N.Z. CRICKET TEAM

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 1, 1 July 1926, Page 11

N.Z. CRICKET TEAM

SOUTHERN WRITER'S OPINION

GOOD SIDE COULD BE SENT,

(By Telegraph.) (Special to "The Evening Post.")

CHRISTCHURCH, This Day,

Discussing the decision to send a Dominion cricket team to England next year, the cricket writer of the "Star" says:—Followers of cricket will have little to cavil at with regard to the council's decision. A New Zealand side has never before visited England, and, seeing that tho All Blacks have so successfully placed New Zealand on the map, it is fitting that this little country should be given tho opportunity of proving that the Dominion is rapidly coming into the limelight as a producer of cricketers of some class. Batsmen like Blunt and Worker (amongst many others) have frequently shown visiting teams what they can do with tho bat, and somo of their performances have been little inferior to. those of the world's cracks. . A big point about the coming tour is that players like Blunt, Worker, Daere, Hiddlcston, and Allcott will he caught iv their very prime. Add to them colts such as Oliver, Crawford, Dempster, and others, who are ready for further experience and opportunities to develop them into leading players in the near future. Taking a lino through the performances of the New Zealand team in Australia last season, the following eleven players should be certainties for inclusion in the side if avaPable: — Blunt, Worker, Oliver, Cunningham, Daere, Lowry, Alleott, Crawford, Dickinson, Dempster, and Hiddloston. Neither Dickinson nor Dempster went to Australia last year, as they woro unable to obtain loavo. They should be certainties for next year' 3 trip if available. Another wicket-keeper will be required, and choice should lio between James, Garrard, and Boon. Another bowler would also be a necessity, and it looks as though M'Beth would be the most likc'y man. This would make thirteen, and the remaining position would surely go to Banks, Gillespie, or Mills. Those arc three very promising colts. Regarding the bowling, it must be remembered that while Alleott and M'Beth were not very successful in Australia last year the}' would both be good bowlers on English wickets. Macartney's success on the present Australian tour is an illustration of how troublesome a left-hand bowler can bo on . .? tricky and ■ Bticky English wickets. With Cunningham and Dickinson added, it may be fairly claimed that tho attack would be quite good. Blunt and Hiddlestou could be used as changes.