CRICKET.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18234, 30 October 1922, Page 4

CRICKET.

AUCKLAND ASSOCIATION.

FINAL PRACTICE MATCHES.

The final practice matches and net practice g&rnes under the auspices of the Auckland Cricket Association, prior to the official opening or the grade championship competition on .November 4, were played on Saturday. The weather was duil and threatening, but the rain which fell did not seriously interfere with the wicketa. Ponsonby and North Shore team* played practice matches on the Shore ground at Devouport. The wickets were good, and the outfields better, with the exception, of Remuera, than any other ground in Auckland. The senior match between Ponsonby and North Shore resulted in a close win for North Shore, by one run. Ponsonby won the tose, and took first strike, compiling 178 runs. Seven batsmen retired, and only three wickets were taken. Burton, late of Wellington, batted well, while Flynn, Smith. Hamilton and Snedden also showed good forny North Shore replied with a first innings total of 179. Scott was the principal contributor with -a well-compiled 73, but tihe batsman had a " life "■ early in his innings, and was lucky to reach hi 6 score. The wicket and conditions were in favour of the batsmen, and the best bowling performance was that of Hamilton, of Ponsonby, who secured four wickets. The ground noldins wae smart and clean. Paraell and Grafton played practice matches at the Remuera ground. Good form was shown, particularly by several of the junior playersUniversity teams held net practice on the Domain, and Eden, had a good practice at Eden Park. The grade championships will be commenced at Eden Park and Remuera grounds on Saturday, wickets on these grounds and at North Shot© being available, but thera is doubt about wickets 'bsing available at Victoria Park. The draw for the first round will be made on Wednesday.

THE ENGLISH TEAM. CRITICISM OF ITINERARY. [BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] CHRISTCHURCH. Saturday. At the annual meeting of the New Zealand Cricket Council a statement that there had been a lack or appreciation m many quarters of the work of the Management Committee in connection with the tour of Maabaren's Maryiebone Cricket Club team was ma£e by Mr. G. S. Barrett, who. is chairman ot the committee. The committee, ho. said, had done its best in arranging tho itinerary, yet many districts seemed to think they had been passed over. It was impossible to .arrange more matches in the period for which the team would be in the Dominion. There had been criticism because the team waa to have two days at Lake Wakatipu and Rotorua. These visits nad been fitted in, and they would not actually prevent matches from being played. " Morubers of the team aro Engl.sh gentlemen,'* he said, " and they must not be treated .like hired gladiators. We cannot rush them round. By motor.'.ng them for 60 r/iiles it would be possible to play a one-day match at New Plymouth, but the committee does not propose to do this. Instead,- it is giving them a trip on tne Wanganui River." Mr. Barrett further stated that the committee in arranging the itinerary had sought opinions from men prominent in the game in New Zealand. Mr. P. F. Warner's team had come out principally to Nevi' Zealand, and it had a longer stay -than Mac.Laren's side would have. Warner's team' had involved the expenditure of £3400. The expenses of the tour of MocLaren's side vt;ere likely to amount to £9000Yet tho council laad been able to secure exceptional terms, much better than, ever be ore. Mr. Barrett also made reference to a com-, templated tour of England by a New Zealand t«»m in 1925. If. the council made the financial success anticipated from the English team's vis'i there was nothing surer than that a New Zealand side would be *ent away. Mr. H. D. Swan, the representative of the council in England, had expressed the oninion that such » team wciH pet such a good reception in England that tne to"r might even be a financial success. It would be a team composed of young men. SUBURBAN ASSOCIATION. SENIOR OPENING POSTPONED. The official opening ß of the senior grade competition under the auspices of the Auckland Suburban Cricket Association, which was to have been held at the Domain on Saturday, was postponed owing to no match wickets being .available. • Practice wickets, which had been prepared, were used by players of several of the teams, but tho bumping bail was frequently dangerous, and the practice was nullified. An effort will be made to open the competition next Saturday, but this depends on the preparation of match wickets. * Y.M.C.A.- BOYS' CLUB. The Y.M.C.A. Boys' Cricket Club has elected the following • officers:—Management Committee, Messrs. G. W. Adair, F. Paton, D. McM'ken, W. Tredrea, R. Beanland and R. Martin. Third grade: Team's captain. D. McMiken; vice-captain, R. Beanland. Fourth grade, A: Carttajn, F.'Paton; vicecaptain. S. Smith. Fourth grade. B: Captain, W. Tredrea; vice-captain, S. Hunter. MORRINSVILLE ASSOCIATION. At the annual meeting of the Morrinsville Cricket Association, the following officers were elected:-r-Patron. Colonel S. S. Allen; president, Mr. A. M. Humphreys; vir4»pr<«sidentfl, Colonel R. C. Allen. Messrs. W. Aitken, D. D, Denny, W. Scholium, W. R. Lowry, E- Bodmin: secretary and treasurer, Mr. E. Scott.