CAPTAIN REVIEWS TOUR

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25178, 8 May 1947, Page 7

CAPTAIN REVIEWS TOUR

M C.C. 1N AUSTRALIA AND N.Z.

EXTRAORDINARY PUBLIC

ENTHUSIASM

<Rec- MOPJH.) LONDON, May 7. The M.C.C. had not brought home the ashes, but in every other way the tour of Australia and New Zealand had been a success, said Walter Hammond in a 8.8. C. talk. Everywhere the team had been received with the greatest hospitaiityand kindness, and had been inundated with offers of food parcels for relatives sind friends, . “Australia and New Zealand appreciated the fact that Marylebone sent a team at all so soon after the W ar . and the enthusiasm for the matches was extraordinary in both Dominions. However well the team fared in its matches, there was never any doubt about the friendliness towards England and English cricket.” Australia and New Zealand had mtich. the same attitude to sport as England. They played seriously and to win, but did not allow sport to come before personal relationship?, The team’s Visit, in spite .of anything the English people might hdve heard, had helped to cement friendship between Britain and Australia and NeW Zealand.

Australia in aettial play was the better team, but the difference Was less than might bfe imagined from the actual results, dnd there was ho reason to be despbndeht about English cficket.

Hammond Said that if the impression Had befeh given that the umpiring Was biased, that waa quite wrong. “With every cbnfidieiice I can say that the two test umpires did their very best and were impartial. Mistakes Were made, but iio umpire is in* fallatile, in England, Australia, Or anywhere. But I should also say thdt I believe the Umpiring was not Up to test match standard.” Dealing with bumpers, Hammond said: “They were used at times a little more frequently thah I tnink was necessary, but the laws were never infringed.”