THE ENGLISH CRICKET TEAM.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11505, 11 February 1903, Page 8

THE ENGLISH CRICKET TEAM.

THE RECENT EPISODE. With reference to the unpleasant episode hi the cricket match on Monday afternoon, Mr»A. E. G. Rhodes, president of the Canterbury Cricket Association, has received the following letter from Mr P- F. Warner: Copy. "To the President of the Cricket Association. "Dear Sir,—Referring to the incident which foas been co fully commented on in the papers this mornimg, I need not, I am cure, say how much I regret that anything of this kind should have occurred to mar the enjoyment of the best contested match we have yet had in New Zealand, and, therefore, I hope I may be allowed to make a few remarks on what actually occurred. "In the first place, we did not dispute the umpires' decision, but eomm delay took plaoo before we could get- the umpires to give any decision, which ultimately was that neither of them had actually ueen, what occurred, and I at once ordered the game to proceed. "My remark referred to in tfie papeiß was made some minute; alter the decision had been given, and was addressed' to one of the members of our own side, and I very much regret to find that it was overheard, and still more, that it should have been rep.-ated. •'The statement that the succeeding batsman were (subjected to a running lire of taunts and criticism is absolutely without foundation. I liave this morning seen some of them, and they assure me that nothing of the kind took place. "I hope this letter will prove satisfactory to your Association, and I can only add that "we all regret that anything of the kind should have happenedI "I am, yours truiv, "P. F. WARNER, "Captain Engliuh Cricket Team." Mr Rhodes authorises us to say that he has seen the otlier two members of the Plnglish beam, against whom complaints were made, and they haw expressed their regret that they made any remarks in the heat of the moment to which objection could be taken by the bateme-n. Mr Rhodes hopts that this apology will close the incident, and that no further «fcferenee will be made to it. The statement referred to by Mr Warner, that "the succeeding batemen were subjected to a running fire of taunts and criticisms" wae not published in "The Press."