SPORTING.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3119, 20 February 1909, Page 5

SPORTING.

- CRICKET, THE AUSTRALIAN TEAM. ENGLISH PRESS COMMENTS. STRONG BATTING COMBINATION.

By Telegraph -Press Association,

February 19, 8 a.m. LONi. ON, February 18. "The Times" regrets Clem Hill's absence from the Australian cricket team tu tour England, but admits that Ransford and Bardsley will be some compensation. "The batting," says "The Times," "should be exceptionally strong, but 'the bowling w'ZZ~; Noble is an admirable captain/' ffefl newspaper "Sporting Lifts" Saya the bowling strength of the team is doubtful. Mr A.O. Jones, the Notts captain, writing in the "Daily Mail," says he is greatly disappointed with the choice of the remaining six, .and adds:—"lt is strange that the other selectors should have gone against Hill's superior judgment. Perhaps the fact that M'Alister Was on the selection committee had something to do, with his (M'Alister's) selection. The batting should be strong, the bowling weak. A redeeming feature of the side should be its fielding."

WELLINGTON v. HAWKE'S BAY

By Telegraph—Press Association. WELLINGTON, February 19. The Merprovincial cricket match, Wellington v. Hawke's Bay, commenced tor-day m fine weather and on a goou* wicket. Wellington won the toss and totted first, scoring 2u4. Hawke's toy has one wicket down for 21, , fhe follo\'/,ngf \S\\ \V#l St. Matthew'& #W Carterton to-day c»tt ihte :—R. flfctch. A-. Berry, V. Sutton, P. V-. Wllf'kms, F. Phillips, & STrn'brisoh, 'G. "Barr, F. Dixon, C. Gole, T. 'Riddta, H. Russell. RACING. %kNGANUI MEETING. \ % 'telegraph—Press Association. WANGANUI, February 19. I 'Tauri (nine stone) was omitted ■]ktom the weights tor the Westmere JKHurdles.