CRICKET.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 September 1928, Page 1

CRICKET.

ENGLISH TEAM. LIVELY START FROM LONDON. Austral an Press Assn.—United Service LONDON, Sept. 20. The photographers had a most difficult task to “shoot” the English cricket team who assembled at 'the railway station, laughing, tanned, and looking their fittest. When the West Indian cricketer, Small, handed Chapman a huge gilt horseshoe, bound with the Marylebotie colours, tied with white heather, ho hung it on the carriage door, amidst rousing cheers. Chapman then put his head through the shoe, .and the cheering was redoubled. Tho crowd called for a speech. 'Chapman grinned, the whistle shrilled, the police backed the crowd, and then someone shouted: "Good wickets | Good luck! Keep tho ashes 1” “You bet!" replied the test players. “A hundred ovory test,” was a remark made to Hobbs, which' caused applause and as the train steamed out the crowd cheered wildly, hundreds running along tho platform, and the players waving from the windows till tho train was dispatched. / ' \ A GOOD HUMOURED SEND OFF. LONDON, Sept. 20'. There was tremendous enthusiasm at Victoria Station at the departure ut the test team players. Hundreds of enthusiasts assembled at the entrance at 8 o’clock. Many flappers'admiringly watched Chapman's arrival ltalf-an-bour before tbo train’s departure. 1 He was immediately surrounded bv a crowd. 1 Chapman, wearing a sprig of heather, blushed furiously and laughed outright, when a flapper audibly whispered: "Isn’t he nice!” “Plum” Warner and the selectors chatted with Chapman. The crowd surged towards the barrier. Fender, J. Trumble and a representative of Sir G. Ryrie (Australian High Commissioner) wished the team lion vbyage. Tlio crowd warmly greeted each "test player on arrival, shouting best wishes, ami using their nicknames. Hoblis, a few minutes before departure, rushed along the platform resplendent in a large white heather horseshoe buttonhole. Over, a thousand crowded beside the pullmaii. Those bidding the team farewell included Arthur GiUigan, Nigel Haig, and Lord Harris. Whilst Mead endeavoured to reach tho carriage, a wag shouted: “Let him in | They’ll never get him out.