Auckland Appoints New Cricket Coach

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 729, 31 July 1929, Page 11

Auckland Appoints New Cricket Coach

A. F. WENSLEY, SUSSEX GOOD ALL-ROUNDER The Auckland Cricket Association has engaged the services of A. F. Wensley, the Sussex professional first eleven all-rounder, as coach for the forthcoming season in place of E. H. Bowley. Bowley has filled the position admirably for the past three seasons, during the last two of which he had the assistance of his county comrade, James Langridge. However, >at the close of his last season’s engagement in Auckland, Bowley intimated that he required a remuneration substantially higher, than for his first two years’ service, if he were to be engaged for a fourth term. Langridge also requested a higher sum. As the sum asked by Bowley was altogether beyond the means of the Auckland Cricket Association the authorities began casting bound for another man. At the close of the recent tour of the All-England eleven in Australia, it was announced that both Patsy Hendren and Maurice Tate, the famous Test match players, were desirous of obtaining posts in New Zealand during the next season. This advice was communicated by the council of the New Zealand Cricket Association to the four major associations, but for some reason or other negotiations fell through. RECOMMENDED BY HAWKE As the presence of professional players in Auckland has resulted in a marked rise in the standard of cricket, especially among the younger players, the Auckland Cricket Association did not wish to be without the services of a coach. Further efforts were made to secure a man. The Auckland Cricket Association set up a special committee consisting of Messrs. E. E. Nalder (chairman), N. C. Snedden and E. C. Beale to make investigations and report. The committee communicated with Lord Hawke and asked him to recommend a man. As a result of this, a cable was received from Lord Hawke this week naming Wensley and Cook (both of Sussex) as likely men. Lord Hawke stated that both A. E. Gilligan and E. H. Bowley recommended either of the two players mentioned. Consequent on the receipt of this advice the management committee of the Auckland Cricket Association held a special meeting this afternoon to decide which of the men nominated should he selected. The press was not admitted to the meeting, but the secretary stated afterwards that it had been decided to appoint Wensley. It is understood that Wensley’s terms are much more favourable from the Auckland viewpoint than were the terms which Bowley requested. GOOD ALL-ROUNDER Wensley is 31 years of age, being born on May 24, 189 S. Last season he was eighth on the Sussex county batting averages for all matches with a total of 1,334 runs in 51 innings, three times not out, highest score 140, average 27.79. He was seventh on the howling list with 75 wickets at a cost of 32.08 runs each. The Sussex side includes such fine all-rounders as Maurice Tate, Bowley and Gilligan, and the peerless K. S. Duleepsinhji. During the season, Wensley scored three centuries, in first class matches, 140 against Glamorgan, 107 against Lancashire, 102 against Hampshire. Commenting on him, Wisden’s Almanac says: “Wensley was one of fhe mainstays of the eleven. He retained his bowling efficiency and held his own as one of the best allrounders in the county, without quite attaining the standard of Tate and Bowley.” In first class matches he had a batting average of 30.96. Lord Hawke also nominated Relf, Auckland’s first coach, and Bowley, her last, and both proved to he eminently satisfactory. There is every prospect of Wensley proving so, also. Wensley is a medium pace bowler, and is reputed to be a fast scoring bat. Cook, the other man recommended by Lord Hawke, is also an all-rounder, hut hardly in the same class as Wensley.

Bowley and Gilligan may both be seen in Auckland this season, as they have been invited to join the English eleven which is to tour New Zealand.