CRICKET.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16411, 27 April 1921, Page 7

CRICKET.

THE AUSTRALIAN TEAM. ENTERTAINED IN LONDON. By Teieg-c&ph—Pr«s Assoclat'.en—Copyright. Australian »nd N.Z. Cable Association. (Received April 27, 9.15 a.m.' LONDON, April 26. Sir Newton Moore presided at the Australian and Now Zealand Club’s luncheon to tho Australian cricket team in the Connaught Rooms. He rood a letter from Lord Hawke apologising for his absence, and congratulating the team on its success in the Test Matches in Australia, and adding: " » am eure they will forgive roe if I express the hope that they will not h>o ao successful over here.’ Sir Newton Moore proposed the health of the team. He said lie had received « letter from General Bird wood in which bo expressea delight that the team contained, a. large number of Australian soldiers. Lord Harris, in supporting the toast, expressed the opinion that Mr Hughes had had a great deal to say in the selection of 1921 for tho Imperial Conference, and he showed great wisdom in choosing the aama year us that in which tho Toets were to be played iu England. Ho (Lord Harris) knew that Armstrong’s team t laved the game iu the ! finest tone, and therefore he cordially welcomed them. He congratulated them on their magnificent perforniancee. and was convinced that in a short period English cricket, would regain tho prestige damaged by the w&t. Ho wished the Australians an enjoyable season, with a, moderate amount oi success. Mr P. F. Warner, in a roc*.* speech, in which he recalled personal incidents in connection v/ith his visits to Australia, paid a high trfrute to Armstrong as a sportsman. Ho claimed some credit in discovering Gregory for Australia. It was a Gregory who brought tho first eleven to England in IS7A The real reason why Australia, with a population of five millions, could hold its own with England’s forty-five millions, was Australia’s extraordinary cricket- * ing oourage in tight corners. Mr A. O. M’Laren also spoke, saying that : his moat charming matches were those with j the Australians, who always p Lay ad tbe ga-ine. He had played more than lixty innings against Australia, and never left the crease dissatisfied with any decision. ' One reason,” he as id, “ was because they always bowled me out.” It wns a very great shock to the English that, during the recent tour, one or two players expressed dissatisfaction with decisions against them. To-dav Australia had only three umpires, against England’s thirty, but tfie Auatralians always umpired fairly. TV. TV. Armstrong, in responding to the toast, said it was grand to bo welcomed by so many Australians. He tad r.ot time to say rcuch, because the- wanted a lot oi practice. Alluding to the umpiring, he said there were never two fairer umpires than these who acted in Australia, during tho recent tour. Ho paid a tribute to Mr J. TV. Douglas, whose team was highly popular, and who pulled together. He did not agree with the rumours to the contraryin England. “Johnny” (Douglas), he said, ” always played the game on and off the field. We would h a. ve beaten England, whoever captained them, Warner, MacLiren, cr anyone else.” Although Australia had a young and confident team, be was not over-confident of boating England under the new conditions. Mr Sydney Smith, the manager of the team, also responded.