CRICKET.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 April 1926, Page 1

CRICKET.

AUSTRALIAN TEAM. [Australia & N.Z. Cable Association.] LONDON, April 17. The newspapers feature the arrival of the Australian cricketers in Paris. Reporters were sent post haste to interview Gregory, Macartney, and Mailcy, who were reported earlier as coming to London in advance. Gregory is the first to arrive. Macartney and Mailey are leaving Paris. It was at first suggested that they should fly to London, but this idea was abandoned, the manager of the team, Mr Smith, declaring that lie did not wish to risk the vanguard in their attack by the air. The “ Daily Express ” features Gregory’s lone arrival, saying; “His sunburned face is a good sight for a Londoner to look upon.” The “ Daily Herald ” welcomes the Australians, adding: “Noble, Hill, Bardslev and Kellewav have done their host to heat any team England may choose. Their efforts might rightly be termed “ boosting,” and as the world knows it.is not always the boosted team that wins. Tt does not matter, really, who wins, so long ns the ,gamo is fair and attractive.” LATER. Macartney lias arrived at London. He -said lie was looking forward to four months of hard labour, adding: “The harder it is, the hotter f shall be pleased.” According to the “ Daily Chronicle ” Macartney went to hod early, after a troubled Channel crossing, but Gregory no sooner unpacked than ho went visiting. The party was preceded by the faithful Mr Ferguson, who is making his tenth international.tour ns scorer and baggage master. {Received this day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, April 19. Londoners are excited at the arrival of the cricketers from Paris this afternoon. A great reception is being prepared. The newspapers are full of photographs and articles. Meantime the keenest interest is the doings of the vanguard, Gregory and Macartney who, however, have proved most elusive. Both escaped from the Hotel Cecil early yesterday morning for the purpose of evading callers. Macartney is not expected hack at the hotel until to-night. The rest of the team has l>een sightseeing in Paris and it. is reported that they have seen everything from the famous dancer Mistmgfetti (whose legs are. reported to be insured for C‘200,000 sterling) to Napoleon’s tomb. Yesterday during a hailstorm the cricketers placed a wreath on the tomb of the Unknown Warrior. They then visited the British sports centre of Paris. “We will arrive in England without an alibi,” said Smith, “then we will make up for lost time in hard pracjtice. Tlie first match, Maidenhead, will find ns all in good form. As far as the outcome of the tests are concerned we can only say that wo are confident and feel we are up against the fight of our lives, but the Australians are best when up against odds.” The team avoid worry by referring interviewers to Smith. “ See Mr Smith,” lias become a by-word with the team. Everything and everyone is referred to Smith and it remains le

l»o soon whetlior llio Smith barricade will withstand the London journalists’ assault, hut the general orders number one by Smith are as follows: .Monday.—Practice at Lords. Kelleway. broadcasting from E.X. 270, said that England will hold Australia man for man in the first five places; in fact England may bo just a shade better. Then comes the problem of the old lion’s tail, but the kangaroo scralehes bis head, and, looking at his howlers, says, “ They bat fairly well, but do they bowl well "enough; get England out.” Kelleway thinks the balance of the Holding favours England and on the lidding the whole results of the tests mnv depend. LONDON, April 18. Sir Joseph Cook and Mr Shepherd on behalf of Australia, and Gilligan. on behalf of Marylebono Club, received the Australian cricketers on their arrival at London. Tim '• Observer.” in comparing the past and present performances, asks: “ Have we been making a habit of losing,” and concludes. “England cannot take on the Australians and an inferioritv complex at the same time.” One correspondent says that it is obvious the Australians above all dread wot wickets. Woolley, the well-known professional, said: ‘‘They arc good fellows and deadly serious; nevertheless these Austialians cannot, fn my view, make a super eleven out of their sixteen players. I can assure you that it is most likely that the English cricketers who 1 have met recently are going to put their very hearts into the task. Wo all. for some reason or other, have got a feeling it is a ease of now or never.” Special harriers were erected at Victoria Station and a largo force of was required to restrain the, crowd. Sydney Smith, on behalf of the players, said bo again looked to the tour to be a means of improving the Australians’ play. If the Australian players really reproduce their batting and bowling form under the conditions, they will he very strong indeed. He recognised that England, particularly on her own fields, will he most formidi able.