CRICKET.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 April 1926, Page 3

CRICKET.

[Australia A N.Z. Cable Association.] LONDON. April 27. It has definitely been decided that the final fixture of the Australians tour shall be a one-day match against G. Polnfer’s team at Carlisle on 16th September. THE. OPENING MATCH. LONDON. April 27. Grimmett is still coughing. He indulged in his first practice at Lords. Tho team, including Collins and Andreas, lias settled (loan to serious u'ork. each playing ten minutes on matting over turf. Everett is keeping an exceptionally good length and is dead oil the u'ieket. He twice boa-led Woodfull. Critics acre impressed with the power Richardson put behind his drives. All are fit except Coffins, who is. a trifle pale. They si>ont the remainder of a dull morning tin-owing the hall about.

(Received this day at 11.25 a.m.) LONDON. April 27. Three hundred villagers of Holvport. whose rustic delights would be called far fetched on any musical comedy stage, are agog with excitement in the preparation to receive in the oldest of Old World settings, the cricketers from the newest continent. The meadow, which is hallowed by the memories of bc-whiskcred, top-hatted ancestors who played generations ago, is studded with marquees and tents amidst which stands a barrel of cider. The pitch is in excellent condition and well drained after the recent rain, though slower than the Australians are accustomed to. Fleets of buses and charabancs have been organised to convey the people from Maidenhead Station, two and a-lialf miles distant.

AUSTRALIAN TEAM. (Received this day at 1.0 p.m.) LONDON. April 27

The following ils .the Australian team against minor Counties at Maidenhead :—Collins, Macartney, Taylor, Gregory, Grimmett, Ponsford. Richardson, Oldfield, Ryder, Wood fill and Bardsley. Everett is twelfth man. Mailey. Hendry „ Ellis and Andrews are omitted.

A CRITIC’S OPINION. (Received this dav at 1.0 p.m.) , ' LONDON, April 27

Trevor says, -Macartney particularly impressed me. He bowled to seven or eight batsmen, none of whom emerged without making n slip of some kind. Naturally Grimmett was watched with interest and gave an object lesson in the value of length, combined with judicious change of pace. The same remark applies to Mailey who was extraordinarily steady. Indeed, I wished I could see a few bad balls by way of a change. It struck me that Andrews was a bowler who had to lie reckoned with. I was altogether most favourably impressed with the reliability of the Australian bowlers. I cannot think Collins will have to overwork any of his team and am convinced England will have to earn their runs against Australian bowling, backed up, ns it will be, by splendid wicket-keep-ing and fielding.