SPORTS AND PASTIMES.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXVI, Issue 13524, 4 November 1911, Page 6

SPORTS AND PASTIMES.

CRICKET. \ THE M.C.C. TEAM IN AUSTRALIA. PROGRAMME OP TOUR: November. 10, 11,'13, 14, v. South Australia. 17, 18, 20, 21, v. Victoria. ■ 24, 25, 27, 28, v. New South Wales. ; December. 1, 2, 4, v. Queensland. 6, 7, v. Toowoomba. 8, 9, 11, v. Australian Eleven, at Brisbane. 15, 16, 18, 19, First Test Match, at Syd- ’ ney. 22, 23, v. Maitland. 26, 27, v. Bendigo. 30, Jan. 1, 2, 3, Second Test, at Mel- ■ bourne. January. ' 5, 6, v. Geelong. , 12, 13, 15, 16, Third Test, at Adelaide. 19, 20, v. Ballarat. ' 23, 24, 25, y. Launceston. 26, 27, 29, v. Hobart, February, 2, 3, 5, 6, v. Victoria. 9, ‘lO, 12, 13, Fourth Test, at Melbourne. 16, 17, 19, 20, v. New South Wales. 23:;' 24, 26, 27, Fifth Test, at Sydney. ' ' March.' 1, 2, 4, 5, v. South Australia. NEW SOUTH WALES v. QUEENSLAND. Press Association.—(Telegraph.—Copyright SYDNEY, November 3. For the cricket match. New South Wales v. Queensland, the weather was fine and the wicket good. New - South Wales lost seven wickets for 439—Trumper 50, Bardsley 59. Macartney 122, S. Gregory 32, Barbour 57, McElhone 38, Minhett (not out) 37. VICTORIA v. SOUTH AUSTRALIA. ADELAIDE, November 3. The weather was fine and the wicket excellent. Victoria dismissed South Australia in the first innings for 305. Crawford 35, Chamberlain 32, Mayne 95, and Stirling 52 were the chief scorers. Macrow took one wicket for 67, Brown one for 25, Matthews three for 41, and Kyle four for 64.

The only benefit already mooted in Australia this season *s to be given by the Victorian Association to J. M. Blackham. The largest sum realised from a benefit match in Australia, is F1398, by J. J. Kelly. . The Victorian selectors—P. A. McAlister, H. Trumble, and E, E. Bean—have chosen the following 12 for the match with South Australia, at Adelaide, which commenced yesterday—W. Armstrong, W. Carkeek, N. Brown,, B, Kortlang, J. Kyle, F. Laver, T. J. Matthews, H. F. Persons, VS. Eansford, D. Smith, J. A. Seitz, and T. S. Warne. With the exception of N. Brown, the Northcote bowler, who secured six for 43 on a good wicket against East Melbourne on Saturday, there is no new blood, though 11. F. Parsons has not; had many trials. ’ : ' There ‘ were some big scores registered in Sydney cricket recently, and centuries were scored by B. J. Folkard 202, E. V Minnett 109 (not out), D.' A: Gee 134, M. A. Noble 118, Rey. E. F.. Waddy 106. In the face of these big scores it is worth 1 recording that the champion, V. Trumper, was dismissed, - clean bbwled,for 0. Some of the cracks got good bowling averages, Cotter getting 7-for 51, Folkard 6 for 77, and Hazlitt 4 for 31. ' Folkard is bowling in splendid form this season, and it is predicted that if he continues in his present form he will figure largely in the big matches for New South Wales, and perhaps for Australia; this season.

The form of Whitty and Hordern will make the difference between Australia: winning and losing the rubber' (comments a Melbourne writer). Such is the opinion of most cricket followers. Surely Australia’s hopes must be dependent upon a bare thread. Just to think that our chances must be so greatly affected by the condition of the left-hander and the googlie is discomforting. Yet there is much truth in the belief, especially as far as Whitty is concerned. With the present 'dearth of bowling it Would be impossible to replace the South Australian, and a first-class lefthander is essential. Hordern’s absence would be almost as serious at that of Whitty, providing, of course;,,that he was in form. 1 know what a great deal Clem Hill expects of Hordern, and-while admitting the justification for) such hopes, 1 it must be remembered that, the form of a ■ googlie bowler is eveh more subject to . fluctuation than is that of the more ordiary type of trnndler. He may have one Or two good seasons, and then an equally bad one. If Hordern bowls in his best form he must be : a powar on the side. But what of the condition of these men? It was reported earlier in the week that Hordern was seriously ill, but fortunately the bad symptoms appear to have passed 'off. Hordern is credited with having said that he had “a touch of appendicitis.” Let ns hope that he is not threatened with anything so serious. An operation for appendicitics now Would effectually bar him from participating in any of the season’s cricket. As is well known, Whitty-;h’as undergone two operations for appendicitis during the winter, The question is whether these have been a complete success. There is no doubt that Whitty himself thinks so, or he would''not have played in club cricket. He jdid not play last Saturday because, it is said, he was suffering from influenza., 'All cricketers and followers of - the game hope that he will be in his best form for the tests. Whitty was not altogether himself last season and was greatly inconvenienced when- bowling by boils.

In reference to tlie above, it is interesting to note that last Saturday week, in the match North Sidney v Burwood, the howling honours easily went to Hordern, who was in fine form, and had most of the batsmen completely nonplussed, the “googlie” proving beyond their understanding. He seemed to have recovered his length, and although lih rolled in a few “full-pitchers,’’ which were sent travelling to leg, most of'his bowling was particularly accurate. His form provides interesting reading in view of the approaching big fixtures. He secured, six Burwood wickets for 70 , pirns,' 7 catching three of his victims himself. "

: Thenjjso far as Whitty is concerned; an Adelaide writer states: “Whitty, who had arrived’only that morning from Sydney, knocked up 34 in less than 30 minutes in his first match. The crack left-hander did a good deal of bowling during the; following week,, and is quite satisfied. with his obridition.” '> TV is very doubtful whether D. R. A. Gelirsj" tli'e' iyell-known South Australian player, i will' take part' in first-class .cricket this'season. Ho is hi the office of Mr N. Claxton, who with Mr Pbynton, M.P., conducts a big land business, and all such offices in' Adelaide are-extremely busy just now. Gehrs has, therefore,, decided not to play against Victoria, but Mr Claxton. an Old inter-state cricketer himself, has arranged to let the young wicket-keeper, Webster, who is also in his office, have the necessary leave. Gehrs may play in the later matches, but if the business pressure, continues he will not bother about - big matches at all this season. Dolling, another of South Australia’s best batsmen, cannot play against Victoria owing to the University examinations, but he will come into the team later on.' Hazlitt’s splendid form with the ball was again much in evidence in the Central Cumberland V Glebe match, in Sydney last Saturday week. He bothered most of the Glebe batsmen. His fixtures were six for 53, The ex-Victorian has a lot of supporters amongst the N.'S.W. public, and they trust he will again be amongst the leading players whom Warner and his men will meet. Hazlitt is not only a good howler, but a sound batsman, besides being a safe, and, at times, brilliant fieldsman. Hazlitt has already captured nineteen wickets at a. cost of a trifle over 10 runs each. He ought to have .been given a place in, the last Australian team for England in 1909. He will it is relieved, be found to be a fine bowler in England, should he be included in the next team.