CRICKET

Hokitika Guardian, 15 December 1933, Page 3

CRICKET

NOBLE S ADVICE

FORTIER CAPTAIN’S VIEW

SYDNEY, Dec. 1

“We hear far too much about barracking in cricket,” said Mr M. A. Noble, Australia’s former' test captain in a recent address to young cricketer “but barracking' is really an asset to

the game. “I firmly believe,” said Mr Noble, “that the barfackbr is impartial and

impersonal. One must expect to be

barracked if one fields badly or misses a - catch, . but, generally speaking, barracking is caused by sheer enthusiasm. It must be remembered that both sides get their share of it. , “We have A-been ■ severely criticised for", our Australian barracking, but there- is Agreqt bar racking in England as well. I can remember oh one occasion; the ban-ackers .singing ‘The Dear March in; Saul’ at - the famous Lords .ground, ■ and- ; \on . .another,, ’occasion, when I was batting . against time, a barraclrer yelled ,out. i/Pufc.ji rope> round- his. neck and dpag,, him out.’ ” - • , . .

,Mi* Noble said that barracking, was world-wide.. H& urged young players, to, take no notice of it. p-“ After , a 11,”., hesaid, "isn’t it a great thing to know there, is a big . crowd looking on and to feel that they will barrack you if you make a mistake ? . Treat them as though you- never hear them. Any gesticulation or answer to barracking is fatal. ' “Where, perhaps, only one or two have been on to you, any outward indication that you- are annoyed or that you are taking notice of the crowd will make .hundreds join in. Once a crowd gets, the opinion that you are taking an unfair . advantage of your opponents or the idea that you are a ‘pointer’ they will, not leave you alone.”

Mr Noble advised young, players to close their ears to applause, as they might be carried away by it. Many players bad considered.themselves overbut had been , nulled from their self-created pedestals. The cricketers of to-day were favoured by improved facilities and were taught differently from those of former year*. Self-control was the greatest asset of any player. Every man in n team was a unit of a combination, said Mr Noble, and must .share 'responsibility with tho others. None of the players should go out of his way to avoid responsibility, but take his share, and words of encouragement worked wonders. A captain must never ask a player to do anything whieh .be himself would not do. Physical fitness was necessary in the games, and sleep was the greaV.’st tonic of all.