LORD HAWKE'S TEAM.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 12147, 18 December 1902, Page 4

LORD HAWKE'S TEAM.

When men' come fourteen thousand miles to play the great game of Englishmen they are entitled to the heartiest of welcomes and the stubbornest of battles. Lord Hawke's team has already experienced the first in Auckland, and may depend upon the second; not only here, but, throughout their whole itinerary. ')■■ It goes without saying that this colony cannot place in the field, at any provincial centre, a team which can confidently hope to speed the Englishmen along with the beating our

. .■■■■-.■I.IIM—«M lIIIIIMB—MMB • Snuine good feelings teach :U« ■Wuld be for their betlerance.' But eVry place where they pitch their wifrets can at least produce a team wh% will die hard and will make the isitors show us whst they can realljtlo in order to win. , This is what s wanted in 2Qe?r Zealand in order V restore crickei to its rightful place *nong our sports. v For the" great gme has not \ languished because 'o\ the pre-eminence attained by footbilj since the two are in no way necesarily rival.; Our ; provincialism ai) our- isolation combined have prevailed our cricketers from being aroued to emulation by formidable ahqgonists, whereas regular visits ha-e kept the Australians continually, pi the strain. Speaking of Australia, ve are sorry that no opportunity ofers fo-. seeing how Lord Hawke's earn shapes against the Federal elevens after leavitg us.' It would afford a valuable comparison for us and gntify our visitors into the bargain. As it is, the. Englishmen have crossed the Pacfic to play us in New Zealand and than to turn Canada-wards, a treat for ; which we have to thank the I New Zealand Cricket Council's confidence | in the support the colony invaiably give* to all great national cfuses. And with all respect to Mr. Riuyard Kipling, thj maintenance 4 the games tint have made our Ktioa strong and hardy is a great national cause. /