CRICKET.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 July 1926, Page 2

CRICKET.

[Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.] LONDON, July 14. The “Manchester Guardian” says: AA’ith two bowlers to show them the way, the English batsmen brought the third test to a. creditable, if an unexciting draw. If England had taken the first innings on Saturday, the Australians would probably Ivive marched steadily to the same result. It looks as if, though on average wickets, we can at least rely on a. draw as the norma] result of three-day tests, both in Australia, and England ihe batsman has gone ahead of the howler. This does not commend the idea, that the test/; be played to a finish, whatever their length four days perhaps hut the mind shudders at the thought •of some county cricketers going to the wicket with the knowledge that tliev have eternity to bat in.”

HOAV TO HELP THE BOAVLEB. LONDON, July 14. Lord Harris, speaking at a cricketers’ fund meeting at Lords, said: "The time has probably come when steps are necessary to counteract the efiect of extremely easy wickets. A day seldom passes without several scores of over four hundred. Such lifeless wickets have killed fast bowling, and have rendered other bowling innocuous. I have been a life-long opponent of any alteration to the l.b.w. law, or any change of the implements of cricket, hut something has got to be done to help the bowler.”

He urged the counties and the first class cricketers to seriously consider the matter. The wicket could be heightened or broadened, or the net could be reduced in width, but, unfortunately, such alterations would be more effective when the hall was turning somewhat, which it was seldom doing on the present wickets. He .advocated a reversion to the law which did not require the ball to pitch straight between tlie wickets.

AUSTRALIAN AIANAGER DEPOSED SYDNEY, July 15. Somewhat of a sensation has been caused in cricket circles through the Gordon Club rejecting Air Sydney Smith (the manager of the Australian team) now in England, as their delegate to New South AVales Cricket Association. This decision, which is regarded as the outcome of the feeling engendered by the omission of C. F. Kelleway from the Australian team, will mean that Air Smith will probably automatically cease to be honorary secretary of the Australian Board of Control. lam! Secretary of the Executive of the New South Wales Association.