CRICKET PROSPECTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19753, 28 September 1927, Page 10

CRICKET PROSPECTS.

The optimistic tone of the annual meeting of the Auckland Cricket Association has ample justification. Last season was encouraging in many ways. The winning of the Plunket Shield gave proof of local prowess. The services of Bowley as a professional coach did much to quicken interest and to give young players confidence. In spite of special expenditure, the association's financial position improved. There is every reason to hope that further advance will be made in the coming season, which should be marked both by an increase in the number of associated clubs and larger attendances of the public at the more important matches. The return of the touring team after its very creditable display in Britain will attract attention at the outset of the season, in Auckland as elsewhere in the Dominion, and probably inspire an accession of enthusiasm. The arrival of Langridge as an additional coach, teaching under Bowley's direction, will mean doubling the advantage to be got from such aid. There will be available more time, for practice as well as for matches, in the experimental application of the new summertime legislation. An Australian team is to tour the Dominion, this in itself being enough to lift the season from its ordinary level. Altogether, the outlook for an interesting and progressive cricketing period must be accounted bright. The association acts wisely in pressing for the playing in Auckland of a test match against the Australian visitors. There are no compelling reasons why such matches should always be played either in Wellington or Christchurch; and the present cricket status of this province, with the certainty that a test match here would draw a very large attendance of onlookers, presents a claim that the New Zealand Council ought not to overlook.