On the Cricket Map.

The New Zealand cricket team having completed all its British matches save one, it is possible to sum up the tour. The team won less matches, and lost less, than the 1927 team. The 1931 team won six, while the 1927 team won seven; the former lost three, while the latter lost five. On the whole, the batting is adjudged stronger than the bowling. At the same time, the batting was inconsistent. Merritt got most wickets, but at one stage of the tour was much hit by the best bats. Vivian, the colt, has a good allround record, and Dempster is, of course, top batsman. In 1927, the number of New Zealand three-figure scores was 19, and in 1931 (with six more matches) 23. Twenby years ago it would have been thought that first-class bowling was more within New Zealand's reach than first-class batting. The batting advance is therefore most encouraging. The bowlers will come. Climate is rather on their side.

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