TO-MORROW’S CRICKET.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 370, 11 March 1932, Page 11

TO-MORROW’S CRICKET.

Conclusion of Senior Semi-finals.

Many interruptions have occurred in the senior cricket competition since Christmas, and now the Management Committee of the Canterbury Cricket Association has been forced to restrict the final match to two playing afternoons, so that a conclusion may be reached in reasonable time. To-morrow, the senior semi-finals will be completed. Sydenham and Old Collegians continue their game at Sydenham Park, while that between Old Boys and St Albans goes on at the Hagley No. 1 ground. Old Collegians and Sydenham braved the rain last Saturday and played for about two hours, the Collegians scoring 81! for the loss of two wickets in thenendeavour to catch the Sydenham first innings total of 272. To-morrow, this game will he allowed time equal to that for which the game was stopped by rain last week. If'that is not sufficient for finality to be reached, the game will he continued till there is a result on the first \Jnnings. The game should provide an interesting contest. Old Collegians have lost two good men in Lester and Dunster, but at the end of tHe day It. O. Talbot and Chrystall were together and going well. The Collegians have useful batsmen right through the side, and have some fine scores to their credit during the season. The task of collecting the 101 runs still wanting for the win, given a reasonably good wicket, should not be beyond them. On the other hand, Sydenham have an improved attack, and have developed team work well. They are a keen side and, after a few lean years, will he right out after their chance to figure in the competition final. As has been said, the finish should be a good one. The semi-final between St Albans and Old Boys is in a position that leaves little hope for the St Albans side, as Old Boys have already established a lead of ti 7 on the first innings. Some unexpected things happen in cricket, hut if the wicket is as good as prospects indicate, St Albans will have to produce something “ out of the box ” if they are to snatch victory from defeat. The competition final, which was to have been played on three Saturday afternoons at Lancaster Park, will now have to be confined to March 19 and April 2, with an extension to April 9 should rain prevent a decision in the two afternoons. As it will be impracticable to use the Lancaster Park Oval, it has been decided to play all the finals of the competitions at Hagley Park on those dates, and a collection will be taken in aid of the Mayor's Relief of Distress Fund. This alternative idea is an excellent one, and merits the support of all cricket enthusiasts.