APPOINTMENT OF SUTCLIFFE.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19151, 7 November 1927, Page 9

APPOINTMENT OF SUTCLIFFE.

SURPRISE EXPRESSED. PROMINENT CRICKETERS' VIEWS. (BT r-ABLF—fRKSS ASSOCIATIOK— COPTBIGHT.j (ACS". JULIA* A,VD X.Z. CABLB ASSOCIATION.) (Received November 6th. 5.5 p.m.) CALCUTTA, November ■". Roy Kilner, Leyland, and Dolphin expressed strong views on the appointment of Sutcliffe as the Yorkshire captain when they landed at Bombay on their way toT*atiala (in the Tunjab) as coaches.

Kilner said that they were greatlysurprised when the announcement was made, and added: "Sutcliffe is not the senior professional in the team. He is a post-war product, and has not the experience of Wilfred Rhodes, Dolphin, or myself. The disappearance of the amateur from the Yorkshire team is to be regretted. Sutcliffe himself is a batsman, and I am wondering whether he will be able to handle bowling or not._ Experienced amateurs are scarce in Yorkshire, but I think an amateur skipper is to be preferred. Ail of us regret the passing of Major Lupton, who was well liked by all professionals. If this is a sign that the amateur will begin to disappear from county cricket, it will be a bad thing for cricket. The whole thing has been kept verv quiet. None of us had the slightest "idea that the new skipper would be Sutcliffe. Whether this-means that Rhodes has definitely decided to retire, I don't know. There is little doubt that Lord Hawke approved the appointment of a professional as captain, or it would not have gone through, but it is a bad day for amateur cricket in Yorkshire."

Dolphin regretted the fact that Yorkshire would not have an amateur skipper. Ley!and agreed with Kihier that the appointment of a professional as captain was to be deplored, and confirmed the statement that the Yorkshiremen were absolutely ignorant of the impending appointment when they left England.

PRESS. OPINION

(AUSTRALIAN AXD N.2. CABLE ASSOCIATION.)

LONDON, November 4,

The "Daily Chronicle" says that much surprise is expressed at the announcement that Sutcliffe will continue to play as a professional. The "Chronicle" adds: "Wc are able to state definitely that Sutcliffe sailed for South Africa with the express understanding that if his election as captain were confirmed he should play as an amateur. The decision of the full committee is at variance with that of the negotiating sub-committee. The present arrangement is unlikely to be more th;ni temporary. Sutcliffe is a clever man, cultured and ambitious, and has been remarkably successful in business. He is prepared to make sacrifices to play as an amateur, and probably sooner than expected will captain Yorkshire and, possibly, England as an unpaid player."