CRICKET

Otago Witness, Issue 3806, 22 February 1927, Page 52

CRICKET

By SLIP. March I.—Morris Cup match, South Otago v. Central Otago, at Carisbrook. March 11, 12, and 14. —Otago v. Melbourne Club, at Carisbrook. March 18, 19, 21, and 22. —First Test v. Melbourne Club, at Christchurch. March 23 and 24. —Dunedin Clubs v. Oamaru, at Oamaru; Otago Second Grade v. Southland Juniors, at Invercargill. March 25, 26, 27. —Second Test v. Melbourne Club, at Wellington.

THE NEW ZEALAND TEAM The New Zealand team has been selected, and it must be admitted that it is a good side. It is a strong batting combination, and little fault can been found on the score of fielding. The absence of outstanding bowlers, however, is the weakness of the side. It was probably this factor that led the selectors to include Merritt, but the wisdom of the choice is questionable. There is not the slightest doubt that he is a promising bowler, and he must be given credit for two fine performances against Otago. At the same time, the opposition was weak for representative cricket, and at least four of the eight wickets he took •were secured mainly because of the inexperience of Otago batsmen. The trial he was given against batsmen of his own ' province practically counts for nought. The fact remains, however, that New Zealand has few young bowlers with outstanding ability, and something must be done to encourage youthful talent. It was a bold move, and if he justifies his inclusion none will be more pleased than Otago supporters. •By including Badcock the selectors have not done justice to New Zealanders who have been striving for honours such as that which has been thrust upon the coach. He was brought out ostensibly to teach, and not to play, cricket, and though he is one of the best all-rounders playing in the Dominion at the present time, it seems hardly fair that others in the running should be deprived of the chance of gaining a place in the side because of the inclusion of a man who is a picfessional <-oach, and, furthermore, who is not a New Zealander. The only other Otago player besides Blunt who it might have been hoped would gain a place was Dickinson. Adhering ctrictly to this season’s form, Dickinson was not entitled to inclusion. Mr Brice, in an interview, said that Dickinson, in form, would have been the man for the team, but he was right out of form. One gathers from that remark that the selection was made on this season's form, but if that is so, why was Dempster included? If the same reasoning were applied to both cases both should have been treated in the same manner. The writer is still of the opinion that on such a tour Dickinson would be a more useful >owler than Henderson. Blunt, Dacre, Lowry, Page, Oliver, and Dempster will rm the backbone of the batting department, but Alcott, Mills,, James, Badcock, and MGirr are all rungetters. The bowling at least has variety. Blunt belongs to the googly variety, and Merritt is a leg break specialist. Alcott, Cunningham, M'Girr, Badcock, ar Henderson provide variety in pace. No fault can be found with Lowry and James as the wicketkeepers. -. The number of players who could really be regarded as unlucky was limited, but foremost among the batsmen was Worker, '•■.’ho apparcc tly played himself out of the *• team through over-keenness. If the s de is confident and well handled it should more than hold its own with the majority of the t’t meets.

ENGAGING A COACH. _ The decision of the Otago Cricket Association to engage a coach providing the necessary finance can be arranged is a wise one and the credit of bringing the matter *. the stage it has now reached is largely due to the secretary (Mr E. S. Wilson). The association seemed to be quite satisfied to allow the matter to drift along without making any effort to reach finality, ai. had Mr Wilson not presented his valuable report nothing would have been don? yet. Thz state of the grounds, as argued at the soecial meeting, undoubtedly enters into the question, but the argument that no good Purpose can be served by bringing a coach out while the wickets are in their present condition has little to commend it. The introduction of a coach under any conditions would mean an immediate increase ir. enthusiasm among the players and in support from the public; and, furthermore, if' a coach concentrated for a counle of season on, say, 20 first and second grade colts the benefit derived would warrant 1’ - expense. If a coach were obtained, however, his duties would be much wiocr, and cricket generally must profit whether tr , wickets are good or not. At the same time good wickets arc a vital necessity ;.nd tens must be taken to bring about an improvement; but it would be foolish o allow the state of the grounds to prevent a coach being secured. The effort is one which must appeal to every man with an interest in cricket, for Otago has more promising material at present than it has had for some years. The benefits of Crawford’s coaching are still to be seen in Otago cricket, but the men he brought into prominence must soon be replaced by new ood, and to have the young players ready . u i.A those vacancies they must be coached. Mr Wilson stated in his report that the local press should ‘‘boost” Otago players more than it did. ami that the northern press ’.ad “boosted” plavers into New Zealand teams. The trouble is that Otago, partly through lagging behind in the matter of coaching, has not the players , b° os t. and at any rate a province should not require to have its players boosted into New Zealand sides. Cricketers cannot be made with the pen. THE PLUNKET SHIELD. The averages for tbs J?lunket Shield matches show that Wellington, though they lost the shield, ecvnired the best figures. The following are' the averages for each province of runs per wicket for and againstI’' 1 ’' a»<l- the net average is also given:—

NOTES. Another proof that Wellington is fast becoming the M.C.C. of New Zealand was afforded when the New Zealand Cricket Council transferred Marlborough, at the latter’s request, from the Canterbury Association to the Wellington Association (says “Burwood’ in the Dominion). In addition to Nelson and Marlborough, Wellington now has Hawke’s Bay, Manawatu, Wairarapa, Wanganui, Taranaki, and Rangitikei Associations under its wing. The following centuries have been scored! in Plunket Shield matches this season:— F. T. Badcock (W.), 155 v. Canterbury; R. C. Blunt (O.), 131 not out v. Canterbury; J. S. Hiddleston (W.) 121 v. Otago and 114 v. Canterbury; T. G. Lowry (W.). 110 v. Auckland; C. C. Dacre (A.), 109 v. Otago; K. C. James (W.), 107 not out v. Otago.

It is rather interesting to speculate what would have happened if the result of the Canterbury and Otago match had had any bearing on the Plunket Shield (says the Christchurch Star). If it had. would the selectors of the Canterbury team have been prepared to experiment to the extent they did, and if they had not been prepared to take risks by picking untried players, then Merritt might not have got a game, and in that case he would not have been in the New Zealand team to-day. MATCH AGAINST WANGANUI. WANGANUI. February 15. The Melbourne and Wanganui teams met here to-day in beautiful weather. The wicket was very fast. Wanganui batted first and compiled 271 runs. Orr, Holland, and Williams were particularly aggressive and found no difficulties in the bowling of Ebeling, Ransford, T. Armstrong. Wood, and Johnstone. Bernau, the ex-New Zealand express bowler, was at the top of his form and proved a destructive agent in Melbourne’s first innings. At the drawing of stumps the visitors had lost seven wickets for 157. Johnstone. Onyons, and Rodgerson were the only batsmen who were able to cope with the deliveries. Sandford was beautifully bowled with Bernau’s fourth delivery, and- later Jewell, Wood, and Ransford were also bowled with good length deliveries. February 16. The match between "Wanganui and Melbourne was concluded to-day, and resulted in a draw. Melbourne concluded its first innings 65 behind Wanganui’s total. Johnstone played steadily throughout for 72 runs. Bernau, the ex-New Zealand express bowler, was at the top of his form, and he developed tremendous pace, and disconcerted the visitors, with the exception of Johnstone. Bernau took six wickets for 76 runs. Wanganui’s second innings was responsible for fine Thakabau. Scores: — knocks by Orr, Kerr, Williams, and

WANGANUI. First Innings. Dempster, b Ebeling 1 Orr, c and b Wood 5< Bernau, b Armstrong ” 26 Kerr, c Ebeling, b Armstrong 1 L. Wood, b J. Wood i Treadwell, c Rodgerson, b Ebeling ... 28 Holland, st. Campbell, b Johnstone ... 70 H. Williams, not out Thakabou, c Ransford, b Johnstone ... 3 M'Anemy, run out ... 5 Harris, b Ebeling 1 Extras 7 Total 271 Bowling zXnalysis.—Ebeling 3 for 48, Ransford none for 23, Armstrong 2 for 93, Wood 2 for 43, Johnstone 2 for 37, Rodgerson none for 24. Second Innings. Dempster, run out .. .. 11 Orr, c Campbell, b Ebeling 45 Kerr, lbw, b Johnstone 31 Treadwell, c Rogerson, b Johnstone 5 Holland, st Campbell, b Johnstone .. 10 Williams, c Rogerson, b Wood 44 Bernau, c Ransford, b Johnstone .. 2 Thakabau, b Wood 35 M'Amaney, not out 9 Extras 8 Total for eight wickets (innings declared closed) .. 100 Bowling Analysis.—Ebeling, 1 wicket for 58 runs; Wood, 2 for 29; Johnstone, 4 for 56. MELBOURNE.—First Innings. Onyons, run out 37 Sandford, b Bernau 0 Johnstone, b Bernau 72 Jewell, b Bernau 0 Wood, b Bernau 0 Ransford, b Bernau 0 Dakin, b Pern.au 11 Rogerson, b Treadwell 30 Armstrong, lbw, b Treadwell 6 Campbell, b Holland 14 Ebeling, not out 4 Extras 26 Total 206 Bowling Analysis.—Bernau, 6 wickets for 70 runs: Holland, 1 for 70; Treadwell, 2 for 28. Second Innings. Jewell, b Thakabau 6 Armstrong, b Williams 54 Campbell, not out 16 Dakin, not out 1 Extras ~ .. .. io Total for two wickets .... 87

MATCH AGAINST TARANAKI. NEW PLYMOUTH. February 18. The cricket match between Taranaki and the Melbourne touring team was opened to-day in fair weather. Taranaki made 2c9 runs, including a. fine innings by Naismith (94) and Monaghan (60). When stumps were drawn Melbourne had made 67 runs for the loss of one wicket. The match between the Melbourne touring team and Taranaki was concluded in fine weather yesterday, the gawie ending in a draw. Scores: — TARANAKI.—First Innings. Lash, c W. Armstrong, b Ebeling ... 6 Naismith, c W. Armstrong, b Johnstone 94 Monaghan, c Ransford, b T. Armstrong 60 Kingston, bT. Armstrong '.. 9 Cheves, b Ebeling 11 Grayson, c Onyons, b Johnstone .. .. 7 Bottrill, c Onyons, b Ebeling 15 Court, lbw, b Ebeling 1 Dykes, b Ebeling 6 Cole, not out 24 Haughton, st Jewel, b T. Armstrong ... 17 Extras 10 Total 209 Bowling Analysis.—Ebeling, 5 wickets for 32 runs : T. Armstrong, 3 for 62: Johnston, 2 for 83; Rogerson, none for 6; Wood, none for 28; Ransford, none for 40. Second Innings. Lash, lbw, b Ebeling 2 Naismith, b Ebeling 2 Monaghan, b T. Armstrong b Haughton, b T. Armstrong 5 Cheevers, b Ransford 41 Grayson, b Ebeling 7 Kingston, c T. Armstrong, b Rodgerson 16 Bottrill, c Ebeling, b Ransford ... 26 Dykes, c Sandford, b Ransford 1 Cole, not out 19 Extras 5 Total for nine wickets (innings declared closed)... 132 Bowling Analysis.—Ebeling three for 33, T.- Armstrong* two for 47. Rodgerson one for 20, Ransford three for 26. MELBOURNE. First Innings. Onyons, c Dykes, b Bottrill 48 Sandford, c Kingston, b Cole 9 Jewell, st Kingston, b Bottrill 21 Rodgerson, st Kingston, b Cole ... 5 Johnstone, c and b Cole 2 Ransford, c Haughton, b Cole ... ... 5 T. Armstrong, c Grayson, b Cole ... 41 Wood, b Cole 75 W. Armstrong, lbw. b Cole 33 Dakin, not out 6 Ebeling, c sub, 1> Bottrill 1 Extras 4 Total 250

Bowling Analysis.—Cole seven for 86 runs, Bottrill three for 67. Haughton none for 63, Dykes none for 24, Monaghan none for 7. Second Innings. Sandford, o Cole, b Bottrill 0 Rodgerson, c Haughton, b Dykes ... 3 Dakin, not out 26 Extras ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 2 Total for two wickcU 31 HENDRY ON THE ULIMAROA. SYDNEY, February 18H. L. Hendry is on board the Ulimaroa, which sailed to-day for Auckland. INVITATION TO PONSFORD. CHRISTCHURCH, February 16. The young master batsman (W. H. Ponsford) will not come to the Dominion in order to join up with the Melbourne Club cricket team. The request that he should be permitted to do so was made to the V ictorian Cricket Association by the New Zealand Cricket Council. A cabled reply received this morning is as follows:—" Re Ponsford, cannot accede to the request, as permission was confined to the Melbourne Club players only.” Ponsford is not a member of the club. MACARTNEY BENEFIT MATCH. SYDNEY’, February 19. In the Macartney benefit match Australia, in the first innings, made 533 (Ponsford 131, Woodful] 140, Andrews not out 115, Gregory 44, Macartney 26, Everett 26). William took six wickets for 174, and M'Namee two for 122. The Rest of Australia, in their second innings, made 32 without the loss of a wicket (Morgan not out 20), when stumps were drawn. Woodfuli and Ponsford gave a delightful exhibition, and put on 223 for the first wicket. This is Ponsford's sixth century during the present season, and is an Australian record. Andrews made many fine shots, and took no risks. Macartney, on going in to bat, was given an enthusiastic ovation by the 25,000 spectators. He was also cheered by the Rest of Australia, led by Vic. Richardson. A feature of the game was the wicketkeeping by O'Connor, who allowed only one bye.

MELBOURNE MATCHES. MELBOURNE, February 19. Playing for Hawthorn, East Melbourne, against Richmond. Millar made 101. Playing for Universtiy against Carlton, King made 123 not out. AUSTRALIA V. THE REST. SYDNEY", February 18A testimonial cricket rnacth to C. G. Macartney between the Australian XI. which toured England and the Rest of Australia was commenced at the Cricket Ground to-day in ideal conditions. The Rest won "the toss and batted first, making 305 runs, Morgan 89, Kippax 100, V. Richardson 36. Gregory took two for 50, Everett three for 49, and Mailey two for 99. Australia has made 49 without loss (Ponsford 23 not out. Woodfull 22 not out). The Morgan-Kippax partnership put on 151 for the second wicket. They rattled on the runs in brilliant style from all the bowlers. The attendance was over 2000. AMERICAN TOUR SUGGESTED. MELBOURNE. February 17. Tn his report on the English tour Mr Sydney Smith suggests that the Board of Control should early consider the ques-

tion of an Australian team touring Canada and the United States. THE NEW ZEALAND TEAM. B ADCOCK'S INCLUSION CRITICISED. AUCKLAND, February 15. The selection of F. T. Badcock in the New Zealand cricket learn-to tour England this year was severely criticised at a meeting of the Management Committee of the Auckland Cricket Association this evening. It was decided to write to the New Zealand .Cricket .Council protesting against Badcock’s inclusion on the ground that he is not a New Zealander but a professional coach in the employ of the Wellington Cricket Association, and as such should not have been considered eligible for selection in the New Zealand team. It was pointed out that strong representations by prominent citizens had been made to the Auckland Association to endeavour to secure reconsideration of Badcock’s position in the team, as dissatisfaction is*general among cricket lovers in the Dominion. The Auckland. Association urges the council to reconsider the matter without delay. Mr J. H. Watts moved—“ That the Auckland Association has no confidence in the New Zealand Cricket Council, and that steps be taken to have the headquarters moved from Christchurch to Wellington.” He contended that the council must have considered the question of Badcock prior to tht publication of the names of the team On the suggestion of the Chairman (Mr E. Nalder), Mr Watts withdrew his motion in order to see whether a satisfactory reply is received regarding Badcock’s position. SATURDAY’S M ATCHIo . CARISBROOK v. DUNEDIN. Ine match between Carisbrook and Dunedin was continued on a soft wicket, the former securing a two-point win. Scores: CARISBROOK. First Innings. Blunt, lbw, b M'Gregor 64 Dickinson, b Torrance 18 Gourley, lbw. b M'Gregor 0 Cantrell, b Harrison 14 Cameron, b Harrison 0 Austin, b Torrance 25 Douglas, b Cavanagh 85 Holden, not out .. 105 Lynch, not out 6 Extras 14 Total for seven wickets (innings closed) 331 Bowling Analysis.—Torrance, 184 balls, 6 maidens, 58 runs, 2 wickets; M'Gregor, 144 balls, 1 maiden, 101 runs, 2 wickets; Harrison, 120 balls, 3 maidens. 53 runs, 2 wickets; Cavanagh, 88 bal’s, 52 runs, 1 wicket: Sinclair, 8 balls, 9 runs; Anderson, 48 balls, 38 runs; Cherry, 8 balls, 7 runs. DUNEDIN. First Innings. Cherry, c Douglas, b Dickinson 7 Torrance, c Cantrell, b Douglas 6 Cavanagh, c Lynch, b Douglas 3 Kenny, b Douglas 14 Ritchie, c Dickinson, b M'Gavin ... 18 Fckhoff c M'Gavin, b Douglas 5 Anderson, c Dickinson, b Douglas ... 3 M'Gregor, st Esquilant, b Douglas ... 1 Sinclair, not out 15 Harrison, b Blunt 29 Symonds, c Holden, b Blunt 15 Extras 25 Total 141 Bowling Analysis.—Dickinson, 104 balls, 6 maidens, 25 runs, 1 wicket; Douglas. 144 balls, .2 maidens, 54 runs, 6 wickets; M'Gavin,' 64 balls, 1 maiden, 22 runs, 1 wicket; Blunt, 24 balls, 15 runs 2 wickets.

Second Innings. Symonds c and b Cantrell 27 Sinclair, c M'Gavin, b Douglas 33 Ritchie, c and b Douglas 9 Cherry, b Dickinson 6 Cavanagh, lbw. b Dickinson 6 Kenny, not out : 1 Eckhoff, run out 0 Extras 13 Total for six wickets ICO Bowling Analysis.—Dickinson. 80 balls, 40 runs, 2 wickets; Austin. 16 balls, 13 rims, M'Gavin. 16 halls. 8 runs; Cantrell. 24 balls, 9 runs, 1 wicket; Douglas 24 balls, 12 runs, 2 wickets. ALBION v. GRANGE. The Albion-Grange game, which had commenced the previous week on the North Ground, was concluded on Saturday, when Grange secured a two-point win. Scores,:— GRANGE. First Innings "188 Second Innings. M’Mullan, b Blamires 9 Knight, b Blamires 12 Elmes, c MTvor, b Duncan 42 Alloo, lbw, b Duncan 12 Walker, c Vorrath, b Duncan .... 2 Conradi, b Allen 19 Chadwick, b Blair 10 Rush, not out 29 Brown, not out 27 Extras 10 Total for seven wickets .. 172 Bowling Analysis.—Shepherd. 72 balls, 30 runs; Blamires 72 balls, 2 maidens, 32 runs, 2 wickets; MTvor, 48 balls, 1 maiden, 13 runs; Dunean, 56 balls, 1 maiden, 21 runs, 3 wickets; Blair, 32 balls, 1 maiden, 19 runs, 1 wicket; Allen, 24 balls, 8 runs, 1 wicket: Binney, 16 balls, 29 runs; Vorrath, 8 balls, 10 runs. ALBION.—First Innings. Blair, c Paul, b Conradi 56 Binney, run out ".. .. 21 Duncan, c Elmes, b Alloo ....... 12 Vorrath, c Elmes, b Con rail i 0 Blamires, b Conradi .. ..‘ 17 Reid, c and b Conradi 13 Barron, c Chadwick, b Alloo 4 Wilson, c Knight, b Alloo 3 Shepherd, c Elmes, b Alloo 2 Allen, lbw, b Alloo 2 MTvor, not out 4 Extras 7 Total 141 Bowling Analysis—Alloo, 205 balls, 8 maidens, 55 runs, . 5 wickets; Elmes, 64 balls, 2 maidens, 21 runs; Knight, 16 balls, 8 runs; Conradi, 136 balls, . 1 maiden, 50 runs, 4 wickets.

A UUK LAND COMPETITION. AUCKLAND, February 20. *• hen lhe club matches were resumed on Saturday afternoon in the last game but one of the first round of the senior coinpetition thn points for' the premiershtp stood; Shore A 13, Grafton 13, Edeu 1°- Tonaonby 9. Y.M.C.A. 8, Shore B 7, larnell 6 and University 6. Eden has a < incomplete match aaginst Y.M.C.A. whi.’> might on completion, put them on a level with the leading teams. Saturday’s play s aw Shore A knock Gratton back by beating them by 222 runs to 147 on the first innings, while Eden held their place by defeating Shore B on the first innings by 221 runs to 122. I were ,uok -V to a lead over Y.M.C.A. by 170 runs to 160 on the firstinnings, the last wicket putting on over 93 runs Ponsonby failed against University, being dismissed for 138 in reply to tinStudents’ 243, and following on played out time. MATCHES AT WELLINGTON. WELLINGTON, February 20. Another round of matches was started yesterday. Kilbirnie scored 404 runs (Badcock 115 C. Armstrong 84, Algar 66), and Pctone has lost do wickets for 3 thus. Hutt compiled 264 runs (E. M'Lcod 111 not out) in their match against Wellington, who' have lost no wickets for 25 ruus _ Y.M.C.A. 207 (11. Murphy 81) is playing Thornton, who have made 75 runs for two wickets. University scored 182 runs (Leys 54, Hall ■v>o) and Old Boys have lost three wickets for 89 runs. Institute, who have compiled 523 runs (J A. Malcolm 150, J. E. Banks 107 11 Prince 67) are playing Midland. CHRISTCHURCH GAMES. CHRIS'!CHURCH, February 19. Riccarton, the leaders in the senior cricket competition, showed what a superior side can do in extricating itself from a dilliemt position. The side was behind on the first innings and had to force the game to secure a three-point win. The early batsmen attacked the bowling resolutely, scoring 100 in 35 minutes, and keeping up the fast rate of scoring, made 210 runs in an hour. W itii 282 runs for two wickets the innings was declared closed, and the Riccarton bowlers sent their opponents Linwood back for 90 runs. Corrie (144) and Roberts (101 not out) were the chief Riccarton scorers. Gorrie hit 15 fours and 10 sixes. Riccarton won with an hour to spare bv 139 rims. Old Boys beat St. Albans easily by 10 wickets. East Christchurch secured a first innings’ victory over the Old Collegians, scoring 357 to the latter s 305. For Old I. M. Hamilton made 99. Sydenham beat West Christchurch on tli e first innings, scoring 460 to 176. For Sydenham, Philpott made 101 not out, Oliver 88. and Patrick 82. For West Christchurch, Booth scored 82. INVERCARGILL GAMES. INVERCARGILL, February 20. Saftirday’s senior fixtures were continued in bleak weather conditions and on wickets suffering from recent rains. Appleby, with three wickets down for 79 the previous week, resumed their innings, but collapsed before the Union bowling and added only 56 runs, thus being 30 runs behind Union’s first innings’ score, which totalled 165. Groves, who had 53 not out to his credit the previous week, was dismissed for 58. M. Lilley -(32 not out) and Richard (13) were the only other double-figure contributors. Bowling for Union, "Wish secured six wickets for 32 runs, and Smith two for 26. Union declared their second innings closed with 101 on for five wickets (Kilby 47. Dixon 18, Wish 14 not out, J. Hamilton 13 not out), leaving Appleby 132 to get in an hour to win. At the drawing of stumps their score stood at 92 for seven wickets. Union thus secured a two-point win. Poole (46 not out) and Carson (16) got the majority or the runs in Appleby’s second innings, while Wish again displayed good bowling form by obtaining five Appleby wickets for 41 runs. At Bluff, the home side carried their first innings score from six for 78 to 101 (D. Parry 32, Young 25. and Norris 13) against Invercargill's 231. For Invercargill. Hammond secured six wickets for 46 and Goodsir two for 30. Bluff followed on, but failed badly, their total amounting to 40 (James Hamilton 21). Gilbertson obtained four wickets for 12. Goodsir two for 16, and Southern one for six. Invercargill secured a three-point victory, and retained their unbeaten record.

A VETERAN CRICKETER. COMMENTS ON NEW ZEALAND TEAM. "WELLINGTON, February 15. The manager of the Melbourne cricket team now touring New Zealand, Mr 11. Trumble, ' arrived by the Marama from Sydney to-day. He was accompanied by Mr J. E. Barlow, whose membership of the Melbourne Cricket Club goes back 43 years. Mr Barlow stated that the club had a membership of 5500. Out of members’ subscriptions quite a quarter of a million sterling has been spent on building up the ground alone. At present they were considering a proposal to put up a new pavilion at a cost of £60,000, and were just completing a concrete stand on the public side which, when finished, would cost about £12,000. The ground would accommodate 65,000 people at a football match. “The New Zealand Cricket Council,” said Mr Trumble, “sent a special invitation to Ponsford, of New South Wales, to join the Melbourne team, and he was anxious to accept the invitation. He would have been an attraction, and the Melbourne team would have been very pleased to have him with them, but. I had information just before leaving that he was unable to accept the invitation. He was keen to como at the end of the Macartney match. The Melbourne team now touring New Zealand represents our best eleven.” In reply to questions, Mr Trumble said he thought the New Zealand team should do well in England. Of course, he did not expect they would defeat the first-class counties, ’but they should get a fair number of wins against the others. The Melbourne team was quite up to the average of English county form. New Zealand would have the advantage that English wickets were very similar to those of New Zealand, and not as hard as concrete, like

those of Australia, and a left-hand medium paced bowler should succeed, but not a slow left-hander. The fact that there were two or three left-handers in the New Zealand team would bo a source of strength to them, for on a sticky wicket a left-hander would be an acquisition. In sending a team to England for the first time it was desirable that there should bo a stiffening of old players. He had known Kortlang since youth as a very fine bat, and ho would have been an excellent man to send with them. A question prompted by the controversy which raged in New Zealand at one time brought the reply that Kortlang was 43 years of age. Mr Trumble pointed out. that if a young team got a hiding it was apt to discourage them. In Australia a couple of the best bats might go out quickly but as long as there was a man like Armstrong to go they would not reckon the side was done. As to the number of players which should comprise a touring team, 14 was- a good number provided they met. with no accidents and sickness, but if there were another good man available he would take 15, but not more.. “Another man costs money,” he said, “but there is nothing like playing an old dog over a hard read.” A man who gave confidence 1o the team made it 25 per cent, a better side. “One or two of your men should come back real champions', and in any case New Zealand is to be congratulated upon having the pluck and ambition to send a team to England.” Asked whether he thought a player of 18 years of ago was rather young to send Home, Mr Trumble was every bit in favour of youth with a sprinkling of older heads to keep them steady. He pointed out that C. Hill went away when he was 19, and T. Garrett, the youngest test match player in Australia, was only 17 when he secured that honour. Discussing the wicket-keeper. Mr Trumble was not inclined to give so much consideration to age, but would consider the specialist. He would rather have the first-class wicket-keeper who could not bat than a wicket-keeper not so good who could score a few runs, since he -might give more runs behind the wicket than he made at the crease.

Wellington. Huns. Wickets. Average. For .. .. 2128 60 35.46" Against .. 1330 57 23.33 Net average .. Auckland.' Runs. Wickets. Average. For .. 1589 52 30.55 Against .. 1442 60 24.03 Net average id us 6.52 Canterbury. Runs. Wickets. Average. For .. 1447 60 24.11 Against .. 1544 55 28.07 Net Otago. Runs. Wickets. Average. For .. .. 1294 60 21.56 Against . . 2142 60 35.70 Net average ..