GOOD POSITION

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 151, 29 June 1931, Page 9

GOOD POSITION

FIRST DAY'S PLAY

(By "Not Out.")

TWe New Zealand cricket team has put up a very fine performance in tho first day's play of the ono Test with England, and on that showing— although one Test, let alone ono day's play, is really no Tost —there should bo no doubt about this Dominion's claim to a place of higher racking in tho cricket world being well founded. It was in bowling and fielding rather than in batting that the New Zealand team achieved a position in the game on Saturday every bit as good as that of England, if not a little bettor, taking into account that Lowry did not fail in making the right call when the coin was spun. In winning tho toss Lowry broke a run of success for England's captains in the more recent Tests at Lord's. Bowling performances in tho Now Zealand team's two previous matches at -Lord's this season were quoted by the writer in "The Post" on Saturday to show that both Cromb and Merritt appoar to have a liking for tho wiekot on this famous ground, and this is more apparent than ever as a result of .Saturday's performance.

The selection of the New Zealand team comes as somewhat of a surprise, especially in the inclusion of Allcott, who has clone nothing on the tour so far to find a place ahead of any ono of the three players who aro standing clown. As a left-hander' Vivian had bettor claims, but it was possibly on the score of experience that Allcotfc was included. Kerr, too, appears to be fortunate in having a place in tho team, although the fact that ho has been showing up well in tho field wonld no doubt weigh with the selection committee.. Those on tho scene must be given credit for a better knowledge of requirements for an occasion such us this, but general opinion is that on form New Zealand's best cloven is not in the field. It also seoms clear that England's eleven could bo improved. However, the teams stand as Test teams, and upon their performance dopeiids- a result that must havo official rocognitionin ( Test history. The possibility of tho occasion being too big for some of England's younger players was mentioned in \<Thb Post" on Saturday, and the stoadying influeneo of the more experienced players, also referred to, was necessary. The spin bowlers proved their worth, and it. is evident from tho, run of events that they needed careful watching. It is possible that the methods of dealing with these bowlers will be varied with the progress of the match. . At the momeut the match has a very open appearance,' but one tiling is certain—New Zealand will not fail as the West Indies did in each of their last three Tests in England.