CRICKET AT HOME

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16491, 8 November 1927, Page 7

CRICKET AT HOME

NEW ZEALANDERS' VISIT GREAT BENEFITS DERIVED LOWRY GIVES HIS IMPRESSIONS. (Per Presa Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. Interviewed last evening, Lowry said that'after the first month in England, when Allcott came into the team, there had been practically no trouble through sickness or injury. In fact, nobody had had a day's sickness in England. The team, the captain continued, had been very well received and entertained throughout, and created quite a considerable amount of public interest, chiefly because they got their runs a good deal quicker than most other sides. He thought that the English people would be pleased to see the New Zealanders again, probably in 1931, and if another tour was undertaken two-day matches, he considered, should be cut out. There had been a great deal of travelling on this tour, but after the first month some relief was provided in the spells .afforded by rain interfering with the progress of play. There was talk, he said, of a test game being provided for the New Zealanders on their next visit, " but I think it would be better to start on some of the Australian sides first."

Lowry added that there was no doubt that the public of England had been interested, and the team apparently had done better than they expected. The lour would undoubtedlVjbo for the good of the game in New Zealand, and further progress, he pointed out, depended a good deal upon the support given by the public here to the game. Of courso there, was much more time for play in England, and the grounds and conditions were better. PROSPECTS FOR. THE ASHES. The. people in England took more interest, in cricket than the people of New Zealand did in Rugby football. The game'was taught thoroughly right from the schools, where cricket was a compulsory part of the activities, and it was no uncommon sight to see hundreds of children on various grounds plajing their games of cricket. Women, too, were very interested in the game. Referring again td the hospitality extended to the team, Lowry paid a tribute to the New Zealanders in London for their keen interest in the team, and also for their generous spirit in making n presentation to each member of the side.

Discussing English cricket, ho mentioned that there were now fewer good amateurs playing, and there were no outstanding new howlers, while some of the bowlers who were good a year ago had lost some ;>f their nip. There were several very good batsmen, notablv Jardine, Chapman, and Hammond. Regarding the next., contests for the Ashes, most people in Australia and England considered England would win. Jupp was a great bowler, and he also was impressed by Rhodes, who, although 50 years of age, was England's best slow bowler. Bacnes, Wright, and Freeman had also bowled exceedingly well against the New Zealanders, but Larwood had played against them on n uol wicket, to which, of course, he is not suited.