CRICKET.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 136, 26 October 1912, Page 7

CRICKET.

The New South Wales school teachers' team to visit New Zealand in the December vacation will have a very interesting programme to carry out. The fact that the team is to include several who have made the trip at other times speaks highly of the enjoyable character of these tours, and of the hospitality extended them, says Sydney Referee. No one compiled a "century" against the English bowling this year, remarks the Athletic Neiws. Nominally that fine all-round player, P. E. Woolley, made the bowling averages, and most serviceable he has been, but S. F. Barnes with 39 wickets for 10.35 apiece is the man who has done most damage. He is Said to bo the best bowler in the world by the Australians, and there is no doubt that he has every claim to that rank —great though it be. The bowling of Barnes in 1012 has been remarkable. Barnes has only bowled in the most important games and against the finest batsmen. As near as makes no matter he is at the head of the bowling averages with such splendid figures as 11.92, and his position is well deserved. In the Test matches alone, adds the A.N., Barnes has bowled 6517 balls for 2570 runs and 140 wickets, giving him the splendid average on all wickets* of 18.35. As he has only played in 23 matches he has secured over six wickets per match—a performance that in itself assigns him his place among the wood's bowlers.

John Berry Hobbs has been a great success with the bat. His average in Australia last season was 82.75 for eight completed innings, but at home his figures on «low wickets rave been 48.37. In England he has since made 4, 27, 55. (8, and 9 not out against South Africa, and 107, 19, Go, and 32 against Australia. In the course of the last match, he had the satisfaction of completing an aggr--gate of 2000 runs in Test Matches oniy—a record which is not equalled by any othsr Englishman.

. In its editorial comment on the Triangular campaign the Athletic News expressed the following views: "As was only to be expected, Warren Bardsley and Charles Kelleway stand out by themselves as Test match batsmen during this tour. Bardsley has the highest average of the tournament with 05.33 —figures wliii'h are superior only to his own 39.00 on the occasion of his last visit to England, but to Vernon Ransford's 58.83

in 1909 —and these averages three years ago were obtained on soft wickets. Bardsley's scores have been 121, 104, and 50 against South Africa, but only: 21, 30, and 0 against England There is here a marked difference, almost as great as that shown by Spooner. Kelleway's figures, an average of 00.00 have been most remarkable, for a first tour in England, and for a man of his obvious limitations. He has made 114, 102, and 37 against South Africa, but 01, 3 not out, 43, and 0 against England., In successes Bardsley and Kelleway were not divided. They compiled their centuries in the same matches, and ■■■.hey sank to the depths of zero in the same match. Charles Macartney playedone great innings for Australia" in these games —and it was great m every sense. We refer to his' 99 against England at Lord's. His highest in any other Test was 34 against South Africa, but even'so hi* average of 32.83 is fractionally above that of Rhodes. Beyond those threa men Australia have iiot had any Test, match batsmen, for even Gregory has been disappointing. The Uiiited Service Club will open the season with a net practice this afternoon (weather permiting). All members and intending members are requested to attend. ♦

A start has at last been made on the work of'getting'the Sports' Ground in trim for the cricket season, which, weather being favourable, will very likely be opened next Saturday. The ground lias just been shorn of its long grass and a good bit of work will have to be put on it if it is to be ready for Saturday. It is understood the fixtures committee i*. to meet early next week.

Efforts are being made to send a scratch team to Waitava on MondayLabor Day.

Practice' will be indulged in by the various clubs on the Sports Ground this afternoon, when by dint of a working bee it is hoped to get the ground rolled.

Sir Edwin Smith is reported to have said that "they all remember the lamentable trouble that arose between C. Hill and P. A. McAlistcr in connection with the Test match in Adelaide. The captain desired to include Macartney in the Australian team, but McAlister was against it. and replied that if Hill wanted the New South Welshman in he had better leave himself out. The performances of the team in England enabled them to compare notes and see who'was the better judge of Macartney's worth; Til the first 'half of the English tour Macartney topped the averages in batting and bowling. At the end the brilliant Barsdlcy beat him in batting, but Macartney still had the best bowling aver--a"o. That proved the excellent judgment of Clem IliH of a cricketer." The praise of Macartney is well won. remarks the Sidney Referee, but Sir Edwin is hardly as just in his views as lie usually is, for be is a man of singularly broad mind. Clem desired to omit Hoy Minnett from tin- team. Xow I'.B.M.'s omission would have been a verv grave error. He was the Australian batsman of the season, and some of his naings were superlatively brilliant. He has not "set the Thames aiirV in England, but even so. in the wettest season on record, he has done far better in bis first visit to England than maiiv men whose names fins now recorded in history as champions for all time. And that', too. notwithstanding that he had the misfortune to strike England not in the best of health.