ENGLISH CRICKET TOUR

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22712, 26 October 1935, Page 18

ENGLISH CRICKET TOUR

NEW ZEALAND SOCIETY’S LUNCHEON MR E. R. T. HOLMES ON HIS TEAM EXCELLENT FIELDERS CFkom Ouk Own Correspondent) (By Air Mail) LONDON, September 28. Yesterday the New Zealand Society entertained at luncheon the members of the M.C.C. team which is going out to play in Australia and New Zealand. The luncheon was in the Savoy Hotel, and about 120 were present. In the absence, of the High Commissioner, Mr C. J. Wray occupied the chair. The captain (Mr E. R. T. Holmes) sat on the right of the chairman, and the remainder of the team, were interspersed among other guests at the top table. These included Viscount Cobham, General Sir Alexander Godley, the Earl of Lucan, Sir J. E. Kynaston Studd, Sir P. Stanley Jackson, Viscount Hampden, Mr A. P. P. Chapman,- Mr P. F. Warner and Mr H. D. G. Leveson-Gower. The full list of the team is as follows: —Mr E, R, T. Holmes (captain), the Hon. C. J. Lyttelton (vice-captain), Mr J. H. Human, Mr A. G. Powell, Mr S. Q. Griffith, Mr A. D. Baxter, Mr H. D. Read, Mr J. Langridge, Mr J. H. Parks,' Mr D. Smith, Mr J.Hardstaff, Mr J. Sims, Mr W. Barber'and Mr M. M. MitchellInnes. Mr Wray read a telegram from Sir James Parr, who, he said, was a member of a team engaged in a very serious pursuit at Geneva. Lord Liverpool, in his apology, said he was presiding bn the Bench to try 72 cases of exceeding the speed limit. “We hope,” said Mr Wray, “ that our people in New Zealand will give you something like the welcome that you have always given to bur New Zealand cricket' teams, and particularly to our football teams. I have been with the Rugby team for a few days and have enjoyed the' hospitality shown to them, and it has been almost too much for me.” Mr Arthur Sims, representative, in England of the New Zealand Cricket Council, proposing the health of the captain, Mr E. R. T. Holmes, • and- the team, said he thought that they would have a very good time!, seeing fresh parts of the world and playing a great game with the vigour of youth, eager to win their spurs but nevertheless free from care. With all his gifts as a cricketer and a captain, Mr Holmes would have also some responsibilities. He might be a little nervous of playing in Australia, but he could assure him that the authorities of Australian cricket were only too eager to forget past controversies. He might feel at first a little diffident and a little anxious, but with a team that contained no old stagers' he had just the side for a tour of New Zealand, where every cricketer was otherwise occupied five days and a-half a week, and where only a few enjoyed the luxury of a few four-day matches each season. New Zealand at present did not pretend to full test match efficiency, but it was preferable in a way to be able to go into the field at Lord’s with nothing to lose and everything to gain. One of the duties of Mr Holmes as captain would be to see, if possible, that in the “ picnic ”, matches his team was batting on the local half holiday; This was not always easy to arrange. It was sometimes difficult to let Hie opposition survive the morning play. He told an amusing story of M. A. Noble, who, thinking that his bowlers were getting the other side out too quickly, put himself on, only to take three wickets in two overs. He had rediscovered a long-lost swerve! New Zealand cricket, Mr Sima continued, owed a great debt of gratitude to the M.C.G., and New Zealand was now assured of a visit every four years from the full English test side. He was sorry that it had not been possible for Mr W. Findlay, the M.C.C. secretary, to go to New Zealand. CRICKET AS IT SHOULD BE PLAYED. Mr Holmes, replying, read & telegram from the New Zealand Rugby team: “Best wishes for your New Zealand cricket tour. May you have as happy a time as we are having in Great Britain.” If the present luncheon was the hors d’ceuvre of the hospitality they would receive from New Zealanders, Mr Holmes continued, the rest of the tnehu would be most satisfactory. They were fortunate in that they would be playing a match at Colombo and five matches in Australia before they went on ■to New Zealand. He was. certain every member of his team was looking forward as much as he was to these five matches in Australia, “Mr Sims,” eaid Mr Holmes,” has expressed one or two doubts as to my own feelings with regard to Australia. Now I can only say that possibly there has been a hatchet to bury. If we can possibly bury it let us do so. “Our main objective is New Zealand, and I know every member of my side is looking forward to the visit with the greatest enthusiasm. I feel that no cricket team can go touting in another country without leaving behind a most pronounced impression. The South Africans have returned home and the impression left on our minds is that they were extremely good cricketers and really very great sportsmen. I feel that they have almost struck a new note in international cricket, and we are very grateful to them for what they have done. ' “It is our turn to go touring and I am sure that we, like the South Africans, will not lose sight of the fact that we are playing a game. We will remember on this tour we are playing cricket for cricket’s sake. With regard to our own side, we are, I believe, the youngest side that has ever set sail on a tour from this country. The average age is slightly over 26 years. We intend to play the cricket which we all enjoy playing, and which is the type of cricket which people like to watch. • "MAGNIFICENT FIELDERS.” “I know we can bat well, and we can bowl well. In the field we are quite a good side. In fact, in fielding it is no exaggeration whatever to say we are really a magnificent side. I should like to be able to say we are the finest fielding side that has ever left these shores. We are young, and we are keen. It will take a little time to settle down. Youth is in our favour, and I think we shall settle down as quickly as can be expected. “We are going to play this cricket game. We are very anxious to win, but it is not of vital importance we should win. We shall do our utmost, but if we are not successful we will not be unduly upset. “ I personally intend to enjoy my cricket on this tour, and it is my earnest hope that the other members of the team will enjoy their cricket as much as I intend to enjoy captaining the team.” The team sails to-day by the Orion, and will be away from England for seven months. They are certainly a fine looking lot of men, everyone six feet of over.