THE CANTERBURY ELEVEN.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16919, 19 December 1922, Page 6

THE CANTERBURY ELEVEN.

TO THE EDITOR Sir,—The Canterbury selector has created a little surprir,e in cricketing circles by his choice of players to meet MaoLaren’s team during the coining week-end. A glance through the names shows that lie has greatly sacrificed batting to strengthen the team’s bowling. There are but three batsmen in the team r amoly Blunt, WorKcy and Patrick, a few of the others being ‘‘ iHfers.” So how many runs are the side capable cfP Smith and’Young are in for their batting, hut they are too inconsistent in club cricket to be expected to do anything much in rep cricket. Smith plays with a cross bat and 1 shall be very surprised if he makes good. Of course u is easy enough to criticise, but having seen as much cricket as the average player in Christchurch. I should just like to let the selector have my idea of picking a team. First of all half the team should l>o batsmen, say five, add to this three stock bowlers, then two all rounders, and, to complete the eleven, the wicketkeeper. Now who are the first five batsmen in the province ? I sav on form and performances they are Blunt \\orker. Patrick, R. Powell and M. L. i age. Add three stock bowlers, Read, Rix. and Sandman. To fill the two all rounders’ places there is a wide choice m Hayes, Thomas, D. Nixon, Evans. Gregory. and others. The selector has chosen the first two who have been jj®i r *° ri 2 u l£ this season, and has selected Brunton as wicketkeeper. The no doubt- the best we , Jehiui the sticks and there can his inclusion, his in rr.J . fact that the„ selector bests bats viz/powell and Page. I^hink CRICKET LOVER.