RANDOM REMINDER

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30994, 25 February 1966, Page 22

RANDOM REMINDER

TEST TALK

The M.C.C. cricket team now in New Zealand begins—as England—the first of its three tests against New Zealand at Lancaster Park today, and on the basis of recent events one must concede the visitors a very fair chance of victory. This tour takes place just over 100 years after the first one, and it would have been highly appropriate had the New Zealand Cricket Council seen fit to mark the occasion by some sort of celebration. It is usual at such times to reenact the landing of the pilgrims, or something, and the M.C.C. party would no doubt have been delighted to have taken

part In recalling some of the glories of early visits by English teams. For instance, it should have been quite feasible to have dropped this particular team over on the West Coast and have it brought to Christchurch by horsedrawn coach. No cissy stuff about using bridges—they would have forded the rivers, and if they arrived a little weary, they would have won a full appreciation of the hardships endured by their forebearsin the interests of promoting the Grand Old Game. Last night would have been spent at a dinner notable for its length and lack of direction. The New Zealand team would, of

course, have been sent ti bed early. But the English men would have eaten enormously, drunk copVously, and listened to interminable speeches. Then there is the matter of the wicket-keeper. He would have to be clapped into gaol on a false pretences charge and kept there when the team left. England would, for the match, have been provided with a couple of aged, curved bats and a set of snake belts. Had the New Zealand Council done its duty properly. it might have been possible to revise the forecast with which these notes began. And it’s cheaper than coaching.