CRICKET.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17112, 6 April 1921, Page 9

CRICKET.

AUSTRALIAN dIUCKET TEAM. MANAGER INTERVIEWED. (3rECIAL TO "the PRESS.") DUNEDIX, April 5. i '•Onlooker," of the Duncdin "Star," who is at present in Auckland, interviewed' Mr Howard, manager of the Australian cricket team, who said the play seen in the various games was quite up to expectations, and was up to the standard of Sydney club cricket, but, of course, 101 l short of representative form. The New Zcalanders seemed to belittle the capabilities of their cricketers. This pessimism was to be deprecated. If the men had more frequent opportunities of testing their powers against stronger players the effect would be beneficial to cricket in the Dominion.' In thi9 connexion, Mr Howard thinks that a New Zealand cricket team should pay a visit to England. The benefits to be "derived by playing against county elevens would be incalculable. A visit to Australia would probably apjjeal more to New Zealanders, and would bo a lesa difficult proposition. Such a trip should eventuate in a season or two, and ought not to occupy more than five or 6ix weeks. It would be a mistake to play outside tho four centres—Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, ana Brisbane, eay, two games in each capital. This would naturally shorten tlw> trip, and the visiting players would get experience which could, not be expected if an extensive programme was drawn up, entailing visits to a. number of places in the different States, ll this connexion, Mr Howard expressed tho opinion that the programme, mapped out by the New Zealand Cricket Corincil was too prolonged. It meant too much travelling and wasted time. The next timo an Australian (team cams over their absence from home ought to be covered by, say, five to six weeks. A number of the smaller towns included in the present itinerary would have to be cut out.

Mr Howard was diffident about expressing an (opinion as to the best players tn New Zealand. In his opinion Blunt and Shepherd are promising batsmen. Of ihe bowler? Mcßeth shaped best. Ho is young, and with more experience may be exceedingly dangerous. The tendency to aggressiveness should be restrained. In regard to grounds, Mr Howard, was Jess reticent. He said that the best wicket was provided at Napier, and that Ashburton was entitled to second position. The grounds at Auckland, Wellington, and Dunedin are about,.on a par. They all lack the right soil to make 6rst-c]ass wickets. Generally the "outfields wero ca-pable of improvement. Tli« bolioola were> the best recruiting grounds, and coaches should be there provided. DacTe and Blunt, the colts of the New Zealand eleven, were a.happy illustration, of the advantage of early training, and of how to play I the game. In lieu of the two Test Matches being played in the North Island, Mr Howard was emphatically oi the opinion -that one should have been played in Dunedin or Christchurch, and the other in Wellington or Auckland. Even from the financial aspect that would have been an advantage. In conclusion, the manager eaid that, on behalf of the "Aussies,'' he wished' to express his thanks for the hospitality shown them throughout the tour. Everything .possible had been done by the representatives of the New .Zealand Cricket Council iind others to make the trip thoroughly 1 enjoy,al>le. ■ THE TEST MATCHES. {By Cxble—-1-ress Association—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cat.e Association.'» • • . LONDON, April i. The "Manchester Guardian" says :—&. preKminaiy corporate practice test of our cricketers may possibly be a help, though its value may easily be over-estimate - This organisation of victory in our cheerful games is too deadly eerious, and may become unlimited. It may include 'physical preparatiaas, running, skipping, and camera-posing like professional footballers. Then, when we have trained a team till it works together .with the smoothnessr of a ballet, some scratch eleven, chosen on the basis of current form, may arise and beat it to a. frizzle 1 All this, for fear or Armstrong. He must be mightily amused. Anyone might suppose we liad never beaten tie- Australians here or there with our.happy-go-lucky habits!"