EMPHASIS ON YOUTH

Chronicle (Levin), 22 January 1949, Page 5

EMPHASIS ON YOUTH

.. — Reuter.

English Authority's Advice To New Zealand

N.Z.P.A

Copyright)

L"ULi'Received Friday, '7.30 p.m. LONDOA, Jan. 21. , The well-knowji English crickei writer, Yictor Lewis, who accompanieu the last M.C.C. team on its tour of Australia and New Zealand, spealang • at a farewell luncheon given in hi.honour by the East Molesey Crickei Club, expressed misgivings about tht .number of older players who, he under ;stood, were likely to be ineluded m the Xew Zealand cricket team to tour Eng land. Mr. Lewis said it seemed likely the leam would be a str'ong batting side, bui he felt that New* Zealand would make a mistake if it relied upon bowlers, some of whom were well on in years. Tlnwould be particularly the case if tln ;season proved to be a drv one with liaril svickets. The New Zealaiul tourisl •- would need young medium pat-e bowlerwho could make the ball come quickl;off the wieket. Mr. Lewis, who ha.been assistant editor of^ the Uai.,. Graphic, has been appointed mauagui^ editor of the Times of Ceylon. »nouin Bats oe im arrowerv The former England eaptain, E. W. V. Robins, has dropped a pebble in tht cricket pool whieh has eaused a numbei of ripples. He has suggested that tii. game might be improved by taking ou inch off the widtli of the bat, making n three and a-quarter inches wide uisteao of four and a-quarter. Here are sonn of the comments: Maurice Tate: "As an ex- bowler 1 ani all for a change, but what wouk. county clubs say if repeatedly matcliewere over in a day and a-half It would be a terrilic knock to theu finances. ' C. B. Ery: "The bat is all right as n it. Cricket would not be improved In making it narrower. " Jack Hobbs: "It's a good idea. Tln onlv trouble is that it would alfect clun ericketers more than others. A Iirst - elass batsman should be able to hit a ball in the centre of the bat wiiatevc. its size. " Herbert Sutcliffe: "I disagree. L there is to be any alteration in the rulvI suggest that the wicket be wideuv . by one inch." ' Wilf Wooller: "When I am battinthe bat is too narrow. When I am bowl'ing it is far too wide! Such a changv Avould end matches more quickly, but n.. for ensuring brighter cricket 1 liave m\ | doubts. Some batsmen could stonewan with a golf club." In South Africa Len Hutton has stated: "All these fancy ideas come from men who have linished cricket. i cannot see iioav redu,cing the wultli >t the bat can help the game. Top-clas.-players would adjust themselves to th-' neAV bat, and vou would be baek whert you started. Some batsmen could d Avith an extra inch, not one off. But wh, trv to improve cricket when we a. getting bigger c-rowds and meniberslii|i than ever before? Why change the bat. because there is a dearth ot" goo . boAvlers?"