CRICKET

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18585, 20 December 1934, Page 14

CRICKET

AUCKLAND V. WELLINGTON

MATCH STARTS TO-MORROW

GISBORNE BuWEEK’S CHANCE

The representative teams of the Auckland and Wellington Cricket Associations will meet to-morrow in Wellingto, commencing a two-day match which may give a good indication of /the strength of the respective provinces, in connection with the Plunket Shield series, which start at Christmas time.

This trial of strength will have particular interest for followers of the game in Poverty Bay, inasmuch as M. Sharp, the Gisborne slow bowler who played at Auckland in the Town v. Country match last week, was to have his chance, in big cricket, of proving his consistency. In the Auckland) game, he established a splendid average, and showed that he could keep the best ol the provincial batsmen guessing. Ilis form so impressed the Auckland selectors that although the team lor the southern tour was already selected, Sharp was added as thirteenth man, and lie proceeded to Wellington earlier in the week to meet the other players of

the Auckland team there. If lie produces good form at Wellington, in the friendly match to be played there tomorrow and on Saturday/he will have plenty of chances to improve his experience in provincial cricket, and ail will wish him well in the trial. GisTorno cricketers will not be alone in their interest regarding Sharp’s performances at Wellington. The wellknown Wellington writer ou tlie game, “Burwood,” touches upon the inclusion of Sharp in the Auckland team as follows :

“What a splendid thing it will he for the. game in New Zealand if Auckland, in Sharp, the Gisborne lad, has discovered another Merritt. The Auckland Cricket Association is to ho commended for encouraging tile minor associations under its wing, and the Auckland selectors are to be applauded for giving a promising youth from the country a try-out in the best company. Followers of the game here, as well as all along the East Coast, will be_ keenly interested to see how Sharp will faro on the -southern tour.”