OUR CRICKETERS

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 106, 7 May 1931, Page 12

OUR CRICKETERS

A PINE STAET

OUTLOOK IMPROVED

(By "Not Out.")

Against an Essex team much thesame as that which inct the Australians last season, the New: Zealand cricketers have made an exceptionally good beginning, largely, of course,] through the brilliant way in. which Dempster has jumped into form. 'The cabled news states that there was a small attendance at tiio match, but in view of what was accomplished yesterday it is to bo expected that interest in the visit of the New Zealandors will bo quickened, especially as there is the prospect of a Now Zealand Bradman figuring prominently' in the efforts of the tourists to play bright cricket. In carrying his bat through the first day's pla}' of the first match of a tour Dempster has performed a notable feat, and his achievement is the greater by reason of the fact that he passed the 200 mark. It is worthy of note that in the Australians' first match in England last year—against "Worcestershire— Bradman made a double-century, but his runs were made mostly on the second day. Dempster's score is. higher than any made for New Zealand during the 1927 visit to England, but it is not a record for a New Zealand player in first-class cricket. Dacre, playing for Gloucestershire against Worcestershire last season, made 223.

Although beaten in their first county match this season, Essex* are a good side. Except that Eastman played only one match last season, the others in the team against New Zealand were regular players for the county last season, and they gained sixth, place in. 'the county championship. : They were regarded as a good all-round side, especially keen in the field, and, ■with the report that their fielding was good yesteray, it says much for the New Zealanders' opening effort. The start was a much better one than against Essex in 1927, but yesterday most of the New Zealanders would' no doubt face the Essex bowlers with greater confidence than on the previous' tour, especially as they had had experience of Nichols's bowling in New Zealand two seasons ago. Spin bowling appears to have troubled some of them, but Dempster's great display is likely to give them greater confidence in meeting this and other types of bowling as th tour progresses. There can. be no doubt that Dempster has done much towards increasing interest in the tour. The hope is that this good beginning will lead to better results than in 1927, when the team, also started well in making scores of 460 and 224 for four wickets in the first of the first-class matches. ,

The present . touring team is looked upon as being strong.in. batting. The bowling performances "will be awaii.ed with, keen interest, as it was in this department that.the team was regarded as beirig somewhat weak. In the present match Vivian, Matheson, and Gromb are standing down, so that the strength of the attack, especially in medium-paced bowling, is reduced •considerably. ■ •

" With the exception of Morris, Bastman, and Daor, the Essex players against New Zealand were all in the team which was beaten by the Australians last season. The Australians' in their first innings against Essex made only 156, but they put on 264 for six_ wickets before declaring in the second innings. Essex made 67 and 146. Palmer, one of the most successful bowlers- against the Australians in that match, is not in the, team against New Zealand, nor is Russell, one of Essex's leading players. The match is being resumed to-day, and will be concluded to-morrow.