A SATISFIED MANAGER.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19692, 20 January 1926, Page 8

A SATISFIED MANAGER.

CRICKETERS’ SUCCESSFUL TOUR.

AUSTRALIAN VISIT DISCUSSED

WELLINGTON, January 19.

Mr J. F. Peake, manager of the New Zealand cricket team, who returned by the Maunganui to-day says: ‘ ‘The Australians thought a lot more of our cricket when we left than 'when we arrived there. The tour has been successful from every point of view. We seem to have pleased everybody and wo are quite satisfied ourselves that the public of Australia have readied the opinion that our cricket is better than they thought it was. W© scored our runs quicker on the average than they did, and we were greatly complimented by noted men, such as Giffin, Lyons and Jones of .Adelaide, on the way wo went for the bowling. We certainly showed improved form as we went on, and it tvas a little unfortunate that we could not have a minor match before we opened at Brisbane, because our men were tired —more tired when they got up than when thev went to bed. All the boys have returned better cricketers than they went away, and they have gained in experience and temperament. “We tad splendid weather and the conduct of the team, both on and off the field, was exemplary. They treated us very well everywhere. At Adelaide, for instance, they gave up the whole proceeds of the gate, instead of the 75 per cent, arranged upon. Although the Australians are enthusiastic about cricket, I do not think they are more so than re are here. Our match in Brisbane, with 250,000 of a population to draw on, resulted in a gate of £2BO, while a match at Wellington, with a Victorian or even a Canterbury team, would take £9OO. We have done better in scoring than ever before. In 1915-14 only one century was scored, but on this tour we scored 10 centuries, making 4163 runs all told for 108 wickets, while our onnonents scored 4060 runs for 127 Kvickets.’' While Mr Peake would not discuss the finances of the tour at any length, he said he expected the tour to cost between £7OO and £BOO. “We are not coming back quit© bankrupt,” he concluded.

ACCORDED CIVIC RECEPTION. (Pub United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, January 19. The New Zealand cricketers who returned from Australia by the Maunganui today were accorded a civic reception. The Mayor, Mr Norwood, the Prime Minister (the Hon J. G- Coates), and Sir Francis Bell congratulated the members on their, excellent achievements and splendid behaviour on and off the field.