BIG CRICKET.

Waikato Times, Volume 110, Issue 18392, 28 July 1931, Page 8

BIG CRICKET.

SECOND TEST MATCH. GAME COMMENCES TO-MORROW. THE TEAMS REVIEWED. The second cricket Test match between New Zealand and England will commence to-morrow on the Old Trafford ground, Manchester. The first Test match played at Lord’s on June 27, 28, and 29 resulted in a drawn game, the tourists making a splendid showing. The scores were: New Zealand 224 and 469 for 9 (declared), England 454 and 146 for 5. The coming match will be followed with interest by the enthusiasts of the game in the Dominion.

The English team will be:— D. R. Jardlne (Surrey), captain. K. S. Duleepslnhjl (Sussex). H. Sutcliffe (Yorkshire). W. R. Hammond (Gloucestershire). M. W. Tate (Sussex). I. A. R. Peebles (Middlesex). L. G. Ames (Kent). A. H. Bake well (Northamptonshire). H. Verity (Yorkshire). F. R. Brown (Cambridge ’Varsity). G. O. Allen (Middlesex).

H. Larwood (Nottinghamshire) is once again indisposed. R. J. Gregory (Surrey) is twelfth man. The New Zealand team will not be selected until the morning of the match, but in all probability it will be:—

T. C. Lowry (Wellington) oaptaln. C. S. Dempster (Wellington). K. C. James (Wellington). J. E. Mills (Auckland). G. L. Weir (Auckland). C. F. W. Allcott (Auckland). H. G. Vivian (Auckland). M. L. Page (Canterbury). W. E. Merritt (Canterbury). I. B. Cromb (Canterbury). R. C. Blunt (Otago).

J. L. Kerr (Canterbury will probably be twelfth man. A. M. Matheson, of Auckland, has had a recurrence of his leg injury and it does ■not seem likely that he will play. The English side appears to be much stronger than the team which defended the first Test match. R. W. V. Robins, J. Arnold, F. E. Woolley and W. Voce are the members of the previous Test team who have been dropped and they have been replaced by M. W. Tate, H. Sutcliffe, H. Verity and F. R. Brown. Of the new members, M. Tate and H. Shtcliffe are well-known and there is no doubt as to their capabilities. They are both stronger than the men they have replaced. On a stioky wicket H. Verity, the Yorkshire left-hand spin bowler, is infinitely more dangerous than either Voce or Robins, and his figures this •season, as well as the previous season, justify his inclusion in the team. This season he took the ten of Warwickshire wickets at less than four runs apiece. When the New Zealanders met Yorkshire he took five wickets in the first innings and six in the second. Playing against Glamorgan last week Verity took six wickets for 2i runs in the first innings and eight for 33 in the second. Brown’s selection is a popular one in England as he is a very promising spin bowler and a useful batsman. 'He is also considered to be one of the best fieldsmen in England.

England’s Strongest Side. ■lt is unfortunate that Larwood ■cannot participate in the match as it would be interesting to see how the visitors fared against his bowling. If Larwood was included in the side the team would probably be the strongest that England could produce.

Jardine, Duleepsinhji, Hammond, Peebles, Ames, and Allen have all represented England against Australia and they all played in the first Test against' New Zealand. Peebles and Allen are two exceedingly dangerous bowlers and the remainder are the pick of England’s batting strength. Allen Is also a batsman of no mean repute as the New Zealanders learned in the first Test match. Bakewell is also a brilliant performer with a bat and once he gets set will be hard to displace. The English selectors are taking no risks as they realise that Dempster and Merritt may repeat the Bradman and Grimmett performances of last season.

The New Zealand team will be a force to be seriously considered, notwithstanding the fact that in all probability they will be without the services of a fast bowler. The batting strength of Dempster, Lowry, Page, Mills, Weir and Blunt will prove difficult for the English howlers, while Cromb, James and Merritt can usually be relied upon to make useful tallies. The bowling of Merritt, Cromb, AUcott and Blunt will be a big thorn in the Englishmen's side, while Weir, Page and Lowry can keep runs down if they are required. If the young Auckland colt, Vivian, is included, both the bowling and batting strength will be augmented. Vivian’s good figures show that he Is a batsman of class and the latest cables indicate that his defence has improved without sacrificing his scoring ability. Vivian’s success with the bail lately makes him a strong contender for a position In the side and if in form he wiil give a good account c 4 himself in both departments of the game. Old TrafTord Ground. The New Zealanders have not played on the Old TrafTord ground so far this tour. The 1927 team played Lancashire, then the champion County, on this historic ground, and they were in a good position when rain spoilt the game. Lancashire batted first and were dismissed for 229, E. Tyldeslcy with 124 being the only batsman to make a stand. Lowry, Merritt and Blunt bore the brunt of the attack. Lowry bowled 22 overs and took one wicket for 31 runs, Merritt 30 overs with 3 wickets for 94, and Blunt 30 overs with 4 for 53. The Australians played the fourth Test against England at Manchester last season where rain interfered with tne play. Sutcliffe, Hammond, Dulcepslnhji, Tate, and Peebles were included in I lie English team. Australia went to the crease first and compiled 315. England had lost eight wickets for 251 runs when stumps were drawn. Peebles sent down 55 overs and though his three wickets cost 150 runs, most of the batsmen were uncomfortable facing him. Tate, with 30 overs, took 1 wicket for 39 runs.

It is dnuhiful whether a definite result will be obtained in the three days, but cricket enthusiasts can be assured that the New Zealanders will again give a good account of themselves.