N.Z. CRICKET.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17125, 21 April 1921, Page 7

N.Z. CRICKET.

MR V. S. RANSFORD'S VIEWS. Prior to leaving the Dominion at the close of the Australian cricket team's recent successful tour, the captain, Mr Vernon Hansford, was requested by Mr E. Heathcote Williams, president of the New Zealand Cricket Council, to give his opinion as to how cricket in the Dominion could be improved. Mr Hansford's letter was received at a meeting of the Management Committee of the New Zealand.Cricket Council held last night. "In the first place," he wrote, "I should like to say that though my team has gone througn New Zealand without defeat, I have observed a great improvement in the game since i was last in the Dominion. I think, Lowever, that a great advance would be made in the game if the New Zealand public took more interest in it than they appear to do. Coming from Australia, where we have thousands of keen supporters of both sexes, the lack of interest here has been very noticeable, and perhaps the public will pardon me if on the eve of my departure from this charming country T appeal to them to give their cricketers more financial support. I suggest that each citizen who loves good, clean sport should become an honorary member of the local association. _ If assistance were thus given, those in control of the game would soon be in a position to obtain better grounds than exist at present. It is absolutely essential that the best possible grounds and \yickets should be obtained, as the game cannot be played properly unless this is done. "It is obvious that the time to learn to play cricket is during one's schooldays, and consequently the more the game is encouraged in the schools the better will the status of the Dominion's cricketers be. It would be a great advantage to a school if it had a sports master who was qualified to teach the boys how to play. They should also be encouraged to practise regularly and systematically, for it is only those who follow this course who become proficient, for the game, if worth playing at all, is worth playing well. "These remarks in regard to practice apply to all players of whatever rank, and every association should insist on its players making themselves thoroughly efficient, and when once efficiency is obtained the public will begin to make greater interest. "I would also urge the necessity of securing a professional coach in eaob. district. If a good coach was obtained, his training would not fail to improve your cricket if his advice was followed, combined with regular prac"l think that much good would: result if important matches were played at regular intervals. This would give your cricketers something to look forward to, and to practise for. I have noticed in a good many instances that New Zealand batsmen are too anxious to make runs early in their innings. This is a mistake, unless the bowling is weak. If the bowling is good, a bats. man should play himself in before attempting to make runs, except off loose bowling; Runs -will come quickly when once a batsman's eye is inland patience is necessary 1 until that time arrives. Then there are many cases where the position of the match requires that a defensive game should be played, and in such circumstances no other course should be followed. : . "I nm very anxious to see New Zealand' cricket go ahead, and it is with that object I have written before ret"rnin<r to Australia. In conclusion. I take this opportunity of thnnking the pebble of the Dominion for their great to the team." It was decided to forward copies of the letter to associations and schools.