WELLINGTON CRICKET.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 414, 25 January 1909, Page 10

WELLINGTON CRICKET.

Sir,—Can you inform me if the -Wellington Cricket Association has decided to send a team to Auckland to play for the Plunk,et Shield? , There, was 'a rumour when the Otago and Canterbury teams were playing in Auckland that Wellington intended to try,for the trophy.in February. . Since then wo have- hoard nothing of.the venture.;■ Perhaps the association thinks it is noi worth while sending an eleven now that Otago arid Canterbury have tailed. Whilst I believe Wellington's chances of securing the shiefcl are rather remote,,l am sure the'contest,vif! it eventuates, would do the local eleven a great deal of good, and indirectly/advance, the game in this city. Tho Wellington team would see for themselves the immense advance ■ .cricket has made, in the centre under the capable teaching of- the professionals, ltelf and Jonee. They., ivould also noto the splendid playing ■ grounds in and around Auckland, and; >also. ■the./superior suitability of Port Albert ■•,.soil over ■ the famous Bulli soil of Australia for ;;match wickets; and last,; but by no means least;• they would learn that thevenergy. and.enthusiasm of .one district, club, 'supported by '■jomij: of, Auckland's'•' public-spirited citizens, revived the game from the indifference of former years-to the high level ol a public attraction which it ■ holds to-day. , I- have frequently .visited the Basin Reserve .when tho best local cricket is to be seen, and admired tho patience by .the cricketers on that crowded area. My observations of the play, however, lea 3 me to say that Wellington will always play fourth fiddle, so to speak, in the-cricket field, as .against Auckland, Otago,.,'aud Canterbury.' The' reasons for the above statement" are quite apparent. First, the. local .playing grounds require to ho much improved,, so that.first-class match wickets and outfielding may be the rule, and not the exception. Secondly, competent groundmen are wanted tb keep the fields in proper order. Thirdly, the local association, if they havo riot the powor already, should arrange with the controlling bodies to make a chargo to witness important matches. Lastly,'and above all, .the services of two first-clas3 professionals should be secured, to coach senior and junior players. To secure all these necessary reforms . means just two things—energy: and money, onorgy on the part of the Wellington Cricket Association anrl players, money in the shape of guarantees. from the merchaht princes of the. city. The association should think out a practicable scheme,-and I lay it before some of Wellington's publicspirited'.citizens, who will support a busi-ness-like proposal. But. .'the. greatest' encouragemeut to the-cricketers will oventually come from' the general public, whp will support first-class oricket just'as 1 they .patronisegood football.—l am., etcv}: , ;-'-:■ - -

■. '■ ' ■- '■ ■■•■■ '■'■ ■»£ [This letter has been slightly condensed.]