HIGHER STATUS

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 133, 8 June 1931, Page 9

HIGHER STATUS

AUSTRALIAN VIEW Aftor the New Zealand cricket team's sensational win over M.C.C. at Lord's, the Sydney "Rofercc" expressed the opinion that -one definite outcome of tho achievement, following admirable nil-round form in the earlier matches, should bo tho recognition by Australia of New Zealand us a force of distinction in the game. "Some have contended that New Zealand would novcr develop as a great cricketing country," the "Keferee" stated. "But those who have thought so ignored tho fact that erickot's home is in England and that the English climate, at least, is not better suited to cricket than that of Now Zealand. Moreover, cricket is in the British blood. It matters not to what part of the globe Britishers migrate, they take bat, ba11,,, and stumps with them, and with these go the spirit of cricket. "Cricket has a very line history in Now Zealand. It is studded with tho names of men who brought the Jovo ol: tho game with them from England, pjayed it with enthusiasm, and, after their playing days had ended, carried cm the traditions of the game in its inner councils. ... In England to-

day sound judges rank C. T. Grimniett; as the best and most artful bowler it) the world. And (J.V.G-. is New Zealand born and bred! His early cricket: was learnt ;md his talent developed in tho Dominion, even if ho has put on the, perfecting top during his residence in Australia. If he had remained in his own country he might not have had the opportunities to rise such as have come to him in-Australia. But had he done so it is conceivable that he might have made his name with the first New Zealand team in England in 1927 and be adding to the conquests of Merritt and Cromb now being enacted at Lord's and on other English grounds.

"The value of cricket as education to 'the players has long since been estimated as beyond appraisement. Those who saw the New Zealand cricketers in. Sydney playing New South Wales on their way back from England were impressed by the brilliancy and finish revealed hi the batting of S. C. Dempster and the improved combination of tho eleven in the field. W. L. Murdoch, himself the champion batsman of Australia after the mantle of Charles Bannerman had fallen on him, had all the finishing touches to his style, his special strokes on the cut and drive and his mastery of himself at the wickets richly enhanced by experiences on tour under Dave Gregory in 187 S. And so it is with Dempster, Blunt, Mcrritt, and Co.

"New Zealand has realised tho importance of turf wickets, and this fact allied ■ with the tour to England and tours through New Zealand by Australian and English teams, has given a stimulus to the development of skill and class comparable with that of Australia in the period covered by 1878 to 1884. Australia has hitherto been kindly disposed towards New Zealand in cricket, yet. not more so than might bo expected from a country so high placed in the game. Teams have been Bent across 4.0 the Dominion, some representing touring Australian Elevens prior to the founding of the Board of Control, sonic combined teams, some State teams, and some minor teams. All have played their parts in developing the game over there. "But wo hold that the time has now come when the status of New Zealand cricket calls for a recognition that places it in its relation to Australia on tho same footing as South Africa. This preference to New Zealand is desirable for two reasons, one tho racial connection, and tho othoi' tho neighbourly aspect of the two countries, with only three to four days' steam between them. The New Zealand Cricket Council a few months back asked the Australian Board of Control to send across v team after tho Sheffield Shield games-

had been completed. Perhaps it was not known by the board exactly what* Now Zealand had in view, apart from] the desire to gather in money to assist | in financing* the New Zealand team for1 England. That a team of fascinating personnel and unquestioned strength might have been organised has been made clear by the tour subsequently carried out in North Queensland. "It is to be hoped that henceforth Australia will regard New Zealand cricket nnd cricketers through the eyos of an elder and admiring brother, until that brother is able to stand toe to too with his older as ono believes he will very shortly. When that day_ conies a now element will be infused into Australian cricket. It is the zest that Australia v. New Zealand will create. It will coino and may do so moro than many people expect, if the powers that bo in Australia give no more regard to the discovery of new bowling talent than "was shown last summer."