CRICKET.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 912, 3 September 1910, Page 12

CRICKET.

• OUR "PRO." COACH. "Old Timer" writes:—The decisionof the Cricket Association , to import a professional coach for the purposo of uplifting the good- old game, and instilling into .the 'youngsters a more intimate knowledge of : "how to bat" would, I feel sure, have been, much more appreciated by cricketer's in general had tho appnintco boen possessed of the attributes of a! "coach proper." AVe have seen-how Aucklaad under "Pro," Keif's able tuition

has .been- raised...from;' mediocrity '. to its at present highVst'aidard. ,:-Kelf is a batsman, ,and he.' has iraised. .theniv f or. ; .lhe Auckland ;Province,'ami" batsmeii ia •what Wellington is in need' of "at die present time. Therefore,'the%isdohi of. the a'ssociatiohY choice is open to criticism.; .- " Saunders is-purely albowlw)-.''certainijr-a very tine'one; and .do'doubt-he will; have 'a rattling busy time.-: amongst our best .batsmen's timbers: during the .combing •season. .-..They: will.'be .all scratching at him-from stare to finish.—just .because he is Saunders, and'-is (supposed. Uk carrj with him:, a "kit of tricks." --V : -..;- ■■' '■To my mind what" is wahtedJs.'avbdte-man-bowler, :one' who is capable of. showr , ing the .batter what ball tp'.pick.up from the pitch, how. tpj'step to -it,'., and' atAvhac: angle Jtocirry/ his bat; etc.' '.This, is ;what. the-universities would' .'.look! to. s from■ a. coach.. In.: addition, the' advantages of; being..a!-:bowler . would- ; lead '.to. the particular, ball desired being'.tossed up,;for the purpose;,-of effecting:' the : .i different strokes. «AVe' cannot look to the appointedcoach :to .teach that /which ■he Las; not!, ■learned, himself. /.Therefore,-.the;much-desired •• results from our."initial.:.effort in the" way of. coaching..can be'countedas nil; .in, so far as the coming'season; is" concerned. -' Perhaps. the association will grow wiser ,;with age 'and experienced j ";;