CRICKET TOUR

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22723, 8 May 1937, Page 13

CRICKET TOUR

NEW ZEALAND TEAM MEMORABLE WELCOME HIS MAJESTY'S MESSAGE FORMER VISITS RECALLED By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright LONDON, May 6 Three hundred guests, representing the flower of British spoi-ting life, gathered at the Savoy Hotel to-day when, the British Sportsman's Club gave a luncheon to the New Zealand cricketers, who will open their tour against Surrey, at the Oval, on Saturday. Lord Desborough presided, and among those present were:' —Mr. M. J. Savage, New Zealand Prime Minister, Mr. W. J. Jordan, High Commissioner, and the athletes Dr. A. E. Porritt and Mr. J. E. Lovelock, His Majesty sent a message heartily welcoming the team, and wishing its members a pleasant and successful tour.

The chairman paid a tribute to the visitors, and said the traditions of cricket would be safe in their hands. Mr. H. D. G. Leveson-Gower, president and chairman of the Surrey County Club, in proposing the toast of the team, said most pleasant memories were treasured of the two previous sides of 1927 and 1931. With such a tradition the present team was bound to play attractive cricket. He had happy recollections of the New Zealanders' play when here before, particularly their fielding and wicketkeeping, which were of the highest class.

Mr. Leveson-Gower terminated his remarks with the statement that the visitors had arrived in a 3 T ear when brighter cricket was demanded, and lie knew that they would not fail in that respect. Mr. T. C. Lowry, manager of the New Zealand team (who was captain of the 1927 and 1931 sides), in responding, said the 1937 team primarily was touring to play cricket, but he realised that it also was on a goodwill mission. He warned observers not to expect too much from a combination of amateur club cricketers. He said newspapers all over the world were devoting a lot of space to the urging of brighter batting. "The newspapers are setting us the standard of Bradman and Hammond at their best," continued Mr. Lowry, "and are teaching the public to expect play of their high class, which coming cricketers cannot possibly reach. It is too much to ask. We will try to play as brightly as we can, but we are not going to sacrifice any game to attain this end." Mr. Tom Webster, noted cartoonist, decorated the menu with amusing sketches as a souvenir for players who attended this memorable gathering. The New Zealand cricket team will open its tour to-day with the match against Surrey. The match will be continued on Monday and Tuesday, and is to be played on the Kennington Oval, ' one of London's two famous cricket (Grounds. Surrey should provide a thorough test for the_ tourists. It occupied sixth position in the county championship last season, and was one of the .strongest batting sides. The jN\' w Zealand touring team of 1927 played a drawn game against Surrey. N^ v Zealand scored 313 and 371. Surrey .replied with 377 and 284 for eight wicktf ts - The 1931 New Zealand touring si<V did not play against next match to be played by the tourists will be a three-days contest against M.C.C. at lord's, commencing on Wednesday. The V st of three test matches will be commenced at Lord's on June 26, and will be limited to three days.