CANTERBURY CRICKET.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CIX, Issue 13016, 5 January 1903, Page 4

CANTERBURY CRICKET.

Although the victories' of our cricket representatives over their Otago and Wellington opponents may nob he exactly evidence of the long-hoped-for revival in the game in Canterbury, they are certainly very gratifying, and on the principle that nothing succeeds like success they ought to lead to a distinct increase!in public interest. There is not a great deal to choose, so experts tell usj between the three provinces. All of them seem to be unusually strong in bowling, and the standard of their batting has been, ab least maintained. Of course 1 a good deal has been made of the collapse of both Canterbury and Wellington in thensecond attempts in the recent match," bub on the Canterbury side, at any rate, there was really no general "rot." It is remarkable that the bulk of the runs scored by ,our representatives in late years against Wellington have been made by one or two batsmen, and it was their failure on Friday that made the total small. Otherwise the members of the team made quite normal scores for these contests. The really satisfactory feature of tae two wins has been the success of two young players, who are comparatively new to representative cricket. Strange's performances with the bat, and, still more, Howell's with the ball, have fully justified their selection, and if the province could rely upon the promotion of two such promising players every year it would be certain of holding its own with it* rivals. But it is agreed that the standard of New Zealand cricket will nob materially improve unless the young players have better tuition, and unless its best players have opportunities of meeting still better men. The spasmodic fits of enthusiasm that have led to the importation of professional talent in Canterbury have unfortunately soon worked themselves out, and we should be glad to see the local cricketers making an earnest effort- to secure the services of a thoroughly good coach every year. The visit of the English team must have good results, the combination being infinitely superior in knowledge and talent to the best of our provincial teams. The proverbial luck of cricket may bring it a defeat before it leaves the colony, but it is a real teaching power, and besides the direct benefit it will confer upon the players its visit will, we hope, do much good in rousing public interest in the finest of summer games.