SHIELD CRICKET

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 92, 12 January 1935, Page 9

SHIELD CRICKET

Wellington Team Selected MATCH WITH AUCKLAND (By “Burwood.”) The sole selector for the Wellington Cricket Association, Mr. A. W. Duncan, who is on holiday in. the Picton Sounds, yesterday telegraphed his choice . of players to represent Wellington against Auckland, at Auckland, in the Plunket Shield match commencing on Friday next, as follows: — . E. D. Blundell (Wellington) captain, J. R. Lamuson (Wellington College Old Boys) vice-captain, J. Ell (Wellington), R. D. Morgan (Wellington), R. A. Whyte (Wellington), E. W. Tindill (Midland), E. McLeod (Hutt), S. Ward (Kilbirnie), B. Griffiths (Kilbirnie), W. Tricklebank (University), W. G. Rainbird (Wellington College Old Boys), L’. G. Hamilton (Hutt), twelfth man.

L. Riley (Midland), who is on holiday in the South Island, and W. Hepburn (Kilbirnie), were not available. . The team will leave for Auckland by train at 3 o’clock on Wednesday, with Mr. J. 11. Phillips, as manager. 'The team is the strongest which has represented Wellington in shield matches this season. McLeod's inclusion will strengthen the batting, bowling and fielding departments, and the presence of B. Griffiths will give the side a slow right-hand leg-break bowler, who can make the ball nip off the wicket faster than any spin-bowler in Wellington. Griffiths is also an active fieldsman.

It is pleasing to see that Mr. Duncan has included Rainbird, ex-captain of the Wellington College first eleven, who left college at the end of the year. This colt has liad a phenomenally successful run with the bat for Wellington Colege during the past two seasons, and this year developed outstanding ability. On tour with the Wellington Colts he scored a century in each innings in the Brabin Shield match against the Auckland Colts, at Auckland, at Christmas time, andfollowed this up with a century against the Auckland City and Suburban Colts in the next match. Promoted to the first eleven of the Wellington College Old Boys’ Club last Saturday, he played a dashing knock for 48 against Midland on the Kilbirnie Recreation Ground. Rainbird is also a serviceable bowler.

It was inexperience more than want of ability which led to Wellington’s defeat by Canterbury at Christchurch at the New Year. When the first few ■Wellington batsmen went cheaply, M. L. Page, the Canterbury captain, packed his slips and completely hobbled the majority of the batsmen. If the Wellington eleven play their natural game at Auckland, they should do quite well.