The Times FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1937. Cricket Honours

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 36, 12 February 1937, Page 6

The Times FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1937. Cricket Honours

Tile splendid stand made by the Country team yesterday against W eilington’s Plunket Shield eleven is striking evidence ol' the high quality oi cricket played in the provinces, and the announcement this morning that JVlanawatu’s most brilliant batsman has been included in the first eight chosen lor the forthcoming English tour is further proof of the fact that the cities do not possess a monopoly of cricket talent.

The whole community will join in congratulating 11. A. li. Moloney on his well-deserved honour, and will hope that Manawatu’s other fine all-rounder, Norman Uallichan, will yet find his name on the list of New Zealand’s representatives.

ilanawatu’s cricket history in recent years has been one of almost monotonous success. The Hawke Cup appears almost to have found a permanent home here, although the toughest game of the season has yet to be played.

The association’s progressive policy and wise management is bearing a rich harvest, and undoubtedly the move made a couple of seasons ago whereby a well-known Australian cricketer, Mr. Ceorge Wheatley, was imported as groundsmancoach has more than justified itself. Better team work and a keener appreciation of the finer points of the game have placed Manawatu in a class equal to the best in the Dominion.

This eminence in the national summer pastime must bring the day nearer when the rather silly superiority complex of the x cities will be so effectively removed that the Plunket Shield will become as much the right by conquest of the provincial associations as is the Ranfurly Shield in Rugby.