Successful Cricket Season But More Individual Effort Needed

Chronicle (Levin), 13 April 1949, Page 7

Successful Cricket Season But More Individual Effort Needed

'Not Out'')

(By '

Every cricketer and these interested in the game will agree when I say the season lias been a successful one. Club cricket, the rnost important scction, has been well catered for, not only by the association, but also by the weather. Some club members may say that they could have been, provided with better wicktcs. that word • "provided" is used too frequently in many valks of life. For a change, let us all see the meaning of "we shall make," and "we shall do." In other words, what has been the individual effort? A little perhaps in some quarters- — few quarters- — and in general little effort.

The Levin Borough Council has, gone to much trouble in the laying of a new wicket on the Weraroa Domain (which, incidentally, cricketers assisted with by contribiiLinc £20 i , but that alone will not so ve the problem. One match on a gooa wicket. What about the othei seven matches played every Saturday in the district? College crickaters are at a disadvantage in that they have not as good a ground as other secondary schools. It has been unfortunate because, since its opening, labour has been at a premium and costs high.

Care Of Gear. What of gear? A good workman requires good tools. Good cricketers require good and expensive gear. Clubs in prac.ically all cases provide their members with the require'd gear and usually appoint a gear custodian. What help and thanks doeS he get? He commences duty keen on his job, but thoughtless actions of his fello\v players often kills that enthusiasm Do you assist him by seeing that the pads are kept ctean and white, s.raps tre%ted with care, bats, g'oves, etc., treated with respect, and after use are they replaced neatly in the correct place, or are they * lef t anywhere for all and suir.lry to sit on, k^ck about or play with? If you are an offender, make

amends immediately and if you are not an offender then you are doing something to make. the game what it is. Ihere are many other little points which go to make cricket enjoyablc. Some, I have mentioned in notes written previous.y, whi e a little thoughc will bring' the others to min'd. So much for the gear custodian. What of your pub'icity officer? Publicity this season has not been as good as it should have been as far as both association and 'club "doings" are concerned. "Thc Chronicle," with its limited reparting staff, cannot cover everything. but they have on many occasions sta.ed that they are only too wii'ing to give pubncity to cricket news brought to them. It is evident tha I any lack of rcports is wholly and solely due to the lack of work on the part of the association anvi clubs. Notes Created Interest. I cannot possibly bring these notes to an end without tendermg thanks to the many people who have given valuahe assistance to me in the course of the season. Messrs. G. C. France, G. Andrews, K. Hudson and J. Granger have assisted greatly when I have been unable 'ta view certain matches. Many others have given usefu' material in varying degrees and to them all I say "Thank you." That these notes have been worthwhile we all agree. They have only been one man's opinion, but they have aroused interes. and promoted healtliv discussion. On 'these grounds alone they are. va'uable T've actually heard some agree with statements made — most encouraging — and, naturally enough, Fve heard seme disagree — against most enconraging — for it is then realisecl that what was aimed at has been achieved — active interest in the "Grand Olvl Game." '