“MONDAY: PRACTICE”

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12424, 19 April 1926, Page 7

“MONDAY: PRACTICE”

v AUSTRALIAN CRICKETERS WILL LOSE NO TIME ENGLAND KEENLY INTERESTED VISITORS’ EVERY MOVEMENT RECORDED IN THE PRESS The Australian cricketer, are being given the publicity usually received for film stars and champion boxers, hut so far they are leaving their manager to do the talking. He says the team if confident, but knows there will be a great fight for victory in the Tests, and—practice begins to-day.

By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received April 18, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, April 17. The newspapers are giving prominence to the arrival of the Australian cricketers in Paris. Reporters were sent post-haste to interview Gregory, Macartney, and Mailey, who were reported earlier to be coming to London in advance of the team. Gregory was first to arrive, and Macartney and Mailey left later. It was at first suggested that they should fly to London, but the idea was abandoned, as the manager, Sydney Smith, declaimed he did not wish to 1 risk a vanguard attack by air. The “Daily Express” gives prominence to Gregory’s arrival alone, saying: “His sunburned face is a good sight for a Londoner/to look upon.” The “Daily Herald” welcomes the Australians, adding: “Noble, Hill, Bardsley and Kelleway have done their best to beat any team England may choose. Their efforts .might rightly be termed ‘boosting,’ and as the world knows it is not always the ‘boosted’ team that wine. It does not matter, really, who wins, so long as the game is fair and attractive.”

Macartney arrived later. He said he was looking forward to .“four months’ hard labour—the harder it is the better I shall be pleased.” According to the “Daily Chronicle,” Macartney went to bed early, after a troubled Channel crossing, but Gregory had no sooner unpacked than he went visiting. The party was preceded hy the faithful Ferguson, who is making his tenth international tour as scorer and hag-gage-master. SIGHT-SEEING IN PARIS (Received April 18, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, April If!. Londoners are excited at the arrival of the cricketers from Paris this afternoon. A great reception is being prepared, and the newspapers are lull of photographs and articles. In the meantime, there is the very keenest interest in the doings of the vanguard, Gregory and Macartney, who proved most elusive. Both escap. ed from the Hotel Cecil early yester day morning for the purpose of evading callers, and Macartney is not expected back at the hotel until tonight.

The rest of the team have been sight-seeing in Paris, and it is reported thev saw everything from the famous dancer Mistmguelte (whose legs, it is reported, are insured for £200,000) to Napoleon’s tomb. Y'esterday, during a hailstorm the cricketers placed a wreath on the tomb of the Unknown Warrior, and then visited the British spOTts centre in Paris, “We will arrive in England without an alibi,” said Mr Smith, “and then make up for lost time in hard lirae. tico. The first match at Maidenhead will find all in good form. As far as the outcome of the Tests is concerned, I can only say we are confident. We feel we are up against the fight of our lives, but Australians are best when up against odds.” “SEE MR SMITH” Members of the team avoid worry hy referring interviewers to the manager “See Mr Smith,” has become a by-word with the team. Everything and everyone are referred to Mr Smith, It remains to be seen whether the Smith barricade will withstand the London journalists’ assault, but the “General orders—No. 1” by Mr Smith are as follows:—

“Monday : Practice at Lords.” Cecil Kelleway, broadcasting from EX27O, said: “England will hold Australia, man for, man, in the first five places; in fact, England may be just a shade better. There comes the problem oft the old lion’s tail, but the kangaroo scratches his head and, looking at his bowlers, says: ‘They hat fairly well, but do they bowl well enough to get England out?’ ” Kelleway thinks the balance of fielding favours England, and that on fielding the whole results of the Teats may depend. “BOOSTING” AUSTRALIAN FRUIT Arrangements have been made fot the Australian sricketers to attend a reception at Australia House on Mon. day, to participate in an amusing fruit advertising scheme. They will be lined up and photographed, each man munching an Australian apple. Apart from the publicity gained by the photograph appearing in the Press, it will later on he distributed to 30,000 retailers all over the country with the captain: “An Australian apple a day takes the ‘Ashes’ away.”.