RECEPTION BY PRESS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20889, 3 June 1931, Page 11

RECEPTION BY PRESS.

" ADVENTUROUS CRICKET."

LONDON WRITERS' COMMENTS. DESIRE FOR MORE TESTS. [from due own* correspondent.] LONDON. May 1. Editorial articles, expressing a warm welcome to the New Zealand cricketers, were published by several leading London newspaper:; when the team arrived. The Times said: "After the arrangements for the present tour had been completed there fell on New Zealand t.iat terrible calamity which left several oi their towns, the homes of some of their best citizens, sore stricken by death and disaster. There could have been little wonder if the tour had been abandoned* in the face of the. more serious preoccupations at- home, but the New Zealanders would not hear of any change that might upset the plans already made or cause disappointment over here. "Tho team has come at, considerable sacrifice. For that reason it is assured of all the heartier welcome, if such there could be, ind it is to be hoped that these visitors fiom tho farthest of the Dominions will feel and make themselves at home in the Old Country during their stay. There is a change from their former programms in that a test match will be played, for the first time in this country, between England and New Zealand at Lord's at the end of June. "It is perhaps too much to expect that newcomers to those grim struggles should play with all the assurance of seasoned veterans, but it may bo taken for granted that no test match will be played with greater keenness or a finer sense of all that is implied in the best traditions of the game.'.' Specal Reason lor Welcome. The Daily Telegraph observed: "There is a particular reason why we should give a warm welcome to the team of New Zealand cricketers. The terrible earthquake which struck the North Island of New Zealand list February is still fresh in our memories, and at, the tune it seemed probable that the tour would have to be abandoned. Public opinion, it was thought, might not be favourable after such a tragedy, though this idea, when tested, proved to lie entiiely wrong. Then came the. question of expense. "Cricket in the Dominion is rapidly growing in popularity, but the New Zealand Cricket Council cannot yet afford to finance tours abroad. When this lour was first contemplated, therefore, the expenses were guaranteed by private individuals, many of whom lived in the devastated Hawke's Bay area, and were, naturally, unable after the earthquake to continue their support. The New Zealand Cricket Council, however, made every effort to overcome this difficulty, and, backed bv public interest and generous support : roni a number of cricket enthusiasts, the tour became possible. "Our visitors, therefore, are not merely representatives of the cricket strength of New Zealand: they come as the result of a fine determination to rise superior to conditions which could not well have been more discouraging and as a proof of the spirit in which their countrymen have faced tho recent disaster. As, motgoyer, their intention is to go for our bowling and play adventurous cricket, we have every reason to wish them the best of luck, a fne summer and a happy and successful tour." " Dnly One Test Match." The Daily Mail remarked: "The .14 cricketeis from New Zealand are a young team, full of enthusiasm and eager to justify their inclusion for the first, time among hose with whom the Mother Country plays test matches. We could wish that the recognition extended to them by the M.C.C. had been more wholehen rted. Only one test match has been arranged, and it would surely have been possible to play at least three. This is the more important, in that it. is not only the New Zealanders who will be on trial. For the team that represents England against theiri will be the first chosen by the new selection committee." The Morning Post said: "Every lover of cricket will join in giving them a. hearty greeting. Though it has not reached the power and precision of Rugby football, as plaved ay those who wear black jerseys with the device of a silver fern, New Zealand cricket is rapidly improving, and there can be no doubt that this band of brothers from the most English of the Dominions will have a satisfactory tour."