THE ENGLISH CRICKET TEAM.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20789, 7 August 1929, Page 7

THE ENGLISH CRICKET TEAM.

TO THR EDITOR, Sir,— From the turn .of the discussion at the last meeting of the Otago CricketAssociation respecting. the matter of the visit of the English cricket team .to New Zealand next season, it would appear that there is some probability of the team not being seen in Dunedin, The finances of the Otago Cricket Association have been for very many years in a parlous position, and this year appears to be no exception. It is understood that last year’s operations resulted in a small loss. This in the year when the association expected to accumulate a Surplus to provide for the northern visit of the Otago team in the succeeding season. With the liability of the northern tour facing the association it is small wonder that it views with some concern the certain loss that would be involved in a match with the English team, if it entered into, a guarantee of the £375 asked for by the New Zealand Cricket Council. It is the custom of this latter body, on finding the total expenses of such a | tour. after itself taking the liability, of-test matches,, to assess the balance among the minor- and major associations under its control. The four major associations Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin-ware assessed on the same basis. A very small amount' of thought and knowledge of the probable gates at these towns will go to show, that it is not possible to obtain results in Dunedin similar to those in the other larger towns. Climatic conditions ns well as population affect the “ gates” her'e very materially. Nevertheless the question has to be faced, as the team is coming,. and. jt is unthinkable that it should passv.Dunedin without our cricketers and; the cricketing public having an opportunity of seeing players of such worldwide fame as will be with the team. Whether the dates suggested at N ew Year time are the best is a question, but there can be no doubt that the coming (team will be the best attraction offered in the cricket world here since Warner’s team came to New Zealand, Enthusiastic cricketers would doubtless make a -pilgrimage to see such men as Duleepsinghi, Woolley, Holmes, and others- whose merits will be better appreciated when the composition of the team is better understood, if embers of the New Zealand team who visited England assure me that the' team will be exceptionally, strong. As the Otago Cricket Association could not safely commit itself to the £375 guarantee, it ‘is up to the erjeketing and even the commercial people to rally round them and see- that the English team does not pass our doors. There is much more than money involved in\ this question for Dunedin, This city cannot lag behind the other centres. It is pleasing that already several gentlemen have offered guarantees of part of the amount required, and their efforts deserve support by all cricket lovers; Given .fine weather .in such an. ideal spot for the game as (Carisbrook, and provided the match is thoroughly advertised and loyally supported by cricket lovers even the apparently large amount could be faced with confidence. True, these visits cost much, but they are deemed necessary in the interest of the 1 progress of the best of games, and it is to be sincerely hoped that Dunedin citizens- will pn this occasion, as on many others, fully rise to the occasion.—l am, etc.. ■ i Cricketer.