SOMEONE PASSED A “DOUBLE-HEADER” TO H. L. COLLINS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17836, 3 May 1926, Page 9

SOMEONE PASSED A “DOUBLE-HEADER” TO H. L. COLLINS.

By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.—Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assn. (Received May 3, noon.) LONDON, May 2.

Speaking at a dinner at the Leicester County Club to the Australians, H. L. Collins related an amusing incident of the team’s first match at Maidenhead when he was

snapped by a Press photographer tossing a coin. Subsequently, the photographer told Collins to keep the coin, as he could not lose the toss with it. Surprised, Collins inspected the coin, and found it a “ double header.” Sir Arthur Hazelrigg, in proposing the toast of the visitors, suggested, in view of the team’s absence of a tail, that the national emblem, the kangaroo, should be crossed with a Manx cat. He hoped, however, that the product would not have nine lives. England could not afford that.

Mr P. F. Warner said that he feared that if England did not win the tests he would certainly be stoned to death. Picking a team was like a jig-saw puzzle Leicester’s eleventh man, Armstrong, is a new player from Loughboro. Last season he took 100 wickets and averaged 51 in the best Leicestershire club cricket.

WAS THE WICKET FIT FOR PLAY?

By Telegraph.—Press Association.—Copyright.—“ Sydney Sun ” Cable. (Received May 3, 1 p.m.) LONDON, May 2.

“ Leicestershire is willing, but the Australians are shy ” is how a correspondent of the “ Weekly Dispatch ” sums up the situation. “ The wicket was fit enough at five in the afternoon under clear skies for even 1 nothing-venture ’ cricketers. Canny Collins turned on his heel after glancing at the wicket in 1 the afternoon as if he had vowed beforehand not to tolerate discussion about play. The Leicester captain and players throughout remained expectantly in the dressing-room.”

WICKET DRYING. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—-Copyright. " Sydney Sun ” Cable. (Rceived Mav 3. 2 p.m.) LONDON, May 1. If the weather continues fine, the pitch should be in excellent condition.

The wicket is already dry, and the outfield is drying rapidly under the influence of a good wind. The Australian team still finds the bleak winds trying. County cricket commenced, but owing to adverse -weather only Yorkshire and Essex were able o play. Yorkshire lost four wickets for 119 runs on the first day.