STAR CRICKET

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 10822, 11 February 1921, Page 8

STAR CRICKET

GREAT INTEREST TAKEN MATCH BETWEEN AUSTRALIA AND WELLINGTON. The Basin Reserve will be the Mecca to-day of every citizens who can possibly got away from the hum-drum of life if only .for an hour. The occasion is the opening match in New Zealand between the chosen of Australia and the Welling* ton representative team. The visitor* are a strong combination in all departments of the same, and the Wellington who wrested the Plunket. Shield from Auckland after one of the mod exciting and interesting gamee witnessed in the empire city are confident that they will make a good showing. Judging by the large number of citizens who .have watched the teams at practice, a record attendance is assured, and in ord„er to accommodate tho crowd the association has procured a large number of extra seats. The care that has been taken by 'Mr A. Brewer in preparing the wicket proves that it will be in perfect condi-., tion. and as there is everv prospect o! , the present warm weather continuing the ; game shouM be an epoch one in the annals of New Zealand cricket. j Provision has been made for presenting the detailed scores together with the names of the batsmen and bowlers to the pub lie. To this end in addition to the offl* : cial programme a large board has been I erected near the gates at the northern i entrance to the reserve, and persons by , referrina' to it will see at a glance how | the match is progressing. The pro- j gramme itself is a souvenir one, and it r has been so well compiled that an en- j thnsiast will he ahe to keep a minute : record of the scores, which can be verified : by those on the board, and from present , appearances the demand will be greater j tham the supply. | THE TEAMS. The following players were chosen j terday to represent Australia s— V. S. Ransford (captain), J 3. L. Waddy (v*ce- , c&ptain), P. Hormbrook, H. Iremonger, A. Kippax, A. TV. Lampard, A. E. Liddi- : cutt, L. Peliew, A. Ratcliffe, V. Richard- I son, and Dr J- Bogle. Emergency: B. B. | Forsborg. The Wellington team will be as follow :—TV. S. Brice (captain). A- Finlayson>« J. S. Hiddleston, F. S. Middleton, H. JB. Burton, TV. TVarce, E. M. Phillips. • J. A. Bruce, J. W. Gondiiffe, H. Lambert, and W. Barclay. Emergencies: TV. ! A. Baker and A. DoDeghue. Mosers J. R. Gardner and C. Webb will 1 'bj*_ ? i’ixe captain of the team. - Vernon 1 Rausford, is Victoria s great left-handed ' b itsman. Re entered firsts ass crieJet ; when he was 18 years of agr, and is now * only 36, and had.a splendid batting aver- ! age a few seasons ago. This season he 5 made 92 runs in 122 minutes iii a dab ! match at Melbourne, and is striking form ? again. j A. W. Lampard (Victoria) is also a bats- ; man of note, and played against Douglas's English team, coming out with a score of : 111 runs made in masterly style. I H. Ironmonger, who is a professional : attached to the Melbourne Cricket Club’s * ground; is probably the best bowler of • the team, and the quality of his trundling is such that many thought he should have been chosen to play against England ; in the test marshes. As cricketers, every member of the team has merit to commend him. and much, could be said of their prowess with the bat or ball as well as in the field, but tho public is well acquainted with* the qualities of the men, and will have on opportunity of seeing them for themselves to-day. THE VISITORS. Th© Australian team is very strong in batting, bowling and fielding. The team has one player who has represented Australia with distinction in test matchee, and three players whosa claim to inclu- ; sion in Australia’s team against the Englishmen in this season’s test games have . been urged. The. remainder . include some potential test match players of the future. Although all the members are Inter-State players, the team has yout hand vigour. Besides providing a team which will assist in the development of the game in New Zeeland, the Australian Board of Cricket Control is assisting some of the most • promising young players in the 'Commonwealth to the ripening process that is afforded by a cricket tour in which matches are played under varying conditions. 'Possibly, too. the visit to New Zealand may be some degree of compensation to two or three members of the team who just failed to get into the test matches against the Englishmen. THE AUCKLAND SELECTION. The Auckland Cricket Association has selected the following team to represent Auckland against Australia on February 18th, 19th t ad 21st; —S. G. Smith. R. W. Kowntree, A. S. Plaver, C. A. Snod«ien R. Somervell, L. G. Hemus, tE. Horspool, A. Anthony, R. Garrard. H. Gillespie. E. McLeod. Reserves; A. Irving, R. Taylor.