“A BIT OF ENGLAND.”

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVI, Issue 25, 29 December 1925, Page 4

“A BIT OF ENGLAND.”

VISITING BOWLER’S VIEW. TIM BUTE TO LOCAL‘FLAYERS. The touring British bowlers are having a particularly busy time in New Zealand, but they are enjoying every moment of it. This is the manner in which Mr G. Wright, captain, of tho team, expressed himself in Auckland last week.

“J cannot give you any opinion about Auckland,” lie said, “exceptto say that it and the people we have met here might be just a bit of England. No, I am not quite right there,” lie addled, “the surroundings ihcro are newer and you got hero and there a reminder in tile shape of indigenious bush and a. more brilliant colouring of your flowers to emphasise that this country is not just England in a good summer.”

This was the only difference that struck Mr Wright. “Tho people are typically British,” lie said. “Just look round here.” It was on tho Auckland bowling green. “You might boon any green in England. I never felt more at homo in my life.” Discussing the game, Mr Wright said the British team did not profess to includo the cream of English bowlers. They had some good players with them-, but tljo majority wero out for a holiday with howls as a well-loved sideline. Tho Auckland players, ho considered, wero exceedingly keen and had nothing bo learn about tho game. Aggression appeared to be their watchword and they ,seemed to specialise in fast play. Tho visitors relied more on the draw and what might be termed tho conventional game. After touring tho North Island, Mr Wright said the visitors intended to take part in the Dominion tournament in Dunedin. Most of tho players had entored and some good teams would take tho field against tho pick of New Zealand players. By the time tlio Dominion tournament was due Mr Wright expected the members of bis party to have developed their best form. That might not bo good enough to win, ho said, but nothing would delight them moro than to have a team in tho final.