SUNDRY SPORTS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 28, 3 February 1914, Page 2

SUNDRY SPORTS.

SWIMMING. I AUSTRALIAN CH^j'IfJNSHIP. [By Electric Tei.jJJl Kfe'-YiuGiiT] [United PreJ^H^HPon.j [ The 880yds. swi^HNHEpampion-t'-ship of Australia fen KpLongworth, Adrian Smith being second. He won by two feet in 12min 8 2-ssec. It was t.he greatest race since Lougworth be'<mme champion four years ago. i - j HANDICAP CHAMPION CUP. s Swimmers are reminded that tlie |heats for the 50yds distance of the .'Handicap Champion Cup will be swum ji&i the bath this evening, yiew mempter's should make a point of swimming jiii the race, as the form shown will enjable the handicapper to note their ;merits and put them approximately on their proper marks when competing ill open company. BILLIARDS. ' NEW-MAN v. GRAY. (Received 0.45 a.m.} London, February 2. The Manchester Guardian says: ' Gray is relying on strokes of medium full strength. Newman's touch is the most delicate since Roberts. Ho is the most promising of the coming cha.mpions, and it is possible he may .'firing top-table play to a perfection hitherto not dreamt of.

CRICKET.

THE AUSTRALIAN TEAM

[Per Press Association.] Auckland, February 2

The Australian cricket team, which commences its tour of New Zealand tomorrow with a match against South Auckland, arrived in Auckland by the Victoria this morning, and left immediately for Hamilton. The players •ire fully representative of Australia, those making the trip being Noble, Waddy, Mailley, Collins, Cody, Trumper (NeAv South Wales), Armstrong, 'javer, Ransford, MeKenzie, McGregor (Victoria), and Crawford and Dr. Dolling (South Australia). Trumper and Crawford did not come with the team. but the former is expected to reach Auckland on Thursday. Crawford will not arrive till next week. Sims, who organised the team, is not expected till Thursday, and in his absence Mr F. Laver is acting as manager. No captain has yet been appointed, but it is understood that Noble will lead his side. The team was met on arrival by Messrs C. A. McKinney, representing the New Zealand Council; A. N. Sneddon, vice-president of the Auckland Association; and Lusk, Beale, Hay and. Watts, of the Management Committee.

Mr D. Reese, captain of the New Zealand cricketers, said he considered the tour fully successful, and thought another team should be sent to Australia in three or four years. The team, although pleased with success in minor matches, was disappointed by its failures in Sydney and Melbourne. The non-success of the batsmen was attributed to a fast week prior to playing at Sydney. They played on two .matting wickets and a soft wicket at Brisbane. He considered that country matches should be eliminated from the next tour. The bowlers performed well at times, but generally lacked accuracy and system. Another feature of the play was the tendency to play back. Forward play was best on fast wickets, and when the players recognised this they did much better. Cricket in Australia, he thought, •was not of such a high standard as when the last New Zealand team paid a visit. ,