NEW ZEALAND CRICKETERS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 150, 27 June 1931, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND CRICKETERS

yy HIGH COMPLIMENT has been paid New Zealand cricket in general, and the touring New Zealand cricket team in particular, by the English selectors. The first Test match against England in the history of New Zealand cricket will commence at the historic Lord’s ground to-day, and will be continued on Monday and Tuesday, while the time may even be extended. In spite of the fact that the time limit is not an irksome one, the eleven selected to represent England is such as to indicate that no risks are being taken by those responsible. Tried batsmen and proven bowlers will set the touring team a difficult task, which they will, however, tackle in a manner of which New Zealand should be proud. On that point Dominion enthusiasts may be assured. The New Zealand eleven will not be announced until the eleventh hour, but a process of elimintion will enable close followers of the great game to select nine or ten of the players themselves. Success against such strong opposition as England will afford is something which may appear almost unattainable, yet nothing worth while was ever won without striving. A draw, though inconclusive, would still be of much value to New Zealand cricket. Defeat, though not so inspiring as victory, may yet provide those lessons which are the real object of the tour, for although New Zealand desires that the cricketers shall acquaint themselves well, it is more to be desired that they shall return with wider visions in so far as the game is concerned. If is the game that counts.