STRAIGHT BATS AND CLEAR EYES

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 38, 7 May 1927, Page 11

STRAIGHT BATS AND CLEAR EYES

LORD HARRIS ADVISES N.Z, ELEVEN ENGLAND RIGHT PLACE TO LEARN GAME Lord Harris, the famous English cricketing peer, in welcoming the New Zealand eleven at a luncheon at the British Sportsmen’s Club, advised the visitors to keep straight bats and clear eyes.

Reed. 8 a m. LONDON, Friday. “We are delighted that the first gathering since our formation is to welcome the New Zealand cricketers,” said Lord Harris at the British Sportsmen's Club lunch at the Savoy Hotel. Lord Harris recalled a tour of New Zealand half a century ago, and laughingly recounted how they arrived at a country hotel after a conference of Maoris, who had left only a tin of sardines and half a bottle of whisky to feed 11 hungry tourists. They welcomed the team because the Dominion touched Britain’s imagination by the warmth of its welcome to the Duke and Duchess of York. . The cricket tour was a bold enterprise, evoking admiration. The players would fare all right if they forgot that they were facing great bowlers and kept a straight bat and a clear eye.

They were on the eve of completing their cricket education, and on their return they would arouse enthusiasm for the game in New Zealand. T. C. Lowry, captain of the team, said that the New Zealand team did fairly well against the Australians, and after the fame, gained by footballers, the people decided they must win a place in cricket, and they de-

cided also that the right place to learn was England. Mr. L. S. Amery, Secretary for the Dominions, paid a tribute to New Zealand as a sportsman’s paradise and nursery.

Personally he was looking forward most keenly to his visit to New Zealand in a few months.

He had a sneaking hope to get off for a few days to enjoy the delights of New Zealand life.

The gathering included the Lord Mayor, and Lords Decies, Jellicoe, Desborough and Hawke.—A. and N.Z.

PRACTICE AT LORDS

FIRST MATCH MONDAY By Cable.—Press Association. — Copyright Copyright. LONDON, Thursday. The team was busy in the afternoon practising at Lord’s in view of Monday’s opening match against Mr. Martineau’s strong side at Holyport. A specialist X-rayed Allcott's foot which did not improve during the voyage and hopes to have him fit before long. Bernau’s arm is better and all the rest are well.—A. and N.Z.