WELCOME TO TEAM

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27279, 20 February 1954, Page 8

WELCOME TO TEAM

A “warm welcome’’ to the Fijian cricket team was expressed by the president of the New Zealand Cricket Council (Mr E. R. Caygill) on behalf of Christchurch cricketers at a dinner in Beath’s retaurant last evening. It was fitting, said Mr Caygill, that the message earlier given to the Fijians should be repeated: New Zealand was glad to have them in the country making their tour.

The popularity of the Fijian team was undoubted, Mr Caygill said. The players had during their tour produced bright cricket, which was most heartening to New Zealand devotees. The opening partnership of the Apted brothers yesterday when 70 odd runs were scored in ah hour wqs a "very bright light in cricket in Christchurch,” Mr Caygill said.

The Fijian team had proved that the day when the bowlers dominated play had not completely arrived. Their close and sporting finishes might well be emulated for the furtherance and good of the game. The team’s alertness on the field was also a great pleasure to see. Mr D. L. Freeman, player-manager of the team, replied to Mr Caygill’s welcome, expressing the appreciation of the team for the welcome it had received throughout New Zealand.

The Fijians regarded cricket primarily as a game, not a competition. “If we can enjoy the game apd pass on some measure of our enjoyment to the public we will feel that this tour will have had some modicum of success,” Mr Freeman said.

"Cricket can be the best of spectator sports,” he said. To the connoisseur it had the attraction of a game of chess. The average member of the public wanted action and plenty of it. If the team, and if cricket, could supply this, support would be guaranteed.

Mr Freeman paid tribute to Sir Arthur Donnelly, and said how much Fijian cricketers appreciated his service to the sport.