N.Z. Cricketers

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 79, 24 June 1927, Page 10

N.Z. Cricketers

To wry’s men receive warn. ■welcome on arrival in Hn gland. Team’s activities on board ship. OLD AUCKLANDERS MET BY MID-OFF. The trip across the Atlantic was one of the best the Majestic has ever had in her five years of service. She is the biggest boat in the world, and it took ten or a dozen tugs to shift her out of New York Harbour. On shipboard, most of us were beginning to feel the want of a good strenuous game, some of us putting on weight too fast. To try and reduce a little, we decided to get down and do a little serious training. Most of us were early risers, and we used to start oft with some good, solid sprinting round the decks. We found the most enjoyable training was to use a tennis ball, and do some catching and fielding practice. It was quite a serious affair, beeaiise if anyone missed a catch he might have to stand out for 10 minutes or so. This fielding practice was very good, and believe me, there was some smart work. As time drew on and we were getting near Southampton, our supply of tennis balls was getting exhausted and, of course, our training came to an end. On our arrival at Southampton we were met by the Mayor, the Hampshire team, and Mr. Swan, who was out in New Zealand with the M.C.C. After a few words of welcome, we caught our train to Waterloo Station. On arrival there we were met by the different chief officials and several leading men of the cricket world. Our New Zealand Government representative welcomed us on behalf of the Government. A very surprising man in the name of Mr. Moss Davis was

there -to meet us, and made us feel quite at home. We all know Mr. Davis as a very old Auckland resident. I met another gentleman, Mr. Melbourne Orchard, who, if I remember rightly, was one of the first officials connected with the North Shore Club. He brought back memories to me of the old days, and I can look back to- my schoolboy days, when this gentleman gave me many a lesson on how to stand at the wickets. Perhaps his teaching has borne fruit. Mr. Orchard was very kind to us and as soon as we arrived at our hotel he went out of his way and showed us many places of interest. A WARM WELCOME Since our arrival here we have met quite a lot of New Zealand people. When our “All Black” Rugby team was here, I believe they left behind them a Mr. Ray. He has been with us, taken us out, and gone out of his way for us; in fact, the warmth of the hospitality here is amazing. We have been received with open arms wherever we go. The weather here has been perfect, the best spring England has had for some years. The countryside looks beautiful. The fields are all green, and the trees just beginning to show their leaves. Our first few days here were very quiet regarding cricket; we were all getting our kits complete for the tour. We have been very lucky regarding our cricket gear. Every firm has given us something, and I may state the boys will have- a great bag of gear when they return to New. Zealand. Everyone here seems interested in our little country. Some of the questions put to us are very crude, not like some of our American friends, whom we met on our travels. Some of them told us they had friends in New Zealand, but that they were out in Australia! We had our first practice at Lord’s, and every opportunity that comes along we all go and have half an hour’s practice on fairly good wickets. We have seen some cricket here, but not like our own (too quiet). They sit on their bat all day, if they can, not like our style.