FIRST CRICKET TEST.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19896, 15 March 1928, Page 8

FIRST CRICKET TEST.

NEW ZEALAND TEAM.

INCLUSION OF ROWNTREE.

ONE OR TWO SURPRISES. [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION. J CHRISTCHURCH, Wednesday. The following cricket team has been selected to represent New Zealand against the Australians in tho first test match at Auckland, commencing on Saturday, March 24: — T. C. Lowry (flawke's Bay). F. T. Badcock (Wellington). H. Mj McGirr (Wellington). C. S. Dempster (Wellington). H. Foley (Wellington). C. G. Finiayson (Wellington). R. W. Rowntree (Auckland). N. Gallichan (Palmerstou North). G. Dickinson (Otago). W. E. Merritt (Canterbury). I. M. Hamilton (Canterbury). The following players were not available: —Mills, James, Page and Blunt.

There are certainly one or two surprises in the selection, Foley's performances in Plunket Shield matches have won him a place. Finiayson, of the Petone Club, Wellington, was not selected to play for his province in the Shield games, nor against the Australians. He is a very fine club bowler and a useful bat. Gallichan is fortunate to gain a place, even on his performance against Auckland a few weeks ago. Evidently the selectors were looking for a left-hand bowler. Hamilton's innings against the Australians at Christchurch has won him his place apparently. Aucklanders will naturally feel disappointed with a sole representative, the wicketkeeper. With so many players not available, the side is not up to New Zealand's best standard.