JUSTIFIED ITSELF

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXI, Issue 279, 9 November 1931, Page 3

JUSTIFIED ITSELF

N.Z. CRICKET TOUR. COUNCIL’S REPORT. Dealing with the visit of a New Zealand cricket team to England this year, the New Zealand Cricket Council, in its report to be presented to delegates at the annual meeting in Christchurch next Wednesday, states that, excepting from a financial aspect, the tour may be regarded as a successful one. “The programme was a more ambitious one than that of 1927,” the report continues. “Whereas thirteen second-class matches were played in the first tour, these were reduced to four in the 1931 programme. The Marylebone Cricket Club had kindly consented to recognise our application for entry into Test cricket by arranging one match against the strength of England at Lords. Later, as the tour progressed, two additional Test matches were substituted for county fixtures, so that, in thus attaining triple-Test standard, the tour can bo deemed as having justified itself. STRENGTH AND WEAKNESS. “The batting of- the side was its strongest feature; in this department of the game the team excelled at times, whilst at others it could usually be relied upon for a fighting finish'. Several members of the team had good performances to their credit. C. S. Dempster was the most reliable, and was a tower of strength to the side.

His record of 1922 runs in a wet season was a highly creditable achievement. He was ably assisted or occasions by R. Blunt, J. E. Mills, T. C’. Lowry, 11. G. Vivian, and M. L. Page. “It was very gratifying to note that the side was favourably reported on for fielding. 'l'hat this defect in the first touring team should have been so materially rectified in the second side is a cause for congratulation to the Selection Committee, who bore this important point prominently in mind when deciding on the personnel of the side. “K. C. Janies again earned recognition for his splendid work as wicketkeeper. “The bowling of the side proved its weakest point. W. E. Merritt was the chief wicket-getter, but his trundling was not as effective as in 1927. H. G. Vivian improved greatly in his bowling, and was easily the leading allrounder of the side. “A great deal of the success associated with the team’s play was due to T C. Lowry’s handling of the side. As a tactician he was a sound judge of the game, and there is no doubt his captaincy waawi great asset. His determined batting also greatly assisted on several occasions in retrieving the fortunes of the side. The team attained a reputation for playing its matches in a happy sporting spirit, and on that account earned a goodwill that contributed much to the enjoyment of the tour. IMPERIAL ASPECT. “From an Imperial point of view, the tour appears to have been a pronounced success. The kindly opinions expressed about the team have doubtless been strengthened by the presence in England of the council’s own representative, Mr A. T. Donnelly. In his capacity as chairman of the executive, aided by h's own personal qualifications, he was admirably suited to meet the cricket powers in England. The committee is of the opinion that wo are very fortunate that Mr Donnelly was able to make it convenient to join the team during the tour. A lasting goodwill will have been attained as the result of his presence with the team. The council is also deeply indebted to Mr A. Sims and Mr FI. D. Swan for valuable help rendered in connection with the tour. “It is a matter of regret that financially there has been a loss on the tour. This may be ascribed to the very wet season experienced. The first Test at Lord’s demonstrated what a great help such a match is towards the financial responsibilities of a tour. In the second Test match at the Oval weather conditions were not so favourable, whilst the third match was metaphorically a ‘wash-out’ in more ways than one, play being confined to less than four hours on the last day. Many other matches of importance were seriously interfered with by rain —in fact the season has been described as the wettest for fortv years. Under these circumstances the financial result will not be regarded as unsatisfactory.”