Farewell Function For Cricketers

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31520, 7 November 1967, Page 18

Farewell Function For Cricketers

“The players know we expect they will give of their best, and of the urgent need for physical fitness and determination. They will not fail us, and we will not fail them. “We will follow their tour, hoping they will press our claim to be treated on a higher plane by Australian cricket,’’ said Mr J. C. Saunders, president of the Canterbury Cricket Association, at a function last evening at which Canterbury members of the New Zealand touring team were guests. “It has been emphasised to the New Zealand players, from a higher level than ours, how important this tour is to New Zealand cricket,*’ said Mr Saunders. New Zealand had won a test for the first time in 1956, and had squared the rubber with South Africa in 1961-62, to reach a high standard internationally, he said Since then New Zealand had not done so well, and had lost outstanding performers such as B. Sutcliffe and J. R Reid.

But last sason, when it was perhaps without an outstanding personality, New Zealand had performed well against Favell’s Australian team to win the series and give hope for the future.

Cheques were presented to the Canterbury members of the team—R. C. Motz, B. R. Taylor and K. Thomson. The Otago representative in the team, J C. Alabaster, was presented with a cheque from the Otago Cricket Association by the Rev. J. S. Somerville.

A brief and amusing reply was made on behalf of the players by Motz. North Island members of the New Zealand team will gather: in Christchurch this evening, and there will be practice at Lancaster Park tomorrow. The Canterbury team will begin practising this evening.