MAY VISIT N.Z.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 492, 29 June 1932, Page 5

MAY VISIT N.Z.

Maharajah’s Private Cricket Team. NO GUARANTEE WANTED. Duleepsinhji, the Nawab of Pataudi and other well-known players may visit New Zealand in the season 193334 with a team of Indian cricketers, the private team of his Highness the Maharajah of Dhiraj of Patiala. An announcement to this effect was made at a meeting of the New Zealand Cricket Council last evening, but it was made clear that the arrangement is conditional, as negotiations have already been entered into for another side to tour New Zealand in that season. If that tour does not eventuate, the Maharajah’s iteam will be invited to the Dominion. A letter from Mr F. A. Tarrant, an old Middlesex County cricketer, now coaching in India, said: — “ The Maharajah of Patiala has asked me to write to the New Zealand Board of Cricket Control. He wants to bring his own private cricket team to tour New Zealand in 1933, arriving in New Zealand in December, to play eight to twelve matches. He wants no guarantee, but the same division of the gate money as other touring sides. The team would include Duleepsinhji, and the Nawab of Pataudi, and the pick of the Indian team that is touring England this year. They would also play the usual matches in Australia. It would be a really good side, composed af amateurs, with myself as manager. Will you please place this before your Board of Control?” The reply sent to Mr Tarrant by the :ouncil stated that the Maharajah’s ;eam would be very welcome in New Zealand at the time stated, but an invitation would depend on the result of . legotiations already in train for the visit of another side to. New Zealand. 1