CRICKET

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 118, 16 February 1928, Page 15

CRICKET

AUSTRALIANS OPEN TOUR MATCH WITH NELSON HOME TEAM MAKES 161 BY Telegraph.— press association Nelson, February 15. The first cricket match of the Australian tour was commenced against Nelson to-day at Trafalgar Park on a wicket considered by the visitors to be first class. A shower overnight had taken the sting out of it somewhat, but it got faster in the afternoon. Richardson won the toss and sent the local team in to bat. Neale and Kinzett opened to the bowling of Morton and McNamee. The bowling was played confidently until, with the total at 24, Grimmett was put on, when three wickets went cheaply. Neale, in endeavouring to cover his wicket, was bowled off the pad. Kinzett stepped out and was stumped, and Taylor, the professional, whom it was hoped would make a good showing, failed to get under one and was caught, three wickets being down for 33. Kamnitz failed to last, but Eden and Langbein .were responsible for a useful partnership ot 43. The century went up after 125 minutes’ play, tile varying nature of the bowling "and the splendid fielding keeping down the runs. Both batsmen went for the bowling until Langbein was caught at the wickets. Hawkes forced the pace and added 20 before being sent back to the pavilion. Searell played the liveliest innings of the day, knocking up 17 before being run out. Eden continued with attractive cricket and was unbeaten at 48 when the innings closed for 161. It is considered that Nelson made an excellent showing against such a strong combination. Grimmett puzzled the batsmen considerably, breaking both ways, while Blackie’s carying pace without apparent effort caused him to be watched very carefully. Morton and McNamee were both played confidently, the first named being at times very fast and coming out with one wicket for 32 runs. The Australians lost Woodfull early in the game, that player going, after making 9, 1.b.w., to Hope. Kippax ioined Ponsford, and after scoring freely for the first quarter of an hour, both batsmen settled down to steady cricket, taking no chances < gainst the good length bowling. Their play was marked by perfect timing and splendid wrist work, but were in the concluding stages of the game evidently troubled by the bad light, which was appealed against unsuccessfully, until 5.40 p.m., when stumps were drawn, with the score at 65 for the loss of one wicket, and after 70 minutes’ play. It was apparent the visitors were out for practice more than to make runs, and the slow rate of scoring was rather disappointing to the crowd. NELSON—First Innings. E. R. Neale, b. Grimmett 13 C. Kinzett, st. Oldfield, b. Grimmett 6 E. J. Kemnitz, c. Jackson, b. Blackio 9 J. Taylor, c. Morton, b. Grimmett 1 E. Langbein, c. Oldfield, b. Morton 26 R. Eden, not out 48 N. Hawkes, 1.b.w.. b. Grimmett ... 20 J. Newman, st. Oldfield, b. Grimmett 4 R. Hope, 1.b.w., b. Grimmett 0 T. Searell, run out 17 W. Max, c. Richardson, b. Grimmett 6 Extras H Total 161 Bowling Analysis.—Morton took one wicket for 23 runs; McNamee, none for 30; Grimmett, seven for 64; Blackio, one for 24. AUSTRALIA—First Innings. W. M. Woodfull, 1.b.w., b. Hope .... 9 W. H. Ponsford, not out 24 A. F. Kippax, not out 22 Extras -••• 16 Total for one wicket! -. 65 AUSTRALIA v. WELLINGTON TO-MORROW’S IMPORTANT ENGAGEMENT. Great public interest is being taken in the first appearance here of the Australian team, which will be made at the Basin Reserve to-morrow, when the powerful Board of Control combination will meet Wellington, the premier cricketing province of the Dominion. The Australian team is the strongest which has visited the Dominion for many years, and exceptional interest will attach to the doings of such Renowned batsmen as Ponsford (the re-cord-breaker), Woodfull, and Kippax, while everyone will be anxious to see the brilliant Australian colts, Jackson, Alexander, and Schnieder, handling the Eat. The bowlers of the Australian side are almost as interesting as the batsmen, and many are keen to see Grimmett, Blackie, Oxenham, McNamee, and Morton at the crease. Wellington are at present undisputed cricket champions of the Dominion, having this season defeated Canterbury, Utago (twice), and Auckland. It will be highly interesting to see whether the Wellington eleven will be able to maintain their unbeaten record for the season against practically the full strength of Australian cricket. Play will commence at 11.30 to-mor-row morning, and the hours of play each day will be as follow:—11.30 to 1.30; 2.15 to 4.15; and 4.30 to 6.30. OTAGO TEAM TO MEET AUSTRALIANS. BY Telegraph.—Press association. Dunedin, February 15. The Otago team to play the Australians next week is: Alloo, Blunt, Dickinson, Douglas, Galland, Knight, Shepherd, Vorrath, Torrance, McMullan, Zimmeßman, Cavanagh (twelfth man). REPLY TO A COUNTRY COMPLAINT (To the Editor.) Sir,—Tn reading the communication from “Wanganui” under the heading “A Country Complaint" in this morning’s Dominion, the old adage, “At little knowledge is a dangerous thing ran through my head. First, le Die Town v. Country match: At the last conference held between the delegates of the country associations and the Wellington Cricket Association, the suggestion was made by the latter that it might be a good thing, in the interests of cricket, if this game was played occasionally in one or other of the country districts. But the country delegates would not have anything to do with the suggestion, slating that the opportunity of playing on the Basin Reserve, on a good wicket and before a city crowd, would tend in a greater degree to the development of promising talent in the country districts.

As to the loaning of F. T. Badcock, the coach, to the country districts: So far no request has been made in that connection to the Wellington Cricket Association, and therefore has not even been considered. There are certain financial obligations in this connection, and they would have to be fulfilled by any association requiring the uso of the coach’s services. But I can assure “Wanganui’’ that any application would receive courteous consideration by the Championship Committee of the Wellington Cricket Association, the body under whoso direction the coach carries out his duties. It might bo mentioned in this connection that last year the Wairarapa District High School, by arrangement between Dr. Uttley and the Wellington Cricket Association, had the benefit of Badcock s services as a coach to the schoolboys for one day a week. At the conference referred to above the 'Wellington Cricket Association agreed to send the best available team to Napier and Wanganui this season,

on dates to be fixed by Hie country associations. Such a side is now being got together by 11. M. McGirr to go to Napier at Easter time, and it will contain those of Wellington’s leading players able to make the trip. Owing to the fact that the Wanganui Association have had their hands full in looking after the hold they have on the Hawke Cup, they have allowed this match with Wellington to fall into the background. At last Monday’s meeting, however, a letter was received from Mr. Hayhow, the Wanganui secretary, suggesting a date for the match, but he made an almost impossible suggestion in it. viz., that unless certain named players were included in the Wellington team it would not bo worth while carrying out the fixture. The Wellington players have had a big season, and many of them would be loth at this stage of the year to ask for further leave. If the Wanganui Association are agreeable to accept the best possible team available. Wellington will carry out its obligations in this connection. . . The intentions of the Wellington Cricket Association are to visit two of the other centres, on the same terms, next season, the idea behind these visits being the development of the country players and increased. interest in the playing of the game in the towns in the Wellington Plunket Shield district outside the city.—l am, etc.. D. McKENZIE. ■Wellington, February 14.