CRICKET.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18235, 31 October 1922, Page 4

CRICKET.

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

The final practice matches and net practice games played on Saturday revealed in ?nost instances promising possibilities for the opening of the season next Saturday. Players are specially interested in the approaching season consequent on the championship competitions, the Auckland team's southern tour, and the visit of the English team under the captaincy of Mr. A. C. MacLaren. Such enthusiasm has scarcely been evinced in local cricket circles for a decade. The result is most marked in the attendances at the practice matches and the 'evening net practices. It is yet too early in the season to prophesy the standard of play in senior cricket, but after the opening matches, before the English team's arrival, opportunity will be afforded players to .strike somo semblance of form before it will be necessary to line out Auckland's best side against the English eleven. Although there has been unfortunate delay in th« preparation .of botn practice and match wickets, special eSorts are being made to make up for the tune lost for practice. During the weak evening practice, where possible, has been carried out, but not always with the besc results, owing to the poor wickets available. Ine Domain, which should be a first-class cricket ground at this period of the season, is, to say the least, in a sorry state for. the summer pastime. The poor practice wickets prepared have not been to the liking of players, a number of whom actually refused to play on the pitches owing to the danger of a bumpy ball and the possibility of a serious injury before the championship competitions commence. In the circumstances it is regrettable that more attention by the authorities has not been siven to this ground, which in its day was one of the finest cricket areas in the Dominion, but to-day is probably one of the woist. The possibilities of the Domain are most marked, and although it is too late to prepare a really first-class "pitch." such as the English team might be pleased to play on. it is not too late to prepare practice wickets on which local players may be assured of good practice. Without the danger of a fast, rising, bumpy ball pulling the batsmen off their game. Practice under such conditions is not only harmful and dangerous, but is against the best efforts to strike real cricket form which is. so necessary among Auckland players this season. One of the best grounds in Auckland at present is the North Shore ground at Devonport. This turf, on which muck money has been expended and good work put in, is a credit to the club. The pity . is that the North Shore ground is not nearer the city, but the trip across the harbour is ft pleasant one. and the possibilities when one reaches there are fully realised. It is practically certain that many senior matches will be played at North Shore this season. The North Shore turf Has been topdressed with Port Albert soil, which has been found to be excellent for the special requirements of cricket grounds. The outfield is claimed to be, with the exception of Remuera. the best in Auckland to-day. Another fine ground is that st Remuera— an area which the Auckland Cricket Association, after serious consideration, wisely decided to secure a lease of Bgsin th"'s season. The ground will • be available for senior cricket, and with the preparation of good match wickets many interesting contests and fine individual performances with bat and ball and in she field may be expected-

linprovements at Eden Park.

Many improvements have been made at Edon Park since last season. Cricketers and the public will greatly benefit by the alterations and the changes that have been effected for the comfort of players and spectators- One of the most striking additions is the erection of a new and up-to-date scoring board, which is second to none in. New Zealand, ancT foossibly equalled in completeness only by that at Lancaster Park, Christchurch. The public will have an opportunity of recognising the benefits of- the scoring board to supreme advantage when A. C. MacLaren's team plays Auckland •in the opening match of the tour. Other improvements which will be appreciated .by spectators are the terracing of the hill-side, and the seating accommodation generally, the whole forming an amphitheatre from which an excellent view of the field can be secured from any position. This, in view of the Auckland team's match against the English side, and the championship competitions, will make Eden Park exceedingly nopular. There is only one thing lacking, from a press point of view, and -that is adequate accommodation for the press. Trr's matter only reauireg to be brought under the notice of the authorities to secure the service, which would be. greatly appreciated. For the rest. Eden Park is. well, served, and with • good match wickets available on No. 1 and No. 2 grounds'the prosnects for play, players and public is unusually attractive. It is enrtainly the irony of fate that the date of the arrival of the English team at Auckland , should dash with i the date. December 7, suggested by the Prime Minister for the general elections. The date of the opening mutch of the tour is December 8, the day following the elections. Mr. Dan Beese. the ex-Canterbury and Naw Zealand representative cricketer,; who was in Auckland last week, consulted the local authorities respecting the arrangements for the English team's visit. It has been decided bv the New Zealand Council to despatch Mr. W. H. Winsor, treasurer, on tour of the Dominion in the interests of the council.

A. P. F. Chapman, the tall Cambridge Mt-hander. who isto b» a member of A. C. MacLnren's team in New Zealand, is reported to have, given of his best in the sound and very attractive innings of 160 which he placed for Gentlemen against Players at Lords a Tew weeks ago. The first 'match of the M.C.C. team was a one-dav contest against Ceylon at CMomho. The Ceylon team, batting first, compiled 347 for five wifkete, when the innings '-was declared. Gibson secured two wickets for 26, T T nrtl»y one for 23. Calthorpe one for 19, Hill-Wood one for 21. The M.C.C. team lost four wickets for 100. .Titmarsh scored 41, Wilkinson 6. Calthorpe 20, Chapman 19. HillWood (n«t out) 3. Lowry (not out) 5; extras 6. The match was drawn. Mr. Frank fihftcklock. the well-known exFnglish cricketer, who bus been coaching in New Zealand for many years, has been appointed to teach the Canterbury colts this season- - _ PlayijiK- for M.C.C, at Lords against Cambridge University, Hendren completed his 1000 runs for the season by scoring 44 in tn» first innings, befora being caught. A Incident. " Progress of the match between Notts and Hampshire at Trent Bridge." relates London Sporting Life of September 1. ", wa » marred by an extraordinary , incident, which culminated in Newman, one of the Hampshire bowlers, being ordered off the field by his captain. Newman was at some pains to rearrange his field preparatory to trying an experiment of bowling round the wicket, and a section of the crowd on the popular side subjected him to some barracking, which was renewed when he again hesitated before entering upon his next over. The sequel was that Lionel Tennyson, the Hants captain, took him off and ordered him to the pavilion, Newman kicking the wicket down as he retired: The Hampshire captiiin, interviewed, informed the press that the bowler used objectionable remarks. Npxt day Newman, having apologised, reappeared in the ga<me. The incident is unique in cricket.

INTERPROVINCIAL MATCHES. [BY TELEGRAPH. —pWN CORRESPONDENT.! CHRISTCHURCH. Monday. At a meeting of th© Management Committee of the Canterbury Cricket Association the Auckland Association wrote asking if it would be suitable to the Canterbury Association for the Auckland-Canterbury match to be played at the New Year. " I hope this suits you," the secretary of the Auck'and Association wrote. "as we are up against it." The Otago Association WTote that the end of JanUaxy would euit it best for the Otago-Canterbury match m Dunedin. January 28 was suggested as the most suitable date. Subject to advice from Auckland £nd. Wellington as to the . dates of their respective tours, it was decided to approve the dates suggested by Auckland and Otago.