Time, Energy, Hard Work All Needed

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30080, 14 March 1963, Page 20

Time, Energy, Hard Work All Needed

All the members of the teams engaged in tomorrow’s test match were at the Canterbury Cricket Supporters’ Club’s first function last evening. Their presence, and the freedom with which they mingled with the many former New Zealand and Canterbury players, and the large numbers of other cricket supporters, made the occasion particularly pleasant.

The president of the club, I Mr W. A. Hadlee, said that there had been visits from English cricket teams for more than 99 years. The M.C.C. had been formed 50 years before New Zealand was colonised, "so they had a pretty good start on us." He recalled some of the great players who had been in the many touring teams — names which were well written into cricket in England, and firmly indented in the minds of cricketers in New Zealand. “We have the best cricket following, to head of population, in the world," said Mr Hadlee. When teams were in England, countless thousands sat up through the night to listen to broadcast accounts of the matches. And the listening was all the more realistic for having seen the players in New Zealand. When the tests were played in Australia, the commentaries were followed eagerly in shops and offices, factories and homes, and also in the schools. Four Score, 50 He had heard about a boy in a big public school in New Zealand whose master said to him: “What is four score?” The boy had taken his hand away from his ear and replied: “Dexter has just passed his 50, sir.” Mr Hadlee said he believed that there had been a good many instances of transistor radios being taken from schoolboys and put to better use in the staff rooms.

“In New Zealand, we have ; had some of the best players in each decade, but perhaps no>t enough of them,” said Mr Hadlee. There was nothing that time, energy, hard work and zeal—and perhaps an increasing population—would not remedy. Mr Hadlee said that he had seen two of the recent tests in Australia, and although a neutral, he had been asked by the captains into both the Australian and England dressing rooms at Melbourne —and that at a most vital stage of the match. Not Much Wrong

“I cannot see much wrong with test captains who will do that sort of thing for one who has not had the privilege of playing against them," he said.

The M.C.C. captain, E. R. Dexter, said that the first match of the season, when he returned home, would be at the Duke of Norfolk’s home. Arundel Castle. “Alec Bedser is to be captain, and I will be one of the rank and file.” he said. However, the next game was also at Arundel Castle, and on that occasion he would be captain, and the Duke of Norfolk would be in his team. “I just wonder if I can agree to get him from third man to third man each over,” Dexter said. “But I am told there are some dungeons at Arundel.” Found Cup Handle Dexter said that the last time England batted at Lancaster Park, the pitch had broken up and had been unfair to the side batting second —New Zealand. “I do remember picking up half a cup handle, on the second day,” he said. "Tony Lock had spun one viciously, and we all looked at the spot, and found a nice bit of Worcester china.”

He knew the pitch now was a good one, and he hoped for good weather and good cricket in the test. “I can answer Ted Dexter immediately,” said the team manager, the Duke of Norfolk. “I have no intention of going from third man . . (laughter) but I am prepared to stay at third man at the end near the booze tent. If he agrees to that, I will play. “I am at an age where I can dictate my own terms on my own ground. That is why I always play at Arundel, and not elsewhere. Not. may I add, that I have been asked.” The Duke of Norfolk said he had gained the slight impression that people in New Zealand were depressed about their cricket. “What country has not had periods when they were down, or lacked certain qualities which would bring them to the top?” he said. “Make up your minds to give every support you can to a great game. “If I never come back to this country as a team manager—and I cannot believe they will allow me to do that —may I thank you for all you have done for us.”