PROFIT MAY REACH £15,000— N.Z. Cricketers Sail: Manager Reviews Tour

Greymouth Evening Star, 24 September 1949, Page 5

PROFIT MAY REACH £15,000 — N.Z. Cricketers Sail: Manager Reviews Tour

LONDON, Sept. 23 (Rec 10 a.m.).— A few close friends of the New Zealand cricketers waved final farewells and heard the strains of “Now is the Hour” float across the water as the Rangitata drew away from the wharfside at Tilbury. It was a _ sad moment in many ways, not unmixed with emotion. The main farewells had already been made earlier during the week, culminating in the dinner which the Duke of Edinburgh attended. More were said and repeated at Saint Pancras Station, where many friends notable in the cricket world assembled to press the hands of the team. Finally at the wharf a few intimates and the High Commissioner, Mr Jordan, who had greeted the side on arrival, watched several matches and remained until the ship was out of sight.

Donnelly Says Farewell Also there was Martin Donnelly, for whom everybody in the team has genuine affection and sincere admiration. Donnelly, too, had met them on arrival, been a tower of strength throughout the tour and was now the only one left behind. “This is a sad moment for me,” said Donnelly. “I would not have wished to have played with finer men. Looking back on the tour, I would not like to see anything changed in any respect if we had to do it all over again.” Before the ship sailed the team was filmed by newsreels and Mr J. H. Phillips (manager) and Mr A. Hadlee (captain) thanked the people of Britain for their generous hospitality. They also recorded broadcast messages. Mr Jordan paid a tribute to. the side for its fine record on and off the field. He added: “May you all have long life to enjoy the reputations which you have so justly earned.” Tribute To Hadlee Mr Phillips said it had been a splendid tour and the team had been fortunate to have been led by a captain of outstanding quality. Hadlee had been the inspiration of his men and in W. M. Wallace he had a vice-cap-tain of marked ability, thoroughly reliable and a fine friend to all. “There is no doubt, however, that the success was also due very largely to the players themselves,” he added. “The greatest thing about the team has been its spirit. Everybody has been imbued with determination to do their best in every match. “It is possible that the net profits for the tour will be about £15,000. The figures available at the moment

' are necessarily incomplete and the exact total will not be known' until everybody is finally disposed of at Wellington. “We were very fortunate that there was little or no sickness and the chief ailments that occurred were due to muscular'.strains, inevitable during a long and exacting tour. The morale was high throughout and its standard was made evident by the excellent work in the field. It is thd general opinion of everybody I have met here that there was no comparison between the standard of fielding of this team and those which visited England from New Zealand before. It was never surpassed by any other side, England or county. A large part of the success of the games was due to vital catches. Too Much Travelling “Undoubtedly the players became tired towards the end and much of this fatigue can be attributed to travelling. Some of it could perhaps have been avoided if various matches had been rearranged, 'but it was too late to do that when we reached England. “Some English counties and league teams have made approaches to mem- | bers of the side, but the inquiries I have been few and not particularly fruitful. Personally, I feel this is a good thing, for it means that New Zealand will benefit for some years to come from the experience gained-by our players in England. “The . generosity of the ~ English people towards us all has been amazing,” added Mr Phillips. ?' “Everybody has been kindness itself. The hospitality has been overwhelming, both by private individuals and by business firms, and we are grateful for all that has been done for us.” Appreciation Expressed Group Captain A. J. Holmes, chairman of the England selection committee, expressed the appreciation' of the British public for the way the New Zealanders had played throughout the tour. He paid a tribute to the efficiency of the team throughout the tour and to Hadlee as captain, Wallace as vice-captain, • and Mr Phillips as manager. ; “England did everything possible 'to win the four tests,” he said.' “That we were unable to do so is confirmation that New Zealand has. moved a long way up the Empire cricket ladder. Walter Hadlee’s side will always be remembered here. His happy New Zealanders made many friends who will -never forget them. We look ! forward to our next meeting with the New Zealanders.”