WOMEN'S CRICKET

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 134, 3 December 1938, Page 23

WOMEN'S CRICKET

SHIELD PROSPECTS

MATCH WITH CANTERBURY

Much interest has been aroused in the women's representative cricket match, Canterbury v. Wellington, to be played at th- Basin Reserve en December 30 and 31. Canterbury, one of the strongest South Island centres, has some very good material from which to choose its team.

The three Canterbury players who represented New Zealand In Australia last season are doing very well. Both Mrs. R. Martin and Miss P. Taylor play for Technical and Miss P. Blackler plays for St. Albans. Christchurch players are under the same disadvantage as the Wellington girls in that the two top teams are considerably better than the other teams in the senior grade. Technical are leading in the championship in Christchurch, after having defeated St. Albans last Saturday by one run. P. Taylor made highest score (46) for

Technical and took five wickets for 13 off eighteen overs. P. Bladder made 44 for St. Albans. Miss Taylor is certain to be included in the Canterbury team, her batting average to date being 68. R. Martin, in addition to making scores, has been consistently taking wickets, and another player who is impressing down there r is. P. Farquhar. The Wellington team will have to be strong in all departments, as the Canterbury girls are very keen to take the coveted Hallyburton'-Johnstone Shield back to Christchurch. However, H. Buck and L. Harris have been showing splendid batting form and others, too, are doing well. There is also the fact that Wellington has never been at a loss for medium-paced bowlers. NOTES. I Miss M. Hollis (Otago) underwent an operation during the winter and will not be able to play again for some time. Women cricketers will sympathise with Miss Hollis, who is the best fast bowler in the Dominion. She will be a sad loss next season when the English girls play in New Zealand. Wellington could do with a bowler of her calibre. Miss J. Hudson, of Kilbirnie, if correctly coached, would make a splendid fast bowler. She has the build and plenty of endurance, but as yet insufficient qontrol of the ball. Players in the intermediate grade are turning on some very bright cricket and the match, Hutt United v. Kilbirnie, was the bright spot in last Saturday's play. Miss J. Williams, of Hutt United, who made 116 before being bowled by H. Ashenden, impressed by her crisp, clean hitting. H. Ashenden, who made 92 before being run out. also produced the form that gained her a place in the Wellington XI last season. She is a solid bat and a good medium bowler. Both Kil- ! birnie and Hutt United played cricket worthy of senior grade. . Technical Day Girls continued their j winning way, J. Presney helping them with a well-played 47. This side is well balanced and the members, although only school girls, take a very keen interest in their cricket. It is good to think that these players will in a few years be seniors who have had a thorough grounding in the game. ______^___———