GOOD BOWLERS NEEDED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 259, 2 November 1931, Page 9

GOOD BOWLERS NEEDED.

WHERE MEW ZEALAND FAILED

SELECTOR'S CANDID CRITICISM.

While the performances of the New Zealand batenien had lifted high the level of batting, the same could not be said of the bowlers, said Mr. D. Reese, president of the New Zealand Cricket Council, speaking at the civic reception tendered to the team to-day.

The Dominion was lacking in good bowlers. It was disappointing to i.ra to hear it said by the captain of the team that the bowlers failed to keep a, length. Good bowling meant not merely constant practice, but selfdenial. During the summer months rowing men did not smoke, he said, and ■paid special attention generally to keeping themselves fit. Those who would be bowlers lnufit. do the same. . . , "Have we no wish to produce good bowlers?" he asked. New Zealand would have to raise the standard of the bowling.. They must work hard to- produce the talent. Mr. Reese said he was sorry to have to mention such a topic at a reception o-iven in honour of the returning team, •but facts had to be f*ced. He did not refer specially to .the bowlers in the team, but to the cricketing 'community generally. It' was -regrettable to hear ft eaid that it had been a pity .that New Zealand had not sent Home really good bowlers. .