AUSTRALIAN CRICKET TEAM

Evening Star, Issue 19786, 9 February 1928, Page 15

AUSTRALIAN CRICKET TEAM

TOUR OF THE DOMINION TOO MUCH TRAVELLING [Specux. io the '’Star.’] AUCKLAND, February 8. The Australian cricket team will commence its tour of the dominion on Wednesday next against Nelson, and in all thirteen matches will be played four against the major provinces, two tests, and seven games against tlie minor associations. One naturally •' ppreciates the difficulty experienced by the governing body in arranging a tour of the dominion in such a way ar to avoid clashing with race meeti : and any other sports. At the same time it is - a great pity such a tour as that about to be undertaken could not be arranged so ns to provide for a minimum of travelling. Captains of Australian and English teams in the past have deprecated the amount or travelling done, expressing t the same time appreciation of the fact that they have been enabled to see a great deal of the country of which they had heard so much. The first consideration, however, is cricket. The Australian eleven is undoubtedly coming over here for experience in view of the more serious tests ag°in.st the Englishmen later in the year. 3 .10 question, therefore, presents itself as to whether it would not vvo been better to have given the visitors as many severe trials as New Zealand was capable of giving them. This could only be done by cutting down the minor association matches. Nobody would suggest for a minute that the minor associations should be ignored altogether, bub as the Australians are coming on this occasion with an object in view it would have suited their purposes much better were they fo get as much big cricket as the dominion could provide them with. This could be made possible in the following' manner:—A test match in each of the four big centres, a match against each of the major associations, a match against each of tlm islands, and a match against a team representing the minor associations of each island. Such an itinerary would >- vide the visitors with the cream of New Zealand cricket. On the other hand, of course, the question of expense must enter into a tour. Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin could all stand a test match as well as a provincial game against such a reputable team as that coming across. The point for consideration would bo whore to play the island matches and the games against the minor associations’ teams. Timaru, Oamafu, and Invercargill would appear to bo the most suitable places in the South Island, and Palmerston North, Wanganui, Napier, and New Plymouth in the North Island. The cost of assembling the teams should be more, than compensated by the increased gate money and by the reduction in the cost of travelling of the _ visiting team. The point about visits f. n overseas teams is that they come here with the idea of improving the standard of cricket in New Zealand. Very well, then, how is New Zealand cricket going to benefit from the playing of a Snatch between the Australians and Kelson, for example}’ The same _ remarks apply equally io other minor associations, which possess at the 3 .-t .two or three cricketers of any ability. These player? would have their chance of getting into the minor association?' teams in each island, and if they did well they would no doubt earn a placo ki the South Island or North Island teams in competition with the major association/ players. There they would have further opportunities of gaining NehfE.Ztxilund -representative cups. ’ ' ■

The Australians are wire (0 prove a great draw in the various centres, ami. given lino weather, the lour should he a record 011 c from a financial point of view. However, the argument still presents itself: Would it not bo more profitable in every respect to have a better class of cricket, less travelling, and larger gate receipts? Some minor associations appear to appreciate what is done for them, and some do not. For instance, there was a woeful lack of interest taken in (ho game between Auckland and Dlanawatn at Palmerston North last week. The match was scarcely advertised, and the majority of the people of the town did not know there was a game of cricket on. One official passed the remark that had it been known Bowie,y and Caere were going to be present, the match would have been well advertised, and there would have been a. largo crowd present. The Manawntn Association knew a month before, that, a match would be played by the Aucklanders 011 their way home, so there is no excuse from that point of view.