CRICKET TOUR

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23023, 28 April 1938, Page 13

CRICKET TOUR

AUSTRALIAN TEAM BANQUET IN LONDON WARM WELCOME GIVEN CORDIALITY OF SPEECHES By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright LONDON. April 26 In the Egyptian Hall of the Mansion House, where Australians and other cricketers since 1880 have been entertained, the Lord Mayor, Sir Harry Twyford, gave a banquet to the Australian touring team. The guests included cricketers from all over the country, Rupert Howard and most of the members of Allen's team, also Jardine, Viscount Nuffield and the Australian airman Mr. H. F. Broadbent.

Sir Harry, in toasting the visitors, recalled that he had played cricket at Hongkong, Cochin-China, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand. If international negotiations were conducted in the spirit of British cricket, they would be more successful. If Australia won the coming test matches cheers would be as loud in England as in Sydney and Melbourne. The Lord Mayor said cricket was mentioned in the King's Library at Windsor as early as 1300, and in the reign of Edward IV. citizens were fined for practising it instead of archery. Bradman's Response to Toast

The Australian captain, D. G. Bradman. in responding, said: "I am still hoping to meet the man who wants autographs for himself and not for his nieces and nephews." Referring to the request for an additional player and the presence of Mr. Broadbent, Bradman suggested that Mr. Broadbent might usefully be employed in the next few weeks flying backward and forward bringing the team up to strength. It would be an economic disaster if international cricket was stopped. "Think of the employment it gives and' think of the benefit to the British and Australian tourist trade," he said. Mr. Jeanes, manager of the team, referring to the menu containing the sweet "Bombe Bradman," congratulated the chef on the appropriateness of the title considering Bradman's explosive qualities. Limitless Game Deprecated Sir Stanley Jackson said he did not think the good health of cricket depended upon the welfare of first-class cricket. In sympathising with Barnes, he reminded him that patience and fortitude were among the lessons to be learned from cricket. "Some of the newspapers have done their best to prepare us for the worst," said Sir Stanley, "but the mystery ball customarily associated with the Australians has not yet been announced. Maybe I am old-fashioned but I do not like limitless cricket. I wish you would get rid of it in Australia. It would be good for the game." The performing artists included Peter Dawson. PRACTICE AT THE NET 1 FORM OF THE PLAYERS FAVOURABLE COMMENT FIRST MATCH ON SATURDAY LONDON, April 26 As Wednesday's practice is optional, says the cricket writer of the Australian Associated Press, the Australians have only four full-dress practices before the first match at Worcester on April 30. In spite of 'nine days in London Bradman apparently does not attach much importance to net form, relying on the relatively comfortable matches at Worcester, Oxford, Leicester and Cambridge to prepare for the more serious trial against Marylebone at Lord's on May 14. Chipperfield, who flourishes in English conditions, has made an excellent impression with his batting. O'Reilly's bowling form is encouraging, his legbreaks lifting and turning sharply. He practised bowling to-day at a single stump without a batsman. The Daily Mail says FleetwoodSmith appears to bowl with a lower trajectory and more accuracy than when he was last in England. Ward spins the ball with great violence, something like Mitchell, of Derbyshire, and keeps an improved length.

LOSS OP BARNES SUBSTITUTE QUESTION SUGGESTIONS IN THE PRESS LONDON, April 26 The Daily Mail's writer of sporting .gossip'suggests that if the Australians are really hard up for a player to replace Barnes, their S.O.S. need not travel further than England's cricket press boxes, where Woodfull and Oldfield are both sitting, or, if neither of these old campaigners is fancied, he suggests that the Oxonian, Kimpton, could bo asked to lend a hand. Kimpton is a first-rate, stylish batsman, a good bowler and a useful wicketkeeper. He played in the Gentlemen v. Players match last summer and is up to test standard. This writer adds: "However, nobody can blame Bradman and Jeanes for trying to protect themselves against possible emergency."