CRICKET.

Hokitika Guardian, 4 January 1926, Page 3

CRICKET.

[Australia t V. N.Z. Cable Association.; WARNER’S ESTIMATE. 110liITS 1101T.*,. LONDON, Dec. 31. I lie new>papers continue to discuss the Auiraliau cricket team, particularly from the viewpoint of the remaining piayers to he selected. They realise ih" selectors’ task is difficult, owing !•; idi*' numerous claims. It would ho more easily solved, if not at least half a dozen sound batsmen available, anv had howling qualifications. Australia is undoubtedly being scoured for a surprise howler. Some critics are puzzled hv the absence of Kelleway. Others believe that Kelleway, A. Richardson, and l-ove are. certain for inclusion. owing to their dual qualifications.

“Plum” Varner, interviewed, said: “Australia has selected a vorv hot. batting side. Its great strength lies in the fact that Nos. 8. 9. 10 and 11 .ire all good batsmen. You have got to get the whole side out, and you are In.st as likely to have trouble after the sixth wicket has fallen as before. But

* hey don't seem m have found any new KoGcr except Grimmef. ft will lie interesting to see who are the remaining three selected. It is a difficult matter to choose between such promising players as Live, A. Richardson. Kippnx, and Kelleway. whose brilliant innings at .Melbourne, shows ho is still at tho top of his form.” Hobbs, in a special article in the “Daily Chronicle” appeals to the newspapers to spare early criticisms and fault-finding in connection with the selection of the English team. Reviewing Australia’s selection, lie criti-

rises and pays tributes to the various players. He then adds: “It, is not a super team. They can be beaten. I am not afflicted with over confidences when I sav that England lias, nt least, a fifty-fifty chance, and I rate our chances even higher on a wet wicket.” Hirst, of Yorkshire, questions Australia’s bowling strength, and points out that Collins is deprived of Armtrong’s advantage of two fast bowlers such as Gregory and .MacDonald at either end. England's side, be says, should bo selected from the viewpoint of variety of attack. England is fortunate that Tate and Afncnuloy are useful batsmen. The wicket-keeper should also be. a good batsman.

X.S.W. V. NEW ZEALAND. SYDNEY, Jan. 3. The match between New South Wales and New Zealand was resumed in dull, but fine weather. Heavy rain fell during the night, and the drying outfield was slow. Some of the halls were rising high. X.S. WALKS—First Innings. Phillips, h v.unningham 1 Brown, e Du ere. b Patrick 168 Sonnes. b Cunningham 17 .Morgan, c Oliver, l> Cunningham 29 Ratcliffe, b Alicott 128 Bardsley c. Blunt b. Cmmiiiliam 87 Punch, c Alicott. Ii Aleßontli ... 13 Vaughan, b Cunningham H Nieltolls e. MeHeath b. Cunningham 47 Cargill (not out) ••• U> Tweedaie, run out 2 Extras 12 Total 031 Bowling: Cunningham 5 for 125, Allentt 2 for 132. Oliver 0 for 31, Blunt 0 for 96, Alcßeatb 1 for 76, Alloo 0 for 27, Patrick 1 for 52. NEAV ZEALAND—Ist. Tunings. Worker c. Campbell 30 Alloo. b. Nicbolls 13 Blunt, c. Campbell, b. Morgan ... 73 Oliver, c. Vaughan, h. Campbell 23 Lowry, c. Ratcliffe, b. Morgan ... 6 fiacre. h. Campbell 0 Patrick (not out) *1 Alicott (not out) I Extras 9 Total for six wickets 282 VICTORIA v. SOUTH AUSTRALIA. AIEDBOURNE. Jan. 3. Playing Victoria, South Australia lost 6 for 321. (A. Richardson made 41. Rvmill (not out) 104. A 7. Richardson 56 and Alexander not out 74). Play was recommenced in intense heat on a good wicket. It was the day of the colts. Rymill and Alexander thoroughly t non lining - the bowling. Each batted in fine "free style, scoring all round the wicket, but, on the whole the day’s play was uninteresting.

AVELTJNGTON v. CANTERBURY WELLINGTON, Jan. 3.

In the Flunket Shield cricket match Wellington beat Canterbury by an innings and 332 runs. When time was called on Friday. Wellington bad lost nine wickets for 494 runs and the innings closed for 497. Canterbury’s innings closed for 37 (Gasson 17). The bowling of McGirr and Badcock was deadly. The averages were : McGirr 5 for 17, Badcock 5 for 18. In their second innings Canterbury made 127. Gasson was again top scorer with 27. and Gregory made 21, Page 21 and Woods 17. Badeock’s bowling average was again good, 5 for 42, while Brice was deadly, getting 4 for 13. The visitors go to Auckland to-morrow.

I AUCKLAND v. OTAGO AUCKLAND, Jan. 3. The Plunket Shield match between Auckland and Otago was continued in fine weather, and on an easy wicket. The following are tho scores .- Otago—First Timings 131 OTAGO—2nd Innings. Cherry r. Rountree, b. Cooper ... 32 McMullan l.b.w. b. Simpson 0 Alloo (run out) 33 HI ani ires (not out) 33 Zimmerman (not out) 75 Extras 6

Total for three wickets 209 A UCTC LAND—lst. Innings. Horspool c. Blamires b. Torrence 61 Mills c. Gallnnd b. Torrance 59 Sneddon c. Alloo b. Torrance 19 Smith l.b.w. 1». Conradi 63 Anthony c. Galland b. Torrance ... 19 Frnter (run out) 13 Player b. Torrance 14 Cooper (not out) 26 Simpson st. Gallnnd. h. Douglas 11 Saunders b. Torrance 5 Rountree b. Torrance 6 Extras .q Total 333 Bowling: Torrance 7 for 90, Douglas 1 for 08. Conradi 1 for 84, Zimmerman 0 for 6, Galland 0 for 12. Alloo 0 for 27. Blamires 0 for 42.