N.Z. TEAM’S CHANCES

Hokitika Guardian, 10 March 1931, Page 2

N.Z. TEAM’S CHANCES

VIEWS OK A. K. WENSLEY. AUCKLAND, March 7. “Although the howling strength of the New Zealand team, which is to tour England, is certainly below representative standard, it must b ( -> remember .(d that the English bowling also lacks the strength it lias possessed in other years, and 1 expect the team to do a lot better than some people iliink it will.” This interesting comment was made by A. E. Weiisley, of Sussex, the English professional cricketer. who lias now completed his second season's coaching engagement with the Aurk•a'nel (Vjcket Assooiaiym, M ensi-y ieaves for the south on Monday, and sails if'or Home by the Mataroa on Wednesday.

.me New Zealand team, in Weiisley’s opinion, is very strong in batting, aim should make plenty ot runs during its lour. The wickets at Home, he sail’, .verc not greatly different- Irom those n New Zealand, and he looked to the lido to get good scores. There was a possibility that the English crowds and the general conditions wilder which matches were played at llohic, might, ups’t the visitors in (he libit two of throe games; but once they got ovet lLose circumstances, ho thought they should perform very creditably.

It was fortunate, said Weiisley, that 'here were several players in the team who had had experience of English cricket. Bowling, was the great weakness in all classes of New Zealand cricket at the present time. Players from primary school bo vs upwards seemed to have I lie notion that the making ol runs was the only tiling to lie considered in cricket. II young players could only he convinced ol the real eiijovinent that was to be bad out of bowling, the standard would surely improve. Bowling in Auckland, lie believed, had improved somewhat in the last two seasons. More attention was being paid to good length. In the primary schools tli(> hoys were very keen on batting, but they should he more enthusiastic over howling.

After mentioning that the English howling strength was not as great as some people in New Zealand believed '•{. was. Weiisley said the pitches at Home were such that unless they were affected by rain they gave the batsmen a very decided “pull” over the howlers. In speaking of New /inland wickets, he mentioned 'that in ill his cricket he had seldom placed » n a better pitch than that on which Canterbury met Auckland in llm Pii :.- kot Shield match at Christchurch this year.