CRICKET

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19967, 8 December 1926, Page 9

CRICKET

DURATION OF TEST MATCHES. THE SMALLER BALL PROPOSAL. (Pre«( Asscoiation —By telegraph—Copyright.) LONDON, December 6. “The Test match on the Oval was an unqualified success, and proved the necessity of the allocation of four days’ play,” said Sir Edwin Stockton, at the annual meeting of the Lancashire Cricket Club. “ Person ally, X believe that a settled policy of four days play would be more satisfactory, owing to England s varying weather conditions. The Australians will have to fight hard to regain the ashes, especially if more Lancashire players are included in English teams.” He added that over-prepared wickets greatly handicapped the bowlers. _ A smaller ball was a reform in the right direction. THE NEW ZEALAND TEAM. PROGRAMME OP MATCHES. LONDON, December 6. The fixtures for the New Zealand cricket team’s tour have been issued. The team will have practice games on May 4 and 7, and will open its real programme on May 9 at Holyport against Martineau’s eleven, winding up its tour on September 10.——A. and N.Z. Cable. NEW SOUTH WALES v. QUEENSLAND. MACARTNEY IN BRILLIANT FORM. SYDNEY, December 7. (Received Dec. 7, at 10 p.m.) The Sheffield Shield match between New South Wales and Queensland was commenced to-day. New South Wales in its first innings made 287 (Macartney 114 Andrews 62, Ratcliffe 28 not pnt). Bowling: Gill took three for 89, Bensted three for 26, and Oxenham three for 29. Queensland in its first innings had lost two for 48 when stumps were drawn. The weather was fine and the wicket was good. New South Wales opened badly, losing three for 37. Macartney stopped the rot, and during his partnership with Andrews the runs came quickly. Macartney gave a polished display, making all manner of shots on both sides of the wicket. Shortly after he was dismissed, Andrews went after playing a valuable innings. The remainder of the side was unable long to survive the exceptionally brilliant Queensland bowling. The fieding also was very keen. VICTORIA v. SOUTH AUSTRALIA. ADELAIDE, December 7. (Received Dec. 7, at 11 p.m.) Victoria in the second innings made 430 (Woodfull 84, Hendry 177, Willis 33), Williams took six for 146. South Australia in its second innings has lost three for 93 (Schneider 28,. A. Richardson 37). The weather was dull and threatening, and the wicket was good. Woodfull was unfortunate in being run out at the third ball after the commencement of play. Hendry played a fine fighting innings, scoring at a rapid rate on all sides of the wicket. He never gave a real chance. In the first innings South Australia made 481 and Victoria 315. NEW ZEALAND TEAM’S TOUR. APPOINTMENT OF SELECTORS. (Pee United Pbess Association.) AUCKLAND, December 7. The fact that Auckland is not represented on the Selection Committee to choose the New Zealand cricket team to tour England next year was commented upon at a meeting of the Management Committee of the Auckland Cricket Association to-night. It was decided to forward a letter of protest to the New Zealand Council. The speakers alleged it was unfair that the North Island should be allotted only one of three selectors, it being contended that the standard of play in the north was appreciably higher than in the south. The unanimous opinion was that Auckland had not received fair treatment in the matter. It was made plain that Auckland did not want to introduce a spirit of parochialism into the matter, and would do all possible towards assisting in taking up shares to finance the tour.