THIRD TEST

NZ Truth, Issue 1263, 13 February 1930, Page 16

THIRD TEST

Solid Eleven To MeetJVLCC,

w Fjep. .; selections for the third and final Test against the Englishmen to ' commence at. Auckland on Friday sees but two alterations In the team as It ■ 'was" constituted In the second Test. McGirrj Wellington, replaces Dickinson, the Otago fast bowler, because ' the latter was unavailable, and Allcott, of Auckland, replaces McLeod, because of reasons best known to the 11 selectors. ALLCOTT, by his showing against the *»■ M.C.C. m Auckland, is entitled to a place m the team, but for that matter so is McLeod entitled to retain his by reason of .his showing tn the second Test. Both Allcott and McLeod are good allround men, and it is problematical whether anything is to gained, especially m a Test ma,tch, by continually experimenting with different players. - It may be all a matter of temperament, but if Allcott is worthy of a place m the Test,- so also are Anthony of Auckland, and perhaps Roberts, of Christchurch, and one. or two others. The pla"yers mentioned have "broken the Ice" m matches against the Englishmen, and if It were only a matter of giving one or the other experience In big cricket, any one of them; would fill the bill equally well, but if it is a matter of selecting the best, 'McLeod should have been left In the team. Allcott has an excellent record behind him, nevertheless, and it is no doubt because, of his past experience during the tour of the 1927 team and also of the fact that In club games of late he. has again struck form that the selectors are putting him m the final. Test. •McGirr will not fill the bill as a fast bowler, for he cannot replace Dickinson as such. Nevertheless, he is a good man to have In any side, for his deliveries are .liable ,to. trouble' the. best batsman at any time. . McGirr is also a useful man with the bat, and if he does not attempt to force the pace too soon will add materially to .New Zealand's score. The remainder of the team Is the same as In the second Test. Badcock was fortunate to get away, since the Otago Association has a call on his time m his capacity as •.coach.. His defection from the bowling strength of the team would have been serious. Whatever the * ■outcome of the match. New Zealand will'thave learned many lessons from the, tour. '■;.;■ .