CRICKET NOTES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 257, 28 November 1903, Page 4

CRICKET NOTES.

ENGLISH TEA#IN AUSTRALIA. PROGRAMME OF MATCHES. Nov. 27.—Queensland, at Brisbane. Dec. 2.—Newcastle or Maitland. Dec. 11.—First Test, at Sydney. Dec. 18.—Vacant. Dec. 26.—Bendigo, at Bendigo. Jan. I.—Second Test, at Melbourne Jan. B.—Dallarat. Jan. 13. —Third Test, at Adelaide. Jan. 22.—Tasmania. Fen. f>.—-"Victoria (return) at Melbourne. Feb. 12.—New South Wales return) at Sydney. Feb. 19.—Vacant. Feb. 26.—Fourth Test, at Sydney. March 4.—Fifth Test, at Melbourne Feb. 12.—New South Wales (return) at Adelaide. Leave Adelaide March 17, arrive at Perth March 21. March 24.—Western Australia, at Perth. March 28.—Goldfields. Leave Fremantle April 4, arrive at London May 2. (By Cover Point.) The all-absorbing topic in cricket circles just now is the visiti of Pelham Warner's team to Australia in search of the "ashes." This iteam is the eleventh to visit Australia, and has been criticised more than any previous selection. Though, on paper, I certainly think a far superior all round team could have been chosen,the results up to the present point to Warner's team being, if anything, the best all round team to represent the Old Country in the land of the kangaroo. MacLaren's team, the last combination to visit Australia, were soundly threshed by South Australia by 233 runs, whiie Warner's team completely outplayed the same State. Time came to the aid of South Aus - tralia, the game ending in a draw. MacLaren's team defeated Victoria by 118 runs, Warner's team • doing ditto by one inning 6 and 72 runs. New South Wales men defeated MacLaren's men by 53 runs in a high scoring match, 1367 runs being scored in the four innings ; and Warner's team easily accounted for the Cornstalks by an innings and ten runs. Up to the present the English team have scored 1245 runs for 26 wickets, cm average of nearly 50 per wicket.

The Autralian papers generally admit tnat Warner's team received the heartiest welcome ever tendered to a visiting team.

Before leaving Londoa, Warner received an anonymous letter from Australia, stating that it was likely to be a wet summex. " May it be so," says Warner, "for we have some fine bowlers on trisky wickets."

Rhodes, who took a wicket with the first ball he bowled in Australia, also took a wicket against Victoria before a run was scored off his Jiowllag.

Unl#sa Hughie Trumble can be induced to step up to the bowling crease for the test matches Australia will wear a worried look when it comes to sort out its trun-Uers, as no new b?ood has come to ligtit since last season. Marsh, the nigger, of course, will not be thought of. The Bulletin prophesies a triumphal procession for Warner's team, as the Australian players have not the Incentive to''"play up" for inclusion in a team to visit England, as they have had previously. Local cricket circles are quiet. Inglewood is tolerably certain to win the Premiership at this end. Gudgeon is in great form with the ball, and if the Inglewood fielding were better his - avorage would be still more creditable.

The Rovers are lamentably weak in bowling this season, V. Elliot being really the only player with any pretensions to toe the bowling crease. With coaching. Fred Robertson might make a fair change bowler, but his delivery is questionable. A cricketer unknown to this part of the district is Scholfield. of Drenui. Having watched this player in several matches, I have no hesitation in pronouncing him the best allround player in the Northern District of Tarainakii.. He lias the happy knack of making the ball brfeak both ways, which, varied with an occasional "yorker," enables him to puzzle the best of batsmen. lam rather astonished to find a pitch has been laid on the new ground at Tukapa. This reserve 'belongs to the borough, nad is a

"•recreation reserve." The transfer is now complete, and Chough Mr M. Jones, the lessee, has some eighteen months of bis lease to run, J have 110 doul}t he would surrender it for a trifle. I would then suggest (he whole, paddock being up, and perfectly levelled, seeded down, and'carefully attended to. We should then have a ground, with a turf wicket," worthy of the name. I think there would l.e room for at least sucgames to proceed simultaneously, and I hear there are several more cricket clubs forming in the " lown and' district. At any rate the NewPlymouth Cricket Club will certainly not be allowed •to have their pitch right in the centre of the paddock, as at present, and I strongly advise them to waste no more money •Wit at' present.

I hear the Veterans are calling on old players to enrol and don the flannels once more, and I believe and trust a Strong club will 'be formed. Already some fixty Veterans have signified their intention of handling the willow again. Such names as Caddy Davies, Fitzpatrick, Fred Bayly, Gerald Clarke, McKeilar, G. Giddy, Andrews, and a host of others are all cnp,T for the fray, and Bext scaVion things should hum. I should much like to hear that the High School and Central School were showing a vigorous policy in matters pertaining to cricket. Certainly, the authorities of the former institution have had a clay pitch laid by Mr Jones, the professional cricketer, and a thoroughly good job he has made of it. Why not, oh ye Board of Governors, go a bit further, and engage .Jones lor, hay, three hours two days a week, and teach the young ideas how to shoot. It would make better boys, and consequently lietter men, of the students, and produce a manly race of cricketers.

I am sorry to know that Mr .[ones has had some difficulty in recovering his pay I'rom one of the local clubs. This should not l>e. and I know he has earned every penny he claims.

I shall he pleased to answer any questions appertaining to the game. A line to "Cover Point, care of Kews Oflice, S.P." will be attended tcr and answered in Saturday's issue.