M.C.C. REPLY

Hokitika Guardian, 13 June 1933, Page 6

M.C.C. REPLY

TO BOARD OF CONTROL. BODYLINE BOWLING. (United Press 1 Association —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) (Received June 13 at 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, June 12. Marylebone in a seven hundred words cable reply to the Board of Control, says it lias carefully considered the Board’s cable of 28th. April and also the reports of the- English -captain and managers. It adds—“We consider the ten ( “bodylino bowling,” is misleading and improper. It led to too much inaccuracy thereby confusing the short, bumping;' ball, whether directed off the middle or leg stump, with what is known as the leg theory. Tho term “bodyline’’ would appear to imply a direct attack by a bowler on the batsman.

_he Committee consider such an implication applied to any English howler in Australia, was improper and incorrect. The practice of bowling on the leg stump, with the field placed on the leg side is legitimate, and has been in force for many years. The present habit of batsmen to move in front of the wicket, with the object of gliding straight halls to leg, tends to give «an impression that the bowler is bowling at the- batsman, especially in the case of a fast bo-wler, when the batsman mistimes the ball and is hit. The new law recommended by the Board, does not'aphear to the Committee to ; be •practical. Firstly, it would place an impossible task on the umpire; secondly/it would place irr tho hands of the umpire, a power over the game more than dangerous, which any umpire might well fear to exercise. The Committee have had no reason to give special attention to the log theory, as practised by fast howlers.