CRICKET TOURS

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 91, 15 October 1934, Page 11

CRICKET TOURS

NEW ZEALAND AND AUSTRALIA

OVERCOMING A HANDICAP

A perfectly good Australian team for a tour of New Zealand was offering last season, but when the team was almost on the point of being assembled the tour was cancelled by tho New Zealaml Cricket Council. Tho decision came as a bombshell in Australian cricket, circles, and to those in Now Zealand with a iirst-hand knowledge of tho capabilities of tho players finally chosen for the tour the council's action was surprising; in fact, it was regarded witli some concern. The AVcllingtou Cricket Association, among cricket bodies, was practically alono in expressing regret at the council's action. Now, with plans for another season under way, it seems that the council and some of the other cricketing bodies in Now Zealand would bo prepared to accopt a visit from a team not as good as that which was turned down last season. Unfortunately, however, tho damage has been done. It came as no surprise to learn recently that tho Australian Board of Control had turned down an application by the New Zealand Cricket Council for a team (Australian or State) to visit the Dominion this season.

In spito of the board's recent decision, somo associations in New Zealand evidently aro eager that the council should reopen negotiations with the Board of Control in the hope that a visit from. Australia will eventuate. It is known that there are players in plenty in Australia who would willing}y undertake a tour of New Zealand, but tours, of course, must have tho sanction of the controlling bodies, and tho unfortunate happening last season, us was only to bo expected, must make the position moro difficult in obtaining the board's consent. Tho possible effects of that last-minute cancellation by the council last yoar wero referred to in "The Post" in urging that there was still, time to amend the decision, and thoy are now becoming apparent.

The Otngo Cricket Association has discussed the cricket relationship between Australia and New Zealand, and certain views which were expressed last week are not likely to improve tho position. They, like the cancellation of last year's tour, were to bo regarded as most unfortunate. Tho Wanganui Cricket Association is seeking the support for proposals •which-it makes for furthering the interests of cricket in New Zealand, and one of its suggestions is the development of a more intimate relationship than has existed in the past between New Zealand and Australian ciickot. Both Wanganui and Otago think that a delegate should be sent to Australia, aud it, was mentioned at a meeting of the Otago Association that one of its officials would be visiting Australia at the end of the year.

Axickland's main concern is that a visit from Australia this season has been turned down, and tho Auckland Association is-asking other associations to support it in urging that negotiations with the Australian Board of Control be reopened with a view to having an Australian or a State team hero this season. Tfc was agreed at last week's meeting of. the Auckland Association to take this course, and it is likely, therefore, that the matter will come before the Wellington Cricket Association's management committee tonight.