AUSTRALIAN CRICKETERS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1373, 7 February 1905, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN CRICKETERS.

MANAGER INTERVIEWED.

(Per Press Association.) Auckland, last night. The Australian cricketers left for Rotorua this morning, and will probably .not roturn to Auckland till Thursday evening or Friday morning. They will bo officially welcomed on behalf of the citizens of Auckland by the Mayor, and at 2 o’clock on that afternoon will commence tho first match of the tour, that Bgainsf Auckland fifteen.

The members of tbo team all look in fine health and condition, and it was evident from a glanco at them that tho selectors bad. had in view the combination of. cricketing skill and physical powers. Noble has boon selected captain and O. Hill vice-captain until the team readies England, In the course of an .interview, Frank Laver, manager of the team, while not prepared to discuss, criticise, or. touch . on the non-inclusion of Saunders and others whose claims have been advocated, Bpoke hopefully' of the Seam’s chance of the recovery of the ashes .in England. Ho regards his side as powerful in batting and a brilliant' fielding team, and while admitting that the presence of a left-handed bowler might lend variety to attack, does' not admit weakness in the. department. He says some'of his men do not line tho idea of fifteen men fielding against them for Auckland, but do not object to that number batting. Darling and Newland arc not with the team, the former intending to go direct to England, while Newland will overtake his comrades at Christchurch. Howell is suffering from injured fingers caused in the matoh just before leaving for New Zealand, so that the following will presumably be the team to play against Auckland: S. Gregory, A. Cotter, B. A. Duff, A. J. Hopkins, J. J. Kelly, M. A. Noble, V. Trumper, G. Gehrs, O. Hill, W. Armstrong, O. McLeod.

The Auckland team will be as under ; Oliff, Mason, N. B. Lusk, Sale, Schmoll, Hemus, H. B. Lusk, Brook-Smith, Htiddon, McNeill, Jones, D. Hay, Sloman, Stenson, Stephens. * " .