BRIGHT PROSPECTS

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 107, 2 November 1926, Page 11

BRIGHT PROSPECTS

N.Z. CRICKET TOUR

.■WELLINGTON ASSOCIATION 'S VIEWS,

It is the opinion of the Wellington Cricket Association's Management Committee that tlio tour of tlio New Zealand cricket team to England will bo a. success, and of inestimable value to Now Zealand cricket. A statement regarding the tour of the Now Zealand cricket team to England has been made by the Wellington, Cricket Association's Management Committee as follows: —

"Tlio Marylebone Cricket Club, hotter known as tlio jU.C.C, which controls the gamo in England, after weighing the pros and cons, considers that a visit of a Now Zealand cricket team to the Old- Country would meet with great success. The result of this decision was an invitation to tlio New Zealand Cricket Council to send a team home for tho coming 19137 season. This invitation has boon accepted, tlio conditions being that all expenses be borne by the New Zealand Cricket Council, but 50 per cent, of the gross 'gates,' not net 'gates,' will bo refunded.

"Tho programmo arranged is very fine, many big matches being included and tho invitation has the support of the English County Crickot Clubs. My committee is unanimous in the opinion that this tour will be a success, and of inestimable value to New Zealand cricket.

"To finance the four a company has T>een formod of 10,000 one-rjound shares. .Whilst every person connected with cricket feels the tour will bo an unqualified success, tho New Zealand Cricket Council goes further anil pledges to the shareholders theii' accumulated funds, amounting to £700, and nil the profits received from ' the proposed South Australian cricket tour, which is to commence early in tho New Year. The directors of tho company are the Hon. Sir Francis Bell, G.C.M.G., P. 0., M.L.C., president of tho "Wellington Cricket Association; and tho presidents of Auckland, Canterbury, and Otago Associations, together with the Management Committee of tho New Zealand Cricket Council.

"When you consider that the recent 'Australian touring team to England encountered the worst season on record (26 matches out of 41 being drawn, mostly on account of wet weather), yet made a financial record —together with the facts: that this is the first New Zealand team to tour England; that English and Now Zealand cdiiditious of play are similar; that the wonderful enthusiasm created by the famous All Black football teams will influence public attendance; you will readily concede that the financial prospects arc bright." Quite apart from the financial aspect there-are other points which should influence enthusiasts in giving their wholo-heatred support to the tour. The committee adds: "All lovers of cricket are keen to see improvement, and what better way is there to make improvements than by giving our men international experience in other lands? Furthermore, you can rest assured that just as our soldiers and footballers .placed New Zealand on the map, so will our cricketers. The least wo can do is to give them a chance."