THE ENGLISH TOUR

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18906, 22 January 1927, Page 19

THE ENGLISH TOUR

N.Z. CRICKET TEAM

REVIEW OF PROBABLE PLAYERS.

(By "ALBION.' 1 ) Having seen all the provincial teams in various matches during the season, and in -view of the fateful decision of the selectors that will follow the "Wel-lington-Auckland game of this weekend, one may pass various players under review, discuss their form and performances, and even veuture the attempt that so many are making—the selection of a likely side English tour. It will be generally admitted that at present cricket in the North Island i 3 of a higher quality than that in the south, so far as representative showings set a standard. It is therefore certain that the greater portion of the fortunate fourteen will be North Islanders, but the fate of many of these depends upon how they acquit themselves in the decisive Plunket Shield match at Eden Park. First then, let us review the players of promise in each centre.

Otago's Claims, In Otago wretched weather has militated so much against cricket this season that batsmen there have had poor opportunity of striking form. Yet there are few in Dunedin to impress the selectors. Outstanding, of course, is Eoger Blunt, sterling batsman, and, on his day, perhaps the best of our slow bowlers. Shepherd has shown glimpses of tho Shepherd of old, and he can still trundle effectively as a change bowler. Galland unfortunately has been out of big cricket through an injury to his ankle, but Dunedin followers of the game insist that he can be classed as the best all-rounder in tho Dominion, punishing bat, first class field, emergency wicket-keeper, and useful change bowler. It is a big claim to make. Arthur Alloo, who went with the side to Australia, strikes one as a depressing batsman, who declines many opportunities to make easy runs; neither is his work at the bowling crease effective. George Dickinson, recognised as our one "express," must be a disappointment, both to himself and his supporters this year. He has lost some of his pace, much of his accuracy, and all of that height of delivery that makes a fast man really dangerous. In the two games against Auckland and Wellington he took only one wicket, that at a cost of over a quarter thousand htiis. If, after medical treatment, he can reproduce his form of past seasons, he would be hatful to a touri'ig sicu, but on his present showing ho would be a decidedly ccstiy experiment.

Canterbury's Best. Of the Canterbury batsmen, the most impressive has been Page. Though labouring under the disadvantage of being a country resident, with littla .'hance for real practice, he played four very sound Shield innings, and is certainly no' slouch in the field. Oliver, too, strikes one as a likely scoring man for a long and heavy tour. Boon is another double utility player, whose capabilities in the same lines are overshadowed by those of James, of Wellington. Patrick still remains in the picture of New Zealand cricket, even if only for his ability as captain of a side. Canterbury's most valuable asset, however, is Cunningham, at present the best fast-medium in the Dominion. His accuracy, stamina, and easy delivery mark him down as the mainstay of the attack for the side going Home.

"The Whole Side." Wellington, most enthusiastic of the provinces when cricket is considered, offers the greatest selection of possible talent. In fact, when the writer asked a prominent supporter on the Basin Beserve, whom he considered probables for the English trip, promptly and emphatically Came the answer: "The whole side." He was far from alone, either, in thinking that the Wellington eleven i 6 a New Zealand side. Worker, much more stolid than the Worker of Canterbury and Otago days, gets runs consistently, though painfully. Lowry has fully justified his claims as a batsman but his keeping exhibitions have been far from convincing, and his bad habit of appealing for almost anything that hits a batsm&n's legs, ir hardly cricket. Of James and Hiddleston it may safely be said that they should start to pack their bags, for if any, by consistent form, have won a way into the team, these players have. McGirr never seems so impressive, either with bat or ball, off the Basin, as on it; yet, for a team that will be weak in bowling, both he and Brice have claims, the latter's strengthened by his ability in generalship. Dempster, fine cricketer and splendid fieldsman though he has shown himself, has done nothing in big matches this season to, justify his inclusion, though in Soilings Wellington has a likely colt who can make rune attractively, and is a good "change."

Auckland Candidates. Auckland, too, offers several players with strong claims. After his two efforts against Otago, and on account of his fine fielding, it would be difficult to omit Caere, the most sparkling batsman we have produced for years. Allcott, through his consistent form Oh the Australian tour, and his reliability as a left hand trundler, can be put in the Same boat with Dacre, while Eowntree, behind the- sticks, is in a class of his own bo far as Now Zealand ia concerned. Mills, stylish, though not forceful, is a consistent colt, pretty to watch, and with the advantage that he is a left handed batsman. His clubmate, Cooper, iB more vigorous, and has shown such solid form that, should he acquit himself well this week, his chances are rosy. Gillespie, as a _ field, can challenge anyone in the Dominion, and is the type of batsman who would do better on English wickets than he did in Australia.

Selecting the Captain. When it comes to picking 14 from the above-mentioned possibles, the task becomes decidedly difficult. A Captain must be the first consideration, and for this post Brice, unfortunately one of the selectors, seems to have best claim. He has the necessary experience and tact, and has Shown that he is not yet a back number in first-class cricket. Next Comes the question of wicketkeepers. If the general axiom is followed that a keeper's claims must be judged primarily by his prowess behind the stumps, then Bowntree's inclusion must follow, for he alone will com* pare with the county men at Home, and despite his forty-one years he can stand up to an arduous' tour. JameS, who seems a certainty for batting alone, would be an excellent second string.

Good Bowlers Scarce. Where are we to get our bowlers 1 Blunt will be the mainstay with the Blow stuff, Cunningham, fortunately a type that can bowl all day and every day, will be essential, and Allcdtt is the best Of the left handers available. DiOkiftsoa or MoGirr will have to be the alleged fast man, and on present showing McGirr should have the better

claim, while it seems that for other changes those whose main qualification is batting will have to be used. A Suggested Fourteen. Of batsmen there aro plenty from wh6m one is tempted to take Hiddleston, Lowry, Worker, Dacre, Mills. Oliver, and Page, though it is &* rd t. omit such as Hollings, Boon, Cooper, Gillespie, and Shepherd. . Summed up, then, a representative fourteen would be: Brice Worker, Lowry, James, Hiddleston, and McGirr from Wellington Prince; AUCott, Dacre, Rown.ree, and MiUB Of Auckland; Page, Oliver, and Cutningham, df Canterbury; and Blunt, 'iSis'wSd give youth ijylijg. ss fflietn%s b 3wK a them. —'