OUR CRICKETERS

Southland Times, Issue 20200, 10 June 1927, Page 3

OUR CRICKETERS

THE VOYAGE HOME. BRITISH SPORTSMEN’S WELCOME. A FLATTERING RECEPTION. The voyage of the New Zealand cricketers and the reception accorded the tourists on their arrival in England are dealt with in letters received from the London correspondent of the “Evening Post.” The function at which the New Zealanders were welcomed in England was a notable one, and the occasion for a flattering reception to the Dominion’s cricketers. The journey from New Zealand was a thoroughly enjoyable one. The Tahiti, by which the New Zealand team travelled, called at Tahiti and Rarotonga. At the latter place they were met and entertained by the Administrator of the Island, who presented them to the King of Rarotonga. Here, too, they played a game of cricket against the local team, mainly consisting of native players, who hit very hard, but otherwise were not quite experts at the game. ACROSS AMERICA. At San Francisco the New Zealanders gained their first experience of American official methods. There appears to have been only one migration officer, and all the passengers were not passed until six hours after the vessel had been berthed. They had enough time, however, to see something of the city and to visit Golden Gate Park, a public recreation ground of 1000 acres which has been reclaimed from barren mud. This was on Good Friday. That night they entrained, and travelled across the Continent, arriving at Chicago early on the following Tuesday. Here they were entertained at luncheon by the Rotary Club. The same night they went on to Toronto. Wednesday morning was spent looking round the town, and then the team entrained for Niagara Falls, where four hours were spent. By the Thursday morning they were in New York. Two days and two nights here gave the visitors time to see a good deal of the city. ARRIVAL IN ENGLAND. The journey across the Atlantic was a calm one, and the time was pleasantly filled in with deck games and dancing. Southampton was reached on the morning of April 29, and the team went on to London direct. The change of plans, providing for the team going straight to headquarters instead of remaining in the South of England for two days was wise. Apart from the convenience to the team, it enabled C. F. W. Allcott, who was suffering from a sprained foot, to consult a specialist. WELCOMED OFFICIALLY. At Southampton the party was welcomed officially by the Mayor who had with him Sir Russell Bencraft, Colonel J. G. Greig (secretary of the Hampshire County Cricket Club), and Mr. Swan. In a general interview Mr. T. C. Lowry, the captain, said: As it is the first time a party of cricketers from New Zealand has visited England, there is much to be learned, and possibly unlearned. Ten years’ cricket in New’ Zealand is only about equal to a season over here. The opportunities for practice are considerably curtailed, as after 6 o’clock it becomes too dark, there being no twilight. Then, again, matches only take place on Saturdays. Still, there is no doubt the game is steadily forging ahead. The team has the advantage of youth, the average age being 24, with the youngest member only 18. We have only fourteen men.” TAKING CHANCES. Mr. R. C. Blunt was suffering from a strained ligament in the right hand. He said that it did not interfere with his batting, but it was awkward when bowling leg-breaks. He added: “We are all looking forward to visiting Lord’s, as cricketers all over the world regard it with reverence. We also want to see Hobbs in action at the Oval —cjhd will probably spend a good deal of time chasing the ball when he is batting. The team will be out to play its natural game and to take chances rather than play for safety. Most of our batsmen are of the aggressive rather than the defensive type. .We realise that we have much to learn about the finer points of the game.” Saturday, the first day in London, was spent largely in shopping, but a number of the team attended an Association football match —Arsenal v. Birmingham—at the Arsenal ground as the guests of Major Sir Samuel Hill-Wood. On Monday they had their first introduction to. Lord’s Cricket Ground, and for two days they practised at the nets.