AUCKLAND CAN FIELD STRONG CRICKET TEAM.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18016, 29 November 1926, Page 11

AUCKLAND CAN FIELD STRONG CRICKET TEAM.

WILL PLAY CANTERBURY AT CHRISTMAS TIME. Can Canterbury beat Auckland in the Plunket Shield cricket match at Christmas time? Judging by the article reprinted below, from the “New Zealand Herald,” the northerners will have a strong aide:— The recently-appointed selectors of the Auckland Cricket Association, Messrs E. C. Beale, G. B. Cummings and N. C. Snedden, deserve praise for the rapidity with which they have commenced their work. Realising that there will be added keenness in the Plunket Shield competition this season on account of the selection of the New Zealand side for England, they have within four days after their appointment chosen twenty-one players for practice under the English coach. Bowley.

At the outset, the list of twenty-one seems to be a trifle cumbersome, easpecially when it is considered that it may have to be added to as players get into form. A case in point is provided by the University player, W. J. Smeeton. He is not among those selected for practice, but his score of 196 on Saturday, even though it was made against weak bowling, must cause the selectors to think of his claims. If he can maintain his batting form be should certainly be among those from whom the final selection is to be made. Choosing a Fat it Bowler. Last year’s iorm must naturally have been taken into consideration when the Slayers were chosen. Very few could ave been chosen on the present season's form. However, there seems to be an unwarrantably large percentage of players whose claims to inclusion in the representative team are very slight. There are four fast bowlers in the list, and no more than one can be selected. It is rather a surprise to see Coates figuring among them. The Nbrth Shore fast bowler is still a force to be reckoned with in club cricket, but it is doubtful if he can come anywhere near provincial representative honours this season. Wilson’s sensational performance against North Shore B must have won h.m his place, but on last season’s form, as well as that shown during the past few weeks, the final choice must be confined to Newdick and Simpson, with the odds at present in favour of the former. When it comes to the batting the selectors are faced with a task which few would envy them. Auckland’s opening pair can be picked almost straight away—Bowley and Mills. Then Allcott, Cooper, Garrard and Player all have incontestable claims, all four being bowlers as well as batsmen. Rowntree must get the place of wicket-keeper; in the words of one well-known representative cricketer, he is the only keeper in New Zealand; the rent are only stoppers. The Final Two Places. Gcrrard, of North Shore, was well up tc representative form last year, but was wisely given time for nis game to mature. He started off this season with an undefeated 61,. and he should receive consideration for a permanent place in the side this year. Taking Newdick as the selected fast bowler, i there are nine men w-ho should take 1 pride of place for final selection. 1 It will be the fUling of the final two places that will cause the selector* most worry. Snedden and Dacre naturally seem to fall into them, but neither of these players, both of whom have considerable representative experience, has struck form this season. Sned* den, however, should be given a game for his captaincy; he is still the best tactician in Auckland. Competition for the final places wiil be exceptionally keen when it is considered that among aspirants for them are Irving and Pos ties, both of whom have made good scores this season, and Frater and Gillespie, two players with representative experience, and with the advantage of youth on their side. Anthony, Smith and Hors pool. Although their names are included in the list for practice, Anthony, Smith and Horspool have probably made their last appearance in shield cricket. Horspool’s claim for a place is hs an opening batsman, but Mills and Bowley’ are bound to be Auckland’s first pair. The cricket careers of both Smith and Anthony are far from done. They come to light for their club with startling persistency, but younger players who also have experience in b 4 g cricket naturally receive preference. i It may be a temptation to the selecJ tors, and a temptation that, would not t be wholly unjustified, to leave out a l fa»t bowler in favour of *o experienced all-rounder like Smith or Anthony. In the south, where batsmen have the j task of scoring off Dickinson, or in Wellington, where there are men of the 1 type of Bernau and M*Girr, a fast j bowler would have lo be exceptionally good to “come off.” It would certainly be risky to play’ a moderately good

fast bowler who coakJ not make fun* in addition to taking wickets. However, the progress of club cricket and the form shown at the nets should guide the selection committee in its final selection of a good team. The material is certainly present in Auckland this year.