Sport in Cricket.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 December 1922, Page 3

Sport in Cricket.

1 MAC! AREN DEPENDS HIS j STATEMENT. j AUCKLAND, Dec 16. Commenting on this morning’s English cablegram, MneLaren said;—“The English authorities are shocked, but not- half so much as I was when | saw the deplorable exhibitions by England in thif test matches against the Australians in England two years ago. Of the last ten matches, live in Australia and five in England, not onc-Aias lye" won by England. It was no matter lor surprise to tin* old players seeing how the teams were selected—with very little regard to tin* all-iinporlan! matter of fielding.” Mac,areii said he was quite satisfied that those who witnessed the defeat of the Australians at Eastbourne Ireelv admitted that the brilliancy of the Cambridge fieldsmen, with the wonderful cricket, of Aubrey Faulkner and the excellent howling of Falcon and Gibson, caused the overthrow of a hilherto unbeaten eleven. Concerning professionals. MaoLareii i said they could not lie blamed if they j played crUket from a business point ! of view. No one with any sense of ' justice could blame them for getting, j L'3() a week compared, with £lO in his (Mael.aren’s) day. How would the I cricket authorities justify tlieir atti- : tilde when players of the calibre of) llarrv Tvldoslcv. who was not consul-' en d good enough to play for tin' l,an- j eashiigi first eleven. Clem Gibson and . David Brand could dismiss for 901 run-' on a batsman’s wicket a New: South Will *s team in which there were i no fewer than eight Australian interna-I tionaL who took part in English test ! matches. Marbaren added that David ’ Brand. I’ercy Chapman and Glem (lib-, son. who were members of the team , fit present playing Auckland, ware three of the be-t amateur cricketers in ! England to-day. Concerning the lack of appreciation of promising players. Alad.sm n stated ; that Tvldoslcv, the leg-break howler of the present team, had been offered ; an engagement by South Australia and , would probably accept the appoint- j incut, on his recommendation.

MAC I,A IMOXiV OI’IMON. AUCKi.AXD. Dee 17. I . Mael.areu expressing 1 1 is opinion of | the play, stated that, in view of the, i adverse conditions, the Auckland howl- j ! <ts did exceedingly well. Alcott, the j [ left-hander, impressed him favourably. 1 Alcott. lie said, bad a varied pace and j ;i pitch with such judgment that the j i English captain, was kept playing “all ! j out.” Regarding itlie chance givun. j Garrard at 29, Maid,area said he had l ; attempted to play the bowler past ! cover point, but bad played straight, j back to the bowler, who should have ■ accepted the chance. II was a serious j handicap on a wet wicket, which hampered the Auckland howlers. -Mai l.nr-j cm had invited Sneddon. the Auckland ; i captain ,to retire during the rainfall, j ; but lie declined stating flint Auckland j | was used to such conditions. j Concerning •Saturday's play, -Mac- 1 Daren said “So as not Lo disappoint tile spectators, the two teams felt that cricket in the slush was better than no cricket at all. The howlers, i throughout the match were liamlieap- ! pod with a wet ball. Alcott bow lei; j I splendidly throughout our innings, and 1 would be certain lo get u lot ot wickets ! amiinst us under favourable conditions. ; ! Akott, compares favorably with our best, left-handers in county cricket today Antlionv bowled effectively, and has reason to bo pleased with his capital performance in taking slx wickets so cheaply.” Smith was going strongly when Brand deceived him in pace Snotldt ” was there long enough to slum M.ul.aren that he is good and a moie mished bntsiiian than many, and will g< t ' plenty of runs. Ho was out to a Lrand catch by Chapman, the. fieldsman inakin" a surprising amount of ground ru-tu tl.o ball. The not out man Garrard, made som’e delightful rh'ves past cover, going right through wit ■. lii.H lyrists in approved style,

. New Zealand supporters need have no fear about our opponents’ ability to keep us on a. stretch throughout all the test matches. MaoLareii did not dare bowl Gibson and Caltliorpe on the very slippery surface. He hoped tho crowd enjoyed Titchniarsli’s sporting display, for he was on the top of his form. In the course of an interview MacLarcit stated that he had just,been shown a ridiculous statement in tho London Press: “AA’hat I actually said in my Australian interview,” he said, •‘was these games as played hv the M.C.C. eleven in Australia are not so important as test matches, and in. consequence the cricket is more sporting and enjoyable than our county matches at home, which, in my opinion, have become rather ovcr-commcrcialiscd. M .C.C. V. CANTERBURY. The following'team has been selected to represent Canterbury in the above match at Lancaster Bark on Saturday next: R. C. Blunt, L. R. Bruntoil, IV. Haves, AY. R. Patrick. RHead, C. T. Nix, C. A!. Sandnuln, I'. Smith. A. AY. Thomas, R. D. Worker, J. Young. i -