CRICKET.

Waikato Times, Volume 102, Issue 17077, 14 April 1927, Page 2

CRICKET.

EASTER FIXTURES. The Waikato Association's programme for Easter is not yet quite complete, but so far as it has gone it is a very attractive one, and followers of the game should have no cause to complain of the fare provided for them. Definite arrangements have been made for a match with an Auckland team, organised by Mr E. C. Beale, on Friday and Saturday, commencing at 11 a.m., and for a South Auckland Shield match against King Country on, Monday. A Senior B team will play a Junior team on Saturday and Putaruru on Monday, while it is hoped to arrange matches for a second Senior A team on Saturday and Monday against Matamata and Maniapoto. King Country have always proved a difficult team to beat —indeed of recent years the margin of victories has been in their favour -and the Shield match on Monday w'U doubtless provide a keen fight. The most attractive game, however, should be the two days' match against the Auckland eleven. Mr Beale can usually be depended upon to get together a good team, in which youth and experience are judiciously blended, and on this occasion he has obtained a very strong combination, which should give a capital exposition of the game and prove an exceptionally hard nut for the local players to crack. The team has a very solid foundation in Gillespie, the captain, a former New Zealand representative, who besides being one of the best fieldsmen in the Dominion is a very sound bat, particularly strong in back play; Cooper, an Auckland representative all-rounder, who is a sound batsman and a slow right-hand leg-break bowler; Butler, a young and aggressive batsman who represented Auckland against the Melbourne team, recently rattled up 109 in a club match in about fifty minutes, and who is a useful slow to medium right-hander, turning the ball both ways; and A. F. Weir, who headed the Eden batting averages this season with an average of 37.50 (for the same team Cooper averaged 5G.52 with a highest score of 189) and with his slow leg-breaks came second in the bowling averages. Supporting this strong quartette are M. T. Gilmore, who is no other than' our old friend Mark; Browne, a young player 18 years of age, who keeps wickets for King's and appears to have a naturalgift in that direction, besides being a good defensive batsmen; N. 11. E. Hockin, a keen player and administrator and secretary of the Auckland Association, who is a left-handed batsman with great hitting power and one of the best slip fieldsmen in Auckland, also a fair fastmedium bowler; Macallan, a dangerous left-hand medium pace bowler and a good sound free right-hand batsman: Warncford, secretary of the Ponsonby Club, a punishing batsman and medium pace bowler; Whitelaw, captain of the Auckland Grammar School team, who although only 17 years of age, has many stylish baiting performances f o his credit and for whom Bovvley has predicted a good future; and Luke, another promising youngster, who has been scoring consistently this season and can take a turn at the bowling crease when, required.

On Good Friday a combined Waha-roa-Malamata team will visit Hamilton and play a Hamilton learn on No. 2 wicket at Seddon Park. This match will commence at 10.30 a.m. ' The W.Q-A. selector has chosen the following team to represent Hamilton: F. Hawke. W. Everest, J. Dufty, R. Skeet, T. Ewan, S. Manncring. 11. Shcp-~ herd J. Loughlln, B. Wilson, A. Marcroft G. Christian; .12th man, A. Clarke. Ground fees for this match will be 3s. Any chosen player unable to participate in this match is requested to notify the selector (Mr R. Johnston) as soon as possible. The following learn will represent Claudelands Rovers, to travel to Glen Massoy Easter Saturday: Dykes, Crabb, Shcidt, F. Phillips, Feraby.Russell 11. Emerson Gorkindale, L. Emerson, Deacon, Maclnally; reserve, Lincoln. Players meet Ward Street, 1 p.m. prompt.