AMBITIOUS!

NZ Truth, Issue 1143, 27 October 1927, Page 12

AMBITIOUS!

Gin Auckland Retain Plunket Shield? \<Fro ra "N.Z. Truth's" Auckland Hep.). It is confidently forecasted that season 1927-28 will 6ee greater advancement ih the summer pasttime than m previous history of the game m the north. /HTHE months of indefatigable work | "*. which Bowley put m last summer, \ particularly amongst the younger \players, will be further developed by the popular Sussex pro. ahd, m his efforts to teach to the young idea how to shoot, he will have the assistance of LoverMge; a Sussex club-mate, who has also been engaged by the Auckland Cricket Association. Then there is the experience that Allcott, Dacre and Mills gained during the New Zealanders' season m English cricket which can hardly fail to have a beneficial effect m their play, the play of their respective teams and ult imately on Auckland cricket m general. Added to these Js the determination of Aucklanders to retain , the . Plunket Shield won last. season. Bowley will again be a large percentage of the V.M.C.A. team, but it has not yet been decided to which club his fellow-pro. will be consigned. Probably the two teams that will show most changes will be Shore and Ponsonby. , In the ease of the former it is not yet decided whether two teams will be put m the field this season m the senior grade, but Elliott, Nettleson and Cootes will be prominent absentees. The decision of Ces. Dacre to turn professional cricketer and his acceptance of an engagement with Gloucester were received m Auckland with mixed feelings. , Dacre '9 Action Some expressed the opinion that Dacre's action, which might easily be •followed m years to come by other players, was defeating the objects of such overseas tours; It is the opinion of many that the money spent on sending players on those extensive tours is not meant to 'be turned to personal gain 'by individuals, biit is intended as an investment for the future good of the game m the country. They say, therefore, that New Zealand cricket will not reap the benefit the authorities have every right to expect. On the other hand, <iuite a number of followers of the game consider Dacre acted very sensibly when he took the chance offered him by the English county club, and would have been foolish to put patriotic ideals first. Eden, last year's champions, promise to again possess a formidable side. They have at their disposal practically all last season's players, and with Mills improved by his rubbing up against the leading lights of English cricket, the champions will he solidly backed for another year's premiership. Some players will try • a change of quarters this season and. amongst these are Elliott, of Shore, who will join V.M.C.A.Saunders, of 'Varsity, it is whispered, will vacate the intellectuals for the . more homely atmosphere of Devonport, while Hendy, from suburban cricket, will foe elevated to the ranks of Grafton. Thera will be only a few prominent newcomers this season. More than one senior club is angling for the services of Goodsir, the well-known and promising ex-Southlander. I