CRICKET.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 3628, 14 September 1912, Page 9

CRICKET.

AUSTRALIAN FIXTURES. SEPTEMBER. 16 —At Inverness, v Northern ties--IB—At8 —At Aberdeen, v Aberdeenshire. 20 —At Dundee, v Forfarshire. NOTES AND COMMENTS. (By “Short-Slip.”) The English county championship this year his produced its ups aim ('owns Yorkshire beat Somerset by an innings and 136 runs, thereby securing the championship. G. 11. Hirsu. took twelve wickets for 67 runs, so that tho veteran played a big part in the day. It is four years since Yorkshire last won, Kent, twice, amt Warwickshire in the meantime having held tlie title. THE AYORLD v. MARS. “August was tlie wettest and the most sunless August experienced in England for 33 years, and the coldest for 55 years.” The entire season appears to have been like August. Is it any wonder the Triangular contest was so disappointing, and the tours by th(‘ Colonial teams so ill-support-ed bv the oublic?

THE WORLD’S BEST ELEVEN

DIAHDED OPINION

During the last Test match at Lord’s there was an interesting discussion on the subject of the world's best eleven at the present time, remarks. “The Gentleman in Black” in tbe “Athletic News,” who continues thus: “With the majority of those named for inelu.siom.most of us agreed, but after seven or eight players had been selected opinions differed much. The choice, be it understood, is limited to present-day cricketers, though exceptions may, if necessary, be made of Noble and Slierwell, who would still be available if required. “.Dealing -with the howlers first, not many, I take it, would object to the selection of Barnes and F. R. Foster, who are very good on hard, true wickets, and form a splendid contrast to each other. The fast howling and googlies may safely be left in the hands of J. B. King, of Philadelphia, and H. V. Hordern, of Australia, respectively, who are very useful batsmen. Two other fine- all-round performers in AV. AV. Armstrong and C. G. Alacartney would have the strongest claims to inclusion,' whilst Slierwell would safely be entrusted with the wicket-keeping. “That leaves four vacancies, three of which I should fill' by choosing .‘Spooner, Hobbs, and Trumper, all tiptop batsmen and splendid fields. For the last place there are several who possess a strong qualification. I am sorry that Faulkner, owing to temporary loss of form, must he passed over ; a year or eighteen months ago ho would have been certain of being chosen. If, as J. am told, Noble is still as good as ever, he could not well he omitted; therefore I should include him, and ask him to undertake tee

captaincy. If he preferred not to lead the side doubtless Slier well would consent to do so. There are several players, including Fry, who have only just failed to catch the selector’s eye, but some such thing is bound to happen (whenever a representative team is being got together.” The above side appears to be strong in all departments, long fielding alone excepted. But one cannot havo everything when tlio selection is so restricted. Here, then, is the world’s eleven,' in the order of going in: It. H. Spooner, J. B. Hobbs, C. (*• Macartney, V. T. Trumpet, M. A. Noble, AV. AY. Armstrong, J. B. King, F. m Foster, P. AY. Sherwell, H. Y. Hordern, S. . F. Barnes. The bowling combination mentioned could not bo surpassed. But with such batsmen as C. Hill, AY. Bardsley, V. S. Hansford, C. B. Fry, AY. It. Rhodes, G. A. Faulkner, G. Gunn, and F. E. AVoollcy not included it will naturally evoke a good deal of.criticism.