Mr Leggat Praises J. R. Reid’s Courage

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29772, 15 March 1962, Page 14

Mr Leggat Praises J. R. Reid’s Courage

New Zealand cricket has yet to reach the eminence required for the erection of statues to its notables, but if such a day dawns, the first subject would probably be J. R. Reid, captain of the team which returned to Christchurch yesterday after a tour of South Africa and Australia.

Reid’s performances in South Africa are familiar to the cricketing public of New Zealand. But it was revealed by the team manager (Mr J. G. Leggat) yesterday that from the first day of the tour to the last, Reid was suffering from a painful knee injury. When the team practised at Sydney on its way to South Africa, Reid slipped and injured his right knee. He never recovered from this mishap, and throughout the tour, it was only with difficulty that he was able to climb stairs. Mr Leggat said Reid “organised his batting” to overcome this handicap—clearly with success. But the injury affected the bowling plan. Provided the 15 players had retained their fitness, the number chosen for the tour was adequate, Mr Leggat said. But the balance of the team was upset by Peid’s injury, which prevented him from bowling more than a few off-spinners. It was only at Port Elizabeth, in the final test, that Reid decided that

fof once he could risk injury and give himself a prolonged spell of bowling

“Can you really wonder that we think he is great?” Mr Leggat said. Mr Leggat agreed that perhaps Reid could not have made so many runs had he been able to bowl more easily, but when the team was selected, it had been the intention that Reid would bowl extensively. His limitation meant that F. J. Cameron and R. C. Motz were called on for superhuman efforts; their performances had been truly wonderful.

Three factors contributed to the success of the team. Mr Leggat said. The side improved as a team by leaps and bounds, and the determined batting late in the list frequently redeemed earlier failures and gave the bowlers something to work with. Second, Cameron, Motz. and J. C. Alabaster, although, probably, one man short in support, always managed to bowl with superb stamina, and at times much beyond the true limits of their physical resources, said Mr Leggat. Third, and perhaps the most important, was the magnificent leadership of Reid “He always led the team by example and seldom by precept.” said Mr Leggat. "He reached the full maturity as perhaps the greatest attacking batsman <ve have ever produced. When one compares his aggregate with overseas giants such as Harvey and Compton, it must be remembered that he was usually beginning an innings with his side in adversity. Only triree times was the total 100 or more when he went in. He not merely commanded the fullest respect of his team; by the manner in which he conducted himself he won their whole-hearted affection ” Attendances Asked about the moderate attendances at the matches in South Africa, Mr Leggat said that the Springbok team had performed indifferently on its English tour through wet weather and Griffin. There was not therefore the desire to see the South African cricketers, asthere had been after J. E Cheetham’s team had returned from its successful Australian tour. Further, the New Zealand team arrived unheralded and unsung; there had been, too, a slight tightening of the purse strings in South Africa, and a general uncertainty both about the affairs of the country in general and the future of cricket there. On the subject of whether

the tests were official, Mr Leggat said they were fullscale internationals. The Imperial Cricket Conference constitution made it impossible for South Africa to play test cricket, but the Australians had already said they intended to play official tests in South Africa

The tour programme had been ideal, Mr Leggat said. The two-day games early in the tour were valuable, and New Zealand’s willingness to play them had drawn a particularly favourable reaction from South African administrators and residents of the country districts.

Mr Leggat said it was an honour to be entrusted with the management of the team, which at times reached the heights, and which, he hoped, had made a material contribution to New Zealand cricket history. The team’s conduct won uniformly high praise, and it had been most gratifying to share the .ompany of 15 such players.