CRICKET

Hokitika Guardian, 17 September 1927, Page 4

CRICKET

(Australian it N.Z. Cable Association.) j '.Received this day at 9.30 a.in.) LONDON, Sent. 10. Warner is among approciator.*; of the Now Zealanders cricket. Speaking at a crowded farewell organised by Cecil Wray, at New Zealand house, W arnor mentioned he had received a letter from a German professor in Berlin saying be realised the part cricket played in building up the Briusli (Empire. Indeed cricket should be a department of liie League of Nations. (Laughter and cheers). Warner added that tho New Zealanders loft a. sterling name, both as men and cricketers and with mi example for coining generations. S. O. Raymond, who. presided, read a glowing tribute from Lord Jellicoe. who wrote: —“Their sportsmanship. (too batting and oilier merits won the hearts of England. If there are any more Merritt’s in New Zealand schools they will soon capture tin* i Ashes.” Lord Harris wrote: “ It was a. first class team, which needs a bowler or two. but it- would not ho presumption I in the future to ask for (wo or three test matches.” ;

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

Sir ,T. Parr, who came specially from Geneva, presented each player on liehalf of Anglo-Zealanders with a massive engraved silver cigarette box. Ho said 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 should not they ho ashamed that more was not done for the game in New Zealand!' Sir James Parr said all were grateful to tho guarantors, who perhaps would: have to put their hands in their j pockets; hut why not for such a cause?:

Warner, paying a tribute to Lowry’s and Dane’s centuries at Lords on June 12th expressed the opinion that Daere combined ttie charms of Trumper and Hobbs. He was confident New Zealand soon would throw down the gauntlet to England. Lowry replying, said he was not far wrong when lie prpphesised the team would prove equal to the seventh or eighth position in the County championship. Ho hoped the Dominion would soon achieve an international status, entitled .to participate in tests. The team were guests at a private dinner at the British Empire Club in the evening.