WELCOME HOME

Evening Star, Issue 19725, 28 November 1927, Page 11

WELCOME HOME

HUGER BLUNT RETURNS A CRICKETERS' GREETING It was 1 lie “same old Roger Blunt,” looking fit and well, who stepped from the north express on Friday night to be warmly welcomed by a number of cricket officials and players. Mr Blunt might nob have been recognised by the non-cricketing citizen as the groat .allrounder who had so distinguished himself as a member of the New Zealand team in England, for the man who had “smacked up” so many centuries and sent down so many disconcerting “ googlies,” carried not thq usual conspicuous cricket bag, but a hag of golf clubs. However, despite this disguise, he was quickly recognised by his waiting friends and admirers, and soon was the centre of a pleased group who one by one shook him hcarily by the hand and said: “ Glad to see you back.” A move was then made to the Savoy, and one of the first things noticed in entering was the words “Welcome Home.” Here, over a cup of coffee and a sandwich, greetings were tendered the returned cricketer. In addition to the Otago Cricket Association officials there were present the DeputyMayor (Mr J. S. Douglas), Mr F. O Raphael (ex-secretary of the New Zealand Cricket Council), Mr L. 0. Eastman (Otago’s coach), Mr W. Uttley (North Otago Cricket Association), Mr Cantrell (captain of the Carisbrook senior eleven), and others. Mr Crosby Morris presided, and apologised for tbc absence of the president of the O.C.A. (Mr C. Todd), who was out of town at the moment. They were all delighted, said Mr Morris, to have their friend Mr Blunt back amongst them. (Applause.) Tins was a very informal gathering, and a very modest one compared with some of those which Mr Blunt had become used to, but ho would understand that the good wishes of those present to welcome him were very sincere. His Worship Iho Mayor would like to have been present, but was obliged to be at a public meeting at the Town Hall. He had, however, sent a letter expressing his regret and_ offering congratulations on behalf of himself and the citizens to Mr Blunt. Mr C. W. Rattray also had written an apology for non-attend-ance, adding that it was up to every young cricketer to take his hat off to Mr Blunt, not only for what ho personally had done, hub as a representative _of a. team which had done honor to New Zealand.

_ Mr Morris went on to sny Jioiv delighted tho cricketers of Otago had been at Mr Blunt’s success at Home, and how they looked upon the inclusion in “ Wisdens ” of his photo, amongst the five great cricketers of the year, as a. tremendous honor. They felt that they should also thank their Canterbury friends for having scut Mr Blunt along to ns; they might indeed write to the Canterbury association, and say that if that province had any more such cricketers who desired to change to a better climate wo should ho very glad to receive them. (“Hear, hear,” and laughter.) We must_ not forget, however, said Mr Morris, that tho climato of England, which produced such wonderful cricketers, was not much better than our own. However, there was a good time coming, and we all looked forward to taking advantage of tho longer daylight, and so developing our cricket. On behalf of the O.C.A. ho wished to say once more how pleased they were to see Mr Blunt back, and how anxious they wore to see him again in the field. He hoped Mr Blunt would continue to have a very happy time iu his native country, (Applause.) DEPUTY MAYOR’S TRIBUTE. Cr J. S. Douglas said that ho joined with Air Morris and the Cricket Association in all that had been said, and, further, on behalf of the citizens of Dunedin, ho offered his hearty congratulations and a cordial welcome to Mr Blunt. They were all very proud indeed of their representative, whose career they had watched with interest, and felt that he had indeed done honor to the province. Cr Douglas added that they had felt a little concerned lest their guest would bo waylaid in Christchurch and prevented from returning to Dunedin, but felt glad that ho had soon lit to continue his journey tcjspHis. He felt sure that tho exponent® gained by Mr Blunt in tho Old Country would be of considerable value to the younger players here, and in this connection Mr Blunt would no doubt give every assistance to the new coach, Mr Eastman. _ As a member of the Umpires Association, ho (Mr Douglas) extended a special welcome to their guest. As regards tho City Council, Cr Douglas wished to sny that it should do its utmost to provide grounds that would facilitate tho development of cricket, which was one of tho healthiest and best of games. Cricket was a game which encouraged a splendid feeling of comradeship and brought out ail tho host qualities in our young men. And when one saw this demonstrated week after week one felt that it was certainly up to the City Council to foster that spirit and encourage the game. Mr L. Jool added a word of welcome. AN ENGLISHMAN'S OPINION. Mr L. C. Eastman, Otago’s coach, said that, a.s one who had played against Mr Blunt during tho recent tour, ho could say that the Otago man was a batsman whom every English bowler had been glad to sec the back of. Ho had gained the reputation of watching every ball on to the hat, and in England ability to do this was essential to run getting. Never had he (Mr Eastman) heard it said that Mr Blunt got his runs badly or lucidly. And his modesty was proverbial. 'With regard to Mr “Blunt’s bowling, tho speaker said that he, for one, could never pick his “wrong ’nn,” though ho could that of Merritt and other bowlers. Mr Blunt was a very line batsman, a very fine bowler, and a very line field, and was looked upon in England (where they appreciate allrounders) as the best all-rounder ot the touring side. Had he chosen to remain in England he could have played for any one of the seventeen counties he wished ami been welcomed. In addition, everyone liked him ns a man. Air Eastman added that it would help him considerably if Mr Blunt passed on to the young cricketers hero his knowledge of tho game. CONGRATULATIONS EROM NORTH OTAGO. Mr AV. Uttlcy, on behalf of the North Otago cricketers and of tho public of Oamaru. welcomed Mr Blunt and extended his congratulations on his wonderful success. As an instance of what example could do, Air Uttlcy quoted the visit of the New South Wales team to Oamaru last season, and the way in which the members ol that loam had mingled with the schoolboys, talked cricket to them, and allowed them how to make strokes and to bowl. It was something more than a coincidence, said Mr Uttlcy, that the boys who had been playing at the school Hint year, ami who had seen these Australians and benefited by the instruction, iiad developed more thoroughly than the. boys of any other period. It would bo an excellent thing for the boys and the younger cricketers of North Otago generally if an Otago team which included Mr Blunt and Air Eastman could bo sent up to Oamaru. AIR BLUNT IN REPLY, Air Blunt, on rising to reply, was very warmly received. He expressed his thanks for the kindly thought which had prompted them to entertain him on his arrival, though he had been relieved to hear that the welcome was i« Ihs more or less an informal one. Mr Blunt then went on to relate how well

the team had hccu received in England, and how lucky they wore to have Tom Lowry as skipper. The team, utter being welcomed by the Mayor or Southampton and Hampshire cricketers, were entertained in Loudon by the British Sportsmen’s Club, being, in luct. tho first overseas team to bo so entertained. A most impressive experience, too. was tho dinner tendered to tho tourists b.v tho M.C.C. on the historic Lord’s yrouml. Lord Jellieoo and Mr Pointer Hooves were at this dinner, and it had been a very line introduction to English cricket. Light I'rom the outset, said Mr Blunt. Tom Lowry had proved a, wonderful asset; the team felt that in every way ho was a man they could lean on. He had struck the right note in making it clear that tho team had. alter meeting and being overwhelmed by Australian teams, come to the homo of cricket to learn their lesson, The English people appreciated very much the fact dial. tliCMj New Zealanders never spoke of “England,” but of “the Old Conntry” or “Home.” This appeared to win the hearts of their hosts always.

Mr Blunt went on to touch upon tho team’s experiences in the earlier matches of tho tour; how they had surprised the Homo people—and themselves—b.v their good showing against tiro M.C.C., and, incidentally, by the consistency with which they dropped catches. 'But after a while they settled down, and, when they realised that they could defeat at least some of the counties, they improved in their play and, further, became “tho happiest los of follows who had ever played together on the cricket field.” Mr Blunt commented upon Lucre's o ccasional brilliancy, upon the wonderful pciTonnanco of the niiictcea-ycar-old youngster, Merritt, and upon Page’s discovery that ho could bowl. But it was not by individual performances that success had been won, so much as the fact that someone or other was always “coming out of tho box” when ho was wanted. And Lowry had an uncanny knack of knowing who was going to come out of the box. Tho regular bowlcis would ho nut on for a while, but conditions perhaps would be against, thorn. Then Lowry would do something Hint appeared to be mad or hopeless, but it invariably came off. Ho would gamble on anything. And (ho fact that only once did a firstwicket partnership exceed 100 runs was an eloquent testimonial to tho soundness of his judgment. The umpiring in England, impressed Mr Bhmt, as it did all the tcom. Tho English umpires, he said, wore simply magnificent 'they were helpful, too, ami always ready to explain and advise. Another thing that impressed tho tourists was the fact that English bowlers used their brains far more than New Zealand howlers do. There was also a “homeliness” about the way in which the games were played. Not once had there been any difference of opinion with opponents, and even tho crowds were friendly.

lii conclusion, Air Blunt said how pleased lie was to see that cricket was in the air in New Zealand, and he expressed the hope that, now that it was so, neither the players nor the public would allow it to slip hack. It was a move in the right direction to import English coaches, for there was no better type of cricketer than the English professional. The newspapers could also help in keeping the game on the move. Ho him'olf would ho pleased to do all In could to help Ot.a-'o, who, ho hoped, would soon get hack I lie Plunkct Shield. (Applause.)