NEW CRICKET COACH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19474, 2 November 1926, Page 11

NEW CRICKET COACH.

ARRIVAL OF E. H. BOWLEY. FINE ALL-ROUND PLAYER. EAGER TO COMMENCE DUTIES, A man built on athletic lines, of medium height and with the healthy tan of the out-of-doors sportsman—these are the impressions that one receives on being introduced to E, H. Bowley, the Sussex professional cricketer, who arrived in the city yesterday under engagement to the Auckland Cricket Association as playercoach. Although he has passed his 36th birthday, Bowlev has a youthful and alert appearance. The new coach was welcomed at the station yesterday by officials of the Cricket Association, and was later the guest of the Rotary Club at luncheon. In the afternoon he was motored to points of interest round the city. Bowlev has played for Sussex, the county of Maurice Tate, since 1912. Proof of his ability is shown by the fact that he has never been twelfth man but, except where illness prevented, has been a member of the team without a break for the past fourteen years. Bowley's record shows that he is a fine all-round cricketer. He has performed notably with both bat and ball, besides being considered as one of the finest slip fielders in England. Played in South Africa. Bowley was a member of the Hon. L. H. Tennyson's team which visited South Africa during the winter of 1924-25. On that tour Bowley topped the batting averages in the representative matches, his record being 10 innings, 332 rnns, averaee 36.88. Ho alone enjoyed the distinction of playing a three-figure inniags in one of the big contests. He did not bowl in the five representative matches between South Africa and the Englishmen, although he topped the bowling averages for the tour with 14 wickets for an averaee of 13.21. Bowley is the only professional who has made 2000 runs for Sussex in a season. In county cricket he has been consistently successful, reaping a harvest of wickets and giving valuable service with the bat. Bowley said yesterday that he was a trifle disappointed with his figures for the 1925 season, which ware his worst in recent years. It seemed that ill-luck was dogging him all the way. Referring to the recent tour of the Australians in England, Bowley said he did not see the test matches, ail he was playing in county games. He played, of course, against the visitors in the Sussex match. Bowley thought that the Australians' batting was as good as ever, and undoubtedly the bowling was weaker. Arthur Mailey was the best bowler in tho team, with Clarence Grimmett, the exNew Eealander, next. The fast bowlers, Gregory and Everett, were very disappointing and seemed unsuited to the English wickets. New Zealanders' Visit to England. Asked whether the long-awaited, revival in the standard of English cricket bad yet arrived, Bowley replied that England was "holding her own," but he would not say that there had been a very definite improvement in recent years. "We beat the Australians in the tests," he added, "but it was a closer thing than the figures show." Discussing the rising generation of cricketers, Bowley referred particularly to Larwood, of Notts. With careful nursing Larwood would develop into an exceptionally fine bowler. Larwood played against Australia in the second and fifth tests. Referring to the proposed visit of a New Zoaland team to England next year, Bowley pointed out that he knew nothing vet regarding our players. He thonght, however, that the team should do reasonably well, since conditions in England and in New Zealand were somewhat similar. "Send your best men," he eaid, "irrespective of whether they wo young men or veterans. You will probably find that your most valuable players will b« men of about 34 years of age, and three or four such men in the team will exert a steadying influence." Bowley is at present suffering from a oold, which he contracted early on the voyage to New Zealand. Otherwise he is feeling very fit, and is looking forward with enthusiasm to starting in hi« new sphere of activities. It ia piobable that he will make his debut in Auckland circket in a match to he played at King's I College to-morrow afternoon.

It is Interesting to note that thiu is not Bowleg's firet coaching engagement as he performed in a similar capacity at Kimberley, South Africa, in 1921, 1922 and 1923. Bowley plaits to return to England in time to play, for Suesex in the opening game of next season at the beginning of May.