BOUND FOR ENGLAND

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 74, 28 March 1931, Page 11

BOUND FOR ENGLAND

N.Z. CRICKET TEAM

A FAREWELL GATHERING

Before leaving by the Kangitata this afternoon for Ungland, tlio,1 Now 55oaland cricket team was farewelled by a representative gathering of sportsmon, and the best wishes were extended to the tourists for a good trip and a successful tour. The- members of the team are:—T. C. Lowry (Kangi.tikci) captain, M. L. Page (Canterbury) vicecaptain, C. i\ W. Allcott (Auckland), If.. C. Blunt (Ohigo), I. B. Crornb (Canlerbury), C. S. Dempster (Wellington), K. C. James (Welliiigfcju), J. L. Jicrr (Canterbury), A. M. Malliesou (Auckland), W. K. Herritt (Canterbury), J. E. Mills (Auckland), 11. O. Talbut (Canterbury), 11. G. Vivian -{Auckland), and Q. L. Weir (Auckland). Lowry is also the manager, and Alleott carries out tho duties of treasurer. The team is due in*Loudoa about tlio Ist May, and as a preliminary to its long series of matches, it will play a one-day game with the Maori, Cricket Club at Worcester Park on the 4th May. At to-day's function in honour of the team, Mr. D. Reese (Canterbury)' referred to the fact that this was the second occasion on which New Zealand had sent a team/ on tour to try its strength with the teams, of England. The benefit of the previous tour and of visits to New Zealand was reflected in the standard of play in New Zealand. Tho season now closing had been an excellent one, and this was largely duo to the anticipation of the tour and tho hopefulness in tho side going to England. The amount of work in carrying out tho. arrangements for the tour was enormous, but it was hoped that the result financially and otherwise would loavo everybody in .i much happier frame of mind than at tho end of tho previous tour. He wished the team an enjoyable find successful tour. TOUR IN NATIONAL INTERESTS.

Mr. A. T. Donnelly, chairman of the New' Zealand Cricket Council, 'expressed his pleasure at being able to farewell Mr. Lowry and the members of the team. On several occasions during the past few months he had been very [doubtful about the team getting away and keeping the council's obligations to the M.C.C. ajid the cricket enthusiasts in England. However, matters had beenl arranged satisfactorily, and the not think that anybody had any criticism to offer of. tho action in sending the team away. The team was leaving with the very best wishes not only of all cricketers, but of the people of New Zealand. It was in the national interests and in the interest of cricket as well that tho decision. had been made to send the team. The 1927 New Zealand team had made a.great reputation on the fields at Home, and it had enhanced tho reputation of tho Dominion in tho eyes of the English public. He thought that this young team going away to-day would do even more. The character and type :of its members was of the very highest standard.

"We arc satisfied that the batting of the team is very strong indeed," said Mr. Donnelly, "aud that tho fielding of the side should leave no cause for criticism such as that made in the case of the 1927 team. It has. been said that the bowling is weak, but supported as it is by good fielding wo hope that tho bowling will be found sufficient in England for ordinary purposes. There has been, a certain degree of criticism of the council in entrusting the managerial arrangements to players, but, as was pointed out in the 'Sydney Referee' last week, the council has only followed tho practice of Australian elevens until very recent times." Ho was satisfied that tho team would do well on and off the field, and his hope was that tho members would have a very successful tour and a victorious return in a few months' time.

Mr. P. B. Broad, chairman of tho Wellington Cricket Association, also extended good wishes to the team. "It is particularly fortunate that we have been able to send'with this team Lowry, Page, and Alleott, three men who have the entire confidence of tho public of New Zealand, and 'who represent tho best elements of Now Zealand cricket," said Mr. Broad. ■ It was the speaker's hope that this tour would be only the first of an, organised, series of tours to be arranged by the New Zealand Cricket Council, such tours to be niapr ped out well ahead. He endorsed the good wishes extended by Messrs. Eeese and Donnelly, and hoped that the tornwould put New Zealand definitely on the cricket map. "BETTER THAN THE LAST." In his reply, the New Zealand capfain and manager, T. C. Lowry, said that the team greatly appreciated the kind sentiments that had been expressed. On the last tour the team had tried to play the game >oa and off the Hold, and had been rather surprised at the measure of success achieved in its matches. County teams had not been found to be quite as good as was expected. He thought that on this occasion New Zealand had a better team, and as the county teams looked to be a little worse than in 1927, there waa tho prospect of the 1931 team doing a little better. Of course, it was absurd to 'say that the team would go through without a loss. Most of the Australian teams that had won the Ashes had been beaten by county teams. The weather was often a factor, and that had to be kept in mind. Followers of the game in New Zealand, he said, must not be disappointed to find the team having a reverse after a spoil of success. The law of averages and tho luck of the game made it necessary that a team should have a loss or two. The team was keenly appreciative of the good name of cricket in New Zealand. On the field it would try as hard as it possibly could, and it would fight to the last. Off tho field the members could at least try and play the game. All could depend upon tho team upholding the best name of New Zealand cricket. Mr. B. H. Mallett, manager of the West Indies team, who is returning to England on tho Rangitata, assured the team of a warm welcome in.England, where tho public had been delighted by tho bright play, of the 1927 New Zealand team. He referred to tho relationship created.by cricket between the different parts of the Empire, and t,ho bcnclicial' effect which the game had even on trade conditions. If 'this team played cricket ns the New Zealand team did in 1927, the friendly relationship would bo increased. He joined in wishing tho team good luck.