A CRICKET MASSEUR

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 96, 18 January 1924, Page 13

A CRICKET MASSEUR

Sir—l learn trith amazement that ''the committee' of the Wellington Cricket Association have engaged a well-known local trainer to travel wth the representative team, who play Otago, in the capacity of masseur. Did one ever hear of euch a piece of arrant nonsense? The team will be the laughing stock of Dunedin. Surely it is time that the comedians who compose the committee of the Cricket Association should retire ana give way to men with common sense and some regard for tho traditions ox the grand , Our cricket contributor, "Burwood,” comments on the above: — It is true that Mr. T. W. Leslie left with the Wellington renresentativo team last evening. Mr. Leslie Is honorary masseur to the Wellngton Cricket' Association, and does not charge anything for his services. Though a new departure in New Zealand cricket, the practice of carrying a masseur with teams has long been followed in Australia. The last Australian Eleven had a masseur to exclusively attend to the two fast bowlers of the team, Gregory and McDonald. The English team wh ch visited New Zealand and Australia last season carried a doctor with tho party. The violent exercise indulged in at times, particularly by the fast bowlers, often cause players to become muscle-bound, necessitating the services of a masseur. Two seasons ago the Auckland batsmen collared the Wellington bowling in a Plunket Sh eld match at the Basin Reserve, and had well over 200 runs on for the loss of only threo wickets by the afternoon tea adjournment. Brice and McGirr were so tired that they had lost all their sting? 1 During the interval they submitted themselves to a thorough massaging at the hands cf Mr. Leslie, with the result that they took the field almost as fresh aa when they started. They bowled with such effect that Auckland were disnrssed for a little over 800 runs. The modern, tendency is for thoroughness in training and preparation for strenuous athletic contests. The fact that Wellington has brought down, a maaesur with the team may cause a laugh in conservative circles, but the mirth may be short-lived when the Otago playere and spectators find what good results attend an eleven well looked after during the progress of a strenuous match.