FINANCIAL LOSS

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 2, 25 September 1937, Page 18

FINANCIAL LOSS

N.Z! CRICKET TEAM'S TOUR SUGGESTION FOR FUIURE The loss of practioally a complete Saturday's gate at the Oval in the final Test with England — only ?0 minutes' play was possible — was nothing less than a tragedy to New Zea'land, as the match was the tourists' last hope of saving themselves financially, writes Charles Bray in the Express of August 16. Tom Lowry, the manager, told me, at Manchester, that he wanted £1000 out of the Old Trafford game, and £1506 out of the final Test. * He didn't get any-thing like £1000 from Manchester, and he therefore looked to this final Test to help him materially in solving the financial worries of the tour. The tour has not been financially successful for several reasons. The weather, taken on the whole, has not been bad, but the side were unable to find their proper form, with the result that, they made a dismal start. The good showing at Lord's in ihe first Test helped them, but Manchester was a great disapponitment. The weather was not good, but even so the attendances on all three days were disappointing. Both Lowry and "Curly" Page, the captain, in the report which they will have to make on the tour to tlie New Zealand Cricket Association, will put forward the suggestion that in future years it would be a better plan. lo take the second of the three Tests in England to some town not so accustomed to havlng major Test matches as Manchester. This suggestion is a very sound one, and when the Imperial Cricket Board meets in this country I under stand it will he advanced by the representative of New Zealand and receive the support ofMndia. For Tests against Australia and gouth Africa it is obvious that Manchester, with its wonderful aceommodation at Old Trafford, must have cne of the matches. Other Centres But it would be a good thing for cricket as well as for the touring side concerned if places like Cardiff, Bradford, Hove, Sheffield, Southampton and even Canterbury were given the opportunity, not only of seeing the touring side in a Test, but the England team in action — a cMnce they rarely, if ever, get unless the people are prepared to travel a long way. All the grounds I have mentioned have accommodation for 10,000 or more, and could easily be made to hold another 5000. The local cricket associatioiis, and those who acted as guarantors for the New Zealand tour, will, I am afraid, have to pay up and pay up rather heavily. Unlike the Australians, these New Zealanders do not get any financial reward for their play. There will be no £600 each for any of them. They get their bare expenses, and most of them will be considerably out of pocket by the time they get home. But they have had the trlp and have enjoyed it ,a!though they would have fiked it better had they put up a better show. There will be no regrets, and they will leave behind many friends.