Story: Cricket

New Zealand cricket trials, 1949

Aspiring New Zealand cricketers take part in a trial at Lancaster Park, Christchurch, to select the team to tour England in 1949. The comment that this was a strong team was justified. The team went on to draw the four-match series. The bat normally dominated the ball in the series, which prevented results over three days. However, with fine batsmen like Bert Sutcliffe and John Reid (both seen in this clip) and England-based Martin Donnelly, and proficient bowlers like Jack Cowie and Tom Burtt, the New Zealand cricket team won widespread admiration in England.

Using this item

Archives New Zealand - Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga
Reference: Weekly Review 389. National Film Unit, 1949

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How to cite this page:

Don Neely, 'Cricket - Test cricket 1945–1979', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/video/38306/new-zealand-cricket-trials-1949 (accessed 20 April 2024)

Story by Don Neely, published 5 Sep 2013, updated 1 Apr 2016