CRICKET.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 October 1922, Page 3

CRICKET.

MACLAREN’S TEAM. FORECAST ON PROSPECTS. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. London, Oct. 2. The Athletic News expresses the opinion that jMacLaren’s team t?ill have a fairly easy task in Now Zealand. It doubts whether Auckland, Wellington, Canterbury or Otago could singly provide a team able to give the Englishmen a close game. The paper expresses surprise that, despite the good organisation and high public interest in the Plunket Shield contest, New Zealand cricketers have not made enough progress to become great instead of merely useful. It suggests that the New Zealand standard is considerably below both that, of South Africa and Australia. It is only about equal to Philadelphia. Though the News anticipates that MacLaren’s team will fare badlj' at the hands of the Australian State elevens,- it hopes the visitors will benefit from the experience, and that the States will play representative sides. Mr. Douglas senr.. with his wife and two daughters, sailed with MacLaren’s team. Mr. Douglas junr., interviewed, said the team ought to do well against any but the strongest Australian State elevons, but the visitors are sure to feel the need of a brainy, first-class howler, one of the first essentials towards success in Australia. He fully expected that some of the players who were going as useful county players would return as' test match men. Perth, Oct. 3. Mayne, the cricketer, has returned from England. He thinks MacLaren’s team will provide keen matches. The Australian wickets might he too fast, but New Zealand should suit them. stated that McDonald was not in the be?t of health, and the doctors have ordered hiuiT to return to Australia. England was deficient in young players. There was hardly any coming on. The cricket season opened in the Patca district on Saturday, when the Focal tec ■ met Waverley. Patea made 132 (Harding m mit 101). and Waverley 83 (Harper 23, Pepper 20. McMillan IS). Carlyle defeated Waverley A by 88 to 66 (Mercer 44) being the most successful batsman and bowler for the former, whilst the highest scorers for Waverley A were Tritt 15, Ridge 14, and Watty 11.