AMATEUR CRICKET TEAM

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18211, 3 October 1922, Page 8

AMATEUR CRICKET TEAM

DEPARTURE FROM ENGLAND.

(PROSPECTS OF THE TOUR. A. iu<3 N.Z. LONDON. Oct. I. ifho M.O.C. amateur cricket team whicfc i* 'to tour New Zealand under Mr. A. CL MacLaren, has sailed for Australia. Interviewed, Mr. MacLaren said he was somewhat anxious about the team's batting, but the bowling appeared sound. A. P. Freeman was certain to succeed, and F. S. Gough-Oalthorp© was one of tho mainstays. The Australian State teams would probably beat his eleven, which might have to meet McDonald, who is probably leturning to Australia. In an interview with the Westminster Gazette; Mr. MacJ»aren said he considered that batting and fielding were his team's uncertainties. Most of them were a-ns-teurs and too likely to adopt a sporting spirit. Chipman was almost certain to do welL Geoffrey Wilson had recovered from his operation and would be a most valuable field. Meeting McDonald should be all for the good, fcr the batsmen needed expeiiencu of such redoubtable bowling.

The practice of sending junior teams on tour was most valuable to the future of English cricket, continued Mr. MacLaren, He had picked a team of young men likely to imp-rove quite 30 per cent, during the tour. " I am frankly ' funking ' playing with so little practice," ho sdded. "It takes at host a fortnight to get accustomed to the bright Australian light. We are quite prepared for a bad start; if iw, I shall tell the team there is no cause to lose heart. We shall get on capitally socially, as good cricketers always do."