CRICKET.

Evening Star, Issue 2990, 18 September 1872, Page 3

CRICKET.

To the Editor. Sir,—l noticed a letter in your contemporary this morning ou the above subject, evidently written by one of the fussy members of the D.C.C., and sent to print to-day, so that time would not be given for a reply before the annual meeting of tho senior Club to night. Ho should h«ve kept it'for youxi columns mid then his opinions of the state of cricket would have gone before the meeting as the correct thing, and unchallenged. I am glad, however, that I have still time to expose some of his absurd statements. To begin. “Point” says “ it will be some time, however, before the game evey attains the same excellence ag it exhibited here some few years ago, unless there is more interest manifested by the old patrons of cricket, who, having retired from the more active phase of the game, should make it a duty to give the clubs the benefit of their influence and advice.” I agree with him in thinking that it will be some time before the local players as a body will come up to the imported players of *dx or seven years ago. He forgets (oy never'knew) than the Club was then formed of' gentlemen just arrived from England, "Melbourne, and Sydney, some of them being considered first-class players in tfic places they came from, and that now it consists almo-t entirely of local bloods without the experience or knowledge of the game acquired by the old members of the club, who. by Dm way, with two or three exceptions, have left the Colony ; but i think that it would be better for cricket if the old members were only to give their advice as to the manner of playing, &c,, and nqt do as was done last season come down, without any practice for two or three seasons, only to play in first-class matches, to the exclusion of younger members who have practised assiduously for those very matches. Again, he says—“ Too much responsibility is attached to the junior members in leaving them the management of affairs, and tl consequence is the business is loosely transacted,” Leaving aside the slur cast upon the Secretary and Committee by these uncalled for and unnecessary remarks, I should like to know who is to t; v ko the responsibility of managing the ' affairs it the so-called “ juniors” do not. According to “ Point’s” own showing, the old members have “retired from the more active phase of tho game,” and yet ho finds fault with the newer members for undertaking tbe work of the Club, which no one else will do. As to the business being loosely transacted, ] will furnish you with one fact, and let the

members and public judge for themselves. “ Point ” must be a very ignorant member, or he would not have made such an assertion. Four years ago the club was, I believe, saddled with a debt of about £ 1 .SO, which has, within the last throe years—or, in fact, during the time the “ juniors” have managed affairs—beew changed to a credit balance ; but no doubt we shall all know more to-morrow. “ Point” touches upon various other matters, such as suitable ground, amalgamated match committees, challenge cup, &c. ; but no doubt bis ignorance will be enlightened if he attends the meeting to-night. Hoping you will find space for these remarks, —1 remain, yours, &c , Wicket.