CRICKET

Evening Star, Issue 23696, 2 October 1940, Page 8

CRICKET

NDTES AND COMMENTS [By “ Wallaby.”] That ’Endowment Fund. A subject which had been widely discussed and debated among club members prior to the annual meeting of the Otago Cricket Association was that of the association’s endowment fund, but when the matter was brought forward at the meeting of the governing body it was nipped in the bud by the chairman’s ruling that notice of motion was required before anything could be done, as the relevant clause had been included in the rules by resolution at a general meeting. Whether any further steps will be taken to bring about the necessary amendment remains to be seen. Looking at the matter calmly, it would be a pity if the scheme, the object of which is the accumulation of a fund, say, of £2,000, the interest of'which would be used for the general benefit of the game, should be allowed to lapse. It must be remembered, too, that the bulk of the money which has from time to time been raised to carry on cricket affairs in Dunedin has been contributed by supporters of the game who have had their day as players, or perhaps have never played it at all. And then support of the endowment fund has begn given on the understanding that the active cricketers themselves should do their part. It is therefore but reasonable to expect these players to respect that “ gentlemen’s agreement.” It must be remembered, too, that contributions to the fund are calculated at per team, so that a decrease in membership necessarily involves a decrease in contributions by the club concerned. As to the individual, there is a good deal in Mr D. Solomon’s contention that the youths and young men of to-day are much better off financially than were those of the last generation. The plea concerning demands for patriotic purposes is not a very noble one, for if the donor cuts down his contribution to such as the endowment fund in order to give to a patriotic fund, he cannot claim to have made any personal sacrifice for his country’s cause. The complaint, not infrequently heard, that the playing members of clubs do not do all they could to assist the game financially is not without foundation. The experience of those officials who in the past have eu-

deavoured to organise means —be they indoor or outdoor attractions or art unions—for the benefit of the O.C.A. funds has been that support from the players has been confined to a small section, and that that section is invariably the same on each occasion. The Grange Club has intimated that at intends reopening the question of the endowment fund, so at has yet to be definitely settled. Unwieldy Committee. There was, however, something in Mr Stevens’s contention regarding the unwieldiness of the General Committee of the association, a committee which consists of 22 members. Since the General Committee practically abolished the Management Committee, the 22 members of the former body are called together to transact all the business of* the association, the result often being unduly protracted meetings and no greatly enhanced wisdom. At the recent O.ChA. annual meeting a resolution was carried giving life members the right to vote at meetings of delegates, but withdrawing the privilege which these members (four of the five of whom are expresidents) had enjoyed of attending (but not voting at) committee meetings. Considering the size of the committee, this precaution is probably necessary, but, on the other hand, provision is made for no fewer than five representatives of the ground members to sit on the committee and to exercise a vote. There would appear to be something out of proportion here. One-day Matches.

As for the suggestion that ’ all grade matches should be one-day fixtures, this is a point that is open to argument, with the majprity of votes against the proposal. The greatest objection, one feels, is that the application of the closure—which is necessary in, most cases if a win is sought—deprives the less capable ■ batsmen on the side of the pleasure of getting a hand; an experience which has made more than one “ rabbit ” or near-rabbit throw the game up. Another objectioai is that a number of batsmen who are, in ordinary circumstances, capable, if steady, scorers would be moved to quicken up their rate of scoring, and in so doing lose their form. Admittedly there are many who could score more quickly if they 7 would take the risk, but there are many more who do not possess that adaptability. It must not be forgotten that quality still counts for something, even with the public who look on. For instance, if three matches were being played on grounds adjacent to one another and equally accessible: one match between representative provincial sides where the scoring was at the rate of, say, 40 to 50 runs an hour; another match between senior club teams in which the scoring rate was 60 runs an hour, and a third match between junior elevens whose batsmen were getting runs at an 80-an-bonr pace—which match would attract the crowd? While the “village o-rcen ” variety of cricket has its atti’actions and will appeal to those people who are not keen students of the game, others who have made a study of its numberless points will appreciate and enjoy the more skilful exposition of the game. ~ , , However, the association has decided that senior matches bo two-day fixtures and all junior matches one-day fixtures. Should trouble arise during the season no doubt matches can be adjusted.