A BRIGHT BEGINNING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19633, 11 May 1927, Page 10

A BRIGHT BEGINNING.

It would be a mistake to estimate the prospects of the New Zealand cricketers in England on the basis of their success at the wickets against Mr. Martineau's eleven. This first match is of the kind known

at Home as "country house cricket." very enjoyable, as Mr. M. A. Noble describes it, but not to be taken altogether seriously. There will be many a harder test of our players' prowess, one of them coming immediately in the game to be played at Lord's. Yet, when the importance of this particular match is discounted to the utmost, it must still be remembered as the first of all games to .be played by New Zealand cricketers against Englishmen on English soil. That bare fact is enough to invest it with zest for the visiting players and deep interest for everybody, near and far, watching them as they begin so venturesome a tour. If at this first meeting with opponents in the home of cricket, even with opponents collected from the minor counties, they had failed to make good, nobody would have been either disappointed or dismayed ; for in its way this first game of the first English tour is an ordeal. Instead of failing or even showing signs- of" nervous caution at their entry into an untried arena, they have given a splendid exhibition of aggressive and forceful batting, marked in some instances with a grace of style that has won expert English praise. Whatever the outcome —probably a draw with honours to the visitors —this match will live in memory. A more auspicious opening cannot be imagined. Of particular joy to Auckland is the batting of Mills and Dacre, two of the three makers of centuries. Mills, still in his cricket youth, has proved his merit at once in a very convincing way, and Dacre's attacking style has made a sure claim on English notice. And there are others, along with Blunt, capable of giving a very good account of themselves, not only at the batting crease, but also with the ball and in the field. The tour is begun, that is all; but it is so well begun that creditable performances may be confidently expected. England, at all events, is induced to sit up and take notice.