OXFORD ELEVEN

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19623, 5 May 1938, Page 9

OXFORD ELEVEN

MATCH WITH AUSTRALIA (Reed. May 4,2 p.m.) LONDON, May 3. Oxford's team against Australia in the cricket match which opens to-mor-row is:—J. Grover, E. Dixon, R. Kimp. ton, M. Walford, R. Darwell-Smith, D. Macindoe, W. Murray-Wood, R. Whetherly, J. Eggar, E. Eager and G. Evans.

Oxford had a strong batting side last season. They played 14 matches, of which seven were won, four lost, and three drawn. Cambridge University was beaten by seven wickets.

The mainstays as batsmen last season included N. S. Milchell-Innes, who toured New Zealand with the M.C.C. team in the 1935-36 season. Both he and R. C. M. Kingston, the Australian, had averages of over .50, and M. R. Barton had an average of 42.75. The last-named played a masterly innings of 192 in the opening match against Gloucestershire. Other dependable batsmen on the side were J. G. Halliday, E. J. H. Dixon, P. M. Whitehouse and J. N. Grover.

R. F. H. Darwell-Smith headed the bowling averages with 50 wickets at a cost of 10.07 apiece. He started off in sensational fashion by taking seven wickets for 44 in the opening match against Gloucestershire, which played a" great part in Oxford's eight-■v/.ckei victory. • D. H. Macindoe also bowled well in capturing 42 wickets at an average of 23.52. T. G. L. Ballance, a left-hander, captured 28 wickets at 27.17 apiece. There was real sting and hostility in the Oxford bowlinglast season.

In 1934 the Australians'overwhelmed Oxford University by an innings and 33 runs. Australia scored 319 (Darling 100, Ponsford 75), and dismissed the opposition for 70 and 21(i. In Oxford's second knock F. C. de Saram, the Indian player, played a masterly innings for 128. Oxford's downfall was due lo the bowling of Ebeling, who took four for 34 and two for 23: Fleetwood-Smith, who captured live for 30 and one for 63; and Grimmett, who claimed seven for 109 in the second innings.