CRICKET.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19159, 16 November 1927, Page 12

CRICKET.

PLUNKET SHIELD TEAMS. COACHES AGAINST INCLUSION. [THE PEESS Special Service.] WELLINGTON, November 15. Subjects for discussion at the meeting of the New Zealand Cricket Association to be held in Christchurch this week include the question of playing the professional cricketers in the Plur.ket Shield matches. The Wellington Association's Management Committee has decided to support the idea that all or none should play. With a view to ascertaining the feelings of the coaches regarding this matter, the professionals in Wellington for the cricket match were approached, and it was gathered from them that they would prefer to be cut out of the bhield games They are, of course, keen on getting match play, but they teel that the interests of New Zealand cricket would be better served if they were omitted from the Shield teams and, as au alternative, appointed as arbiters They realise that the Plunket Shield contest is one in which the talent offering in the different provinces is put to the test, and as coaches, watching in particular the progress of the colts, they consider that it would be in the interests of the players and the game if they were placed in the position of being allowed to advise the players during the progress of representative matches. It is suggested that they might be appointed to act as umpires, in which position they would be able throughout the matches to note and rectify any faults in batting, bowling, or fielding. It is open to question whether a move such as this would iind approval, but the professionals point out that in matches in England, where the teams include players receiving tuition, the coaches are not allowed to play, but almost invariably stand at the wicket as umpires. By being on the spot throughout the progress of play they consider that much more good could be done in developing the young cricketer than by being out of touch with the player during his term at the crease.

Another matter regarding the playing of tho professionals in Shield cricket is that there is the possibility of the performance of any one of them being largely responsible for winning the trophy. As the Shield was no doubt presented for the advancement of New Zealand cricket, the coaches feel that the real purpose of tho competition for the trophy would not be achieved if matches were won by the coaches engaged from overseas. In discussing this aspect of the question reference was made to the moral side of the gamn. Much was expected of tho professionals, and their success or failure in matches no doubt had an effect upon the rest of the team. If rhe coaches were there as arbiters the performance of the' players would not be affected; in fact, it was the opinion of the professionals that the players would probably do better, knowing that every stroke, every delivery, and every movement in the field were being closely watched by the coaches. "I would rather see a batsman get 50 runs in good style than 150 runs badly," remarked one of the coaches, "and at the wicket we would be able to give the advice that would enable him to make his runs by good strokes."

N.Z. V. THE REST. TEAMS FOR CHRISTCHURCH GAME. (f&ess association telzgbam.) WELLINGTON, November 15. Saturating rain fell all night and the cricket match was abandoned. The teams for the cricket match New Zealand v. The Rest, at Christchurch, are:— New Zealand. T. C. Lowry. H. M. McGirr. C. S. Dempster. C. Oliver. J. E. Mills. C. F. Alcott. M. L. Page. W. E. Merritt. R, C. Blunt. H. L. Bernau. K. C. James. The Rest. Langridge. W. Cunningham. J. Newman. M. Boon. F. T. Badcock. J. McEwin. H. Foley. H. B. Massey. H. D. Gillespie. R. Read.* D. Nixon. E. R. Neale (12th man). Kingston, Gallichan, Bowley, Eastman, and Henderson are not available The players leave by to-night's ferry.

COMPLIMENTARY LUNCHEON. Members of the New Zealand team have had a surfeit of functions in their honour since their return to the Dominion, and at their own request no civic reception has been arranged for them in Christchurch. When they arrive from Wellington this morning they will be accorded a welcome at the Christchurch railway station by members of the New Zealand Cricket Council. On Saturday at 1.15 p.m. an official luncheon will take place at Lancaster Park, when Mr Heathcote vVilliams will probablv preside. The Mayor (Mr J. K. Archer), the Town Clerk (Mr J. S. Neville), the Mayor of Sumner (Mr W. H. Nicholson), and local and visiting delegates to the annual conference of the New Zealand Cricket Council will be present. COMBINED PRbSS CLUB. The following team will represent the Combined Press Club in a match against the Post and Telegraph Clnb on the Boys' League ground, Hagley Park, at 2 p.m. to-morrow:— E. Hartley-Smith, A. Woodward, Fitzmaurice, A. Hurcomb, N. Archer, R. E. Gillespie, H. Anderson, A. Stacey, C. Craze, P. C. K. Thomson, P. C. Dsvics, and J. C. Mullins. At the same ground and time a match will j also take place between teams representing the editorial and mechanical departments.