CRICKET PROSPECTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19777, 26 October 1927, Page 16

CRICKET PROSPECTS.

fTHE FORTHCOMING SEASON. REPRESENTATIVE MATCHES. PLAYERS FOR TEST GAMES. The 1927-28 cricket season will soon be in full swing in Auckland and it promises to be an exceptionally successful one. Club practices have already been held, good musters being the order at all nets. The Auckland Association hopes to commence the competitions on Saturday, but as the grounds were considerably worn during the football season, it is doubtful if a start will be made. There have been few changes in the local teams during the summer vacation and practically the same elevens as last season will represent the yarious clubs. Eden, which won the championship last vear, will again have the services of Gillespie, who, in most quarters, was considered very unlucky in not gaining a place in the New Zealand team, which visited England. That fine left-hand batsman, J. E. Mills, who distinguished himself in England, should, with the experience gained, prove of even greater service to the team than previously. Cooper and. Whelan, two representative players, ■will be among the eleven. A youth in the team who shows promise is Weir, the ex-Mount Albert Grammar School captain. Loss of Bacre. It is probable that Dacre, the North Shore captain, will play throughout the season, which, unfortunately, may be his last in Auckland for a time, as he has signed an engagement with the Gloucester Club,- England. However, like the English coaches, he may travel to and fro. Jlontieth, Player, and Frater will also be playing again. Anthony, the ex-Canterbury and Auckland representative, is expected to bo in the Parnell eleven, which will also include Irving, who, when in form, is a fine batsman. D. M. Maclaren, who formerly represented the West Christchurch senior eleven, in Canterbury, is a promising left-hand bowler. Grafton will be without Wilson, the 'Auckland representative, who has left 'Aucklandl His bowling would have considerably strengthened the Grafton attack. Allcott will have to bear the brunt of the bowling. C. A. Snedden and Horspool will play again, and it is probable that several junior players will be called on to build up the team. University will field a good team, includcluding Smeeton, Mathieson, and R. Garrard. The ex-Auckland Grammar school captain, Schnauer, is sure to find a place in the eleven, and, if he can reproduce his school form, should meet with success. Both Ponsonby and Y.M.C.A. will field practically last year's elevens. N. C. Snedden will be playing for Ponsonby and Y.M.C.A. will again have the services of E H. Bowley. It is not yet known to which club ,T. Langridge, who came out with Bowley, will be assigned. Plunket Shield Matches. The representative season will be a busy one for Auckland. Two Plunket Shield matches will be played here against Canterbury and Otago, while the usual match will be played against Wellington. The Plunket Shield match against the last-named province will be played in Wellington. This year Auckland will be called on to withstand strong opposition on account of both Canterbury and Otago having the services of the English players, Newman and Eastman, respectively. The inclusion of these professionals will add considerable interest to the matches. The first representative match in Auckland will .commence on December 31 against Otago. The New Zealand team to play against the touring Dominion players in the test matches at Wellington and Christchurch will soon have to be announced. With the inclusion of four of the English coaches in each test a very strong eleven can be mustered. The remaining places will give the selectors cause for thought, as there is plenty of good talent to choose from. Players who arc likely to bo considered are:—Gillespie, Cooper, Mathieson (Auckland); Worker, Hollings, Lambert (Wellington); Read, Crawford, Boon, Talbot, Nixon, Roberts (CanterburyJ ; Dickinson, Galland, A. W. Alloo (Otago). Hiddlestone (Wellington) is at present in England. Boon, who has gained his New Zealand cap as a wicketkeeper, is almost assured of this position In the team. The English coaches who have engagements in New Zealand are:—E. H. Bowlev, J. Langridge (Auckland): F. T. Badcock (Wellington) ; B. B. Wilson (North Taranaki); J. Newman (Canterbury); L. C. Eastman (Otago). The New Zealand cricket eleven will commence a four-days' match asainst New .South Wales, in Sydney, on Friday.