CRICKET TIGHTENS EMPIRE'S BONDS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 97, 27 April 1938, Page 7

CRICKET TIGHTENS EMPIRE'S BONDS.

LONDON BANQUET.

Lord Mayor Gives Welcome To Australians. COMPLIMENTS EXCHANGED. United Tress Association.—Copyright. (Received 1 p.m.) LOXipOX, April 26. In the Egyptian Hall of the Mansion House, where Australians iind cricketers since 18S0 have been entertained, the Lord Mayor, Sir Harry Twyi'ord, gave a banquet to the team. The guests included cricketers from all over the country, Rupert Howard and most of the members of Allen's team, also .Jardinc, Viscount Nuffield and the Australian aviator, Mr. 11. F. Broadbent.

Sir Harry Twvford. toasting the team, recalled that lie played cricket at Hongkong, Cochin-China. Singapore. Australia and New Zealand. If international negotiations were conducted in the spirit of British cricket, they would l>e more successful

If Australia won the cheers would be as loiul here as in Sydney and Melbourne. The Lord Mayor mentioned that cricket was mcntipned in the King's Library at Windsor as early as I.'SOU. and in the reign of Edward IV. citizens were fined of practising it instead of archery. D. (;. Bradman, responding, said: "I am still hoping to meet the man who wants autographs for himself and not for his nieces and nephews."' Referring to the request for an additional player and the presence of Mr. Broadbent. Bradman suggested that Mr. Broadbent might usefully be employed in the next few weeks flying backwards and forwards bringing the team up to strength. It would be an economic disaster, h? said, if international cricket was stopped. "Think of the employment it gives and think of the benefit to the British and Australian tourist trade." Mr. Jeanes, manager, referring to the menu containing the sweet "Bombe Bradman." congratulated the chef on '•lie appropriateness of the title considering Bradman's Explosive properties. Sir Stanley Jackson said lie did not think the good health of cricket depends on the welfare of first-class cricket. Sympathising with Barnes, he reminded him that patience and fortitude were among the lessons to be learned from cricket.

"Some newspapers have done their best to prepare us for the worst, but the mystery ball customarily associated with the Australians has not yet been announced. Maybe lam old-fashioned but I do not like limitless cricket. I wish you'd pet rid of it in Australia. It would be pood for the panic."

The artists included Peter Dawson

BARNES' SUBSTITUTE. English Writer Suggests A Way Out. BRADMAN'S HAPPY SPEECHES. (Received 2 p.m.) LONDON, April 26. The "Daily Mail"' sporting gossip writer suggests that if the Australians are really hard up for a player to replace Barnes, their S.O.N. need not travel farther than England's cricket Press boxes where Woodfull and Oldficld are both sitting, or. if neither of these old campaigners is fancied, lie suggests that the Oxonian. Kimpton. could be asked to lend a hand. He is a first-rate, stylish batsman, a good bowler and a useful wicket-keeper. He played in the Gentlemen v. Players match last summer and is up to Test standard. This writer adds: "However, nobodv can blame Bradman and Jeanes for trying to protect themselves against possible emergency." Howard Marshall, in the "Daily Telegraph." says: "To do the Australians justice they have not tried to create the inferiority complex in our mi.id. Bradman. who speaks in public almost as well as he plays cricket, lias lulled us with fair words, stating that the visitors are determined to enjoy their matches. "Their approach is not grim and purposeful, but friendly and co-operative. Bradnian's admirable speeches have struck a happv note. No Australian side ever won its way more swiftly or more surely to our esteem. "There is such a thing, however, as a smile on the face of a tiger. Bradman at the luncheon table and Bradman at the wicket are rather different propositions."