AU REVOIR

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 3, 25 March 1927, Page 12

AU REVOIR

BOWLEY GOING HOME BACK AGAIN NEXT YEAR This is “Ted” Bowley’s last week in Auckland. Next week the Sussex professional will be aboard the Tahiti, bound for Home. But he is coming back again. The Auckland Cricket Association has been so satisfied with his work as a coach that it has reengaged him for a further term. Bowley has been a notable figure in Auckland cricket this season. He came here practically unknown, but with high recommendations from such good judges in the world of cricket as Lord Hawke, A. E. R. Gilligan and H. S. Swan, the manager of the last English team which visited New Zealand. Bowley has more than lived up to the good reputation which preceded him.

He had a hard task following in the footsteps of a man like A. E. Relf, who left an impression in Auckland cricket which time cannot efface. He came, too, at a stage when Auckland’s cricket fortunes had slumped a lot. Memories of a crusing defeat against Wellington last year were still fresh in the memory when he took up his duties here.

He started with no flourish of trumpets. There was a big job to be done, and Bowley got busy. Both as a player and a coach he infused fresh life into the game. He was popular with the players, seniors, juniors and schoolboys alike, and his influence soon began to be felt.

To cut a long story short, he leaves Auckland to return for a season to his old county club, with the knowledge that Auckland has regained premiership honours in New Zealand cricket. The Shield is back again in the North, and without losing sight of the sterling performers of such fine players as Dacre, Allcott, Mills, Player, Matheson, Rountree and others, it can at least be said that Bowley played no small part in bringing the shield back to Auckland. He was the outstanding figure in the final match against Wellington, his batting, bowling and fielding alike being of the highest class. His great second innings effort was the turning point in the match, and brought victory to Auckland.

As a batsman Bowley can be classed as a stylist, a master of back play, and a fine opening batsman. He played some beautiful knocks at Eden Park, and but for an injury to his hand just when he seemed to have reached the top of his form he might have delighted us still more with the artistry of his batting. As a bowler he was always dangerous. While it would be idle to claim that his trundling was quite on the same high plane as his batting, nevertheless he was always capable of going through a club side, and in the big games he achieved great success as a change bowler. As regards fielding he set a high standard indeed, and his brilliant work in the slips cannot easily be forgotten. And so the time has arrived for us to say, not good-bye, but au revoir. Aucklanders will join in wishing the Sussex professional bon voyage, a successful season at Home, and a safe return to New Zealand next summer.