‘TIRED” MC C. ELEVEN LANDS AT AUCKLAND

Wanganui Chronicle, 10 March 1947, Page 6

‘TIRED” MC C. ELEVEN LANDS AT AUCKLAND

“AUSTRALIANS HAD BETTER PLAYERS” (P.A.) Auckland. March 9 The English cricket team, led by W. R. Hammond, arrived in Auckland from Sydney by air on Saturday. From Hammond down, the team was a notably silent band as it filed off the plane and through the Customs. Major R. Howard, manager, agreed that the members of the team were somewhat tired. "The tour has been going for six months, you know," he

said, ‘‘but they were all looking forward to their visit to New Zealand. Members of the team are: Hammond, who is 43, bi. W. D. Yardley (vice-captain) 32, D. V. P. Wright 32, T. P. B. Smith 33, W. J. Edrich 30, C. Washbrook 32, D. C. Compton 29, G. Evans 26, A. V. Bedser 29, J. 1. Ikin 28, L. B. Fishlock 40, W. E. Voce 36, and C. Pollard 35. Hammond, Yardley, Wright and Smith are amateurs and the remainder professionals. Major Howard was formerly of the South Lancashire Regiment ano now is secretary of the Lancashire County Cricket Club. He said there were no excuses offered for the three defeats suffered in live test matches witn Australia. The Australians simply had better players, he said.

ENGLISH PRESSMEN OFFLOADED FROM TASMAN FLTiNU-BOAT

Recd. 5.5 p.m. Sydney, March 9 Four English pressmen, including the former Test wicketkeeper, George Duckworth, were off-loaded at the last minute from the flying-boat that carried the M.C.C. cricketers to New Zealand to-day. The men expressed bitter anger when, instead of travelling with the team, thev had to wave them good-bye when the plane took off at 7 o’clock.

“This is hard to beat,” said Vivian Jenkins, of the “News of the World.” “It is scandalous to get people out of bed at 4.30 a.m. and get them to the flying base and then tell them that they are not travelling.” George Duckworth was very annoyed- He said: “It is the toughest thing I have ever known, being offloaded at the last minute.”

The four pressmen were put off to enable extra mail to be taken to New

Zealand. They will miss the first day’s play in the England v. Wellington match on Monday, even if they get seats on the flying-boat leaving on Monday morning.