LOWRY’S WELCOME HOME

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXI, Issue 304, 8 December 1931, Page 4

LOWRY’S WELCOME HOME

REMINISCENCES OF EXPERIENCES. In reply to a welcome home at Taihape, T. C. Lowry, captain-manager of the New Zealand cricket team, stated that ho appreciated all that had been said about his connection with the New Zealand cricket team, but in his own secret opinion he had been very lucky to be appointed captain and manager. The team was a fine one both on and off the field, and whilst he did not wish to individualise to auy marked extent, he would express the opinion that Dempster possessed the calibre of an opening batsman for an English eleven (Applause). His splendid opening innings at Lord’s proved that he was a batsman of exceptionally high calibre, and that he was fit to be an opening batsman for any cricket team in the Empire. (Applause). Lowry said that all young New Zealanders should aspire to become representative- cricketers. It was all a matter of practice, and the sooner a lad began to practice and play, the better. Vivian was only 19, and Merritt, who already had had two trips to England, was not yet 23. Some of tho leading cricketers in England would practise bowling two or three hours a day during the winter months, perfecting length and spin, and that was largely the secret of their success. Continuing, Lowry related several interesting reminiscences of his experiences, and then concluded with saying that ono of the deepest impressions that he tour had left on his mind was that tho people of England welcomed them not * because they were representative cricketers, but because they were New Zealanders. (Applause). Tho people of England seemed to have an unfeigned respect and affection for New Zealanders, whom they regard as being flesh of their flesh and blood of their blood. “Wo could sense this sentiment in all our associations with tho people of the Homeland,” he continued, “and I assure you it made us all very anxious to conduct ourselves, both on and off the field, so that we should do nothing to affend such flattering sentiments nor tarnish a record that was in our keeping. I assure you, gentlemen, it is up to us to stick to England.” ___________