THE ENGLISH CRICKETERS.

Greymouth Evening Star, 19 January 1903, Page 3

THE ENGLISH CRICKETERS.

[special to stab.] The New Zealand Team. Wellington, This Day. In cricketing cireies the claims of Wellington players for inclusion in the New Zealand team are being freely canvassed. Gore, Hickson, Mahony, Upham, Tucker, Richardson, and Williams a’l have their supporters. Mahony has probably played him elf into a place, not only by his batting on Saturday, which is considered by many to be positively the best performance on the Wellington side, but also by the conspicuous cleanliness and celerity in which he fielded in the outfield. He bears the reputation further of being an excellent wicket keeper. Tucker may fairly be reckoned a certainty, and Hickson ought to be selected to fill the gap caused by the absence of Baker, who, on this season’s form, must be left out of count. Williams is seemingly off- colour in batting, and Boxshall appears to be a

more likely wicket-keeper, and Richardson, too, must be set aside, as he evidently is not in his beat form. Gore is hardly strong enough. Upham’s selection will doubtless depend on the form shown by Frankish in the Canterbury match, and the latter’s batting will probably secure him a post. To sum up I am inclined to think that Wellington’s contingent in the New Zealand team will comprise Mahoney, Tucker and Hirkson. As to others Hay may be included from Auckland and Marshall from Wanganui. From the South Island those at present who seem to possess the best chances of election are Frankish, Boxshall, Sims and possibly Howell from Cahterbury and Downs and Fisher Otago. McCarthy (Taranaki) would be an alternative bowler in the event of Howell’s displacement. Such a team, would, I feel snre, after seeing the Englishmen play the last two matches, provide an interesting gam?. The opinion, very largely held that the visitors were playing for the gate on the third day is net justified. From the beginning of the game every member of the team strained every nerve to achieve victory. Morover, individually one and all are keen in securing averages. Burnup |has proved himself to be the beat all round man on the side of the Englishmen, and Thompson probably comes next.