SOUTH AFRICANS' VISIT HERE.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1032, 23 January 1911, Page 4

SOUTH AFRICANS' VISIT HERE.

. « WHY NOT A TEST MATCH? "Cricketer" writes:—"From tho report of the recent meeting of the New Zealand Cricket Association it seems highly probable that the Springboks will pay New Zealand a visit in March. In tho course of the meeting the secretary. Mr. Raphael, who appeared to know everything, as. compared with the profound ignorance of members of tho association, was asUcd by the chairman as to tho chances of a ' Test match, and replied that there would be no time for a Test match.

Perhaps there would not bo time for moro than the four matches in the centres, but to all interested in cricket tho idea of a Test match is very enticing, and, as there would bo no- question as to tho superiority of the visitors overthf •provincial towns, one of tho provinces— .Wellington, or Christ-church preferably— might very easily be persuaded to forgo its fixture in favour of a Test match in which the pick of the whole Dominion •could try conclusions with the South Africans. This might very easily be arranged, as there are six or seven weeks between now and the date of the proposed visit of the South African cricket team. "A Test match against such a splendid team would be a good 'try-out', for. our best, and would be a great deal; more, interesting and bigger attraction than a match against one of the-provincial representative teams.

"Christchurch still appears to' have doubts as to whether certain of th® cities could raise the guarantee necessary, and there is the old.torn-to-shreds argument about pooling receipts, which basis of finance the Wellington Association has always, and quite properly, opposed. If Christchurch is afraid of itself let the Test match bo play€d there—only let there be a Test match."