THE CRICKET TOUR

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 229, 28 September 1931, Page 6

THE CRICKET TOUR

J’HE departure of the New Zealand cricket team from Southampton on their return journey, has been the occasion for delightful felicitations from His Majesty the King, and also from the Prince of Wales. These messages of goodwill are characteristic of the interest of Their Majesties in the life and interests of the people, and it is doubtless because of this catholicity of interest that the Dynasty is on such secure foundations in the Empire’s affections. Of the tour itself, it can be said that the New Zealand cricketers have come up to expectations. They have proved themselves to be up to a good county standard of play. After the success of the first Test there was an exhibition in some quarters more of enthusiasm than discretion, but a healthier frame of mind prevailed after New Zealand was eclipsed in the second Test when matched against a strong international side. The third Test was, to use a phrase more apt than is usual in its application, a washout. The New Zealand side has provided also some good work by individual players, in each department of the game. Dempster, Blunt and Weir, with the bat, and Merritt with the ball, have done exceedingly well. It is to be hoped that the experience gained on this tour will be made available to the younger players when the team returns, for it is only by this that overseas tours can be justified: