M.C.C. ELEVEN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22349, 21 February 1936, Page 13

M.C.C. ELEVEN

MATCH WITH AUCKLAND PLAY COMMENCING TO-DAY STRONG VISITING TEAM WICKET TO EE COVERED The eagerly-awaited cricket match between the Marylebone touring side and the Auckland representative eleven will be commenced at Eden Park today at 11.30 o'clock. The game will be continued to-morrow and on Monday, play commencing at the same hour. In view of the bright and spectacular type of cricket played by the M.C.C. team during its tour to date, it is anticipated that the game at Eden Park will attract wide public interest. The M.C.C. side, which has shown itself to be a powerful one. includes eight players of test match status. In fact, with the exception of Jardine's test side, it is considered to be the strongest English eleven to visit the Dominion.

The team possesses an imposing array of batsmen, who are bound to delight Auckland enthusiasts with their free and attractive methods. The strength in batting is backed up by a varied and deadly attack, representative of some of the finest bowling talent in England, while the team's fielding capabilities have been the subject of enthusiastic comment in other cepfcres in the Dominion where it has played. The Fast Bowler In addition to the interest that will in the performances of such class batsmen as Mitchell-Innes, Holmes, Human. Smith, Hardstaff, Barber and Parks, cricket followers will be anxious to see Bead, the express bowler, in action. Although the Eden Park wicket is not conducive to fast bowling, giving very little of the "lift" necessary for the success of such bowlers, Read is expected to provide the spectators with a real exhibition of pace. Sims has bowled with outstanding success in New Zealand to date and it will be interesting to see how the Auckland batsmen shape against his slow deliveries. Auckland is fielding a powerful eleven, which is expected to fully extend the visitors. Vivian,, who was not available for the game against Wellington, will again captain the Auckland team. He should greatly strengthen the side with his all-round capabilities. The local batsmen should shape fairly well against the English attack, but a harder proposition faces the Auckland bowlers. The Hours oi Play The English - captain, Holmes, has agreed to the wicket being covered at any stage prior to or during the match. Messrs. D. L. Ryan and 0. R. Montgomery will be the umpires and the hours of play will be: —11.30 a.m. to 1 p.m., 1.45 p.m. to 3.45 p.m., 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. The captain of the visiting M.C.O. team, E. R. T. Holmes, and two other members of the side, the Hon. C. J. Lytt-elton and N. S. Mitchell-Innes, were the guests of Mr. F: Earl, K.C., president of the Auckland Cricket Association. at luncheon at the Northern Club yesterday. The chairman of the Auckland Association, Mr. W. R. Fee, was also present. , - PERSONNEL OF TEAMS PROBABLE ENGLISH SIDE SOME PLAYERS INDISPOSED Owing tc the fact that some of the M.C.C. players are suffering from minor ailments, the side for to-day is somewhat indefinite. Baxter is undergoing treatment for* his teeth, while Human has developed a chill. The teams, subject to late alteration in the M.C.C. side, are as follows: — M.C.C. AUCKLAND E. R. T. Holmes H. G. Vivian N. S. Mitchell- J. E. Mills Innes P- E. Whitelaw H. D. Read J. Cowie C. J. Lvttelton L. F. Townsend D. Smith W. M. Wallace J. Langridge D. R. Garrard g J. M. Sims G. Hook J. Hardstaff A. M. Matheson ,T. H. Parks A. J. Postles W. Barber D. B. Edmonds S. C. Griffith