IMPROVING CRICKET

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 176, 21 April 1921, Page 8

IMPROVING CRICKET

LETTER FROM MR. HANSFORD

AN APPEAL TO THE PUBLIC By Telegraph.—Press Association. Christchurch, April 20. Previous to leaving New Zealand, air. Ra-ustord, captain of the Aus:.ltalian cricket team, was requested by -Hr. Heathcote Williams, president of the New Zealand Cricket Council, to give his opinion of how cricket in -.he Dominion could be improved. -Mr. Raiistord’s letter was read at a meeting of the council to-night. “In the first place,” wrote Mr. Hansford, “I should like to say shat though my team has gone through New Zealand without defeat, I have observed a great improvement in file game since last in the Dominion. 1 think, however, a great advance would be made iu the game if the New Zealand public took more interest in it than they appear to do. Coming from Australia, where we have thousands of keen supporters of both sexes, t'he lack of interest here has been noticeable, arid perhaps the public will pardon me if on the eve of my departure from this charming country, I appeal to them to give their crucketers more financial support. “I suggest that each citizen who loves good clean sport should become an honorary member of a local association. It assistance was thus given, those in control of the game would soon be in a position to obtain better grounds than exist at present. It is absolutely essential that the best possible grounds and wickets should be obtained, as the game cannot be played properly unless this is done. It is obvious that the time to learn to play cricket is during one s schooldays, and, consequently, the inure the game is encouraged in the schools, the better will the status of the Dominion’s cricketers be. It would be a great advantage to a school if it had a sports master who was qualified to teach boys how to play. They should also be encouraged to practice regularly and systematically, for it is only those who follow this course who become proficient; for if the game is worth playing at all, it is worth playing well. These remarks in regard to practice apply to all players of whatever rank, and every association should insist on its players making themselves thoroughly efficient, and when once eificioncy is obtained the public will begin to take a greater interest. . “I would also urge the necessity cf securing a professional coach in each 'district. If a good caoch is obtained, his training would not fail 'io improve jour cricket if his advice was followed, combined with regular practice. I think that much good would result if important matches were played at regular intervals. This would give your cricketers something to look forward to and to practise for. U I have noticed that in a good many instances New Zealand batsmen are too anxious to make runs early' in their innings. This is a mistake, unless the bowling is weak. If the bowling is good, a batsman should play himself m before attempting to make runs, except off loose bowling. Runs will come quickly' when once the batsman’s eye is in, and patience is necessary until that time arrives. Then there are many cases where the position of the match requires that a defensive game should be played, and in such circumstances no other course should be followed. I am very anxious to see New Zealand cricket go ahead, and it is with that object that 1 have written before returning to Australia.”

It was ■ decided 1 to forward copies of the letter to all the associations’ and schools.