WORTHY OF TESTS

Evening Star, Issue 19664, 17 September 1927, Page 6

WORTHY OF TESTS

GLOWING TRIBUTES TO NEW ZEALAND CRICKETERS FAREWELL FUNCTIONS GREAT ASSEMBLAGE OF FAMOUS SPORTING MEN Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, September IC. (Received September 17, at 10.10 a.m.) Warner is among appreciators of the New Zealanders’ cricket. Speaking at a crowded farewell organised by Mr Cecil Wray at New Zealand House, lie mentioned that ho had received a letter from a German professor in Berlin saying that ho realised the part cricket had played in building up the British Empire. Indeed, cricket should be a department of the League of Nations. (Laughter and cheers.) Mr Warner added that the New Zealanders left a sterling name, both as men and cricketers, and a rich example for coming generations. Mr S. G. Raymond, who presided, read a glowing tribute from Lord Jellicoe, who wrote: “ Tneir sportsmanship, free batting, and other merits have won the hearts of England. If there are any more Merritts in the New Zealand schools they will soon capture the ashes.”

Lord Harris wrote: “It is a firstclass team, which needs a howler or two, but it would not be presumption in future to ask for two or three test matches.”

Lork Hawke wrote: “I hope when the New Zealanders return they will play a test. They have shown that they aro worthy of it.” Mr Raymond said he had been told that for six men to score a thousand runs apiece had never been done by any previous first touring team. Some of the batsmen always came off when others failed. Merritt was definitely among the Empire’s “ googly merchants.” They could not say how much of the success was due to Lowry’s captainship and Mr Hay’s tireless management. •

Sir James Parr, who came specially from Geneva, presented each player, on behalf of Anglo-Zealanders, with a massive engraved silver cigarette box. Ho said that perhaps the team’s greatest exploit was that it had come through an English summer, the worst for twenty years. If the game flourished under such conditions in England, shouldn’t they be ashamed that more was not done for the game in New Zealand?

Sir James said that all were grateful to the guarantors, who perhaps would have to put their hands in their pockets; but why not for such a cause ? Warner, paying tribute to Lowry's and Lucre’s centuries at Lord’s, expressed the opinion that Hacre combined the charms of Trumper and Hobbs. He was confident that New Zealand would soon throw down the gauntlet to England. Lowry, replying, said lie was not far wrong when he prophesied that the team would prove equal to seventh or eighth position in the county championship list. Ho hoped that the dominion would soon achieve international status and bo entitled to participate in tests. The team were, the guests at a private dinner at the British Empire Club in the evening.