CRICKET

Hokitika Guardian, 8 November 1927, Page 4

CRICKET

ItV TEUiCn.U‘I1 —CHESS ASSN., COI’VKIvIHr. TOURISTS RETURN. WELLINGTON, Nov. 7. The New Zealand cricketers arrived from Sydney by the Tahiti this morning. They were met by a large crowd, including Mr D. Reese, Chairman of the Cricket Council. The tourists all agreed that tiie tolir had been a wonderful success socially, but the weather had been the worst experienced in England for the last fifty years, and this made the tour in a way disappointing. The standard ol cricket in England did not come up to expectations, although admittedly there were some very fine sides. Bad fielding bad cost the tourists dearly. The need of a slip fieldsman was felt at the outset, and Dempster had to he played there most of the tour. Janies had improved out of sight as a keeper, and great praise was due to Merritt, but they needed off-break bowlers. The main strength had been in the batting. Dacre said that he received an offer in England, but he had not finally decided to accept. His health was not too good, and he may not play in New Zealand matches. DOWRY'S COMMENTS. WELLINGTON. Nov. 7. In conversation with a reporter. Lowry stated that a marked improvement had been made in the team's batting /mcl deportment. Six of the players had made a thousand runs in first class matches, a feat no County side had accomplished, and one not ■•achieved by the Australians on their tour last year. Regarding the rank- j ing of the team with first. class counties, he expressed the opinion at the outset of the tour that it would lie about seventh or eighth ; he now thought it was entitled to be given third or fourth place. Speaking of Merritt, Lowry thought he was a hit too slow, though lie was accurate and kept a good length. Blunt and the other bowlers bad done, useful work at times. While the batting bad improved very greatly, the bowling cdd not improve to any extent,