes Bay: 1924, won 2 wickets; 1925, won by an innings and 183; 1936 (colts), abandoned. v. Manawatu: 1924. drawn; 1925, won. 131 runs; 1921, won on first innings; 1929, lost, six wickets; 1936, lost, innings and 265. v. Wanganui: 1922, lost six wickets; 1924, won six wickets; 1925. won eight wickets; 1926, lost, four wickets.

v. Rangitikci: 1922, won. eight wickets

v. South Auckland: 1922, won. 118 runs; 1932, lost, 10 wickets; 1933, won, 121 runs.

v. Wairarapa: 1934, drawn; 1937 (colts), drawn. v. Wbst Coast: 1925, won, two wickets; 1933, won by innings. v. Taranaki: 1922, won; 1933, lost, 12 runs first innings. Matches 22, won 12, lost 6. In the same period about 10 games against Marlborough have been won and 2 lost.