TEAM TO TOUR AUSTRALIA

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28162, 28 December 1956, Page 2

TEAM TO TOUR AUSTRALIA

WOMEN CRICKETERS LEAVE

Dressed in grey skirts, white blouses, white felt hats, and black blazers with the silver fern monogram on the pocket, members of the New Zealand Women’s Cricket Council team which is making an Australian tour, attended a farewell luncheon in Christchurch yesterday. The team left by air late yesterday afternoon for Melbourne. The team was selected on November 16 after a week of trial matches held in Christchurch. It is the third New Zealand women's cricket team to go overseas, and the second to visit Australia. On the last tour of Australia, New Zealand won two matches, lost two, and drew one. A New Zealand team made a six-months’ tour of England in 1954. The Hally-burton-Johnstone Shield, awarded to the premier women’s cricket team in New Zealand, is at present held by Auckland. Issue of Uniforms After assembling in Christchurch on Sunday, members of the team were issued with their uniforms, which included white gloves and black shoulder bags. They attended a party at the home of the vice-president of the Canterbury association (Mrs E. Tini) on the evening of Christmas Day. and presents were distributed from a Christmas tree. They will play their first match in Australia tomorrow against a local team at Dennilliquin, near the New South Wales border. From there, they will go to Adelaide, where they will play teams from all the States during an inter-State tournament from January 4 to January 23. The tournament will conclude with a three-day test match between Australia and New Zealand. The team will play its final match against Victoria in Melbourne on Australia Day, January 28, and will return to New Zealand by air on February 1. Goo 1 Wishes “I know you will all uphold the best traditions of the game, and I wish you every success during the tour,” said the chairman of the New Zealand Women’s Cricket Council (Mrs J. B. Watson), when bidding farewell to the team. Replying on behalf of the team, 1 the manager (Mrs J. R. Lamason)! said the members were proud of the privilege of representing their country, and she knew all of them would give of their best. The New Zealand council was putting a great responsibility in their hands, and they accepted it with the greatest pleasure. The team is as follows: Rona

McKenzie (vice-captain), Brenda Duncan, Judy Browne, Joyce Clothier (Auckland), Phyllis Blackler (captain), Ana Tini, Mary Rouse, Verna Coutts (Canterbury), Jean Stonell, Jean Coulston, Betty Thorner, Anne Morrison, Gwen Sutherland (Wellington), and Mary Speight (Otago). An Auckland girl. Ineke van Leydn, was also chosen, but was unabie to make the trip because of the illness of her mother. Many telegrams were received wishing the team success.