CRICKET VISITOR

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19041, 15 June 1936, Page 12

CRICKET VISITOR

r 1 AUSTRALIAN PLAYER

>mmS IN NEW ZEALAND

BILL'S BUC! - JSJSJ»V-'-' ,; a-ESTION • -■

-■ "fit" t|»Te- -course-of a brio business visit -to die'tionumbn," Mr.' W omlel Bill, tho'proWhent'Australian cricketer, arjiv'eil "in Auckland from the south on ,\V<Hlnesday. The purpose of his visit was to. expjore ilio" possibility,of securing t-oriVracfs fot newspn-per work in eorihe/Uoh'with the coming te.st series in--^Australia!,, "vMr: Bill has had extensive experience.'i" newspaper and broadcasting he visited Englancl-with the last' jAustralian; 'cricket • "team < as - a Special'Correspondent: He stated that he hftft beeh^offered a broadcasting contract for the next series in Australian -,.■•-, ''l have been informed-that public interest iii cricket in New Zealand is Somewhat lac-king;' 'said Mr. Bill. "It would .appear that the way to rectify that is in securing frequent visits from first-class overseas teams."

' NO PKIVATE ENTERPRISE ■When asked what possibility there a good Australian side visiting in the imuiediate future, Mr'. Bill said, that the next two scries of tests between England and Australia would complicate matters to.a certain extent. There was no reason, -however, if the -New Zealand Cricket Council, had sufficient initiative, why # strong Australian team, containing a blending of older players of repute and •/joro'e of the promising younger players, should riot tour New Zealand. But for the fact .that private enterprise in .arranging tours was not sanctioned by the Australian Board of control, the New Zealand Council would have had ihe.pleasure before now of entertaining Some powerful visiting sides. \::"What I would suggest is that the NewT Zealand council try to arrange for the next Australian test team for England to travel by way of New Zealand," he said. Personally, he .'could see no reason why the Australians' itinerary .could not be arranged so as" to permit of games being plavedin New Zealand.

UNCERTAINTY OF GAME .'.When It was suggested that; in view of /England's disappointing displays agaTrist" "South Africa, Australia had Outstanding prospects in the next test Series,. Mr. Bill refused to agree. "1 tHnk-'that the series will be a very evert one," he:said. The fact that Australia had had convincing victories over- South Africa during the recent tour,>offered no criterion in such an uncertain game as, cricket. Of the players who, visited New Zealand' with the English team last season," Hardstaff was the only one he considered likely to secure the trip &> Australia. He thought that E.ngland would field a strong side. - Mr. Bill was diffident regarding his pwn, Chances for selection in-the Australian, team. There were very few in the Australian team open for Competition, and there were many aspirants. He said that .he had recently yisited. India With Tarrant's eleven, and the tour had proved a great success front .'every point of view. Cricket was a'-game 1 of . considerable moment to Indians, "and at all the matches in Bombay'crowds of about 45,000 had assembled on each day of play. The Indians were good cricketers individually, but their teams lacked solidity an'd balance.