DOING “SOMETHING” FOR NEW ZEALAND

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20892, 23 November 1937, Page 6

DOING “SOMETHING” FOR NEW ZEALAND

Although the New Zealand cricket team did not win a match against the leading State teams of the Australian Commonwealth, the players from these shores added immensely to the high reputation for sportsmanship the team gained in England. Hence the explanation for the tour of England and Australia concluding on such a high note. Moreover, the players who have so consistently played the game for the game’s sake have made such an appeal to the Australian cricket commentators that the most friendly criticism of the form of the New Zealanders has been voiced. For instance Mr A. G. Moyes, writing in The, Sunday Sun says that the New Zealanders can go home with the knowledge that they played cricket in a fine spirit and that those who saw them want to see them again. It was not anticipated that the New Zealanders would be able to match the prowess of the leading English Counties or attain the high standard reached by the Australian State teams, but the people of the Dominion had implicit faith in their cricket representatives that they would on and off the field preserve the highest traditions of the game. That they have done this is evidenced in the comment of English and Australian cricket commentators. But the New Zealanders have performed so meritoriously on the field that they have impressed the Australians with the cricketing talent reposing in the team; indeed, the Australian critics are beginning to address themselves seriously to the responsibilities of a neighbour who has much to impart to the cricketers in a sister Dominion. It is therefore most gratifying to note that the Australian commentators are beginning to address themselves to the topic that has so frequently occupied the attention of the New Zealand cricket authorities. This phase of the cricket relationship between the Commonwealth and the Dominion is discussed in The Sydney Sun in an editorial reference to the Australian visit of the New Zealand team.

“The presence of the New Zealand cricketers brings home to us once again that Australia has not done its duty by New Zealand cricket. New Zealand has the material, and needs only opportunity and encouragement to enable it to acquire a cricket eleven at least equal to any Sheffield Shield side. It is understood that the Board of Control intends to do 'something.' Let that something be soon and adequate.”

In past years because of convenient seasons, New Zealand cricket has had to depend upon visits of ultraexpensive M.C.C. teams, but generally speaking the opinion of some of the major associations and many of the minor associations favours an interchange of visits between New Zealand and Australia, But, of course it is realised that the very full programme of match fixtures now confronting Australian State players may hamper visits of Australian teams to New Zealand; nevertheless, because it can be said with the utmost frankness that Australia could so “something” for New Zealand cricket, the views expressed by the Sydney critics will be welcomed in the Dominion.