U.K. takes N.Z. team to their hearts

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33263, 28 June 1973, Page 16

U.K. takes N.Z. team to their hearts

(From

R. T. BRITTENDEN,

N.Z.P.A. special correspondent) LONDON.

The British sporting public has taken the New Zealand cricket team to its heart after the team’s outstanding performances in the first two test matches against England.

There was a reminder of this when hundreds of people at the London Sportsman’s Club gave the New' Zealand players an ovation lasting several minutes. They were introduced at a gathering to present the New Zealand batsman, G. Turner, with the club’s “Sportsman of the Month” award for May. The former Australian test captain, R. Benaud, who introduced Turner, said that Turner’s feat in scoring 1000 runs by the end of May had done a great deal of good for New Zealand cricket. “Turner has become a star player in a country- which you used to tend to give a pat on the head,” said Benaud. “These two tests have been real games of cricket. This New Zealand team is a very good one, led by a good captain. They seem to enjoy their cricket, and they are generous. I noticed that when Keith Fletcher’s innings ended, every player applauded him all the way into the pavilion.” Benaud said that before he left Australia he had been asked by Sir Donald Bradman where he rated Turner. “I classed him in the best five in the world, and since then I have seen nothing to change my mind," said Benaud. He saw no reason why Australia should be complacent about the coming New Zealand series, he added. Turner was presented with a silver trophy and a suitcase. The Jresentation was made by W. J. Sdrich, who (in 1938) was the last man before Turner to score 1000 by the end of May. “I think every cricketer in the country has applauded the New Zealand- team,” said Edrich. “That is not just a host country saying. Everyone has wished them to win.” After Benaud had spoken and before the presentation, the guests were able to see a colour film of Turner batting at Northampton, making the stroke which took him to 1000, and being interviewed afterwards. The function was the first of several the team has in London. Its next match, against Surrey, begins on Saturday.

Yesterday afternoon, members of the team were to be guests at Wimbledon for the All-Eng-land championships and in the evening were to be entertained at a cocktail party by the proprietors of “Punch” and a sports magazine.

Before the test Air New Zealand held a cocktail party for the team, and the players will be back at New Zealand House again tomorrow evening for a cocktail party at which the High Commissioner (Mr T. H. McCombs) will be host.

Praise was heaped on the batsmen. K. Fletcher, for his matchsaving innings of 178 against New Zealand in British newspaper reports on the test, reports the New Zealand Press Association.

The headings sum up their main content: “Fletcher Settles the Issue and Silences his Critics,” said “The Times.” The “Daily Express”: “You’ve Made It, Fletcher.”

In the “Daily Telegraph,” E. W. Swanton said there will be nothing but the highest praise for Fletcher.

“From the moment that he replaced Boycott with 50 minutes of the fourth day to go it could almost be said of him that ‘alone he did it.’

“Fletcher has had more disappointments than most in his climb to the top. He has owed a good deal to faith, not to say the forbearance, of various selectors.

“But he has always had the innate skill and in this innings he renaid the confidence placed in him with a match-saving innings of absolute discretion and high technical achievement,” said Swanton. In addition to the glowing re-

marks about the feat of Fletcher, a number of writers show sympathy for New Zealand, and a few give the “answer” to why New Zealand did not win.

Keith Miller said in the “Daily Express” that the decision of the New Zealand captain, B. Congdon. to seek more runs on Monday morning cost New Zealand victory. ‘‘Bev Congdon, I told you so . . . warned you it was time rather than a mass of runs that counted in this final crunch,” said Miller.

“Let’s be fair. These New Zealanders are good. But they get so little first-class cricket and just lack the professional touch,” he added.

John Arlott. in the “Guardian,” said tile result was another sad outcome for the New Zealanders, who spent immense effort and fine skills in creating a winning position. “Perhaps, ultimately, their failure lies in the fact that, unaccustomed to beating England, they are over-tense at the prospect,” he writes. In “The Times,” John Woodcock said that, in the end. New Zealand’s bowling just lacked the penetration needed on a pitch which lasted well.