CRICKET.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16451, 19 February 1919, Page 3

CRICKET.

PLUNKET SHIELD MATCH, ■THE"AUCKLAND TEAM. On, i'riday next, at-Hagley Park, Auckland v.*iJJ uiaJ* an attack on Canterbury with, a 'view to removing the. Plunket Shield from Chrißtchurch. Great interest- is being taken in tho match, so \v© give below a few notes on the Auckland men:— Tf. , Graham, who captains the team, has had a lot of experience as captain of tho University team. He is a keen, resourceful leader, who revels in a'difficulty, and is a sound batsman, and slow medium bowJer. S. G. Smith, tho great' English, all-rounder, is a.noat interesting cricketer.. As a bowler he at his command all kinds of variations cif break, flight, and pace. As Wisden says: "His plow left-hand Tjowling presents endless tomptations to the batsman," and studentß of cricket will not have a" dull' moment while he is at the crease. ■ His latest performance in Auckland -cricket was to capture nine wickets in an ■ innings against the - leading team. As a batsman he is a different type from any other Englishman who - has figured in ♦New Zealand cricket, he relies on delicate glides and glance?, and cuts, with an occoluoAal drive, Utt. his runs. A line cricketer,' as his.record in Gentlemen v. Players matches • beats, witness. F. A.. Midlane is almost as well-known in Cunt-jrbury as in -Auckland. .He has not played much this season, but is quickly picking up his form,- and should be at his best l>y the day' of the'match'. P. '-Beveridge : is. a hard-driving batsman,who learned his cricket in Xew South "Wales. Ho should find the Canterbury wickets to his liking. He is a fine field, with a good return. E. Horspoo! is probably the finest club butiiiiun who has figured in Auckland cricket. With youth still on his side, those who know him best' are .confident that he will yet play a bis p.ii't in representative cricket. He is a uteful medium-pace change bowler. I*. G. Hcmus made few runs for two years, and it v.-as feared he had passed his b-sst. This season, however, ho Has returned to lorm, wnd is once'more the sound watchful batsman' who-has' run' up 'eo' many tall scovcs"against Canterbury. ' C. Dacre' has been the most brilliant batsman -in Auckland for the past three years. Ycung, keen-eyed, and strong, the game f;:irlv sparkles while he is at the wickets. He is a- fast medium left-hand bowler, and a brilliant field. H. G. Sloman, the club bßtsman of the I year, likes the wickets fast, and is then a i clashing forward pltycr. with a fine pull, ne ' is a.- ?ood field. D. !?. Gf.rrard, a name wcll-krown in C»ntr.rbury. cricket, bids fair to .bo a b«tter cricketer than his father. He is «■ right-hand elow bowler, who likes the wickot fast, and an aggressive bat and good field. W. Garrard is tho co!t and wicket-keeper of the team. Although it is tlie first season he'has seriously devoted himself to the litter branch of the game, .his work shows great : promise. He is a solid batsman, ar,d hard to shift when his first couple of overs *.re past, i V>~. ifcMath is a medium paco bowler, wHh j an awkward delivery, who depends or. s ae- : ceptiv« flight for effect. He is a good foil i to Smith. T!. Coates is a fast right-hand !>owl«r. v.lio : puts , every ounce into his work. ITo is not ' easily tired, .but would be more effective with i a higher deliveTS'. - |