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Hokitika Guardian, 16 May 1927, Page 2

Mien pleasure and gratification will be felt at the success attending tlio New Zealand cricket team in their opening week’s play in England. Li point ol fact the English tour lias opened very auspiciously and will do a great deal in putting New Zealand on the map - in other words the Dominion is receiving splendid publicity from the feats of the team. Cricket is “the” game in England and for one of the Empire whelps to excel at the popular sport is to bring the country very prominently tinder notice. The New Zealand Rugby team as the ‘All Blacks” did a tremendous amount of advertising by the outstanding success of their all conquering tour. The cricketers are in another sphere, so to speak, and as the pioneers of Dominion at Home, their reputation is in the making. The team', left here full of heart. The Victorian team which gave them such good prac-

five before leaving, regarded the prospects of the tour as not unpromising. That estimate is leaving correct. There has been an excellent beginning with a brightness about the play that appeals naturally to the spectators. The team will lie very popular on that account, and it is indeed pleasing such good headway is being made. They have still to show their prowess on a sticky wicket, but the players must be gaining more and more confidence, which is the foundation of success at cricket. The standard of the play has been uniformly good. The criticism of the press has been devoted chiefly to the

fielding, a branch of the sport in which the daily practice now indulged in should result in a desired improvement. If this branch of the play is advanced there will he little to cavil at. for the all-round play will then he of a standard capable of revealing even more pleasing results still. One promising prospect for the sustained success of the team is the evenness of the players. The men are home to learn, and being apt pupils, should do well in the opportunity they will have of meeting the cream of English cricket. The occasion promises to be one of special importance, not only as an opportunity to advance colonial cricket, hut also to publish abroad that New Zealand can excel at cricket as well at other notable field games and sports.