N.Z. CRICKET TEAM

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 25, 30 January 1937, Page 11 (Supplement)

N.Z. CRICKET TEAM

SIDE NOW IN THE MAKING * THE TOUR TO ENGLAND I'KOSJt'ECXS AND POSSIBILITIES (By “Batsman.”) New Zealand is looking forward with pleasurable anticipation to the choice of a cricket team to tour England. The side will leave the Dominion on March 37. A glance at the personnel of the cricket talent of the Dominion suggests that the following players have reasonable chances of making the team:— Wellington: J. R. Lamason, D. Wellington: ...J... 1t.... Lamason,.. D. Moloney, E. W. Tinaiil, C. Parsloe, and N. Gallichan. Auckland: H. G. Vivian, P. E. Whitelaw, W. Carson, M. Wallace, W. Cowie, L. R. Spring. Otago: K. F. M. Uttley, R. Silver and L. Groves. Canterbury: M. L. Page, A. V/. Roberts, I. B. Cromb, J. L. Kerr. The Taranaki pla>er M. Donnelly also has great chances. Some criticism may be offered at the mention of both Page and Cromb, such indicating a presumption that Page is to supersede Cromb as captain. If such is to be the intention a question might be asked as to why Cromb is included at all. Wellington will certainly claim in addition to the names mentioned that of J. A. Blandford, the ’keeper, whose form as a bat is also encouraging. Denis Blundell is another to whom the selection powers will devote attention. C. K. Jackman, the Canterbury 'keper, is regarded in some quarters as being more consistent than Blandford, and is preferred. Tindill s name comes into the picture as a reserve ’keeper and useful bat. Few critics can remain aloof to the strong claims of Vivian, Roberts and Cromb. These three are set down as veritable certainties. They are the Dominion’s leading all-rounders. Here is a Canterbury criticism worth studying: “Vivian, Roberts and Cromb are New Zealand’s leading all-rounders, with bat and ball and in the field. Vivian, it may be added, seems to be bowling this year with distinct guile. In the Plunket Shield matches to date his cleverly-flighted left-hand

spinners have actually taken ten wickets at an aveiage cost of 20 runs. With the bat Roberts has an average of 120 for three innings (twice not out). Cromb was described in a Wellington paper as one of the most astute cricket tacticians in New Zealand. His 41 not out against Wellington was a sample of Cromb’s batsmanship at its best.

“Jackman and Blandford are New Zealand’s leading wicket-keepers, but Jackman is more consistent than his Wellington rival, who was not impressive in the match against Otago. Jackman’s alert surenes was clearly demonstrated in the recent Piunket Shield games. He bagged four victims against Auckland and three against Wellington. It would be wise to take Tindili to England as a reserve 'keeper. He is a sound batsman.

“The bowling, as indicated earlier, presents a problem for the selectors. It will probably be found that Cowie is preferred to either Silver, of Otago, or Parsloe, of Wellington, as a pace bowler. His thirteen wickets in the two Plunket Shield games indicated his worth, for he keeps up his length as well as his speed, ret he is not an ‘express’ bowler by any means. “Mulcock should go Home as one of the stock bowlers. Though his skill as an in-swinger is just developing, he secured eight Plunket Shield wickets on his two appearances and had most of New Zealand’s best batsmen guessing. He will puzzle a lot more when he is able to control his flight so that the ball swerves into the batsman.

“For the present, the only slow right-hand bowler included for consideration is L. Groves, of Otago, who secured four for 68 against Wellington, and in that match was impressive. His form against Canterbury next month will have a bearing on the issue. Griffiths, of Wellington, has gone back since last season. Now his stock ball appears to be the full toss. A point in Griffiths' favour is his splendid fielding—but it is as a spin bowler that he is wanted on an overseas voyage.

“At the conclusion of the 1931 New Zealand team’s tour of England, ‘Wisden’s’ said: ‘Unfortunately, the side did not possess either one bowler of real speed or an outstanding medium - paced right-handed spin bowler.’ Handicaps of a similar kind appear only too likely to affect the chances of the 1937 New Zealand team.”