N.Z. CRICKETERS.

Hokitika Guardian, 31 March 1927, Page 1

N.Z. CRICKETERS.

THE TEAM EAREWEI.LU.J)

WELLINGTON, March 2!),

At the farewell to the cricket team in the Town flail to-day, .Mr \Y. Armstrong (captain of the Melbourne team) was cheered when lie was called upon to speak. “Wherever f have been, 1 have heard a lot about football in New Zealand.'’ lie said. “The Xew Zealanders, however, can play cricket too. They can play just as well as ue can, and they will hold up the game of crickol in England, just as well as Australia did. They will find that out when the team iias played together for a month or two and the captain lias got to know the players.

“I have great confidence in this team, and T think they are going to win a lot more matches than they will lose.’’ The team, continued Mr Armstrong, was taking on a very hard thing indeed. There was not much pleasure attached to such a tour, and tli.it would he found out once a shirt was made. It was hard work. The tea'll would have to pull together and work like i foe':work to make a success e.l the tour, hut lie was sure that would lio done. Differences had to be sunk when they left Xew Zealand's shores, li was of the greatest importance to l hem to realise that they represented Xew Zealand, and not Dunedin. Auckland, Wellington, or any where else. The team represented the public i f Xew Zealand.

The tir-l thing the people at Home looked to see was whether the members of a team were gentlemen. They must, remember that they not only represented the cricket authorities. Inti every individual in Xew Zealand. X'U mill the people ol Xew Zealand would he watching the progress of the team, hut in Australia the team’s doings would be followed just as closely. “1 can take it on my shoulders,“ added Mi Armstrong, “and say that the .Australian Cricket Council wishes you all .success and Cod-speed.” The manager ol the team (Mr I). Hay; expressed thank- lor the enthusiastic farewell accorded the team. He thought they had a lot ol an opportunity of flitting Vfo'.v Zealand erirke! on the map. lie would not promise anything in regard to the team's pk y, leu lie ob! promise ihai Xew Zealand would not feel ashamed of them oil the field. T. Lowry, captain, said he fully appro; fitted tfie necessity of keeping up Xew Zealand's line reputation a! Home. Regarding the qualiliia tim- of the team, lie thought every un-mlio" would (a.silv timi a phue in the ennutv teams in England. A . far as he e odd see. Xew Z< aland t att:s In the p;,..' had always .been j.-oi together hurri !• ly i runt ail pari-, ami Hum i hey had to do bat lle e.gain-1 tonus i:: how! training'. lie thought the team go! to England would he able to Hi;., something bettor, he it wet or fine. “However, you can guarantee us to play cricket." fie concluded.