CRICKET GROWING MORE POPULAR IN COUNTRY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18419, 22 March 1928, Page 5

CRICKET GROWING MORE POPULAR IN COUNTRY.

AUCKLAND ASSOCIATION SETS UP COMMITTEE. .(Special to the " Star.”) AUCKLAND. March 22. At the request of the Rodney Cricket Association the Auckland Association has decided to -send a team to play the Rodney County representative eleven to-day in a one-day match at Matakana. The Auckland eleven will leave early this morning by private motor-cars and return to the city tomorrow. Rodney has proved itself too strong for the Whangarei, Mangonui and Northern Wairoa Association, and is anxious to try its strength when opposed to an Auckland eleven of first-grade standard. Rodney defeated Mangonui by 352 runs to 166; Whangarei, by 169 for five wickets to 149; and Northern Wairoa by 28Q to 70. Foremost among the Rodney players is P. Dunning, a good left-handed batsman who has made big scores in good company. His average in club cricket is over 100. He scored 156 (retired) against Mangonui, and 50 against Northern Wairoa. He is also a good slow right-hand bowler, who breaks both ways, and a good field.

N. Vipond, who is only twenty years of age, is a good left-handed batsman with an average of about 60. He scored 69 against Northern Wairoa and 54 against Whangarei. C. Farman, who is twenty-four years old, learned his cricket at an English public school, and is a fast left-hand bowler with a natural break-back. He is in a class with Torrance, of Otago, and Alcott, of Auckland, and would prove valuable to an Auckland representative team. Against Northern Wairoa he took seven wickets for 24 runs; and against Whangarei five for 31. Although the territory allotted to the Auckland Cricket Association by the New Zealand Cricket Council comprises the whole of the Auckland provincial district, the northern part of that district has not kept pace with the southern portion. In the latter there are three minor associations, Waikato, Waiapu, and Poverty Bay, eligible to take part in Hawke Cup matches, while in the north there is no association. It is hoped that the northern counties will join together and form a minor association, strong enough to wrest the trophy from any holder of the cup. With improved facilities for travelling and better communications within the province the Auckland Cricket Association, the financial position of which is becoming stronger, and the players are increasing each year, intends to foster the game over the whole of its territory as much as possible. Cricket is taking a greater hold in the country, as is evidenced by the demands made upon the association for visits from its professional coaches and for matches. It has been found necessary to make provision for the appointment of a " country committee.”