N.Z. CRICKET TOUR

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19142, 27 October 1927, Page 6

N.Z. CRICKET TOUR

"NATIONAL PRIDE IN THE GAME." GOOD RESULTS ACHIEVED. '•The most important event in the historv of tho cricket of this Ooniinion wns the dispatch oi the first Xew Zca]:ind team to England. Tho play ot the Dominion team far exceeded the most sanguine expectations of the people of thU country, and established an entirely new status tor the standard of play as compared -with other parts of the Empire," states the annual report of the New Zealanu Cricket Council.

••Following the encouragement tio.i the New Zoalandeiv splendid play in Vistralia two years ago, the success of the tour in England mis created a 'national pride in the game m our cwn tonutrv such as never existed before and proved conclusively that out cricket is on a higher level than that of tho minor counties of England, and cpiito a match for the average lirst-elass county. The eomnutteo takes this opportunity of congratulating .Mr I.owrv and his team on their splendid plav,* and the service they have rendered to the cricket of this Dominion. The authorities of the Homeland have been lavish in their praise of the bright cricket played by our touring team, and it is very satisfactory to know that they have been equally appreciated off the held. "Mr Douglas Hay had an arduous task in attending to tho many details associated with his iwsition as manager. The team was playing continuously from Mav 14th until September 14th, and his work will be appreciated by all those associated with the game here. ''With our cricket now established on a basis recognised by all tho cricketing countries of the Empire, it is important that every advantage should be taken of tho undoubted impetus which lias been given to the game in New Zealand. It behoves tho authorities throughout the Dominion to pay heed to the recognised policy of our Rugby Union friends who continue to place a premium on youth, and thus maintain the great traditions built up for the football of this country.

"Tho touring cricketers were an admittedly young side. The team was selected with' judgment and foresight in this respect, and it is certain th:vt the encouragement of youth should be in the forefront of the policy of all those responsible for the development of tho game in the Dominion. Other lessons of tho tour are tho necessity to encourage the development of the bowling of tlie Dominion as well as that of the fielding. What New Zealand would have done without its two slow bowlers it is difficult to imagine. Tho fielding was disappointing, and even at the end of the tour, when it wns a better. team, it was admitted that tlioy were still not a good fielding side. This lesson is not likely to be iost on New Zealand cricket for the future. Of the batting there is nothing but praise to be given, and it was mostly this department of the game which earned the high reputation of the touring side. It is true that' our bowling was not unduly trounced by the best sides in England, but it has tor be borne in mind that this was an admittedly wet season, which only goes to enhance the merit of. the batting performances of the team.

A Substantial Loss!

"The Council desires to place on record its keen appreciation of .the action of thoso generous people throughout the Dominion who came forward and subscribed for. shares in the company promotedl6 ■ make the financial arrangements of tlie-tour to England. It would have been impossible for the Caupcil to have carried out this tour without such support. Under normal conditions it is safe to assume that the tour would have just about financed itself on our share of the gate takings in England, but, unfprtunately, last season was the wettest on record for twenty years, and it is disappointing to have to report the prospect of t substantial loss 011 the tour. ' In the hope of somewhat redeeming the position, the Council has arranged a match in Sydney, for which the" New South Wales Association mdst generously offered 90' per cent, of the net gate, while it has also been arranged th.it the touring side will play matches against the Rest of _ New Zealand at Wellington and Christchurch. It is hoped that from these- three matches substantial returns will,be obtained, thus reducing the loss to ■ something like a nominal amount.

: _ "The thanks of the Council are particularly due to Messrs A". Sims and H. D. Swan for the .very important part they have played in the negotiations with the authorities at Home for the visit of the New Zealand team to England, and the arranging of the programme and other matters connected with the tour."