BRIGHTER CRICKET

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 25, 29 July 1927, Page 9

BRIGHTER CRICKET

RESULT OF NEW ZEALAND TOUR

LONDON, 28th July. It can bo said that English cricket has been brighter for the New Zealandcrs' visit. Though their outright wins have been relatively few, the perverse summer more than their shortcomings has been the cause. Rain once saved them from defeat by the Army, but at least half a dozen times has robbed them of victories against far stronger sides. What their batting has lacked in individual consistency is atoned for in individual sparkle. Their bowling has seldom been flogged, as earlier critics predicted, but had all catches been taken the list of wins would have been longer.

Lowry, with 44.28, heads the batsmen, occupying twenty-third place in the English averages. Page is his nearest colleague, but just nrissos inclusion in the first thirty. Strangely enough, Dacre, with 16.50, occupies second place in the English bowling averages. Page, 18.41, is seventh. These are the only two included in the leading twenty-five. The attendances have been really disappointing, but the weather has again been responsible. Time ai.il again big Saturday fixtures have been literally washed out, and also several mid-week holiday opportunities in the Midlands. The result on the finances has been most unfortunate. There is a long way to go, perhaps too long to say that Joss -vill be averted, but'the manager will bo able to report that it is offset by the valuable experience and development of the cricketing talent of old criiketers ana the encouragement to all to help to qualify the Dominion to claim a round of Test matches, the lack of which in this instance has denied the team the glamour from which the Australians benefit.