THE AUSTRALIAN CRICKETERS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVI, Issue 31, 6 February 1905, Page 3

THE AUSTRALIAN CRICKETERS.

AE EI\*AL IN AUCKLAND. A VISIT TO BOTOBUA. Australian cricket team, now en iis wiy to England, arrived in Auckland by the s.s. Manuka, yesterday, for tie purpose of playing a series of six matches in New Zealand prior to continuing the trip, which vviii be made .k v yty of Vancouver. Ui the icurteen. JLn »'iected twelve arrived by the Manuka., the absentees being •J. D-arling (the ovptiun erf the last toarmg eleven J Ld P. Xewland, both of South Australia Darling proceeds direct to Engird, "ard meets the team on arrival, while Newland will come over by way of Melbourne and join bis confreres at Cjurasfe ;iiareh - The arrivals lnududirtgthe manager ("Frank Layer, of Victoria), iunsself a cricketer of the highest class, are Messrs IT. A. Noble. V. Trumper. & A. Duff, W. P. Hovvell, J. J. Kelly, £. J Hopkins. A. Cotter a-nd S. Gregory (New South Wales), C. Hill and D. R. 2. Gehrs (South Australia). W. W. jinnS troDg and C. E. McLeod (Victoria). A fine passage across was experienced, and the whole of the team arrived Lα good health and form. A crowd of enthusiasts assembled on°the wharf to catch a glimpse of the redoubtable eleven and to welcome them to New Zealsind. The officiate of the Auckland Cricket Association, including Messrs F. Earl (President). H. B. Lu=k (secretary). F. J. Olilaon (selector of the Auckland reps.), C and D. Hay. Mills. Watts, Plummer, H. Froude. and other members of the Council, boarded the Manuka when she reached the wharf, and greeted the visitors, who were conveyed to the Central Hotel, where they are putting up. Here they were formally welcomed to the dtv by llr Earl, who, on behalf of the 2few Zealand Cricket Council and the Auckland Association, expressed pleasure at the visit of the Australians, referring to the improvement which such visits effected to New Zealand cricket. Mr M. A. Noble briefly responded, stating that ever since negotiations had been opened up for the visit the members of the team had been looking forward with very pleasurable anticipation t>o a crip through the colony. He aaj other members of the team had previous experience of the hosoitalitv of the Sew Zealand people, and he felt -ure that their stay would ■be an enjoyable one. They, on their part, would do all they could to earn respect. Dot ohjv as cricketers, but also as men. He sincerely hoped that their visit would do ~o meaning , to improve the standard of cricket in N>w Zealand by shawinar som n good cricket, and if they could the team would be as gratified as the local men.

Mr F. Layer also briefly returned thanks for the welcome, stating that they were all anxious to see the scenic beauties of the colony.

The first match in New Zealand will be that against Auckland, to be commenced on the Domain Cricket Ground at 2 pjn. on Friday, and continued on Saturday and Monday, play beginning at 11 a-m. on these two days. On Tuesday they leave for Wellington, and the subsequent programme is as follows - : — February 17, 18 and 20—Play Wellington, at Wellington. February 24, 25 and 27 —Play Canterbury, at Christchurch. March 3, 4 and 6—Play Otago, at Dtmedia. March 10, 11 and 13—Play New Zealand, at Christehurch. March 15, 13 and 18—Play New Zealand, at Wellington. March 20—Leave Auckland for England, via Vancouver. During the trip across M. A. N-Oible wa3 elected captain, and Clem Hill vieecaptain, until the team reaches England. The captain for the English grounds will then be elected by the full team, when Darling's vote will be available. Messrs Noble, Hill and Warwick Armstrong were elected aj the selection committee. Hawell injured his thumb ■while taking a catch in the match between New South Wales and Victoria, completed just before the Manuka sailed, and he may not be able to play in the Auckland match. The eleven pitted against the local team will in that case be the team given above, with How-ell excluded. Clem Hill, who was married a fortnight ago, is accompanied by his wife. A VISIT TO ROTORUA. This morning the whole team proceeded up to Rotorua to see the sigfaxs of the thermal '.Springs district. They will probably return by Thursday's express, in which case they will have practically no practice before the Auckland match starts. They have just come away from a season's cricket, however, and are all in thorough form. The Mayoral reception was postponed from to-day, and will be held at the Municipal Chambers on Friday morning.

EiTERvTEW WITH THE MANAGER.

Shortly after the Manuka anchored a representative of the -i Star" had a conversation with Mr Lavar on matters concerning the team. "We had a very good trip across. - ' he said. "Some of the team were a little seasick, but nothing serious, and all are in good form." In answer to the rather delicate question (in viet? of his position) of what his opinion of the team was, Mr Layer said: "'lt is a very solid batting and fielding combination. There is not a poor field in the side, and the batting strength is undeniable. The bowling lacks variety a little, but it is very good. The'men will get wickets all right, and the bowling will have to be absolutely collared before the lack of variety is felt. Our fast bowler, Cotter, should prove very successful at •Same, especially on sticky wickets. ■i-Tcvt>)l t_3 a g ne length bowler, and we kave both leg and off-break trundlers, so that the attack is not so monotonous as some people try to make out, and I do not think the absence of a left nander will ma ke much difference." 1 notice that the team had been rather roug-hlv handled by some of the critics in Australia."

"Oh, yes. that is bound to be the caae. Whatever team may be picked, aome fault will be found with it. Every nian in the team is worthy of his place, and in m y opinion thev'will prove it before their return." "

you think the ppospeets of recovering the 'ashes' good?" "Decidedly I do; at all events, we will "7 very hard." When asked if the team objected to against odds. Mr Layer shook his oead doubtfully, and in his turn asked U they were to do that here. When told Ziat Auckland proposed to play fifteen *en, he remarked that the Australians <«d not knew Aucklnnd's strength, and they should give them a aandiJpp« "We don't object to them batting

iS^iJ 1 V QntiTOed ' CCso lon e ss «nly field eleven."

interviewer pointed out that the rica of choosing fifteen was to strengthen the fielding and bowling, and that the additional men had not been chosen lor their batting. Mr Layer remarked that some of the batsmen would not Eke the larger field. A man had to alter -his style of-ptar to get the ball through the field. THE AUCKLAND FIFTEEN. From the sixteen players selected last week Mr F. J. Ohlson has dropped Huss"y. of North Shore, reducing the team to the number decided upon—fifteen. The team is very favourably reviewed by cricketers, and is generally considered. the strongest that could be picked. Following is a brief description of the piav of the fifteen: — D Hay (Gralton)-: A fine bat and pernaps the beat outfleld in the eotooy. Has strokes all round the wiefcet. and wben set is i prolific scorer. Has represented AocfctaiHl tor over ten seasons, bat has not been in ins best form for some little time. S. P. EngagEri. in Anatolia to coach, the Grafton teams. Jones is pJayins his first season's eriefcet In A-nefcland Has a toe variety of strokes, and keeps tb* ball down splendidly. Has played hi beat pricket, and was top of the averages Iα ISS6. A keen and. field, and a good change bowier.

W. btemsan (Grafton): Has represented Auckland for Sfteen years, and is our steadiest bowler; mixes his pace weli and breaks a little from leg. A good hitter wfeen Tie opens his shoulders.

A. E. Stoman (Grafton): A fine hitter when set, his best stroke being a crisp off drive. A left hand break bo-wier, and a very fair field. Represented Aoc&tand last season.

Saie (Parnell): Bather a scratchy beginner with the bet. bat a fine player wben set. having a good variety of strokes. A veij- smart field. First appearance as a. rep.

Mason fParnel]): Has represented Anck Isjid and the North Island. Is a fine bat, and mc of the fastest scorers In Auckland. A brilliant field, especially at mid-off or extra cover.

o'l2 i.Parnell): Equalry good as bat and bowler. Has a aasty break, and for his iaches can lay the wood on remarkably well. Represented Auckland and the North Island.

X. B. L-usi (ParcelD: A fast bowier and a fine slip. A free hitter, bnt lacks patience, and does not always pifk the right bail. Has represented the province for some years.

Schnroll "(City>: Wlcketkeeper. A pood catch and a very fair stumper. He la a very fair bat. and is representing Auckland for the second season.

Hemus (Cityc Has some very nice strokes, and scores weil when. set. Is a very keen field.

H. B. Lnsk (Eden): A good bat. watches the ball caTefnlTy. and can hit very weLL A sooA chanse bowler, and a tine slip.

Brook-Smith (Bden): A younjr player, representing Auckland fo-r the first time. A sood bat, a fair bowier, and a smart outfield.

McNeill (North Shore): First appearance a≤ a rep. A good fast bowier. with some very daogerons deliveries. A very fair fteJd.

Ha-dd-on (North Shore): Coach for the Devooport Clnb, and a former player for ■North Sydney. a irood bat. a reliable field, and a change bowler.

Stephens (Northern Wairoa): A break bowler, who. if he kept a better length, would be very daiereroas. bnt is inclined to pitch a triflp short at times. A moderate bat and fleld.

The team will elect its captain on the Domain to-nrorrow evening.