N.Z. CRICKET TEAM.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19160, 17 November 1927, Page 12

N.Z. CRICKET TEAM.

ARRIVAL IN CHRISTCHURCH

EXPERIENCES ON TOUR. A hearty though unofficial welcome w.is given the New Zealand cricket team on its arrival at the station yesterday morning. On behalf of the New Zealand Cricket Council Messrs H. M. Taylor and E. E. Byrne were present. There was no speech-making, the members of the team being too engrossed in renewing their broken friendships. As soon as they stepped from the train they were surrounded by an admiring and enthusiastic crowd.

The team has been unfortunate throughout the whole of the tour, the season in England being ono of the worst experienced for many years. Many games had been spoiled in England! by the weather, and the games in Australia and New Zealand had also been interfered with by rain. Yesterday morning, when the team arrived, they were again met with rain, but they were all of the opinion that the tour had been a great success. Members of the team are staying at the Clarendon Hotel. Team's Opinions. "The hospitality that was extended to us could not have been bettered anywhere,'' stated K. C. James, the wicket-keeper of the team. "We were welcomed everywhere, and everything possible was done for our comfort and amusement. The English crowds are very sporting, and gave us a very fine reception. They nave a thorough knowledge of the game, perhaps even more than the New Zealand public has of football." "The weather was the means of our losing three or four matches," he added, "but on one occasion it saved us from a possible defeat. The batting of the side was splendid throughout, every member of the team coming to light on various occasions. The wickets there suited our slow bowlers, who were able to get a very sharp turn. Tho best display of batting seen throughout the tour was that of Woolley in the match against Kent. Hte was a very fast scorer, and in some respects was better than Hobbs, who scored rather slowly."

*"The Australian match should never have been played!," was the opinion , expressed by one of the members of the team. "It was not a fair thing to expect a team which had just completed a strenuous tour, and had been on a ship for several weeks, to have been in form again after three days' practice in Australia. The game against New South Wales was spoiled by the fact that the men had gone on to the field with the idea that the match should not have been played, and therefore lost interest in it. Both Victoria and South Australia were> desirous of a match, and if these games had been played the team would have been better fitted to have played against New Mouth Wales." He added that the conditions in Australia had been entirely different from those experienced on the tour, and the practice they had had was not sufficient. However, it had been a good game, and it had been very sporting of New South Wales to offer 90 per cent, of the gate . takings-'' •

"There is very little more to be said about the tour," stated T. 0. Lowry, captain of the team when approached by a representative, of The Press yesterday He stated that they had been treated excellently, the greatest hospitality having been shown. They had been unfortunate in that the weather had interfered a great deal with the games. It had been one of the worst seasons experienced in England. The batting of the team had shown a marked improvement during the tour, which would undoubtedly improve the cricket of the country. Australian Game. Mr W. H. Winsor, who managed the team while it was in Australia, stated to a representative of The Pbess yesterday, that a very heary welcome had been extended to the team in Melbourne by the M.0.C.. Disappointment had been expressed at the inability to arrange a match with Victoria, it being freely stated that such a match could have been played, and would have been a great attraction in Melbourne. •

Referring to the match in Sydney, Mr Winsor stated that his impressions of the match were chiefly centred round the very indifferent fielding exhibition of the team, which was most surprising considering the youth of the side, and the chance they had had in England to develop team-work. "Despite the score, it did not strike me that our bowling had been collared," he- added. "The slow bowlers maintained a good length, and were unfortunate in not securing more wickets. The batting of the side showed great improvement, all the members being able to get the runs. However, I feel sure that the side is capable of much better tilings, and has returned to New Zealand improved beyond all knowledge."

N.Z. V. THE REST.

TO-MORROW'S PLAY. To-morrow afternoon at 2 o'clock, the public of Christchnrch will have an opportunity of seeing the New Zealand cricket team, which has returned from its tour of Great Britain, in action, when it commences a four days' match at Lancaster Park against The Kest. Now that the weather gives promise of clearing the prospects for bright cricket are good, and it will be interesting to learn how the strong side, which has been chosen to represent The Rest, will shape against the men who have made such fine cricketing reputations abroad. With a drying wind to-day, and some bright sunshine, the wicket should be in splendid order for to-morrow, and should give the bowlers the opportunities which they lacked in Wellington, where the heavy rain and wet pitch prevented any sort of a display of form on their part. The hours of play to-morrow will be from 2 p.m. to 4.15 p.m., and from 4.30 to 6.30 p.m. The teams will be as follows:

New Zealand—T. C. Lowry, C. S. Dempster, J. E. Mills, M. L. Page, R. C. Blunt, K. C. James, H. M. McGirr, C Oliver, C. F. Alcott, W. E. Merritt, H. L. Bernau.

The Rest—Langridge, J. Newman, F. T. Badcoek H. Foley, H. D. Gillespie, D. Nixon, W. Cunningham, M. Boon, J. McEwin, H. B. Massey, R.'Read. E. R. Neale (12th man). Kingston, Gallichan, Bowley, Eastman, and Henderson are not available.

GAME WITH CHRIST'S COLLEGE. To-day Mr Lowry and his men will play a match against the Christ's College first .eleven. The match will commence at 11 a. ffl..

WELCOMED HOME.

W. E. MERRITT PRESENTED WITH GOLD WATCH.

Last evening the residents of Sumner and Eedcliffs gathered in the Town llall at Sumner to accord a welcome home to W. E. Merritt. On the platform were Mr J. K. Archer (Mayor of Christ-church), Mr W. H. Nicholson (Mayor of Sumner), Messrs J. S. Neville, *H. M. Taylor (representing the New Zealand" Cricket Council), J. D. Lawrence (ex-New Zealand and Canterbury representative), F. C. Raphael, S. K. Bassett, A. Hines, W. V. Siddall, J. Carter, and the Kev. W. MeAra. Apologies were received from Messrs J. McCombs,: M.P., A. T. Donnelly, D. Reese, J. F. Peake, Pratt/and the Rev. E. C. W. Powell. Mr Nicholson said everyone was pleased to see "Bill" restored to his family. It was his pleasant duty to give him, on behalf of the borough of Sumner, a very hearty welcome home. Their confidence in' him had not been misplaced, and he trusted that ho would settle down after what had been a very strenuous tour. The doings of the team had been followed with great interest, especially their conduct off the field, and their guest had proved an admirable ambassador in that respect. He said the borough was proud in having produced a cricketer of his stamp, and he wished to compliment his parents on his safe return.

Mr Allen said, as the representative of the United Sports Association, he felt it a great honour to welcome home one of their own members. Sumner was blessed with a great number of sports bodies, and all had been unanimous in their desire to welcome him home. Their representative had not been the least spoiled by his success, and had conducted himself like a gentleman. Lord Hawke had said of him that English would profit by his presence in the Old Country, and no greater compliment could be paid to any man. Mr Archer, on behalf of the Christchurch people, said he wished to congratulate Mr Merritt on his success and safe return from the Old Country. He assured Sumner residents that they were no more proud of their representative than the Christchurch people. Pie considered the most charming thing was the modest spirit which Mr Merritt had displayed since his return. He wished him success on his future life.

On behalf of the New Zealand Cricket Council, Mr' 11. M. Taylor extended a welcome to Mr Merritt. He referred to the tremendous amount of time expended on the arrangement of the tour by Mr D. Eeese, but for whom it would probably never have materialised. He hoped that next time the team would bo the guests of the Marylebone Cricket Club, so that no worry would be incurred over the expense. Mr J. D. Lawrence, who first coached Mr Merritt as a young lad, detailed the interest which their guest had always taken in the game, even in his most tender years.

Mr Nicholson then presented Mr Merritt with a gold watch. Mr Merritt, who received a tumultuous welcome, thanked the residents for their kind wishes. He said that whatever sucess he had achieved had been due to the early coaching of Mr Lawrence and the wonderful wicket-keeping of Mr K. C. James, they had experienced excellent hospitality from the English people, and he considered that every boy should aim at becoming an All Black to enable him to experience such a wonderful trip as ho had undergone. He said that at times the members of the team had been very tired after the day's play, but they had proved a very happy family. He again thanked the residents on behalf of his mother and father for their welcome. During the evening items were played by the Sumner Orchestra, and after the ceremony the visitors were entertained at supper.