CRICKET STORM

Hokitika Guardian, 20 May 1933, Page 2

CRICKET STORM

ENGLISH TEAM WELL TREATED

SPECIAL JOURNALIST’S VIEW

Reports of bad treatment of tile last English Test team in Australia rre either unfounded or are greatly exaggerated, writes the special correspondent of the “'Melbourne Herald,” who travelled through Australia with the touring team. Larwood did not appear to be suffering greatly from the barracking of which; he now compl ins; hospitality and courtesy were shown .throughout the tour,, and the bad behaviour of a few larrikins has been magnified into a charge against the whole Australia cricket public. Beyond saying that the barracking of himself was “a bit thick.’’ Larwoou always conveyed the ’impression that he wa,s n ot suffering acutely because of it. He seemed ph’egmatic, and on the few occasions I asked him about it he laughed it off. Larwood always bowled as if his life depended upon it whether he was barracked in a hostile way or not.

Worry over birra.eking never caused Larwood to miss any social enjoyment that offered. Groups of the cricketers were invited to party after party and club after club, both in the cities and the provincial centres where they prayed, The bodyline controversy never seemed to me to have diminis.-ea- w.hospitality that wa s offered them. Both Mr Warner and Jardiße continually referred in speeches to the kindness and courtesy shown to the team. Mr Warner did not confine t'hi G recognition to public occasions, but expressed it frequently in the company of newspaper representatives in the evenings.

NO INSULTS

I heard no insults offered to the term os they left any of the ten hotels at which they stayed. I was told, however, by members of the team that a group of ]arrikin s .at a street corner in Brisbane hiad hooted Lamvood and had ©ailed offensive epithets after him

It was no secret among the team that Larwood was a little, quick-tem-pered. He wa 7 described as “toueny.” Tn Bendigo lack of tact over a friendly drink by one or two local enthusiasts annoyed him., I heard the remark, which was : “I hope, Larwood, for Australia’s sake, that you finish without a wicket in Adelaide.” •; );. '■ ['■

Larwood turned to me and remarked warmly; “There is nice sort of sportsmanship for you. A nice lot. of sports. They hope I don’t get 'any wickets.” He was decidedly ruffled for some minutes by the remark. Again in a Brisbane hotel there was more serious friction. Latwood and several other members of • d.lhe team were present. In a crowded bar there was a good -deal of back-chat, aifd one 01 two local onthusliwstp who were the worse for drink talked fight. to the cricketers. It w?s alleged later, that a revolver had .been pjoduced by one man who had 'been twitting the cricketers. He ww promptly pvt out. by the proprietor. A few boos from irresponsible youths were all that I heal'd on arrival at several centres where a hero-worshipping crowd scrambled for the cricketers’ autographs.

NOT MOLESTED OX TRAINS

'fake the 'next .complaint—that members of the team were frequently molested on train journeys by gangs who entei’ed the carriages and threw missiles at them. This is very far from the -truth. I travelled in fifteen different trains 'with the team, and aaw them leave the trai n at every refreshment stop. Certajnly there was x good deal of struggling and milling on country platforms by local residents who" were eager to see the stars; and especially Larwood. He and his comrades were constantly pestered for autographs. Usually they were warmly applauded as they walked down platforms.