HAWKE CUP CRICKET

Waikato Times, Volume 123, Issue 20690, 28 December 1938, Page 7

HAWKE CUP CRICKET

MARLBOROUGH MATCH WAIKATO’S STRONG ELEVEN VISITORS’ CREDENTIALS SOUND With an overwhelming victory against Bay of Plenty to their credit, the same Waikato team is being relied upon to stave off the second Hawke Cup challenge of the season, from Marlborough at Hamilton, over the New Year holidays. There was no doubt about the strength and balance of the eleven which routed the Bay, and Mr E. Everest, the selector, has shown discretion in not making any alteration. Some people favoured younger Hamilton players being given the chance of experience ui bigger cricket, but indications are that the scheme would not prove so beneficial as many imagine, and would certainly involve a serious risk. As is it, the Waikato side looks fairly formidable, with its great combination of bowlers and batsmen, while Marlborough, from what information has been gained, is sure to put up a belter showing than did Bay of Plenty. It seems unlikely that an association from the South Island would send a team such a distance if its credentials were not fairly sound. The following are the teams: — Marlborough—H. Auty (captain), D. Ilastilow, A. Neal, G. Sowman, S. Ross, G. Bonsall, H. Bougen, F. Cresswell, A. Cresswell, N. Avery and G. O’Sullivan. Waikato—R. Skeet (captain), A. Lissette, H. Going. R. Clough, J. Everest. T. Lyon, M. Lyon, S. A. R. Badeley, A. J. Ait-ken, P. Bright, E. Everest, G. Hampton (twelfth man). Promising Side A reliable leader is an acquisition to any team, and Auty is stated to be a valuable man in that respect. He is a tvpical opening batsman and one who can stay at the wickets for any length of time to take the edge off the bowling. lie has been in the Marlborough team for many years and has done yeoman service.

Who hatted well against Bay of Plenty.

Another forceful batsman who can usually be relied upon is D. Ilastilow, but so far this season he has not struck form. However, he has often come to light in representative fixtures. He is the wicketkeeper and in that respect is considered particularly sound. The left-hander sometimes plays havoc with the fielding side, and the task of doing that is left to Neal, who has some fine scores to his credit in club cricket. He is in form, and as a medium-pace left-hand bowler has also met with success. Last season he represented the Country against the Wellington Town players. Sowman has proved an outstanding bowler with a medium pace. Although he has failed with the bat this season lie is a great field. There is another left-hand bowler in the team, S. Boss, who is slow and can turn the ball both ways as well as flighting it in deceptive fashion. He is also a fair bat. A colt, S. Bonsall. is expected to do well later, being an attractive batsman, a good slow bowler and a reliable field. F. Cresswell swings the ball in from the off and, being a steady trundler may trouble the batsmen. He fields well and is a left-hand batsman. Young Batsmen Marlborough appears to have several players from the ranks of the younger players. Another is Avery, who is stated to be attractive, although Inclined to be impetuous. He is also the reserve wicketkeeper should the occasion arise. C. O'Sullivan is a left-hand batsman and a right-hand slow-medium bowler. He is a promising all-rounder. Generally the team is a sound one and is expected lo acquit itself wed, even if if does no! lake away the cup.