CRICKET.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7878, 19 January 1903, Page 3

CRICKET.

ENGLAND v. NEW ZEALAND. A FORECAST OP TPIE 'HOME TEAM. [Fbom Our Special Correspondent.] \VELUINOTON, Jan. 39. In cricketing circks the claims of "Wellington playeis iov inclusion 131 the N«w Zealand team are being freely canvassed. Gore, Hickson, lilahony, Upham, Richardson, Tucker and Williams ull have their supporters. Maliony has -probably played himself into a place, nob only by his batting' on Saturday, -which is considered by many positively the best performance on the Wellington sid«, but also by the conspicuous cleanness and celerity with. -.vhich he fielded. (He bears the reputation, further, of <being an excellent change wicketkeeper. Tucker may fairly be reckoned a certainty, and Hickson ought to be selected to fill the gap caused; ; by the absence of Baker, -who,, on this season's form, ought to be left out. Williams is apparently offcolour in batting, and Bosshall appears to have better claims to be the team's wicketkeeper. Richardson, too, jstijst bo sot aside, as lie is evidently not in his best form, and Gore is •hp.vdly strong enough. Upham's selection will doubtless depend upon the form shown by .Frankish in the Canterbury mruitch, and the latter' s batting will pr-obsibly secure him a place. To mini up, I am inclined to think that Wellington's contingent will comprise Mahony, Tucker and Hickson. As to the others, Hay may be included from Auckland, and Marshall from Wanganui. From the South Island, those at present who seem to pos•fffi the 'best chances of selection are Sims, Prankish, Boxshall, and possibly IToweH, from Canterbury, and ])ownes and Fisher from Otago. M'Carthy (Tnranaki) would be an alternative bowler in the event of Howell's displacement. Such a team would, I feel sure, after, seeing the Englishmen play their last two matches, provide an interesting game. The opinion very largely held that, the visitors were playing for the gate on the third day of the Wellington match is not justified. -From, the beginning of the game each member of the team strained every nerve to achieve victory. Moreover, individually one and. all are keen to secure averages. Burnup has proved himself the best ail-round man among the visitors, and Thompson probably comes next. [From Ottr Corrkspondekt.l DUNEDIN, Jan. 19. The Mayor has declared a half-holiday for the first day on wliicL. Lord Hawke's team plays in Dunedin.