CRICKET.

Otaki Mail, 18 September 1931, Page 3

CRICKET.

I The New Zealand cricket team has concluded its English tour, and, while the side has not fully maintained its early promise, it must be admitted that it has enhanced the reputation ot New Zealand * cricket. Of the 36 matches played, New Zealand won seven, lost throe, and drew 18, while eight had to be abandoned owing to rain. As in 1927, C. S. Dempster agtiin heads the batting averages, with an aggregate of 1912 runs for 38,innings,' which gives him the solid average of 59.75. In 1927 Dempster scored 2231 runs, at an average of 54.41. As in 1927, R. C. Blunt once again comes second in the batting averages, with 1654 runs, at an average-of-42.41. In 1927, Blunt's figures were 2000 runs, at an average of 50.39. Lowry, Mills and Page all have lower averages than they gained in 1927, the wet weather no doubt being responsible for the falling off. New men, in Vivian, Weir, Talbot and Matheson, have well earned their spurs.

"BEST ALL-ROUND TEAM." "The best all-round team" is the judgment passed by Mr. Neville Cardus on the Yorkshire eleven in an article in the current issue of "The Field" (published August Ist). "Nottinghamshire," he says, "were in the running hot dnd strong until the disaster which deprived them of their best bowlers, Lanvood, Voce, and Staples. But Nottinghamshire cannot be called, as Yorkshire certainly can, a side well equipped for all wickets. Yorkshire's strength rests mainly in an attack which is difficult during wet weather and far from easy during line weather. OnJa sticky* pitch, 1 would expect to see any good batting team scoring 100 to 130 against Larwood, Voce, Barratt, and S. J. Staples, for only Staples of the four is able really to spin the ball. Against Verity and Maeauluv 100 runs are hard to get after rain and sunshine. Gloucestershire's bowling," continues Mr. Cardus, "is difficult on bad wickets because of the spin of Parker and Goddard, but in dry weather Gloucestershire lack a Bowes. Yorkshire's attack is tolerably adaptable to all sorts of pitches, and as it is bowling that wins the points, we must agree that on paper, as well, as in fact, Yorkshire arc the proper champions of 1931., Nottinghamshire ' and Gloucestershire come next in the order of merit."