ENGLISH SPORTING NOTES

Taranaki Daily News, 22 November 1929, Page 11

ENGLISH SPORTING NOTES

TOURING CRICKETERS. FOR AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND. (From Our Own Correspondent). Landon, Oct. 3. (The M.C.C. cricketers have left for their tour in Australia and New Zealand. Only five matches are to be played in Australia, the remaining seventeen, including three test matches which make up the full programme, taking place in New Zealand. The party are not expected back until the middle of next' April. A. H. H. Gilligan, the Sussex amateur, is the captain. His brother Arthur,’ the old English skipper, was invited to lead the side, but he did not ly did not feel fit enough to undertake play much cricket during the past summer owing to ill health, and consequentthe tour. It is a strong team though not by any means an English team. In fact, several players were not chosen in order that they might rest during the winter and be ready, for the coming of the Australians.. The party comprises fourteen, eight amateurs and ‘six professionals, and Gilligan was pleased to say it includes two of the finest batsmen in the world. He did not identify these two players, but he left no doubt that he referred to Frank Woolley and K. S. Duleepsinhji, the nephew of Ranji. Woolley was, of course, the hero of the tests with the South Africans, and though he is sure to give the New Zealand bowlers a great deal of trouble, he is just as certain to delight every one by his bold, free scoring. Duleepsinhji, whose health two years ago compelled him to winter in a sanatorium in Switzerland, -welcomed the opportunity to take part' in the tour, inasmuch as.it will allow him to escape the damp, dreary days at home. It is to be hoped, however, that after a hard season he will not go stale. Among the other amateurs are G. B. Legge, the Kent captain, who has just been married and is accompanied by his bride, a,nd B. W. Dawson, who leads the Leicestershire eleven. On the professional side Bowley is a possible first wicket batsman for England in the absence of Hobbs, and there are three fast bowlers in Nichols Essex), Barrett ’ (Notts) and Worthington (Derbyshire). In addition, the Surrey amateur, M. J. C. Allom, is also a fast bowler. Gilligan was confident that the team would do well. “We have the all rounders who must be the backbone of any touring side,” he said. “I don’t imagine that we shall have an easy time. I thought the New Zealand team who were here two years ago a fine side capable of great development and I anticipate a hard task in the test matches.” MEMORIAL. RUGBY MATCH. ' Rugby football has no set opening. The clubs in the provinces always start first, but in London, the centre of the game, there are many who do not begin until the end of September. If the game were ever in need of a boost this casual sort of start would be wrong' As it is the interests of the players come first and they do not want to begin until their summer vacation ie over. But this year we are to have what amounts to a formal kick-off of a most interesting character. To mark the unveiling of the Rowland Hill memorial, which takes the form of a gate at the Twickenham ground, there is to be an international match in which England and Wales will join forces to oppose Scotland and Ireland. It ia the second time that we have had a game of this sort, the first being six years ago when similar representative teams met in celebration of the centenary of Rugby at Rugby school. Then only a privelcgcd few saw the historic encounter, but now at Twickenham there will be room for all who wish to be present, and it is hoped that at least £5OOO will be taken at the gates on behalf of the King’s Thanksgiving Fund.

How the personnel of Rugby haa changed in six years! Of tho players who took part in the Rugby centenary match only one, the brilliant Irish threequarter, Geoige Stephenson, has been chosen to play at Twickenham. W. .W. Wakefield is still very keen and, moreover, is showing excellent football for the Harlequin's. Though no one pretends that he is as good as ever at the ago of thirty-two it would have been a nice compliment to have selected him for the game. There are great possibilities about the Scottish-Irish backs. On one flank there is lan Smith and Macpherson, and on the other Stephenson and Simmers, whilst Sugden and Davey are halves with an understanding which should ensure a prompt and efficient sef-' vice froin the scrum. One does not envy the Anglo-Weleh backs their task in opposing this aray of talent, but they may find safety through their forwards, who, with' Sam Tucker as their leader, will be a formidable eight. The English captain of two seasons ago, R. Cove-Smith, has definitely decided to retire from international football. As a doctor he now says that he has not time to keep fit to play. Jle may, however, play to keep fit—-which means that he hopes to turn out occasionally for Old Merchant Taylors. Another player lost to London is J. W.G. Huhne, the centre three-quarter of Old Millhilliane. He has taken up an appointment in Edinburgh, and he will probably play for Edinburgh Wanderers. It is not likely that Blackheath will have the help of A. L. Novis, who was capped last season. Novis has returned from the Rhine but his regiment is stationed in the north. But Blackheath are hoping to play D. M. Rousseau, a young South African who as a Rhodes Scholar is going up to Oxford, where on his form at' home he should be in tho running for a blue. Another South African is in the Blackheath pack. This is E. T. Mason. He is a hooker and is in business near Blackheath.