THE NEW ZEALANDERS

Hokitika Guardian, 22 November 1927, Page 4

THE NEW ZEALANDERS

INCIDENTS OF THU TOUR. i At Christchurch’ on Friday night replying in the eoursc of a welcome home to members of the .New Zealand cricket team. Air Page related many interesting events of the tour, both on and off the field. lie said that the M.C.C. team, which the Xew Zealanders met at Lords, was the strongest amateur team that was assembled in England last season, and this in itself was a great compliment to the No"' Zealanders. The light at Lord’s '"as had. and in bis opinion bad light was partly responsible for some of the poor fielding displays ol the New Zealanders. A lot had heen hoard about the had fielding of the team, lint they had given some wonderful displays of fielding on grounds that were not too lively. At Cambridge 1 niversity ihe team had three of the linest days of the tour. The students treated them very well. At Cambridge they were disappointed in not meeting the "ellknown Indian batsman, Duleepsinliji, hut he was seriously ill with pneumonia at the time, and it was doubtful whether he would ever piny cricket again.

A TIP FROM THE KINO. Referring to the fielding' ol the team Mr Page said that it was had fielding that cost them the match against Middlesex. There was one consolation about the had fielding, and that was that every member of the team made mistakes and dropped catches. Even James, the wicket-keeper, dropped one or two. It was during the Middlesex match that they were introduced to the King. Mr Page said that while the King was present conversation lagged somewhat, so to keep the hall going Lowry turned to his Majesty and said. “Can you give me a tip for the Derby, fiir?” The King mentioned the name of one horse, and added, “hut don’t take 100 much notice of my tips, Lowry.”

I Sussex, against who the New Zealanders had their first win, was one of the finest sporting sides in England. 1 and il was led by probably (lie most popular cricketer in England. Arthur Gilligan. The New Zealanders fielded wonderfully well in this game, and they were greatly bucked up by their victory. There had been a good deal of comment on the fact that Maurice Tate had not played for Sussex againsl New Zealand, hut this was due to the fact that he was suffering from, an injury and was resting. Tale was a great personality, and he was always ready to help a young player with assistance and advice.

Referring to the Oxford University game, Mr Page said that it. was against. Oxford that he first learnt to howl. The weather had heen very "el. and there was a patch on the wicket on the off slump. Following the instructions of Lowry, ho lmwled on this palcli and took four wickets for ten runs, including a six. THE CAPTAIN.

Mr Rage paid a tribute to the captaincy of Lowry, lie said that he "as a great help to the team. It it was late and the light was growing had Lowry woidd always go in himself in preference to sending another man in.

Root, the well-known Worcestershire howler, had not played against the New Zealanders, and this had given rise to criticism. However, like Tate, R--.it was injtned. It was a great pity that detaiU like this had not been cable I out to New Zealand. Their defeat at live hands of Northant; we.; one < f the biggest disappointments of the lour. Jupp was the most successful howler for Nortlrints, and lie would probably be in Ibe English team that "as to vi-it Australia next vear.

The Yorkshire game wax one ol the* most important ol the tour. Roforo tin' match they hoard a great deal about tin' redoubt able Yorkshire team, and how keenly they played to win. The ground at Bradford, where the Yorkshire match was played, was in such a condition that, if il had heen an ordinary county match il would have been postponed. It was in tie

Yorkshire match that Dacro met with such unexpected success with the ball, taking five wickets for do runs. It was truly wonderful how. Lowry would try out members of the team with the hall and how often they would come off. A FAST BOWLER.

Tn the Notts match they met Larwood, who was undoubtedly a very fine fast howler. “If;' is about three times faster than Eliding, the Victorian, who was over here last year,” said Mr Rage,, amidst laughter. Unfortunately Larwood had injured his knee, the result. probably, of a peculiar action lie had just when he was going to deliver the ball, and il might ho that Tiis howling days wore finished. The finest game that the New Zealanders played as a team was against Warwickshire, and it was only rain that robbed them of victory in this match. Mr Rage said that. In his opinion the only team they met in England that was really superior to thorn was Kent. They were very impressed with the umpires in England. Pe-avse of their complete knowledge of the work, they inspired confidence, and a batsman could be certain that, if he was given out. he was really out. Air Morrill. in the course of his reply, referred io the wonderful hospitality shown to the team in England T:y all classes of the people, lie paid a tribute to the wicket-keeping of James, who, lie said had helped him to take many wickets. Critics in England were of the opinion that, except for Oldfield, they had not seen a wicket-keeper who came up to James.