CRICKET NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19889, 7 March 1928, Page 16

CRICKET NOTES.

AUSTRALIAN TEAM'S TOUR.

MATCH AGAINST AUCKLAND.

f AVERAGES OF THE PLAYERS*

The Australians will commence the match of their tour against a - combined North Island and Waikato team to day. Unlike other minor associations the Waikato authorities wisely decided to strengthen their team with outside players, and a good gate should be the outcome of the decision. Included in the combined team are H. M. McGirr, F. Tn Badcock and H. Lambert (Wellington), W. Garrard (Rotorua), and N. Gallichan (Manawatu), T. C. Lowry was asked to take a place in the side, but was unable to accept the offer. McGirr will captain the team.

The match between the Australians and 'Aucldand will be played on Friday, Saturday, and Monday next. It will be interesting at this stage to give the averages of the two teams. In the case of tha Australians the bowling figures are not quite complete, as the bowling analysis was not telegraphed from Oamaru when North Otago made 268 for six wickets in its second innings. The Averages. The figure* are as follows:

A glance at the above averages indicates that there are nine players in the Auckland team able to bowl. Between them they should provide plenty of variety. It is to be hoped all the talent will not be required in the forthcoming matclh, though, in view of Canterbury's experience, it is quite likely most of the nine will get a turn with the ball.

Poasford and Woodfull. Ponsford and Woodfull have fine batting averages. Richardson, the captain, has' been a little disappointing so far, but thera is plenty of time for him to strike form.

The club averages of the Weir Bros, appear formidable, but they have been greatly assisted by not out innings. Grimmett's bowling average is a remarkably fine one for a slow bowler. Should the Eden Park wicket be sticky be will be most troublesome.

J. Langridge, the Sussex professional, was suffering from a septic arm on Saturday and did not take his place in the Ponsonby team. He will be unable to play for the North Island team against the Australians at Waikato to-day, but hopes to be all right by "Friday. With such good conditions prevailing on Saturday, it was expected the wickets would be all in favour of the batsmen. The reverse position obtained at North Shore, however, and, as can be gauged from the bowling averages, the fast trundlers were Very much assisted by the wicket. The pitch crumbled considerably and in several places where the ball hit small holes wßre clearly detectable. These naturally made it difficult for a batsman to keep his wicket intact.

A Fault With Batsmto.

A noticeable fault with senior batsmen in the Auckland Cricket Association's competitions is the practice of handling the ball in returning it to the bowler. This sets « bad example to junior players, and, if the fielding side were to appeal, the umpire would have no option but to give the batsman out. The sporting element certainly com9s into the game, but instances have been noted where batsmen have been given out for handling the ball, which is obviously a breach of the rules. - Consistent batting on the part of at least nine players bas been a feature of senior matches this season under the control of the Auckland Suburban Cricket Association., L. Breese has been the most successful batsman in the competition, and the Harbouv Board captain heads the list with a fine average Df 91.33. He has batted eight times for 548 runs, including, three centuries, 116, 114 and 155 not out, which score' is the.highest made this season. Breese played two uncompleted innings. ■ ,

One ol the Season's "Finds."

W. Fletcher, Ponsonby, is second on the list with an average of 61,57. The colt, who is one of the "finds" of the season, has scored 431 runs in eight innings,' one of which was 95 not out.

A. Gedye is one of the most reliable rnngetters in the grade, and in ten innings the Ellerslie batsman has scored 464 runs. His highest score is 84 and his average 46.40. A Dunning has had fonr innings only, and his highest score of 102 not out is included in a total of 135 runs, an average of 45. J. F. W. Dickson has had a sequence of four not-onts in seven innings in which the Ponsonby captain scored 1.32 runs. He Has a good average of 44. W. Turner, Harbour Board, knocked up 248 runs in seven innings, an average of 41.33. He also has a century to his credit. The following 'table shows who have been the most prominent scorers:—

BATTING. Australia. Batsman, Ins. N.O. H.S. Buns Av. W H. Punsford « 8 1 148 572 81.71 w Woodfuil -« 7 2 165 390 78.00 A Jaokson .. 6 1 110 343 68.60 A. Kippa* .. 6 — 115 279 46.50 B. Oxenham .. 6 •— 169 222 37.00 K. Schneider 8 1 138 244 34.85 W Oldfield . 6 — 137 173 28.83 W Alexander .. 5 — 30 125 25.00 y. Bichardson A. 7 1 47 141 23.60 p. Morton 6 3 22* 46 23.00 B. MoNaxnee . 4 1 39 68 22.68 C. Grimmett .. 6 1 59 113 22.60 D. Blackie . 4 1 11* . 16 5.33 Auckland. Batsman Ins. N.O. H.S. Buna. Av. G. 11. Weir 5 4 44* J13 113.00 A. F. Wait . . 7 3 112* 418 104.50 I. W. Cooper .. 8 — 86 432 54.00 J. Lanffridge . . 12 — 149 543 45.25 E. ' H. Bowley . 10 — 110 434 43.40 W. Handy . . 14 2 101* 415 34.58 A. Anthony . . 12 2 69 328 32.80 A. S. Flayer . 9 — 57 222 24.68 N. C. Snedden . 12 1 55 232 21.09 H. Boy .. 9 S 37* 57 9.50 B. W. Bowntree . 8 — 30 47 5.87 <• • Signifies not oat. BOWLING. Australia. Bowler. Buns. Wkts. At. V. ' . 7 1 7.C0 c. V. Orimmeti 530 So 14.72 F. L. Morton »« • > 193 11 17.54 B. McNamee • • . 146 7 20.85 B. K. Oxen ham • * % 2S0 11 20.90 D. J. Blackia 308 14 22.00 K. J. Schneider •> . 25 1 25.00 A. Kippai . . . 22 — —■ Auckland. Bowler. Buns. Wkts. Av. G. L. Weir ' * . 354 82 11.06 E. H. Bowley .. » . 314 27 11.62 A. Anthony - • k . 435 36 12.08 H. Boy „ 473 35 13.51 A. p. Weir . 411 21 19.57 N. C. Snedden . 4£? « 25 10.68 A. S. Player . 48fi 23 21.13 I. W. Cooncr . 429 1 8 23.83 J. Langridge . 492 20 24.60

Inn. N.O. H.8. Runs . A*. L. Brses® im 8 . 8 a 155* 548 91.33 W, Fletcher l , , 95* 431 61.57 A. Gedyo , .. 10 0 84 464 46.40 A. Dunning . 4 l 102* 135 45.00 W Dici:80n 7 4 88 132 44.00 ■».* .7 1 110 248 41.33 T. Kij^bpja© 7 3 .100* 208 AIM g« RoM?is .. 7 0 77 274 39.14 6. H. Burton .10 I 64 275 30.55