CRICKET.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 February 1921, Page 3

CRICKET.

AUSTRALIANS WELCOMED. MATCH AGAINST -WELLINGTON. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Feb. 8. The Australian cricketers were given an enthusiastic welcome In the Wellington Town Hall this morning. The speakers were the Mayor (M. Luke), and Sir Francis Bell. In reply, Mr. Howard, manager, Mr. Ransford, captain, and Mr. Waddy spoke. Wellington. Last Night. A change is announced in the Wellington team to play the Australians, H. M. C. McGirr being unable to take part owing to recent illness. The vacancy will be filled by W. Barclay. The final selection of the Australian team will be made to-morrow. ARMSTRONG VINDICATED. By Telegraph.-—Press Assn.—Copyright. Melbourne. Feb. 8. The Cricket Association passed a resolution absolving Armstrong for not playing in the Sheffield match, also expressing no confidence in the selectors for their action in dropping Armstrong. Melbourne, Feb. 8. A meeting of the Cricket Association had before it a complaint by the manager of the Victorian team that when the team was in Sydney to play a Sheffield Shield match Armstrong failed to inform him that he could not attend practice, and told him only five minutes before the match that he was unable to play. Armstrong, supported by other members of ; the team, including Dr. Park, explained that he went to the ground and told Dr. Park ho was unfit to play. Park and Mayne agreed. He therefore stood out. Armstrong’s decision in Sydney was the cause of his exclusion from the Victorian team. After a lengthy meeting the association adopted the resolution cabled earlier. Received Feb. 8, 5.5 pm. Sydney, Feb. 8. According to latest reports the Melbourne Cricket Association, at a meeting, negatived a resolution condemning the selectors in regard to the omission of Armstrong, but adopted a resolution declaring that they considered Armstrong was justified in not playing in the Sydney match, but -regretting that the manager had not been Informed earlier of the likelihood of Armstrong not being able, to play. If this had been done the present trouble would not have arisen.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.