MISCELLANY OF SPORT

Evening Star, Issue 19410, 19 November 1926, Page 13

MISCELLANY OF SPORT

(Continued from page 12.)‘ make the trip, Collins should bo the next choice. The Wellington man has this in his favor, that he has a knowledge of English conditions. Patrick, he considers, on last year’s form has not the playing ability,, Players with minor claims to the position are T. C. Lowry, 11. de- R. Worker, and C. C. Daore. The writer does not mention Blunt, though his claims to the captaincy are surely as good as those of either Worker or Dacre. W. Carson, an ex-Southland High School boy, got the biggest tally in Inyercarill cricket last Saturday by scoring 78 for Appleby against Union. There are ten senior A teams in Wellington, eight in Auckland, eight in Christchurch, and only four here. THE NEW ZEALAND TOUR. It is high time that something was being done to finalise matters in connection with the New Zealand tour to England (says “ Not Out,” in the Wellington ‘ Post ’). This is the biggest venture of its kind so far as the dominion is concerned, and it would be well to see that all details right to the final selection of the team are completed in good time. If there is much more delay it will not make for the smooth working that is desired. The players themselves are anxious to know what their prospects are, not only of getting into the team, but also of obtaining the necessary leave should they be chosen. Unless they are given amplo time in which to make their preliminary arrangements, there will no doubt be a recurrence of the difficulties presented by players dropping out. The players this time are gohm on a very long tour, and for most of them it will not be an easy matter to obtain the necessary leave. It is only right that the employers of possible members of the team should know where they stand, and it is also due to the likely representatives who are in business on their own account that they should know how they are likely to be situated within the next nine or ten months.

Then, too, the public, from whom much support is asked in connection with the tour, should be made more conversant with the proposals whieh the New Zealand Council may,have in mind'. For one thing, it has not yet been definitely given out whether , the team is,to be the best that Now Zealand can produce or whether it is to include as many colts as possible. There is an impression abroad that the tour is being undertaken largely with a view to give experience to promising colts. To send a team composed mostly of colts would probably mean that New Zealand would still occupy an inconspicuous place on the cricket map. This tour presents the chance of a lifetime for New Zealand to obtain recognition as a nation in the cricket world, and the only way to make the most of it is to send the best possible team. It is not suggested that the team should be made up of old stagers; there are' plenty of experienced young players well worthy of consideration. If New Zealand’s best is to be sent, the fact should be made known to the public, and they will no doubt show greater interest in the project than is apparently being shown at tbo_ present time. The scheme by which it is proposed to finance the tour was set in train some little time ago. How is it progressing? Another thing, surely the controlling body has had time enough to announce its choice of manager of the team. There is opportunity for much good work to be put in by the manager before the team leaves, but if the appointment is delayed much longer it may take the chosen man all his time to get his own affairs fixed up. Again, why is it that the selectors of the team have not yet been appointed? The season is now well under way, and each Saturday reveals players who should catch the eyes of the selectors. It is possible, of course, that district and provincial selectors may bo included on the New Zealand selection, and they will have knowledge of the form of the players. But is it not time that they were given the notice that it is their job to find the New Zealand representatives? Evidently the council is giving some consideration to the matter of bringing players from various districts before the selectors, ai notice has been received by the Wellington Cricket Association of a match to he played in Wellington for the benefit of minor association players. It is to he hoped that the next week will bring to light more information in connection with the tour.