The longer one plays cricket, the more there is to know about it

A Message From W. A. Hadlee

I am grateful to the Editor for an opportunity to express the gratitude of those seventeen New Zealanders lucky enough to tour Great Britain in 1949. To the administrators, players, cricket writers, and our many friends, both in Great Britain and in Germany, where B.A.O.R. were such grand hosts, we say "thank you" for the grand tour provided for us. 

We came to England very well aware of our limitations - and we have returned to our small Dominion still knowing that the longer one plays cricket, the more there is to know about it. For example, we learnt that it pays to have infinite respect for a piece of turf known by some as the wicket, but better named the pitch, whose moods can vary, like those of a spoiled child.

Even under apparently unchanging conditions, pitches throughout our tour underwent sudden changes, perhaps encouraging the spin bowler for half an hour, and then spurning his most strenuous efforts to turn the ball. We were of the opinion that although wickets occasionally broke up on the third day, they generally lost their "bite" and played more slowly as the match progressed. 

Much discussion takes place upon the relative merits of cricketers of this generation compared with some previous generation. One thing is certain - that in this generation Denis Compton and Len Hutton must be reckoned as great players by any standards. Those of us who had toured England in 1937 would, I think, agree that counties lack the all-rounders of the earlier period - and it is generally agreed that there is urgent need for fast bowlers. To bring on the latter, it is important that wickets should be made faster.

But there is nothing basically wrong with English cricket. As club cricketers, we did think we saw the need for two-day club matches played on a competitive basis, or the provision of some channel through which the Saturday afternoon player could appear in first-class matches. Perhaps a club conference side in the County Championship would be helpful. But these, no doubt, are matter which have been considered from time to time and are purely domestic problems.

As visitors, and guests, in our Motherland, we came to know that there is nothing amiss with this great Game which provided so much enjoyment for so many players and spectators alike. May it always be preserved as the traditional sport in Britain, for as such it will continue to strengthen the strong ties of fellowship within the Empire.

- Walter Hadlee, in Playfair Cricket Annual 1950, p.46.