NEW ZEALAND HAS “ ARRIVED.”

Hokitika Guardian, 3 July 1931, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND HAS “ ARRIVED.”

MR CAYGILL PLEASED

VALUE OF EXPERIENCE SHOWN.

VIEWS OF CRICKETERS.

“The play of the New Zealand team in the test match lias been very pleasing to followers of the game; in tact, it may be described as a magnificent performance. The match itself contained some of those proverbial changes which point- to the glorious uncertainty of the game,” said Mr E. B. Caygill, chairman of the Management Committee of the New Zealand Cricket Council, when interviewed at Christchurch. “To think that our team lias .stoo 1 the test in the greateset match played by a Dominion side to date is pleasing in the extreme. The second innings lias served to demonstrate what manj good judges of the game considered existed, namely, the batting strength of the team ,for there are many good batsmen on the side; in fact, it can be rightly described as a long batting side Variable wickets, due to the wet season failed to bring this out in the earlier part of the our, but it could not be more appropriate than for it to lie displayed agiiinst the full strength of England in the test match .

“Dempster has again demonstrated liis wonderful soundness. With his ability to give the side a good start be is a tower of strength to the team. Both he and Page are entitled to the heaviest congratulations on their joining the select band of cricketers who have secured centuries in their first test match. The tour generally is proving. and this match accentuates, the value of experience. The team’s best performers to date are plavers wlm were brought out young and have ni-ovhWl with ac much experience as could he arranged.

ASSISTANCE ACKNO'WLEDGED

“The New Zealand Cricket Council reels that its policy during the last ten years ot arranging annually eitliei a visit from a team abroad or a tour i,y a New Zealand side is b.eing borne out by results. Much satisfaction will be felt by those gentlemen and affiliated associations who have so generously supported the New Zealand Cricket Council in its endeavours to arrange the visits of .the two New Zealand teams to England. Without their help neither of the two tours could have been financed —and it will be gratifying to know that the team itself has justified the confidence reposed in it.

“We have had good sides chosen to represent New Zealand before the present one. Many fine players have played for the Dominion, but probably no earlier side has entered the field with more of what might be termed ‘the team spirit,’ a confidence in one’* ■'wn ability and a determination t<> play for one’s side with eonceiitratior and grit throughout the whole game.

“We may truly feel that the New Zealand team has now ‘arrived.’ ” VERY GRATIFYING.

•‘The New Zealanders’ play haS placed them in the first flight of cricketers,” was the comment of Mr M. 13. Whitta, one of the selectors of the Roan.ion team.

“The result is certainly very gratify ing,” added Mr Whitta. “Particularly when it is taken into account that out team were 230 behind on the first innings. 11l such a position few teamwould have made such a-fine showing.’

Kerr, who was a first-class bat, had been disappointing in the test. M> Whitta said that lie was of the opinio’ that the Canterbury batesman was ; nervy player, and that the importune of the match had had it’s effect., Kenwas of the same type as the trilliarl Australian, Jackson. Mr Whitta said that lie had always fancied Croinb a l ' a bowler. He thought that be would come back to New Zealand a much better bowler than be was before setting out on the four. A GLORTOUS CHAPTER.

“A glorious chapter in the history of cricket in New Zealand,” was the wo” in which Air Dan Reese, a member of the - Cricket Council, / described the team’s performances in the test.

The New Zealanders’ tour and the test in particular, added Mr Reese, bad crated an enthusiasm throughout the Dominion similar to the visit to England of the All ‘Blacks in 1900.

Although one did not like making inviditius tdistinctons, one’s first thought went to Lowry’s leadership, for lie had brought back to the game attacking tactics as a captain reminiscent of the days of Harry Tiott and M. A. Noble.

Dempster bad very clearly given further demonstration of the fact that he was the safest, soundest and finest batsman that New Zealand had ever produced. To the outstanding performances of Page, Blunt, Merritt and Cromb one fen like adding those of the rest of the team. Un to date they had proved such an excellent combination that all were entitled to New Zealand’ plaudits. Mr Reese said that the fielding must also have entirely eliminated the bad impression of it left after the last tour of England, and New. Zealand now had a first-class side which had lifted the gaiiie to heights never previously attahiod in the Dominion.

“New Zealand, T am sure, will be welcomed throughout the Empire as a very definite acquisition to. the international field of cricket,” concluded Mr Re^se.