MODERN CRICKET.

Evening Star, Issue 19802, 28 February 1928, Page 7

MODERN CRICKET.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—After witnessing tbo match against the Australians last week I am not surprised that cricket is not so popular with the general public as it was in days gone by. Ponsford and Woodfnll are undoubtedly great batting machines, but in my opinion their play was unattractive. ' They were simply out to make their centuries, and took no risks. Ponsford look over four hours to make bis 148 runs, and there was nothing exciting about his or Woodfull’s innings. In fact, the play was boring. The colt Jackson and Grimmett livened up the game a bit, and the former’s score of 66, including seven 4’s and a 6, was made in about half an hour. He should go far, 'I he only excitement in the match was Dickinson’s and Grimmctt’s bowling. Thy former’s wonderful spasm on Friday, when he took six wickets in five overs for 3 runs, and five wickets in thirteen balls for 1 run, and Grimmett’s bowling were a.-.revelation. And the manner in which, the local men played Grimmett with their pads instead of their bats was deplorable. He nas bound to get them sooner or later, and why did they not step out and have a whack at the ball and die gloriously? The great Australian bowler certainly established a funk, and our men did not know where they wore or where the ball was.

It was sporting of the Australian captain not to make the Otago team lollow on, in order that the great crowd assembled on Saturday might see some of the Australians batting. !Jut Ponsford nnvl Schneider, who went in, still played the wait and sec game, and tlis former took seventy minutes to make 54 runs, and Schneider only scored 17 in the, same time. This is not cricket as it should ho played. Gur boys who went Home became jopular on account of their fine oneu play and sporting spirit. I. trust tney will keep it up and not adopt the modern stonewalling method.—l am, etc., A Lover or the Game. February 28.