A NOTEBOOK OF SPORT

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22513, 22 September 1938, Page 15

A NOTEBOOK OF SPORT

Anonymous Selectors When referring to the policy of the English selectors in a review of the cricket tests between England and Australia, Sir Pelham Warner, chairman of the selection committee, mentioned that he had received many anonymous letters from persons who had advice or criticism to offer on the selection and play of the English teams. Sir Pelham Warner disclosed that the committee had tried to choose their teams with an eye to future test series. Edrich had been persisted with, however, not merely because he was a .promising batsman, but because he was a valuable all-rounder in the team, his bowling being more than useful and his fielding brilliant. He said the loss of Ames in the fourth test at Leeds was the turning point of the rubber, for as batsman and wicket-keeper Ames was equal to two men. Moreover. Hutton was kept out of that match through injury, and Leyland striking form late in the season, could not be considered for the same reason.

A Cycling Enthusiast Known almost as widely as her husband, as an enthusiast for cycling, Mrs W. J. Walter has brought women’s influence into a new sphere of sport by undertaking the organisation of this year’s Timaru-to-Christchurch road race, which will be held under the control of the Mairehau Cycling Club

Mrs Walter reported at a meeting of the club this week, a very fine response to the appeal for • contributions to the prize fund. There is a very keen interest in the race in Timaru. Blue ribands—one for the maker of the fastest time, and one for the boys’ championship (under 18) have been presented by city firms, and another has provided a trophy for the winner of the race. It is expected that several visiting riders will be among the competitors. Cricket in Rhodesia

After his most successful season in county cricket —he made more than 1000 runs as well as maintaining his fine reputation as a wicket-keeper— K. C. James, the former New Zealand cricketfer, has left for South Africa to take up a coaching engagement in Rhodesia. B. Bellamy, his. predecessor in the Northamptonshire team, is accompanying James, and both will wort under a scheme drawn up by the Government of the Union of South Africa for the coaching of schoolboys,, and. young players of promise. One will take over the schools and cricket organisations in Matabeleland and the other will go to Mashonaland. James will return to England in time for the opening of first-class cricket next season. Lovelock on Records “It happens every year,” writes J. E Lovelock in the “Evening News,”, “that good athletes, often egged on by administrators who are keener than they are wise, are persuaded to go after, records in cold-blooded attempts, rather than being content to take them in their stride if they come, and ig-

note them if they do not. In the course of these record attempts new figures are often set up for succeeding generations of athletes to aim at. It also happens that many attempts are doomed to failure, and no count is kept of the ultimate detriment on the individual concerned from fruitless attempts at maximum performance. “My own opinion of records in athletics becomes less and less the longer I remain connected with the sport, and if at the beginning of my active career, I, too. was guilty of allowing myself to be persuaded to make staged attempts upon world’s marks, by the end of it 1 had learned more of their value and even more of my own limitations. , .-.-But all these personal feelings cannot prevent my believing that these record attempts, and the stress which are put on them, are not a just estimation of the value of the sport to the competitors. I consider there is more in sport than either the mere putting up of fast times, or vast distances. Admittedly there is also more than merely winning any event, for much depends on the methods adopted and on the technique and (artistry of performance But in a purely competitive sport it is the competition which counts, and in its absence something is lacking which supplies the thrill and satisfaction we are seeking.”