THE M.C.C. TEAM’S VISIT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18761, 15 January 1923, Page 4

THE M.C.C. TEAM’S VISIT.

A bishop once remarked musingly that the Almighty doubtless could have created a bettor fruit than the: strawberry but assuredly never had. Andrew Lang, in his charming introduction to Richard Daft’s “Kings of Cricket,” adapted the episcopal saying to the honour of the great summer game. A better pastime might conceivably have been invented for the delectation of youth,—and not youth only, as Mr A. C. MacLaren might remind us, —but such a super-sport belongs to the region of unrealised dreams. The visit of the M.C.C. team should have the effect of extending the not extravagant popularity of cricket in Dunedin, and increasing the number, of those who do not question the justice of Andrew. Lang’s estimate. It might even be suggested to a large proportion of tho people to Carisbrook on special occasions that they might fitly consider the propriety of shedding the light of their countenance upon those less imposing interclub engagements without which tho provision of a fairly competent provincial team would be impossible. Highbrowed disparagement of the performances of Otago cricketers has .been known to emanate from critics who evince an interest in the game only when the local representatives are being subjected to crucial testing. The most optimistic enthusiast of the summer game cannot hope that a match between two Dunedin clubs will even arouse a degree of attention coraparanblo with the demoniac excitement displayed in connection with an inter* neejne “Rugger” struggle between the Kaikorai and University; but. something may yet be achieved in the direction of broadcasting the importance of club cricket. Passing from this incidental homily, we may remark that great as is the interest which Dunedin people are taking in the visit of tho English cricketers it would have been still keener but for the unfortunate absence of the distinguished captain of the team, whose name has been as a household word in cricket circles ever since his Harrow days in the eighties of last century, and who showed only a fortnight ago that he retains the prowess of his earlier manhood in a conspicuous degree. In selecting the visiting team the management of the world’s premier club appears to have exercised sound judgment. It is not pretended that the team represents “England”—(the use of the term “test matches” is perhaps to be deprecated) —but it is strong enough to have performed respectably against Australian States, and is of just the right strength to furnish good sporting games in New Zealand, where, while meeting with success, it has yet been obliged to preserve its metal. A more powerful team would have been much less useful to dominion cricket from the instructional point of view. The Otago match, which will be finished to-day, has not been marked by any sensational features. Helped, no doubt, by the tricky wicket on Saturday afternoon, the local representatives dismissed their formidable opponents for a score which only slightly exceeded their own total; and though they are morally certain to be defeated, they will not be disgraced. The third so-called “test” match will be awaited with considerable interest.