NOT UNDERSTOOD.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17701, 1 March 1923, Page 12

NOT UNDERSTOOD.

CRICKET IN NEW ZEALAND. MACLAREN'S VIEWS. Lack of cricket understanding on the part of the Press, an unenthusiastic general public, and players without knowledge of the finer points of the game, were some of the impressions of Mr Archie Maclaren, captain of the F-nglUh touring party, whilst in New Zealand (says the "Sydney San"). He declares that at Nelson players hardly knew the handle from the blade of the bat. Yet the veteran holds out hope for New Zealand cricket. .He admits that the tour of New Zealand has not been a success financially. When Maclaren. returned to Sydney by the Niagara, he declared that a number of minor New Zealand papers had attacked not only the Englishmen, but also their own men. These attacks he attributed to the ignorance of the writers. "They were unacquainted with, cricket," lie 6aid, "and, furthermore, some of them made no honest attempt to understand the game." Whilst in the Dominion he had rarely read tlie reports of matches—they were not worth reading. "Football is admittedly the game "of New Zealand," said Mac.aren. "There w ere no crowds as entiiusiastio as Australians at our matches in. the Dominion." The captain told of spectators who had informed him that they wouid not be bothered coming to see hia team play again. They had made it a personal matter by insinuating that by staying away the gate and the visitors' packet would suiter. "As though I get anything out of it," scornfully remarked Maclaren. "Too many provincial matches," was another of "Maclaren's expressed disappointments. Much time, energy, and money were expended in the distance travelled, which the gates seldom warranted. "At Nelson, icr example, players hardly knew the handle from the blade of the bat," Maclaren remarked. The veteran admitted that with such, large expenditure and such small g;ite3 there wouid be losses. "The M.C.C. will," he said, "bear half—that is the arrangement." The English captain described New Zealand batsmen as "plucky." He said that in many were the makings of first-class cricketers. Experience and encouragement were what they needed. "New Zealand needs a few successes to give cricket an impetus," he said. "A New Zealand side in England, with matches against the weaker counties would uplift the game—a few victories, and cricketers in the Dominion would ~tflJse heart."

r "For my part I did not want to play l Freeman ag.oinst the New Zeaktnders. The New Zealand • Oiickct Council would not bear of it—they wanted the best team in the field. The result was 'that- matches did not last until after lunch on the third day." Another suggestion made by Maclaren was that university men with cricket knowledge should coach, school players instead of professionals. Maclaren said that be haa seen school matches and there were many lada of talent who compared favourably with English public school players. Mr Maclaren said that he had found New Zealand cricketers and officials thorough sportsmen. They had made the team very welcome. He was sorry in a way that -his team iiad_been so successful. The wickets in*" the tests j were entirely in their favour. He was very disappointed at having to aban- ] don the trip to Queensland. He had j hopes that he would be able to play in the forthcoming Australian matches, although his leg was still far from well. The team h;td improved, he said, but would miss Wilkinson, who bad to hurry home. Whilst her husband was shaving, prior to going ashore, Mrs Maclaren j gave her views. "They're pot. half so keen on cricket as you Australians," she said. "Attendances rat matches on week I ! days were always small over there. Everybody seemed to have to be at work all da.y—so different from here." i Mrs MacLiron told a' little Etory—i the butt, of which, was herself. At one !of the matches her, husband asked, i "Who wOl we put on rtert, my dear?" She suggested a certain bowler. He took a wicket immediately. Several of I the spectators declared after the dent-that she 'in actual fact was the captain of the team. ! I like cricket immensely," she added, *but no man knows more about it than my husband.-"