CRICKET

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27920, 17 March 1956, Page 10

CRICKET

VIEWS ON M.C.C. TOUR

“GOOD FOR PAKISTAN CRICKET ”

(N.Z. Press Association —Copyright) KARACHI, March 15. Pakistan beat the M.C.C. fairly and squarely in the unofficial test series just concluded, Donald Carr, captain of the M.C.C. touring side, said last night. He was speaking at a farewell dinner given by the Pakistan Cricket Board of Control.

Carr congratulated the Pakistan skipper. A. H. Kardar, on having won the fourmatch test series. The M.C.C. won «.he fourth and final test at Karachi today by two wickets. The i first was drawn. Nothing Against Umpire Kardar said he did not hold anything against the umpires for Pakistan’s defeat yesterday, and congratulated the M.C.C. on having won the match. Group Captain M. M. Cheema. honorary secretary of th' Pakistan Board of Control, said' that the umpiring in Pakistan was comparable with the best, and that touring sides without exception had been satisfied with it. "In my view the M.C.C. tour has done a lot of good for Pakistan cricket." he said. “Series Played in Bad Spirit” Georce Duckworth, the former England wicketkeeper, said today that he had never seen a cricket test series played in such a bad spirit as the one just concluded between Pakistan and the M.C.C. A team. The series was marked by protests and apologies, first over the "ragging" of the Pakistan umpire. lons Begh, drenched with water by M.C.C. players at Peshawar. and then over alleged bad language by M.C.C. players fielding during the final match at Karachi. Incidents Deplored Duckworth said that he had accompanied 10 teams as a player and later as tnpnager on tours abroad, but he had rtever seen such incidents occur before.

He said that it was a great pity in view of the fact that Pakistan was becoming increasingly cricket-minded. He thought the M.C.C.’s idea of sending unofficial A and B teams to tour other cricketing countries was not a success. Duckworth, who was manager of three Commonwealth teams which toured India in recent years, is at present on a lecture tour of Pakistan under the auspices of the British Coun< il.

The M.C.C. today denied reports that the M.C.C. president, Earl Alexander, was flying back from Canada to "carpet” the England cricketers on their return tomorrow from Pakistan.

The reports aiso said that rooms had been booked in a London hotel for the party, including nlayers whose homes are in London.

The M.C.C. announcement said: "The M.C.C. wish to state that accommodation has been reserved for those of the team who cannot reach their homes on Friday night.”