S. AFRICAN CRICKET.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18631, 12 February 1924, Page 4

S. AFRICAN CRICKET.

THE TEAM FOR ENGLAND. STRONG COMBINATION, I - . • * YOUNG BOWLER INCLUDED. [from our own correspondent.] CAPETOWN, Jan. 11. ' The cricket team that South Africa will send to England has now been definitely chosen. It is as follows: — H. W. Taylor (Natal), captain, A. D. Noureo (Natal), 11. H. Catterall (Rhodesia), H. G. Deane (Transvaal), M. J. Susskind (Transvaal)) M. J. Commaille (Western Province), P. A. M. Hands (Western Province), J. M. Blanckenberg (Natal), E. P. Nupen (Transvaal), C. P. Carter (Natal), D. J. Mcintjes (Transvaal), G. Bissett (Griquas), P. Dixon (Transvaal), T. A. Ward (Transvaal), and G. Hearno (South Western). That this team will give very general satisfaction to cricket enthusiasts, there is no doubt. Its success must, of coarse, to some extent depend upon the weather that prevails during the coming English summer, and upon 'the way those who are' to carry South Africa's fortunes accommodate themselves to the different and varying wickets. Most South African batsmen find it easy enough to got runs when playing on matting ; many of them have yet to experience the subtleties of English turf wickets. The batting strength of this team is decidedly strong, though much will depend upon H. W. Taylor's complete restoration to health after his recent illness. The South African captain will have at bis 'command a fine array of batsmen, many of whom on a dry wicket, are certain of a three-figure innings. These are Taylor, Nourse, Catterall, Deane, Suss-' kind, Commaille, Hands and Hearne, while obviously there aro possibilities of runs from Blanckenberg, Nupen, Mcintjes and Ward. Indeed, so far as run-making is concerned, the team is one of the strongest combinations South Africa has ever placed in the field. The British cricket enthusiast, wilt be keen to seo Blanckenberg and Nupen in action. In South Africa they are easily ranked as the best bowlers in the country. They are essentially brainy bowlers and both have been responsible for having beaten some of the greatest of English j batsmen. This again ha* been on matting wickets, but it is not likely that they will be inconvenienced by turf. In fact, on a soft wicket they should be extremely deadly. Blanckenberg goes overseas with a great name. One famous English batsman has said of Blanckenberg that he is one of the four greatest, medium paced bowlora in the world to-day. Bissett is the first bowler of the team, and his selection has been something of a surprise to cricket enthusiasts out here. As a matter of fact, however, the eyes of the selectors have been on this young man ever since the visit of the M.C.C. team to Sotuth Africa Inst year, when close students predicted that Bissett was South Africa's coming fast bowler. It was decided that a fast bowler mast be sent to England whose batsmen, it may be remembered, fared badly against the fast bowlers of Australia. And Bissett is said to have tho fastest delivery of any known bowler in this country. There is not a really poor fielder in the team. In this respect, it can bo safely said that it wilT equal anything that England can put in the field. Altogether, the announcement of the selection- committee has been received without criticism, which indicates that South African cricket enthusiasts believe that the best has been selected.