CRICKET.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 November 1925, Page 1

CRICKET.

[Australia & N.Z. Cable Association.] CRICKETERS CRITICISED. LONDON, Nov. 23. The English Cricket team which visited Australia, are indignant at statements made by Football Manager liOwis, who is a proliitionist, to tho effect that he had heard while in Australia that the cricketers might have done better had they been footballers. Hearne declares that he saw nothing wrong while in Australia, nor anything likely to he detrimental to cricket form*. They were the keenest of teams, putting up their best show to regain the ashes. There was no intemperance either on the steamer or in Australia. Fender denied to treat the allgeation seriously. He said that anyone could say the same sort of filing. If a man had a touch of liquor, a prohibitionist immediately said he was drunk. Douglas, in an indignant denial, declared that the allegation was scurrilous, and was a wicked shame. The team were extraordinarily steady, and they played the game both oil and off the field. Though Strudwick and Hobbs were the. only teetotallers, Air Lewis owed the entire team an apology. Regarding the cricketers and Air Lewis's remarks, the English captain. Cillignu, said: —“l regard tho statement as a slur on the team and on myself. If there lmd been drinking, it would have been our duty to deal sternly with offenders. ’lhe statement is grossly wrong. It is the first indication ever received ot any complaint of such nonsense. It makes me angry.” Hobbs joins in Hie condemnation. He asks why should Tate and Sutcliffe, who are not teetotallers, have performed better than lie, who is ft teetotaller?