CRICKET TOUR

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 18961, 11 March 1936, Page 7

CRICKET TOUR

THE M.C.C. TEAM

POPULARITY OF PLAYERS

HOLMES A FINE LEADER

“When the names ol the Marylebone Cricket Club team to visit New Zealand were announced, we at once realised that it was a good side,” said Mr. J). Reese, president of the New Zealand Cricket Council, at, an afternoon tea given to the New Zealand and visiting teams by the Cricket Council. "Mr. Holmes bad already a reputation cl being a great leader in the game, and on this tour he lias shown how to lead his side in making the game bright and interesting. “In New Zealand we have never had a team which lias proved itself bettei mixers both on the ncld and off. When you return 1 hope that you will use your inlluence to spread a knowledge of New Zealand, and I hope that, whatever impressions you have formed ol our country and its people, you will realise that New Zealand is. a place where cricket is played as it should be played and where English teams arc always welcome.”

VISITORS PRAISED

Mr. A. T. Donnelly, chairman of the management committee of the council, said that lie had nothing but praise for the way in which Mr. Holmes and members ol the team had helped in the management of the tour. Every request that had been made to them Had been acceded to. The tour was a cl iHi cult one with the weather and travelling, and many things which lie had not liked to ’ask of the visitors had been done.

“I can say quite confidently that no more charming team has come from England to these shores,” said Mr. Donnelly. “I was very pleased to sec both teams take the game as a sport and not as a competition.” “Before we left England til© New Zealand Club gave us a luncheon, and [ said then that I was sure that we would be sorry to say good-bye to New Zealand when the time came,” said Mr. E. R. T. Holmes, captain of the M.C.C. team. “The tour has been an experience which will last forever in our memories, and we can never forget your hospitality, the friendships, and, I must say it, your weather. For 10 out ot the 18 games it lias interfered with the matches.”

CAPTA INkS APPRECIATION

Mr. Holmes said that lie wished to convey lus very genuine thanks to all wlio m any way had been responsible for the arrangements of the tour, lit made special mention of Messrs. Don nelly and W. H. Winsor. Mr. Donnelly had done many things for the team wfiicli the members would probably never hear of.

' We have tried to play the game in a free and easy way, but coulu not uo so oil Saturday. Ine batsmen were playing to orders and were told that they were not to get out. it was perhaps, as has been said, a compliment to New Zealand cricket. The team haci enjoyed every match of the tour, and, whereas representative cricket in England and elsewhere was not always enjoyable, the matches against the New Zealand teams had all been great run. From a personal point of view he had got on very well with Mr. Cromb, and on the five times that they had been rival captains, they had never disagreed about procedure.” Finally Mr, Holmes paid a tribute to the members of his own team and said no captain of a touring team ever had an easier task.

I. B. CYomb, captain of the New Zealand team, also spoke, lie referred briefly to the excellent spirit which had existed in all the matches on the field as well as off.

RAIN ON WRONG DAYS

NO INSURANCE MONEY OPENING 1 OF TEST GAMES (Per Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, this day. Insurance for the gate receipts was (taken out by the New Zealand Cricket Council for the four games against the touring Marvleboiie Cricket Club team •for the first arid second days only of each match. As the weather was fine for the two opening days in each match, the council did not, collect any insurance money at all, there being no insurance on the third days of the games. • Thus the council has received no compensation for breaks in the games'owing to bad weather.