CRICKET

Hokitika Guardian, 3 November 1932, Page 3

CRICKET

:rEXODUS OF DOMINION PLAYERS - • ; THE CASE OFfCR'OMB AND MERRITT. In connection with the cricket controversy in 'reierence to New .Zealand players going to England t 0 play, for league clubs, the following appeared in , a Christchurch paper:— PROFESSIONAL PLAYERS . Sir, —it;is nbtcd that Mr I), Reese’s statement on the exodus of New Zealand cricketers to England has drawn a reply from Messrs Merritt and Cfomb, I when interviewed by your reporter, hit is not my desire to enter into the I controversy, but when Mr Crcirib purports to state that half of the players in New Zea-and . are professionals, ids' remarks are' so obviously a mis-state-ment and a reflection oil our leading cricketers-of the day," that 1 must draw attention to J "tins most palpable inaccuracy. The services of a few of ,ouf pi,ij£ hrs are perhaps'kvailed of as coaches! at colleges and other institutions, with the laudable objeciigqf imparting some! of tlleir knowledge in the training of the young cricketer. ' In some such . cases, 1111 emolument attaches; in others the duties are undertaken free and in the interests of the boys, and Jhirely ,rom the love of the game. In' most iristances he, the coach, continues fo carry out the duties of his ordinary avocation. ' To class such a sparetime coach as a professional is, to say the least, an' exaggeration of the term. In any eVent, the number of these cases would be very v few, all told, throughout New Zealand. The main statement,'however, that half of the players in New Zealand are professionals is an ' unpardonable mis-' statemeiiit ap'd, is..as wide dl.tha.majid, as Mi’ Cromb’s other contention that he and Mr Merritt have not broken their agreement with the council;' The latter certainly lias, hence the disqualification imposed upon him. In Mr Crqmb’s case,! ho knows, too, that, if he leaves' New Zealand for the purpose of playing cricket in England, before the expiry of the term for which he signed an agreement with the council, that .also will, he a breach of faith with the Council. ' Mr Cromb has *l- - been notified cf tbps by the New ! Zealand Cricket IMuncik—T .am, etc. 1 \ E. R. CAYGILLL, Chairman, Management Cppimiltee, New Zealand Cricket Council. .. ...' -

ROCKETS ACCEPTS 'OFFER

CHRISTCHURCH, November 3.

Ut 'und'erstooir tlyit. the Canterbury and New Zealand .i-epi:Osentativ6 crjcketer, A. W. ‘Roberts, ''haisaccepted an invitation to p>ay for, the Lancashire League next season.

Roberts, who is in the employ of the Public Trust Office, will be granted isix months’ leave of absence, and he will p’ay for tbs Church Club. The figure at- which he has accepted the engagement is the same as that accepted by W. Merritt, 'and I. B. Cromb, who 4 yith Lancashire League •Ciubo.