TEST CRICKET.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21920, 4 April 1933, Page 6

TEST CRICKET.

Ip the two tests in which a New Zealand eleven has been pitted against the English visitors have not reflected Dominion cricket in a particularly encouraging light it is quite unnecessary that there should be any questioning of the wisdom of the invitation to the English team to extend its tour to this country. The visit has been a thoroughly interesting episode, and thousands of the public in the Dominion have greatly appreciated such a rare opportunity as that of seeing the performance of a team which, in the course of its travels, has added a very bright chapter to the story of cricket within the Empire. They have had the privilege of judging for themselves of the prowess of a team which is representative of England’s best in her great traditional game, and in years to come the outstanding features of the matches at Auckland and Christchurch will be pleasurably remembered. There could have been no anticipatory thought that New Zealand could place in the field an eleven which would approach in strength a team which had given such evidence of its quality in its recovery of the “ ashes ” from the formidable Australians. A natural disappointment may obtain that the Dominion representatives did not make a more impressive showing against their opponents. But that should be quite secondary to the thought that it should be really very much to the advantage of the game in this country that its exponents should have had an opportunity of measuring themselves

against what is possibly the strongest English cricket combination which this country has seen, and is actually the first English side of test match rank, officially selected for that purpose, which has come to our shores. It is unfortunate that weather conditions brought about the abandonment of the games both at Christchurch and Auckland. But in both instances the interest of the public in these events was convincingly demonstrated, find the play sufficed to provide instructive and memorable exhibitions, not least so, of course, in the remarkable batting displays given by Hammond on each occasion. The lessons of the English team’s very brief visit to the Dominion —which will be duly pointed out by competent authorities —it is for New Zealand cricketers to absorb and profit by, and they can be depended on to accept gracefully the conclusion that they have something yet to learn about the good old game. The redoubtable touring team, most welcome as a visitant from the Homeland, will leave an impression unmarked by any touch of controversy such as attended its progress in Australia, and heightened by its exposition of conspicuous artistry with bat and ball.