A Milestone in History of Bowling

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 152, 17 September 1927, Page 10

A Milestone in History of Bowling

Tests Between Australia and New Zealand THE COMING CONTEST (BY JACK HIGH) Of such importance is the coming bowling contest to be played next December between Australia and New Zealand, as decided upon last Tuesday by the council of the Dominion of New Zealand Bowling Association, that it may be forecasted with accuracy as a veritable milestone in bowling history of both countries. For some time past there has been gradually growing up a feeling of reciprocity between the bowlers of Australia and New Zealand. The ultimate outcome is that now we shall have a bowling event of such importance in the sporting world that it will effectively place bowling right into the public eye. Good for the enthusiasts. The friendly hand has been stretched out and they have succeeded to such an extent that it is safe to say it has eclipsed even their most sanguine dreams of success. THE OLD MAN’S GAME True it is that bowling has made tremendous strides in New Zealand to a place which has no equal in other parts of the world. For some years past there has been attracted into the game a much younger and more vigorous element than existed in the sport before. The natural outcome was that bowling was made into a gam© of skill and dexterity. So much so that wherever New Zealand bowlers have gone they have usually managed to capture the laurels —witness the last time a touring team went to Australia.. On that occasion 13 matches were played against Queensland, then champions of Australia —12 were won and the thirteenth tied; a great record. The season before last, when the British touring team visited New Zealand, the test match in Auckland resulted in a complete victory for the home teams. But it unfortunately may be stated that the game has failed, up to the present time, to capture the attention of the public. The big rank and file has never attempted to understand the game on the green, and are still content to regard it as purely an old man’s game. They have not as yet come to realise that the game in the last few years has been revolutionised into one that commands masterly skill, nerve and judgment, and that it claims the attention of nearly 16,000 players in New Zealand. THE PUBLIC VIEWPOINT Now, however, the position as regards the public viewpoint will be altered. It may be rightly contended as far as they are concerned, the main point is that attention is instantly and effectively aroused over the combat in bringing laurels home, whether it is football, cricket, tennis, etc., or bowling. It matters not. It is the natural spirit of sporting rivalry that is definitely awakened in the public that :is important. When that is effectively accomplished, only then do they trouble to study the fine points of the game. In fact, it can be advanced as a safe prediction that if the annual match between Australia eventuates, as no doubt it will do, for that is what was at the back of the original proposal, that in a few years bowling will be as widely understood as many of the kindred sports such as tennis, cricket, football, etc.

Then it will be much more generally appreciated than it is at the present time. This is very sadly needed. Bowling is a game that has progressed along very unencouraging lines. It has no spectacular incidents to commend it for attention. It has to be closely followed. It has to be closely studied. It is a matter of wonder to the uninitiated that dexterity in one shot alone is a case of continual practice for probably two or three seasons. To the public eye at the present time it is a matter of confusion to them and much mis-spent enthusiasm on the part of the players. However, it is only a period of a few seasons and the public will demand to know the fine points of the game. THE SELECTORS

A wise provision is made by the Dominion Council in the question of selectors, who are to select the 16 players to represent New Zealand in this first important trial of bowling strength. The selectors represent collectively all the main districts of the Dominion. The North Island has three and the South Island an equal number. This is justly equitable and a fair distribution. Mr. A. K. Smart, of New Plymouth, is a sterling player and an experienced councillor. Mr. J. M. Thomson, Auckland, is also a bowler of high repute and his long experience should stand him in good stead. Mr. J. Kershaw, of Wellington, is the junior member of the council.

But his long service In the best interests of the Wellington Bowling Centre clearly justifies his inclusion and responsibility in such an important work.

Mr. J. M. Fastier, Dunedin, will obtain the strongest bowlers from the Scottish city of the Dominion. Mr. J. Moyes, of Timaru, was a sound selection, while the selection of Mr. A. J. Benze, president of the Dominion Association, will secure a keen bowler and a good administrator. From these gentlemen it may be expected that whatever judgment they exercise in the matter of selecting the best players to suitably represent New Zealand in the great event, it will certainly be the best obtainable. On this point there should be complete justice and there should be no ground for faultfinding. THE EXPENSES OF THE TRIP Considerable speculation is expressed about the matter of personal expenses. In obtaining the strongest of New Zealand players, this question will naturally assume some prominence. It may be rightly advanced that New Zealand has never been truly represented abroad for the reason that many of her best players cannot afford the high cost of travelling. Of course, if this precedent were established it would place an aspect to the sport that would be quite new. THE B*RITISH TOUR

A businesslike attitude has been adopted by the council also. On the assumption that a cable that appeared in the New Zealand press was correct, and without the official invitation actually being in hand, the council has placed in Mr. J. W. Hardley’s hands the arrangements for a touring team which is to go to Britain via Canada next year. This matter will require a lot of consideration. The question naturally arises whether it will be a touring team of social bowlers or a straight-jout team to contest -with the best cV the Mother Country’s bowle.rs in play. However, as this time is far distant, these matters will have to remain until *a broad announcement of the policy is available.

When the last team went to Britain there was a preponderance of the less skilled players. It is hoped that there will be some attempt to emulate the precedent now being established with Australia —to play bowls. It would be for the general advancement of the sport that all matches overseas should be presented to the public as games of skill, not. as often in the past, a sort of joint holiday.