FIRST CRICKET TEST.

Evening Star, Issue 22688, 30 June 1937, Page 10

FIRST CRICKET TEST.

On the whole, New Zealanders have reason to be well pleased with the performance of their cricket representatives in the first test match against England. Partly with a view, no doubt, to building up a strong side with which to face the formidable Australians next summer, the English selectors drew freely from the ranks of men mighty with both bat and ball, and it is certain that not even the most optimistic New Zealand supporter expected an outright win for the visitors. On a good wicket England’s chosen ran up a potentially winning total, but the New Zealand bowlers received praise from some of the critics for a showing which, in the circumstances, was indeed commendable. In their first innings the New Zealanders had rather hard luck in not, reaching the triple century, for it so happens that 300 sounds a great deal more than 295. A disquieting feature of the batting on both aides has been the failure of the openers, though in New Zealand’s case Herr must be credited with a plucky effort in returning to the crease to add to his total after having been incapacitated through a facial injury. Vivian did not play up to the improved form which he had shown in some of the games immediately preceding the test. Probably there is no player less consistent in this team, which, as a combination, is becoming noteworthy for its inconsistency.

Cricket followers who wish England wefll in the tests next year will commiserate with the selectors in not yet having found the ideal pair of opening batsmen so essential in repulsing an Australian invasion. However, great hopes are centred on the youthful Hutton, of Yorkshire, who promises to develop into yet another of the great “ H.s ” of English cricket, * His “ duck ” and 1 in the game against the Dominion side after a rich harvest of run-making in recent county games should not spoil his chances of again taking the field for his country. Apart from one or two brilliant individual efforts, the New Zealanders did not win spectacular distinction in this test, but it is good to read of them being hailed as courageous fighters. A first innings of nearly 300 runs against an attack probably more efficient than any of our sides have had to face before is most encouraging. This' was followed by a dour fourth use of the wicket innings in the course of which defeat was successfully staved off. The fighting “ captain’s knock ” by Page could not have been exciting to behold, but under, the conditions it was full of merit. There seems little doubt that had four days been allowed for the game (which would have been a welcome provision) England would have had little difficulty in winning. Nevertheless, we in New Zealand are justified in assuming from the trend of the match that our cricket is steadily growing more worthy of such powerful opposition as the English selectors saw fit to place in the field on this occasion. For the uplift in the Dominion standard we should be grateful to English cricket, which has never had too great an opinion of itself to help a struggling neophyte >along the road to success.