CRICKET TEST

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22319, 17 January 1936, Page 10

CRICKET TEST

j MATCH AT WELLINGTON | M.C.C. V. NEW ZEALAND I PLAY COMMENCES TO-DAY PROSPECTS FAVOUR VISITORS The second unofficial test cricket i match between the Marylebone Cricket j Club and New Zealand will be commenced at the Basin Reserve, Wellington. to-day. The home team was very ! disappointing in the first test match I at Dunedin a week ago, the game end- | nig in a draw, much in favour of ! MX'.C. New Zealand was dismissed in ! its first innings for 81, and M.C.C. de- ! clared its innings closed with 653 for I fivy wickets. Rain interfered with play i on the last- day, New Zealand losing | seven wickets for 205. Providing the wicket is fast and ' weather conditions hold, prospects for j the match coitimencing to-day appear j greatlv in favour ot the visiting players. ! In spite of the fact that four changes j have been mada in the home side, it is very doubtful whether the majority of the batsmen will be able to cope with Head, M.C.C."s fast bowler. The inclusion of Kerr. Canterbury Wallace, the Auckland colt, and Blandford, Wellington, should strengthen the bati ting. Cromb, the New Zealand captain, has a problem in finding a good opening partner for Kerr. Blundell and Roberts will probably share most of the bowling, which is by no means strong, considering the matting talent of the visitors. Blundell has been bowling in his best form this season, and on his home ground may prove troublesome. If the wicket wears .at all, the service-"; of Merritt will be j sadly missed, also if the wicket is J sticky. j The chances of New Zealand would j be better on a soft wicket, but even I under these conditions M.C.C. has spin i bowlers well capable of using them to ! advantage. The fielding of the New Zea- | land team in the first test was so bad I that a vast improvement is j The New Zealand team for to-day is ! as follows: —I. 15. Cromb (Canterbury), ! captain; J. L. Kerr (Canterbury); A. IW. Roberts (Canterbury); H. G. j Vivian (Auckland); G. L. Weir (Auckland); W. M. Wallace (Auckland); | J. A. R. Biandford (Wellington); J. | R. Lamason (Wellington); D. A. R. i Moloney (Wellington); E. D. Biun- ! dell (Wellington); and C. S. Elmes | (Otago).

FAST WICKET LIKELY

HOLMES DOUBTFUL PLAYER i ! [by telegbaph—OWN correspondent] WELLINGTON, Thursday Prospects are for good conditions for ' the commencement of the second test | cricket match between M.C.C. and New I Zealand to-morrow at the Basin Rej serve. The wicket and outfield are in j splendid order, and much improved j from a batting viewpoint. Both teams practised this afternoon. ! There is uncertainty regarding M.C.C.'s i captain. Although he hopes to play, 1 Holmes has an injured hand. In the •; absence of Holmes, Lyttelton is exj pec-ted to captain the team. ! Cromb. the New Zealand captain, j will probably partner Kerr as opening j batsman. The feeling locally is that Whitelaw could have been included to I solve the difficulty, or Mills given another chance, although the lefthander's fielding probably told against him. It is also thought- that the inclusion of Mat:he«on would have strengthened the attack. Morgan, Wellington, will be twelfth man.