CRICKET

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 9, Issue 42, 8 February 1946, Page 5

CRICKET

BAY TEAM ANNOUNCED

FIVE WHAKATANE PLAYERS

The seieOiui'M ini to announced the following Bay til Plenty side to meet Waikato *in the llrtwkc Cup elimination match. The game is to be played at Rotorua on the 2tfrd, 24th and 25th February.

* Spring, McKenzie, Wells, Fisher (Whakatane); Mason, Warren, Badelcy (Opotiki); Douglas, Still (Rotorua); Crawford (Whakatane); Smith (Tauvanga) Curtis (Rotorua) 12th man.

Beere and Webb (Tauranga) and Higgins (Rotorua) were not available for selection.

The team appears to be quite strong in batting but the bowling is of a doubtful nature particularly against such a strong batting side ;is Waikato which possesses such batsmen as J. B. Mills, ex-New Zealand and Auckland representative, J. G. Everest one of the finest left hand bowlers in the, country, R, Clough- a powerful fast scoring right hander, J. D. Bright a safe and stylish handed and E. L. Avery a dashing hat" and a line wicketkeeper. Mills, Everest and Avery have been selected to practice in Auckland for the team to be picked to meet the Australians early in March. For Bay of Plenty McKenzie, and Wells are both at the top of. their form. Wells has scored centuries in each of liis last two innings and McKenzie scored 104 against Tau-

ranga. Spring and Badeley are both ex-Auckland Plunket Shield players and only need to get started to lie dangerous scoring men, Fisher as a fast scoring batsman and Mason and Douglas have both played some very fine innings and can get runs attractively. The remaining four players will be having their first game as Bay representatives. Warren is a very promising batsman and with restraint should. get amongst the runs. Smith has played a lot of good cricket and although getting on in years can still get runs nicely. Still of (Rotorua is the wicketkeeper and can give a polished display on bis game. Crawford has been scoring consistently this season. Curtis the 12th man from Rotorua is a useful change bowler and a capable left hand bat. Unfortunately the side does not possess any outstanding bowler and of the talent available there docs not appear to be sufficient variety. Fisher Warren McKenzie and Doug-

las arc all medium-pace right-hand-ers. Spring, medium slow can turn them from the off, Wells and Mason are both left hand medium slow, having similar styles and. Badeley is the only slow spin bowler being able to turn the ball sharply both ways. This match will be watched with interest as it should give a good line on the Bay standard as Waikato lias always been considered one of the strongest minor associations in New Zealand.