VISITING CRICKETERS

Manawatu Times, Volume LII, Issue 3539, 22 February 1927, Page 8

VISITING CRICKETERS

ARRIVAL OF MELBOURNE TEAM. MATCH' WITH MANAWATO TO-DAY. Providing the weather conditions aro propitious, members of the Melbourne Cricket Club, who are at present making an extensive tour of the Dominion, will meet the elect of Manawatu on the Sportsground to-day and to-morrow, the game being timed to commence at 11 o'clock in the morning. The visitors, who comprise a number of prominent and polished Australian bowlers and batsmen, arrived in Palmerston North from Taranaki by the New Plymouth express yesterday afternoon and were formally welcomed by members of the local Cricket Association and others interested in the popular, summer sport. It was in 1900 that the Melbourne Club first sent a team to New Zealand, another eleven making the trip across the ✓ Tasman six years later. Those visits did much to encourage and develop the game in, the Dominion and the present combination promises to serve a like purpose with most beneficial results, particularly in view of the fact that the Dominion is despatching a team to_ England at the close of the season in search, if not of honours, at least of that all essential experience ‘“Which can only be gained by opposing the strong combinations of the cricketing world. The visitors are under the management of Mr. Hugh Trumble, one of the best known figures in the Australian cricket world. Mr. Trumble visited New Zealand in 1896 and 1899, at which period he was undoubtedly the world’s finest bowler. For many years he has held the position of secretary to the Melbourne Cricket Club, and it would be difficult to find a more popular and efficient manager than he Probably the best known of the visitors is the famous Warwick Armstrong the ex-Australian captain. He played his first test match against England at Melbourne twenty-five years ago, and is just as keen to-day as he was then. Armstrong visited England with the Australian team in 1902 1905. 1909, and 1921, while he has also played in South Africa. He is one of the small band of Australians who has scored 2000 runs in tG which will do duty for the visitors has not yet been announced but the following players will represent Manawatu: Ongley (captain). McVicar, Mullins, Gallichan, Deet (Railway). Broughton. ie £erich. Young, Barrett (Old Boys). Cooper (R.S.A.)t Norris (High School'