ENGLISH CRICKETERS.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 823, 11 February 1903, Page 2

ENGLISH CRICKETERS.

PROVOKE THE INDIGNATION OF CHRISTCHURCH PUBLIC. By Telegraph —Press Association. Christchurch, last night. Both morning papers editorially attack the English team for the ungentleiuanlv conduct in the tic-id .yesterday. The Press suggests that an apology is due to the local men. bo tar. however, no move has been made by the visitors. Warner, captain i t the team, has gone out ot town. The incident is creating great excitement and intense indignation here. LETTER FROM ENGLISH CAPTAIN REGRETS UNPLEASANTNESS AND EXPLAINS MATTERS. [l3y Telegrapn— Bless Association.] Christchurch, last night. “With reference to the unpleasant episode in tho cricket match of Monday afternoon, Mr A. E. Rhodes, President of the Canterbury Cricket Association, has received the following letter from Mr P. F. Warner : “To the President of the Cricket Association. Dear Sir, —Referring to tho incident which has been so fully commented upon in the papers this morning, I need not, I am sure, say how much I regret that anything of this kind should have occurred to mar the enjoyment of the best-coutested 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 wo did not dispute the umpires’ decision, but some delay took place before we could get the umpire to give any decision, whicn ultimately was that neither of them had actually seen what had occurred, aud I at once ordered the game to proceed. My remark referred to in the papers was made some minutes after the decision had been given, and was addressed to one of the members of our own side, and I very much regrot to find that it was overheard, and, still more, that it should have been repeated. The statement Chut the succeeding batsmen were subjected to a running fire of taunts and criticism is absolutely without foundation. I have 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 ' wa all regret that anything of the kind ' should have happened. I am, yours ' truly, P. F. Warnor, captain, English Cricket Team.” 1 Mr Rhodes states that he has seen the 1 other two members of the English team ! against whom the complaints were made, ‘ aud they expressed their regret that thoy 1 had made any remarks in the heat of tho > moment to which objection could bo taken • by batsmen. Mr Rhodes hopes that this * apology will close the incident, and that s no further reference will be made to it.