CRICKET.
RETURN OF M.C.C TEAM. TOTJB A MAGNIFICENT SUCCESS. ffiv Cable—Frees Association—Copyright.) lAustralian and N.Z. Cable A»sociat»r4' PARIS, April 17. The Australian and English cricket^teama arrived at Toulon on Saturday morning. A"» Asians proceeded to Monte Carlo, *nd are expected in Faris on Monday. IW Ashmen went overland, arriving in lonaon tO Th!" Marylebone cricketew arrived this morning in a blinding snowstorm, end pruned direct to London except, Dough*m** his family, who remained in the Osterley. Mr Toone, manager of the team, and U» member*? were delighted with the Australian All the cricketers were a happy family, and had a pleasant, voyage. ,The rivalry efemied t 0 deck games, in which Gregory's all-rouna ability was further evident, he winning tne deck tennis. Bardsley and Hearae were opposed at quoita in the final, the former winning, -c Mr Toone described the tour as a, magninctnt success, but all were glad to be name, after a long absence. . , . Wilson was uncommunicative. When asaied for an interview, he said:—"! am not going to say much." Questioned regarding tne rumours of dissension in the English team, he said:—"There was not any." Wilson added that the Australians were very hospitable and lovable people, especially the country Australian. ... , . The Australian Press Association asked Hobbs whether he was in earnest in saying he did not intend to visit Australia again. He replied:—"Who said that?" and looked surprised. The interviewer said:—"You did, in a letter to the London '9tax.'" Hobbs (smiling): Ah, well, I'll wait until I am asked to go again. _ Hendren is delighted with the tour. u.b stated:—"l love Australia! I had a grand time there, and I want to go baok again. Questioned regarding the wickets, he said they were wonderful, but too good. They were quite as fast on the fifth day as on the opening day. This eliminated the element of uncertainty usually associated with cricket. He considered the Adelaide wicket the best in the world, but he added, "Melbourne is my favourite city." He and lender ridiculed the reports of discord amongst the Englishmen. They were all a happy family.
"JOLLY TffELL BEATEN." LONDON, April 17.. The English orioketere arrived at Victoria! Station, and .received an, enthusiastic reception. Hundreds of people rushed to the platform, and waited for two hours. Hobbs was the hero of the occasion. He endeavoured to evade hie admirers, but they hemmed hun in. Only when the police appealed to the crowd waa Hobba able to escape, the crowd roieing three ringing cheers for the Surreyite. Hearne has quite recovered. He said he now felt quite fit again, but bemoaned his ill-luck in not participating in more matches. The crowd warmly greeted Pender, who said:—"We have been jolly well beaten, but I am quite optimistic about the result of the teste in England, as missed catches were largely reoponsible for the results in Australia." Referring to the umpires controversy, Fender said that what he had to say he would put in writing after conferring with the authorities. "I certainly eaid what I believed to be the case, and the people over there perfectly understood me. It was exaggerated by comments upon my comments, cut really there is nothing at all in it." Mr Toone said that he was naturally very disappointed at the result of the tests, but the team did not lose because they were not "triers." They would try to do better in England. Financially the tour was a great success. When the figures were published, thev would afford a great surprise. With regard to Wilson's cables, he was sure Wilson did not mean them to read the wav they were interpreted. Mr Toone eaid that the umpires were conscientious men, but, like all men, were liable to make errors. Personally,. he thought one. disputed decision was a mistake, but the umpire had no intention to be unfair. Wilson declined to discuss the controversy, tut paid the highest tribute to the Australian cricketers. He did not wish to play against .a better or more sporting lot of men. Their batting was wonderfully sound. Macartney's was brilliant. Wilson waa greatly impressed with Gregory, and was of opinion that Gregory would be an even greater success in England. He thought that, if it had been necessary to bowl Mailey longer -against well-set batsmen, he might not have •been so formidable. possessed a) very large number of young orioketere coming on to take the places of the older men. He thought that bad fielding contributed to the defeats. The Australians wero af better side than the English, whose bov.lera wero handicapped by the.hard ground, running to the wioket causing them to slip. Thus Parkin, Howell, and Woolley were obliged to oheck their xun (i and Woolley was unable to employ body action. Rhodes said that: the Australians deserved to win, but the Englishmen were capable pi much better things.' Makepeace said that the barracking was carried over-far, though the crowds barracked their own men as much as' the visitors. He paid a great tribute to the Australian fielding, especially the saving of runs it- the outfield, in which he contrasted the Englishmen's play. The Australian bowling ought to be equally effective on English wickets.
Everyone said that they enjoyed the tour irrjnensely, especially the newcomers, who are anxious to go again, but the general feeling was that there had been too many umpiring mistakes. "Weddington mentioned that, though Crockett umpired in all the teste, the others were frequently changed. As the team left the station there were loud cheers.
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Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17123, 19 April 1921, Page 5
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920CRICKET. Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17123, 19 April 1921, Page 5
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