CRICKET ETHICS.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11504, 10 February 1903, Page 4

CRICKET ETHICS.

Cricketers have always been justly proud of the iaimeisa and courtesy demanded from player* in the cricket field. The standard of conduct is a high one, and it would be strange if it were .not so, seeing that it is the natural outoome of the best traditions of English University and public school life. Self-control and propriety of conduct even in moments of excitement; unquestioning acceptance of an umpire , * decision; abstention from disparaging and disconcerting remarks upon the play of the opposing side— these are some of the earnest and moat ' valuable lessons that English gentlemen learn at Eton and Harrow, and they are not allowed to forget thorn at Oxford or Cambridge. The 'early leaden of cricket in Canterbury were pnblio school and University men. They set the same high standard of conduct here that Obey learned at Home. It has been faithfutiy maintained ever since, and is displayed by our pjnasent representative eleven, which consists entirely of oolonialJy-born players. We do not wish that standard lowered, and, therefore, we trust *hat the example of some of the English cricketers yesterday afternoon will not be followed by any of the, younger colonial players. Wβ refer, of course, to the unpleasant episode which has since formed the subject of heated discussion. We have been at come pains to y*r*r**m the facts. Bosanquet bowled one of hie slow breaks to Peaxee. .. It beat the batsman, who lunged acnoss th* pitch,

completely ofanofing the etonrps from the view of the umpire and of Sims, who was i batting at the other end. A bail feli to Abe ground, and Bosanqitet believed that) he had Jttt the wicket. Sim* called to Pearce nob to leave till the umpire gave him " out." It m, of course, for the bowler , * umpire to decide, but for the reason stated he was unable to give « decision. The other umpire was appealed to, and he also «v unable Ito say whether the ball hit the wicket ior not. Pearce accordingly remained at the wickets. The umpires wen quite ! right. Assuming that Pearc* was ! bowled, se Jβ probably the case, neither of them was in a position of, certainty. They could) not act on probability nor on : the authority of the bowler. The rules j of the game compelled them under the circunutancea to give th* batsman the benefit of the doubt. For English gentlemen to bo far forget themselves as to openly dispute such « defcsion, and to cay thai it was the wont decision they had ever heard, was strange conduct. If Can* terbury . men had done such a thing "shockingly bad form" would be tne mildest comment to expect from University trained players. But that is not all. Sims was told that it was a disgrace for him to suggest an appeal to the umpires, though in doing this i» waa not only , within his legal rights but he was in no way transgressing the very strictest etiquette of the game. Hopes were audibly expressed by the field that he would be bowled, and he was subjected by the wicket-keeper to a running fire of disconcerting remarks. ~ ~ ... • It is little wonder that a highly-etrung boy—Sims is only just out of his teens— was completely put off his play by such treatment, and it is more than probable that the early dismissal of himself and of his partner, Pearoe, who heard all that passed, was accelerated by conduct which neither expected from Eton and Oxford men. We can only recall one similar instance, of such a serious breach of cricket etiquette on a Canterbury ground. An English professional, while bowling against Canterbury in an important interprovincial match, indulged in audible comments of a disparaging character upon the play of his opponents. The matter was taken up "by the Canterbury captain, and the result was a frank and unreserved apology from the professional .player. Needless to say, every trace of sore feeling disappeared, and the professional rose, if.anything, in the estimation of hie opponents, who appreciated the. manly way in whioh he saw and regretted hu error. Nor did he ever offend again. It will be interesting to Mβ if the English cricketers will follow so wholesome a precedent. ,