M.C.C. CRICKETERS

Hokitika Guardian, 21 October 1932, Page 3

M.C.C. CRICKETERS

PERSONNEL OF THE TEAM. TEAM VaRY STRONG IN ATTACK. LJNDON, September 29. The following is a review of the numbers of the M.G.C. team now in Australia and later to tour New Zealand : Jaritine, I>. It. (Winchester, Oxford ; Surrey, England).— ,D. R. Jardine, was in the opinion of one of the best judges of the game, the best schoolbay captain he had ever seen. Selected to i.aptain England v. New ZeaI: nd las t summer he led England v. L.dia this year and gave cuniplete satisfaction, besides playing two supero innings after the early batsmen had failed on each occasion. This will be his second visit to Australia, as he went out with A. P. E. Chapman’s side in 1928-29, and began the tour by scoring three centuries in succession. Jardine possesses magnificent defence and although he can score all round the wicket he is particularly strong on the leg side. He is a useful slow change, bowler, and a good field near the wicket.

Allen, G. 0. (Eton, Cambridge, Middlesex, England).—Borne in Australia, G. 0. Allen has lived virtually the whole of his life in this country, and has already played for England against Australia and New Zealand. In 192 G-27 he visited South Africa with an M.C.C. side under P. F.. Warner. His best bowling achievement to date is all ten wickets in an innings for 40 runs for Middlesex v. Lancashire at Lords in 1929. Also a very sound bat, with a highest score 155 for Middlesex v. Surrey, and a very good field. Ames, L. E. G. (Kent and England). —Aincs, is probably the best wicketkeeper batsman England has ever. bad. Forms a. wonderful combination with Freeman fc • Kent, and in 1929 established a re ord by take 127 wickets, .9 caught and 48 stumped. The yar before he hat! 121 victims. This will be Aines’ second tour to Australia, but when he went out in 1928-29 with A. P. F. Chapman’s team, he did not play in any of the Test matches. In addition to cricket is quite a useful footballer, having assisted Clapton Orient, amongst other clubs.

B'rown, F. R. (Ley’s School, Cambridge, Surrey, England).— Had a great record at school, when, if anything, his batting was more effective than his bowling. In his first year in the Cambridge eleven he scored 674 runs with a n average of 48.14 but although he played two marvellous innings this season against Kent and Middlesex respectively (against the latter county lie actually made 212 in three hours), it k chiefly as a) spin bowler that he had been chosen for Australia.

Duckworth, G. (Lancashire! and England).—Considered by nlany to be the best wicket-keeper in the world at thef present time. He went to Australia with Chapman’s side in 1928-29, and played in all five Test matches. Also visited South Africa in 1930-31.

Hammond. W. R. (Gloucestershire, England).—Has already had plenty o' touring experience, having visited the West Indies, 1925-26, South Africa 1927- and 1930-31, and Australia 1928- During the Austral an tour lie was in marvellous form in the Test matches making 251,. 200, 119 not out., and 117, the last two being in the same match. His record for the series was nine innings, 905 runs,., highest score 251, not out 1, average 113.12. In 1927 lie succeeded in scoring 1000 by the end of May.. A magnificent batsman with a large variety of strokes and a perfect defence.

Larwood, H. (Nottinghamshire and England). Is undoubtedly the best fast bowler England has had since the war, and would probably hai e done even better, if lie had not. got a slightly “groggy’ knee, which lvas given him a certain amount of trouble. Bowled exceptionally well for England v. Australia in the 1928 tour at) Brisbane, when he took six wickets for 32 runs’ in the first innings. Of recent years a greatly improved batsman, frequently makes runs when they are most needed and al good field.

Leykvnd, M. (Yorkshire, Engalnd).— This will be his second visit to Australia, for he went out with A. P. F. Chapman’s 1928-29 side, and in his first Test match at Melbourne made 137. He did well with the last English team to visit South Africa, averaging 42.85 in the five Tesfi matches, but for the last year or so he has hardly maintained his form, in fact his selection for this trip to Australia was doubtful until he showed his real form towards the end of the season, when he played some brilliant innings. At the moment he is undoubtedly on of the finest left handed batsmen in the world, and also a mag" nificent field.

Mitchell, T. B. (Derbyshire).—Said to be the best leg break bowler in the 'f uiitry. He imparts a itifemepdous spin to the ball, and during the last four seasons has taken over one hundr d wickets each summer. He bowled very well in this year’s Test trial match at) Manchester. Although of little account as a batsman, Mitchell, plays in glasses is a very keen field.

Navvab of Pataudi (Oxford and Worchcstersbire). —-The Nawab is the third Indian to make a great name for himself in England cricket. He rereived his early cricket training from y\ (}. Salter, the former Oxford Blue. Came to England in 1920, and wail coached with great success bv Frank Woolley. He played in the ’ v arsity matches of 1929, 1930 a no ir 3! and was remarkably effective in ! is first match against /Cambridge,

scoring 106 and 84. He failed the follow, year, but. in 1931 he established .1 record for the ’Varsity match by scoring 238 not out. Like a.I Indians, lie possesses a wonderful eye and is exceptional y quick on his feet. If not as brilliant in his methods as Doleepsinhji, .lie is, perhaps, sounder and should be a heavy rungetter in Australia.

Paynter, E. (L»ncas!.i.re, England).— Made his debut for Lancashire in 1926, but was not a regular member of tiie side until last season, when his batting was good enough for him to lie eliosen for England v. New* Zealand at Old Trnfford. This summer he began in splendi ; form, ami against.' Yorkshire in the Whitsun natch distinguished himself greatly with a magnificent innings of 152. He was selected for England, v. India, at Lord’s, in June, scoring 14 and 54. Ho is a left-handed batsman and a briliant fieldsman.

Sutcliffe, H. (Yorkshire, England).— One of the greatest batmen England has ever had, invariably showing; his very best form in Test matches. For many years Sutcliffe opened for England with Hobbs, and against Austra* lia at Meibom lie in 1924-25 scored a century in each innings. Up to date he has mede severe hundreds against Australia, six against South Africa, and two a ga’ n st New Zealand. So far he has touted Australia, 1924-25, 1928 29, South Africa 1927-28 and visited India two years ago, with Hobbs, at the invitation of the Vizranagram.

Tate, M. W. (Sussex, England).— Will be making his third visit to Australia. A splendid fast medium right-hand binder, who makes the Ball come off the wicket at a tremendous pace and aways keeps an immaculate length.,

Verity, H. (Yorkshire, England).— fn his first season in) first-class cricket took 188 wickets a t a cost of V 3.-52 runs apiece. He was chosen for England in two of the three Test notches against New Zealand last 'ummer. Although Verity has had ,uch a very limited first-class career, ’le has already taken a ll the wickets in an innings twice. In 1931 he took L ,en wickets for 36 v. Warwickshire, vhile this year he had the extraordintry, analysis of ten wickets for 10 runs v. Nottinghamshire. Voce, W. (Nottinghamshire apti Eng'and). A very fine natural cricketer )uite one of the most promising of the ,-conger players in this country. .Vhen he first came out for Notting’amshire he was a slow left-hand ►owler, hut is now fast medium. He s a really good forcing right-hand batsman and a magnificent field. This vill be-his’ first visit to Australia, hut he went with the last M.C.C. side o South Africa under A. P. E.Chapman and bowled very well, taking 23 wickets in the Test matches at a cost of) 24.39 runs. He lias also visited the West Indies.

Wyatt, K. E. S. (Warwickshire, Eng_ hnd). —Warwickshire captain, who lias already taken part in tours in 'ndia, South. Africa (twice) and the Wesif Indies- Tt is-his sound batting vhich has brought him most fame, -ut this season he has met with coniderable success cs a bowler. A very afe field, Wyatt, was chosen to cap‘•lin England.v. Australia at the Oval 1 1930. For the last six or seven -.-ears has been one of the outstanding mnteurs, always being one of the first choices for the Gentlemen in the Lord’s match.