UNIVERSITY CRICKETERS HAVE JUST CLAIMS

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28471, 28 December 1957, Page 5

UNIVERSITY CRICKETERS HAVE JUST CLAIMS

fpHE recent cricket match between the Wellington Piunket Shield eleven and a team representing New Zealand Universities provides evidence in support of the claims of the - Universities to a place on the fixture list for overseas teams visiting New Zealand. This match, the first of what is hoped will be a regular fixture against the province holding the shield, was unfortunately interrupted by rain, but sufficient was seen of the attitude towards the game of the Universities’ players. Like their Rugby-playing brothers, the Universities’ cricketers showed enterprise in all their Play. The captain, P. G. Z. Harris, had no hesitation in accepting the challenge to score 80 rims in 37 minutes, even against the fast bowling of R. W. Blair and B. Morrison.

Several Team The members of the University of New Zealand (the undergraduates, the graduates and the staff) could even now produce several tea *ns of first-class standard. With toe greatly-increased rolls expected at the universities in the •text few years, there is every reason to suppose that their cricketing strength will increase. Past applications for a match a Sainst a touring team have been rejected by the New Zealand Cricket Council. The potential team members have always been Prepared to travel at their own expense to any part of the coun-

try for the match, but teams such as Wairarapa or Southland have been preferre’d as opponents. It should be more satisfactory, both from the financial point of view and as an act of courtesy to a touring side, to provide a stronger opposition.

Members of the universities have always shown commendable initiative in arranging sporting tours to Australia. In 1957, there have been interchanges of swimming, tennis, fencing and men’s and women’s hockey teams. The universities’ first venture into the international Rugby field last year was a conspicuous success, and there is no reason to believe that their cricketers could not do as well.