AUSTRALIAN CRICKETERS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20379, 10 April 1928, Page 9

AUSTRALIAN CRICKETERS.

STATEMENT BY MANAGER. NEW ZEALAND COUNCIL EULOGISED. (Feb United Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH. April 9. Before leaving by the ferry steamer this evening, Mr W. C. Bull, the manager of the Australian , cricket team, handed to the press the following statement;— “ Thanks to the New Zealand Council, we have had a truly wonderful tour, and have all enjoyed 'ourselves immensely. The tour has certainly been a strenuous one ag far as travelling was concerned, but an Australian team is always willing to do its fair share of travelling provided it is going to be beneficial to New Zealand cricket. We are all perfectly delighted with our stay in New Zealand. In an interview given to a pressman in Dunedin after the final test match, I stated that I thought the programme was badly planned, but in doing so I did not mean in any way to discredit the New Zealand Cricket Council, as I now realise the difficulties placed in its way to try to please everybody, and its difficult task in arranging a programme which wo-dd not clash with various local events, and I believe that the council, taking everything into consideration, has done the best possible. As for my statement that I thought the minor associations should be eliminated in future tours, this suggestion was made so that two or three stronger matches could be inserted in the programme; but, as pointed out by Mr Reese in a press interview, the minor associations provide one-third of the money necessary for financing tours through New Zealand, and they ore the only associations which will take mid-week matches. An Australian team would always be willing to play a certain number of minor association matches, and would take pleasure in doing so it the playing of such matches would assist the New Zealand Cricket Council materially to finance tire tour. In conclusion, I wish sincerely to thank the New Zealand Cricket Council, which is composed of a body of men who are doing wonderful work for the grand old game in New Zealand, for the most enjoyable and excellent time wc have had in New Zealand during the past two months.”