CRICKET.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 835, 13 October 1916, Page 2

CRICKET.

i TOPICS OF THE MOMENT. The new cricket season in Christchurch cannot be looked, forward to with any marked degree of enthusiasm, liecause of the war's sweeping effect upon the clubs. Still, it should be fairly in foresting, for the present indications are thai most of the clubs will be pretty evenly matched. Tho first grada teams are likely to consist, for the most, part, of promoted junior players, with a sprinkling of former first graders. So far, the Canterbury Cricket Association's appeal to veterans to come back to the game in order to help in keeping the clubs going has not met with any notable response, from the playing point of view. However, so long as the clubs can struggle on without any big call upon the veterans, the poor response to the association's call will not. be without its compensations, in that young players will have opportunities to improve their cricket by playing against more experienced men, without being outplayed by the latter.

So far as can be gathered just now, with the clubs more or less incomplete in their "stock-taking." the standard of play should be about midway between that of junior cricket and senior cricket in past seasons. Naturally, with practically all of the men who are of military age, who have not sufficient ties to keep them at home, and who are physically lit according to military requirements, serving with the colours, nearly all the clubs report that their first-grade teams will be much weaker than those of last season. But they look for improvement from some of their junior members, both those who are being tried in first grade cricket for the first time and those who were "tried out'' last season but, who did not then meet with any great success. It is recognised that playing against a smaller proportion of experienced seniors should give these young players greater confidence in themselves, and so give them greater freedom for development. Another thing that makes for enjoyment of the new season is thai the chilis will not need to bother with a question which caused them some little perturbation last year —that of the presence ill the game of men eligible for national service. The passing of the Military Service Act has removed that occasion for perturbation this year. The strongest team in the first-grade should be last, year's winner of the, championshp. Linwood has the greater part of the premier team still available. Thomas and Read, if they strike anything like their old form, will present a nice little proposition to the batsmen of other clubs. A. E. Doell, G. Tate, E. Perrin, 11. Pen-in, W L. King, J. Jones, and Forsyth are all expected to turn out again So F. Butler, who has returned to Melbourne, and K. Taylor, who has enlisted, are likely to be the only members of last year's eleven who will be absent. However, there is a possibility that A. Grant, who has been serving on a hospital ship, may be available later. Linwood's energetic, officers have found a way out of the financial difficulties which have been besetting their club, and the club will again have Lancaster Park as its headquarters. It will open its season tomorrow.

West Christehurch should also be fairly strong, with IT. B. Lusk, D. Reese, and Dt Stanley Foster as the backbone of the eleven, and D. Redpath, ('. S. Hammond, W. Holland, .7. A. Nelson, Sir Cecil Moon, 11. Wilson (wicketkeeper) and others in support. A newman is Constable H. Butters, who played for the North Shore team in Auckland first-grade cricket some years ago, but has played in open club {cricket in Wellington in later seasons. A team from the secondary department of the Normal School will provide West's third grade team. Sydenham will not be strong. It will fill "up with juniors. Charlie Guiney, former captain of the Boys' High School eleven, probably will play in this team. D. Mcßeth, the young left-handed bowler who did so well in first-grade cricket until he enlisted, will be available, and J. Cray, W. R. Patrick, W. IT. Winsor, S. Hin'cksinan, and Forrester will also be playing agnin. Sydenham will play a friendly match with Rangers, a City ami Suburban Club, at Sydenham Bark to-morrow, T. B. Wliittn will remain as the "star" of the liiecarton Club, but K. B. Caygill, A. C. Fuller, W. B. Fuller, and tlie Taylor brothers are not likely to play. The'team will b<> filled up with juniors. St. Albans also will have a large proportion of last year's juniors in its first-grade team. Unfortunately, an injury to one of his hands, suffered last season, keeps 11. A. Bishop out of cricket now. St. Albans and West Christehurch will meet in friendly games to-morrow. The two additions to the first-grade, Christ's College and Boys' High School, should make a good showing, considering that the other teams will consist so largely of promoted juniors. Christ 's College should have a side good iii both batting and bowling. Hoys' High School expects to be strong in batting, but not strong in bowling. It has several good change bowlers, but its main attack is not considered to be o:' noteworthy quality Both the Christ 's College, 'and Hoys' High School teams should improve considerably through playing in the first grade. While the opening day of the Fast Christehurch Cricket Club, last Saturday, was not characterised by a large number of players participating, there was quite a fair amount of enthusiasm displayed, which augurs well for the season. Several of the older players who had promised to give their services in the coming matches, were absent, but there was sufficient material, there, including one or two very promising juniors, to raise two very fair teams. Eight new playing members were also then present. The main difficulty with tin- old city club is that of finance, but an appeal for funds has been made and subscription lists circulated. A club debt exists at present of about £4O, which should be wiped oil' without great difficulty by those who are desirous of assisting to keep the game and the club going for the benefit of members who are at present, serving their country at the front. The present depletion in the membership of the club, in fact, is a matter for congratulation,

as the honours roll shows flint GO per cent, of members are on active service. The dub has decided to enter two teams in the season's competition. Amongst last season's players available arc: A. IL Blank, .1. \V. Crichton, N. Jones, and A. K. WardC seniors;, and R. B. Ward,

wiin mm nave raicuuy noticed an miC. Maddren, Flood, C. S. AVard, and N'a pier. The club captain is Mr C. Mad dren. The Christchurch Technical College is likely to enter two teams in the compel it ions. Entries tor (he competitions will close on Monday, and the Jixlures will start on the i'oilowiiur tsaturd:iv.