Test Cricket

The touring South African XI have soundly defeated New Zealand in the First Test and at the time of writing appear to be in a strong position in the Second Teat. The Basin Reserve, a ground on which most post-war touring XI's have amply justified their reputations did nothing to spoil its record.

The toss may have gone South African's way and given them an undeniable advantage. But even if the coin had fallen the reverse way up I don't think there would have been any difference in the result. New Zealand are undergoing that embarrassing and often painful process of developing a new Test XI. Consequently the South African XI with the praises of the cricket world still ringing in their cars were too stiff a hurdle for the foundling New Zealand XI.

But one Test has made a difference Seasoned Test players such as Reid. Sutcliffe and Wallace have had an oportunity to reatune themselves to the atmosphere of Test cricket. New players blooded at Christchurch now fully appreciated the significance of this adjustment. The players brought in for the Second Test have caught this new manner or feeling this from their team mates. The effect was noticeable on the first day at Auckland. Fielding errors were almost entirely eradicated and the bowling remained hostile at all times. Whatever the result of the second Test New Zealand will have regained some face in the sphere of international cricket on their first day's performance alone.