PRAISES BLUNT AS NX’S BEST ALL-ROUND MAN.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18057, 18 January 1927, Page 8

PRAISES BLUNT AS NX’S BEST ALL-ROUND MAN.

BOWLEY DISCUSSES CRICKETING FORM. (Special to the “.Star.”) AUCKLAND. January IS Referring to the New Zealand cricket tour of England, E. 11. Bowley. the Auckland Cricket Association’s coach, said that Cunningham, of Canterbury, was easily the best stock bowler he had seen in action. A hard wicket would suit him most, as he obtained pace from the pitch. He thought that Cunningham would improve if he bowled with a higher delivery. Tate and Geary, tw f o of the finest bowlers of his type in England, both used every inch of their height in sending down a ball. Page, as a batsman, seemed to have distinct possibilities. Bowley understood that he had been playing in the country on matting wickets and so

was of the opinion that Page should develop into a very sound batsman on turf wickets. Oliver appeared to him to be a bat of the dashing variety, although he had not seen him at his best. Crawford was a sound batsman, but his fielding was certainly not strong. Blunt, of Otago, was the best allround cricketer in the Dominion. “He is the type of batsman who must make runs,” said Bowley, “ and he sends down a good spinner. He is the only man in New Zealand I have seen bowl a g?ogly.’ Like all break bowlers, he will have his day off, but he should do well. “ Shepherd is the only other Otago man I saw who appeared to have any chance of a trip to England. Kortlang’s Class. “ I consider Kortlang, of Wellington, the best batsman in the country, and M’Girr is the best bowler with pace. M’Girr keeps a good length and on the Basin Reserve nips a little from both sides of the wicket. James is making big scores, but I do not think he is worth a game in a New Zealand side for batting alone. I have not yet seen him behidd the wickets. “ A player who impressed me greatly, both as a batsman and a bowler, was Hollings. He sends down a good length, medium-paced ball. He has got a good style as a batsman, works well in the field and is a young player vrith a good physique. Hiddleston and Henderson were not in the team that played against Auckland on the Basin Reserve. “ Auckland has several players, mostly young, with good claims for inclusion in the team. Dacre is a matchwinning batsman, quick on his feet, a little reckless perhaps, but a type that would be popular with the spectators. Allcott is a good type of player to go to England. He is New Zealand’s stock left-hand bowler, as he. keeps practically a perfect length.” Allcott would be difficult on a sticky wicket, but Bowley said that he would like to see him also bowling with a higher delivery. As a batsman he should also do well. He appeared to be a weak starter, but once well in was difficult to dislodge. A Beautiful Style. There were the makings of a great left-handed batsman in Mills, who should stand a good chance of being selected. At present, he stood a trifle square to the ball and would probably improve if he brought his right shoulder round more. He would then make a lot more scoring shots, but on slow wickets playing back and watching the ball he was sure to get runs. He had a beautifulh* easy style which would please the English crowds and he was a good field. Gillespie with experience should make a really fine, solid bat. His style, both forward and back, was good and he rarely missed a chance of scoring on the leg side. As an outfieldsman, the coach had yet to see his equal in New Zealand. Cooper was a. steady player who realised the value of a straight bat and in spite of certain weaknesses, such as his habit of standing on one leg to, play a shot, he was a hard man to get out. He was a slow legbreak bowler who could be quite good when he struck a length. “ I did not see Jamesin action.” said Bowley, “ but Rowntree is undoubtedly the best wicketkeeper I have seen.”