CRICKET SCHEME UNDERFIRE

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30976, 4 February 1966, Page 15

CRICKET SCHEME UNDERFIRE

The decision of the Canterbury Cricket Association to play senior club games on February 12, the last day of the Plunket Shield match between Canterbury and Otago, has drawn much criticism.

The Sydenham club has made a definite move by sending a circular to other senior clubs.

Other critics include the St. Albans captain and former test player, S. C. Guillen, and the Canterbury captain, B. F. Hastings. SYDENHAM “Frankly Amazed” In a letter to the Canterbury Cricket Association the Sydenham club expressed “strong disapproval” of games being played on February 12. “The present draw, with the carrying over of a round to the following Saturday in the event of rain causing cancellation of any one day’s play, now requires players to be available for three Saturdays instead of the normal two,” the letter said. “As far as the senior competition is concerned this appears to be abnormal with play ending on March 12, with two Saturdays to spare. “This season the club supported the move to have the competition divided into two sections at the conclusion of the first round. On the basis of this change it was felt there would be no advantage

to any one team and the ultimate winner would be the strongest side. By playing the senior competition at a time when players would be absent with representative commitments this objective has been defeated.

“A further incongrous situation could well develop if rain should cause a cancellation of play on February 5 with teams having commenced the round with their normal strength and then being required to complete the round with players absent on the second day due to their playing against Otago.

“The club’s committee is frankly amazed that the present situation has been permitted to continue and considers that a reversal of the association’s decision is fully justified before the draw for the next round is published.” HASTINGS “Defeats Purpose” “As well as preventing many keen cricketers attending the final day of the Plunket Shield match, the playing of club cricket on this day defeats the whole object of the splitting of the senior competition,” said Hastings. The division of the competition, a’ decision he applauded, was theoretically to bring together the four best teams in the grade. But these teams were to be deprived of, probably, their best players and, Hastings pointed out, only two of this year’s Plunket Shield team were from players in the bottom four teams. “I fail to see the logic in playing cricket on this day when two Saturdays are free at the end of the season,” said Hastings. GUILLEN No Encouragement “It is hard to believe that representatives of the Canterbury Cricket Association could make such a decision, particularly at a time when we are shouting for brighter cricket and cricketers,” said Guillen. “If they are there to discourage the keen ones, which they have on many occasions, then I give them full marks on a thorough job and, believe me, no-one could have done it better.

“Canterbury plays Otago on February 10. 11, and 12 and this game is a vital one that can easily decide the winner of the shield and a chance for a good attendance. But on the Saturday the gates are closed to the C.C.A. club cricketers who are made to play on the only free day that they can afford to attend. “By making this decision they have hampered the club games and are keeping out those who should be welcomed with open arms. “I suggest that future important decisions should be made by a committee comprising a selected number of responsible men who have the best interest of the game and of the C.C.A. at heart.

“Lest this procedure be regarded as undemocratic any decisions of such a committee can easily be put before any meeting for sanction. “I strongly recommend that appropriate action be taken without further delay to prevent any recurrence of this unsatisfactory situation and to ensure that the whole matter is put on a more businesslike basis, at least well before the commencement of the next season,” concluded Guillen.