MAY TOUR N.Z.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXII, Issue 193, 30 July 1932, Page 7 (Supplement)

MAY TOUR N.Z.

TEAM GF INDIAN CRICKETERS—OFFER FROM MAHARAJAH OF PATIALA. It is probable that a team of India* cricketers, the private team of his Highness the Maharajah Dhiraj of Patiala, will tour New Zealand in the season 1933-34. The matter was brought before the New Zealand Cricket Council by a letter written to Mr. D. Reese (ex-presi-dent) and handed on to the present management committee, the writer being Mr. F. A. Tarrant, an old Middlesex County cricketer, who is now coaching in India under engagement to the Maharajah. The Maharajah is himself a vice-patron of the Board of Control for Cricket in India, and still plays an excellent game, being nominated for the captaincy of the Indian team o* its present tour, a position he was not able to accept. Mr. Tarrant’s letter stated:— “The Maharajah of Patiala has asked me to write to the New Zealand Board of Cricket Control. Ho wants to bring his own private cricket team to tour New Zealand in 1933, arriving in New Zealand in December, to play eight to 12 matches. He wants no guarantee, but tho same division of the gate money as other touring sides. The team would include Duleepsinhji, and the Nawab of Pataudi, and tho pick of the Indian team that is touring England this year. They would also play the usual matches in Australia. It would be a really good side, composed of amateurs, with myself as manager. Will you please place thi* before your Board of Controll” Another letter from Mr. Tarrant, written from England, included the name of Constantine, the West Indian, in the list of players who would probably be making the trip. The reply sent to Mr. Tarrant by the council stated that the Maharajah 's team would bo very welcome in New Zealand at the time stated, but an invitation would depend on the result of negotiations already in train for tho visit of another side to New Zealand. “If this does not eventuate, or could be postponed,” the reply ran, “wo would be glad to invite the Maharajah of Patiala’s team. We assume that the Board of Control for Cricket in India has been approached for its consent to the tour, or, if authority lias not been secured so far, that you wouM have no difficulty in arranging matter, as my council’s position a a member of the Imperial Cricket Conference makes this approval necessary.”