SIR JULIEN CAHN’S TEAM

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20731, 15 February 1939, Page 6

SIR JULIEN CAHN’S TEAM

Waikato to-day and to-morrow will have the pleasure of entertaining a cricket team for whose tour Sir Julien Cahn is responsible. Perhaps no man has done more for cricket in the British Empire than Sir Julien. For years he has sponsored tours of all the leading cricketing countries, but this is the first time that his tourists have visited New Zealand. The Dominion is yet young in the cricket world, and it is to such toups as that of Sir Julien Cahn’s team that it must look for the experience in “big cricket” that will eventually enable New Zealand to hold its own with England, Australia, South Africa and India.

Great cricketers are made rather than born, apparently. The arts of the game are founded on tradition, experience and long practice. Physical fitness is an initial advantage, but good coaching and practice in good company are necessary to give the polish that the leading overseas teams possess. New Zealand has proved that it has the material for good cricketers, and now it needs experience with leading overseas exponents of the game. Therefore, apart from its social aspect, the visit of Sir Julien Cahn’s team is very welcome.

Included among the visitors are many players whose style and freedom in batting and bowling are a delight to the enthusiast. Not the least among them is a New Zealander, who will have an excellent opportunity to assess the progress made by the game in New Zealand since he began playing regularly in season in England. There is no doubt that the game is improving steadily and gaining favour in the public estimation. That is all to the good, for the following of this peculiarly English game teaches many a lesson in sportsmanship, team spirit and physical fitness. If Sir Julian Cahn’s team encourages those qualities among New Zealand cricketers its tour will have served a good purpose.