A GREAT SIDE

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 117, 15 February 1928, Page 13

A GREAT SIDE

AUSTRALIAN CRICKETERS ARRIVE BATTING STARS AT ZENITH GOOD CHANCE OF RECOVERING “THE ASHES” “The team we have with us Is absolutely representative of Australian cricket, and if the people of New Zealand have been following the play in the Commonwealth they will recog> nise that the stars are all here.” In these words, V. Y. Richardson, the captain of the Australian cricket team, which arrived from Sydney by the s.s. Maraina yesterday, referred to the side tinder his control, when approached by a Dominion reporter. “What are the chances of Australia recovering the ashes?” the pressman asked. “Our prospects are very _ bright,” promptly replied the Australian captain. “We are as well prepared to meet the Englishmen as we were when they last visited Australia. Our batting is exceptionally strong, as Ponsford, Woodfull, and Kippax are at the zenith of their powers. The few players of the last Australian eleven are all in form, and Gregory is making an effort to regain his bowling pace, and from all appearances is doing it. “On Australian wickets, we are very Well equipped in all phases of the game, except perhaps fielding. The fielding in the Sheffield matches this season was not up to standard, and careful selection will be required to see that these defects are eliminated.” A Powerful Combination. Referring to the team ho had brought with him, Mr. Richardson repeated that Ponsford, Woodfull and Kippax were at the very height of their batting form. “Of the younger players," ho said, “Jackson, Schneider and Alexander are showing exceptional promise. Two other colts left behind, Bradman and Scaife, are also outstanding batsmen, the former in particular revealing brilliant form. The Australian people are looking to this tour to make Test match cricketers for the future. “Oxenham has been the backbone of the Queensland eleven for many years past. Oldfield is still the prince of wicketkeepers, and his grace of movement still hall-marks him as a great "keeper. McNamee is an off-spin bowler who had exceptionally good performances during the past two seasons, and he is the type of bowler likely to do .very well on New Zealand wickets. “Morton’s figures have also been outstanding. Although he has not the pace of some of the express bowlers of former years, his length and direction are exceptionally good. “Grimmett is bowling as well as ever, and the same can be said of Blackie The performances of these two, slow bowlers should provide plenty of interest to the New Zealand public, as both are specialists in their own particular lines.” The Australian team was met at the wharf by Mr. D. Reese, of Christchurch, chairman of the New Zealand Cricket Council, and officials of the Wellington .Cricket Association, with Mr. C. G. Wilson (chairman), • and Mr. A. Varney (secretary) at their head. The team put un at the Grand Hotel, end were taken for a motor spin round the city in the afternoon. The Australians left for Nelson by Steamer last evening, and will play the opening match of the tour there to-day and to-morrow. They will return to Wellington on Friday morning, and will play the Wellington eleven at the Basin Reserve on Friday, Saturday, and Monday next. THE CIVIC RECEPTION A TEST MATCH TEAM There was a large attendance at the civic welcome extended to the Australian team at the Concert Chamber of the Town Hall in the afternoon. The Mayor (Mr. G. A. Troup) said the people of New Zealand were pleased to welcome the Australian team, as they eame as the representatives of a valued sport. They were especially welcome, because of the fact that they had taught New Zealanders so much about cricket in the past. New Zealanders were hoping to learn a great deal more from the present tour They particularly appreciated the fact that the Board of Control had sent its strongest team over. _ (Applause.) Australia excelled at cricket, but they would find that New Zealanders had greatly improved at the game. He hoped that the Australians would have a '.very happy time in the Dominion. Mr. H. D. Bennett, on behalf of the City Council, said they appreciated such c visit from one sister Dominion to another. Cricket stood for all that was good, and Britishers had been born and bred in that atmosphere in a national sense. They expected that the Australians would win on the cricket field, but he could assure them that tlmv would get a good run for their money. New Zealand’s Debt to Australia. Mr. D. Reese, chairman of the New Zealand Cricket Council, said that this y.ar marked the jubilee of the first visit of an Australian team to New Zealand. During the intervening fifty years, the Australians had been patient teachers and generous opponents. Australia had had a phenomenal rise on the cricket field, and since 1887 had challenged the supremacy of England. They were in New Zealand to-day on the crest of a cricket wave. The Australians would be pleased at the improvement they would find in New Zealand batting, and they would meet bowlers whom they could not flog. It was, however, a matter for regret that New Zealand players were very weak in fielding. The time had come when they should average up the catches players dropped, and if the balance was against a player he should not have the honour of representing the Dominion. He referred to the generous financial assistance which had been given to New Zealand Cricket by the Board of Control and the various State associations. He could assure them that not only the cricket authorities of the Dominion, but. the public as well were deeply grateful for this material help. A Test Match Side. Mr. W. C. Bull, the manager of the Australian team, in returning thanks for the welcome, said that every cricketer in Australia was available, and every man selected had made the trip. The present team was practically a Test match side, and he was sine they would give the New Zealand public some attractive displays. Ponsford was in brilliant form. He bad broken practically every record in the world, and had come over to New Zealand to try anil break some more. (Applause.) Amongst the most interesting members of the team were the three colts- Schnieder. Alexander, and Ja'kson. The former was like the Rock of Gibraltar Io shift, while Alexander was of a more brilliant type. Jackson had put up a world's record just before the team sailed by scoring a century in each innings of the Sheffield Shield match between New South Wales and South Australia at Sydney. The Australian Cricket Board of Control was extremely sorry that they could not comply with New Zealand’s request that the English team should play a few matches in the Dominion.

To have granted the request would have meant that West Australia would have been robbed of two matches, and some of the matches against the smaller Australian centres would also have had to be cut out. A Word from the Captain. Mr. V. Y. Richardson, the captain of the team, who was warmly received, said the team was fully representative of the cricketing strength of Australia. The younger members of the team were probably the most brilliant colts who had been produced for years. They had, of course, their batting stars, anti all were in goon form. They would find that the stock bowlers of the side, Grimmett and Blackie. were as good as anything Australia had ever sent across the Tasman. Reference had been made to the strides which Now Zealand cricket had made. Perhaps it was New Zealand’s turn to win. If they could carry off the Tests it would be a great thing for New Zealand cricket, and Australia would bo the first to congratulate them. Welcome to Grimmett. The Mayor said they were all pleased to see an old Wellington boy, Mr. C. Grimmett, back with them. “I wonder,” he said, “if wo can do anything to induce him to remain in New Zealand. If we could we might bo able to beat Australia.” (Laughter.) In reply to insistent calls for a speech. Mr. Grimmett said he was very pleased to be back in Wellington. “I never thought,” ho said, “that I would return to my native land as a member of an Australian team. However, I am very pleased to be back, and I know I ‘shall thoroughly enjoy every minute I spend in New Zealand. ’ Hearty cheers were given for the visitors at the Mayor’s call before the gathering dispersed.